Haunted Things to Do in Charleston: Ghost Tours, Legends & Paranormal History
- Desirae-Haunted Traverse
- 1 minute ago
- 5 min read
Charleston, South Carolina is often described as one of the most haunted cities in the United States—and with good reason. Founded in 1670, the city has witnessed centuries of war, disease, slavery, executions, and loss. These layers of history have given rise to some of the most enduring ghost stories in American folklore.
From historic jails and waterfronts to grand homes and shadowed alleys, Charleston offers a unique blend of preserved beauty and lingering unrest. For travelers interested in haunted history, ghost tours, and paranormal exploration, Charleston is a destination that invites curiosity long after the sun sets.
Why Charleston Is Considered One of the Most Haunted Cities in America
Charleston’s paranormal reputation is rooted in its long and often violent past. The city played a central role in the American Revolution, the Civil War, and the transatlantic slave trade. Epidemics, fires, and executions were once common, and many buildings standing today were present during those events.
These factors—sudden death, emotional trauma, and repeated use of the same locations—are often cited by paranormal researchers as conditions that contribute to hauntings. Whether interpreted as residual energy or folklore shaped by history, Charleston’s ghost stories remain remarkably consistent across generations.
A Famous Charleston Ghost Story: The Old City Jail
"If you have a message to send to hell, give it to me and I will carry it" -Lavinia Fisher
One of the most frequently cited haunted locations in Charleston is the Old City Jail, a site featured on numerous local ghost tours.
Built in 1802, the jail housed criminals, pirates, prisoners of war, and those awaiting execution. Among the most infamous inmates was Lavinia Fisher, often referred to as America’s first female serial killer, who was executed on the jail grounds in 1820.
Alonzo Small, a young boy died in the prison in 1913 and it is reported that he haunts the third floor. Wheelchairs found on that floor move strangely by unseen hands. Is this Alonzo's doings from the beyond?
Visitors and staff have reported:
disembodied voices and whispers
visitors reported being scratched or pushed here
shadow figures moving through empty corridors
cold spots and sudden drops in temperature
feelings of being watched or followed
Unexplained footprints
The Old City Jail is so closely associated with paranormal activity that it appears on nearly every Charleston ghost tour itinerary, making it a central stop for those interested in experiencing the city’s haunted reputation firsthand.
Charleston Ghost Tours
There are many tours to choose from so let's find the one that fits your needs best. Read on as we offer suggestions on walking, carriage, cemetery, or ghost hunting tours offered in Charleston North Carolina.
Night tours tend to be the most popular and often sell out during peak travel seasons.
Best Walking Haunted Ghost Tour in Charleston
Charleston offers a wide range of guided ghost tours that explore both its historic streets and its most infamous haunted locations. Many tours focus on storytelling, local legends, and documented paranormal experiences. The Real Hauntings Ghost Tour is a small group experience that explores a bit of crime, hauntings, and horror.
Haunted Locations in Charleston
A local once told me, his daddy use to say that you could throw a stone anywhere in Charleston and the odds were it would pass through a ghost. Here are some of the more well known and popular hauntings, but there are so many more.
St. Phillips Cemetery
USS Yorktown
The Mill House Hotel
Provosts Dungeon
The Old Citadel/Embassy Suites Hotel Marion Square
Unitarian Church Graveyard
Explore more with these tours:
Paranormal Gear for Curious Investigators
Reading about Charleston’s haunted history often inspires visitors to investigate further.
For beginners, simple tools can help document unusual activity without overcomplicating the experience such as:
EMF meters
digital voice recorders
night vision cameras
Remember to buy your ghost hunting gear before your visit to spirited Charleston.
A Unique Haunted Ghost Tour in Charleston
Hop on this carriage ghost tour and give your legs a rest! This tour is likely to sell out. Charleston is a big tourist destination-and with good spooky reasons- so be sure to plan ahead and book ahead your most coveted tours.
If hopping on a boat for a ghost tour is more your style. This tour organized by Bulldog Tours, this tour company is well respected within the tourism industry and with good reason!
Best Pub Crawl Ghost Tour
This tour is led by a pirate! Aaaaargh! And of course will take you to all the cold spots for the best hauntings in haunted downtown Charleston. Along the way, guests partake of the other kind of spirits Charleston is known for. Ages 21+
Planning a Haunted Visit to Charleston?
If you’re not ready to book a ghost tour just yet, consider saving this guide for later. Tour availability and schedules change throughout the year, and having this page bookmarked makes it easy to return when you’re ready to plan your haunted experience.
📌 You can also save this guide on Pinterest to keep it handy while planning your trip.
👉 Pin For Later
Continue Exploring Haunted Destinations
If Charleston sparked your interest, you may also enjoy:
Final Reflection
Charleston’s beauty and history exist side by side with its legends. Whether you believe its ghost stories are echoes of the past or cultural memory shaped by centuries of storytelling, the city leaves many visitors with the same feeling—that some places hold paranormal activity so rich with historic significance it drives the hauntings of Charleston.
Thank you for visiting this article!
Wishing You Safe and Spirited Travels, my Dear Readers. ~Dez
Let's Explore More if You Have Time!
I explore the emotional and personal side of haunted travel and spiritual curiosity in my Substack reflections->Substack Here 🌙
More Haunted Destinations to Explore
Haunted travel doesn’t stop here. I’m continuing to explore some of the most paranormally active destinations across the U.S., including Savannah, Salem, Charleston, and beyond.
Explore More Paranormal Topics
If haunted travel draws you in, these destinations are known for their ghost tours, paranormal history, and unexplained encounters.
For those drawn to paranormal symbolism and spiritual meaning, I create art and tools inspired by the unseen in my Haunted Traverse shop.
Save & Pin for Later
Planning a paranormal trip?
Save this guide to Pinterest for future reference.
Thank you for reading! Links provided may be affiliate links where if my readers click and buy, I do receive some funding-at no cost to themselves- to keep fun and informative articles such as this being manifested into the known. Thank you for your support.
.jpg)
