Charleston Ghost Tour — 11 Haunted Stops, Self-Guided

The Old City Jail held Civil War prisoners and serial killers. Walk Charleston's 11 documented ghost-tour stops. 5 free, self-guided.

Charleston is home to 11 documented ghost-tour stops spanning 152 years of history. This self-guided ghost tour covers 11 stops across the city, from The Dock Street Theatre (1736) to Poogan's Porch. 5 stops are free — no guide, no schedule. Walk at your own pace after dark.

Tour Stops

  1. 1. The Old Charleston Jail 21 Magazine Street

    The Old City Jail at 21 Magazine Street operated from 1802 to 1939, processing an estimated 10,000 prisoners across nearly 140 years. The building hel...

  2. 2. Poogan's Porch 72 Queen Street

    The house at 72 Queen Street was built in 1888 and served as the private residence of sisters Zoe and Elizabeth St. Amand for over sixty years. Elizab...

  3. 3. The Dock Street Theatre 135 Church Street

    On February 12, 1736, the first building on this site opened as America's first purpose-built theater, staging Farquhar's "The Recruiting Officer." Th...

  4. 4. Powder Magazine 79 Cumberland St.

    The Powder Magazine at 79 Cumberland Street was built in 1713, making it the oldest public building in the Carolinas. Its original purpose was straigh...

  5. 5. The Unitarian Church Graveyard 4 Archdale Street

    The Unitarian Church at 4 Archdale Street was built in 1787, making it the second-oldest Unitarian church in America. Its graveyard, overgrown with wi...

  6. 6. The Exchange & Provost Dungeon Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon, 122, East Bay Street

    The Exchange Building was constructed between 1767 and 1771 at the foot of Broad Street, designed as Charleston's customs house and mercantile exchang...

  7. 7. Battery Carriage House Inn 20 South Battery

    The Battery Carriage House Inn at 20 South Battery Street was built in 1843 as the carriage house for the Stevens-Lathers mansion. During the Civil Wa...

  8. 8. White Point Garden White Point Garden, 2, South of Broad

    White Point Garden sits at the tip of the Charleston peninsula, where the Ashley and Cooper Rivers meet the harbor. In 1718, this ground served as a p...

  9. 9. Joseph Manigault House 350 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29403

    Joseph Manigault built this elegant Neoclassical residence in 1803, designed by his brother Gabriel, one of America's first gentleman architects. The ...

Frequently Asked Questions

How many stops are on the Charleston ghost tour?

The Charleston ghost tour includes 11 documented stops covering 152 years of documented history.

Is the Charleston ghost tour free?

The first 5 stops are completely free — no account required. To unlock all 11 stops, a History Nearby premium subscription is $4.99/month or $49.99/year.

Do I need a guide for the Charleston ghost tour?

No. This is a self-guided tour you can start anytime. Each stop includes the address, a map pin, and the story tied to that location. Follow the suggested stop order or move at your own pace.

How long does the Charleston ghost tour take?

Plan for approximately 2 hours. This accounts for walking between stops and reading each haunting story. You can also split it across multiple evenings.

What is a featured stop on the Charleston ghost tour?

The most visited stop on our Charleston tour is The Old Charleston Jail at 21 Magazine Street, dating back to 1802.

5 stops free in Charleston. No guide, no schedule — walk at your own pace after dark.

Last updated February 22, 2026. Researched by the History Nearby editorial team.

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