Explore Charleston’s Old City Jail on a spine-tingling 45-minute guided ghost tour
45 mins
Guided jail tour, Ghost stories
Step inside Charleston's Old City Jail and uncover chilling stories of notorious inmates on this 45-minute guided ghost tour. Your guide grants exclusive access to cells and corridors where legends and paranormal tales linger.
Participants should be prepared to walk approximately ¾ mile and climb stairs. Groups are limited to 20 guests due to city regulations.
Tour requires a minimum of four participants; you will be notified if the minimum is not met.
Product ID: PXBCHA
Advanced purchase is strongly recommended, as tours often sell out well in advance.
The Haunted Jail Tour is for guests ages 12 and up only.
Tours run rain or shine.
Old City Jail, 21 Magazine Street, Charleston, SC 29401
Standing on Magazine Street in the heart of Charleston, the Old City Jail is one of the city's most striking and sobering structures. Built in 1802, its thick stone walls and Gothic-influenced tower have witnessed nearly a century of the city's darkest chapters. The Old City Jail held everyone from pirates and Civil War prisoners to enslaved people awaiting sale. Today it stands as a powerful reminder of Charleston's complex history, drawing visitors who come to reckon with the past.
Travelers consistently rave about the tour guides here, and for good reason. Names like Clara, Drew, Gordon, and especially Dave come up repeatedly, with reviewers praising their storytelling abilities, deep knowledge of Charleston's history, and genuine enthusiasm for what they do. The guides seem to strike that perfect balance between being informative and entertaining, making the city's past come alive without feeling overly rehearsed or dramatic. Several people specifically mention how knowledgeable their guides were, and it's clear these aren't just people reading from a script. They know their stuff and genuinely enjoy sharing it. The variety of tours gets attention too, from ghost walks to cemetery tours to the City Jail experience. One reviewer did note that while the content at the Provost Dungeon was solid, the delivery felt a bit contrived and the mannequins could use an upgrade (though they emphasized this wasn't a reflection on the tour company itself). That same person also warned that the jail tour includes some violent history and graphic details, so it might not be suitable for young kids or anyone easily disturbed. The office staff also earned praise for being friendly and efficient, making the check-in process smooth. Overall, these tours seem like an excellent way to explore Charleston's darker history with guides who are clearly passionate about what they do.
Update: Bulldog tours all the way! My first tour was with Olivia for a ghostly tour throughout downtown Charleston. Olivia was a wonderful guide. It was hot and humid but the tour was informative and well worth it! A couple days later my stepson and I did a tour on the USS yorktown that was hosted by Alben and he was amazing! Very informative and nothing like the scary tours it was more of a positive energy ghostly tour and I enjoyed it more than I had expected! The 7pm tour on the Yorktown is perfect for catching the sunset when you get onto the ship!
Tiffany
August 31, 2026
Update: Bulldog tours all the way! My first tour was with Olivia for a ghostly tour throughout downtown Charleston. Olivia was a wonderful guide. It was hot and humid but the tour was informative and well worth it! A couple days later my stepson and I did a tour on the USS yorktown that was hosted by Alben and he was amazing! Very informative and nothing like the scary tours it was more of a positive energy ghostly tour and I enjoyed it more than I had expected! The 7pm tour on the Yorktown is perfect for catching the sunset when you get onto the ship!
Tiffany
August 31, 2026
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