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.
Do I have to purchase tickets in advance?
Advanced purchase is strongly recommended, as tours often sell out well in advance.
Is there an age limit for the tour?
The Haunted Jail Tour is for guests ages 12 and up only.
What if it rains?
Tours run rain or shine.
Are restrooms available?
Two restrooms are available for use before the tour.
Is the tour wheelchair-accessible?
Only if you are able to climb stairs; participants must walk up some steps.
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.
21 Magazine Street Charleston, SC 29401
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.
We had so much fun doing the Bulldog Tours Ghost and Dungeon Tour. I have been visiting Charleston since infancy, and yet I have never done a ghost tour. Finally decided to do one at age 30! This was an amazing first experience and our guide, Nick, was incredible! The walking pace and distance wasn’t bad either. As someone with arthritis, this tour was easy for me to do. Additionally, we took our 3 nieces, all 12 and under, and it was appropriate for them as well and not scary. They also enjoyed their first ghost tour.
Elayna Burchell (ElaynaB)
July 3, 2025
We had so much fun doing the Bulldog Tours Ghost and Dungeon Tour. I have been visiting Charleston since infancy, and yet I have never done a ghost tour. Finally decided to do one at age 30! This was an amazing first experience and our guide, Nick, was incredible! The walking pace and distance wasn’t bad either. As someone with arthritis, this tour was easy for me to do. Additionally, we took our 3 nieces, all 12 and under, and it was appropriate for them as well and not scary. They also enjoyed their first ghost tour.
Elayna Burchell (ElaynaB)
July 3, 2025