Charleston: Ghost Tour You Design & Haunted Graveyard Walk

Summary

Charleston ghost stories come alive as you choose the haunted path

You’ll wander Charleston’s shadowy streets with a local storyteller, choosing your own path through haunted graveyards, infamous hotels, and eerie restaurants. Expect laughter mixed with chills as you hear tales shaped by your group’s curiosity — and leave feeling like some of those stories might follow you home.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to laugh so much on a ghost tour, but that’s how it started — Adam (our guide) cracked a joke about pirates being the worst houseguests, right as we passed St. Philip’s Church. The air was thick, almost sweet with magnolia, but there was this strange chill near the old graveyard gates. Adam paused, let us lean in, then told us about the city’s most famous haunting. I caught myself glancing over my shoulder more than once — not sure if it was nerves or just the way he told it.

What surprised me most was that we actually got to choose where to go next. Someone in our group wanted serial killers (not me), another wanted cursed lovers. Adam just nodded and said “Alright, let’s see who answers tonight.” We ducked down an alley I’d never noticed before — uneven bricks underfoot, the distant clatter of dishes from a restaurant that apparently ranks among America’s top haunted spots. The kitchen staff waved at us like they saw this sort of thing every night. There was this smell of fried shrimp and something older underneath it, maybe old wood or damp stone?

The hotel stop gave me goosebumps for real — Adam pointed up at the top two floors and told us why even ghosts avoid them (I won’t spoil it). We lingered outside while he shared stories about guests who checked out early for reasons nobody could explain. I liked that nothing felt rushed; if someone wanted to ask about local legends or even just Charleston history, Adam had time for it. He mentioned his grandmother used to warn him not to walk past certain corners after dark — and honestly, by then I understood why.

There wasn’t any big jump scare moment or anything — just these small shivers and weird laughs that stuck with me after we finished back near St. Philip’s Church again. I still think about how quiet those old stones felt under the streetlights, and how you can almost hear something breathing between the stories if you listen close enough.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Charleston's haunted sites

• Visit St. Philip's graveyard
• Tour the most haunted hotel
• See haunted restaurant

Top questions

Is this Charleston ghost tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces on this tour are wheelchair accessible.

How long does the City of the Dead ghost tour last?

The guided walking tour lasts approximately 90 minutes.

Do I get to choose which haunted sites we visit?

Yes, each group helps decide which haunted locations and themes are explored during the tour.

Are children allowed on this Charleston ghost walk?

Yes, infants and small children can join in a pram or stroller; suitable for all ages.

Who leads the City of the Dead ghost tours?

Tours are led by local storytellers such as Adam or Darian.

What are some places visited on this Charleston ghost tour?

You may visit St. Philip's Church graveyard, a famously haunted hotel, and one of America’s most haunted restaurants.

Does this ghost tour include hotel pickup?

No hotel pickup is included; public transportation options are nearby.

What’s included

Your evening includes a 90-minute guided walk with one of Charleston’s best storytellers—Adam or Darian—plus visits to haunted sites chosen by your group: historic graveyards like St. Philip's Church, eerie hotels, shadowy alleys, and legendary restaurants along accessible routes for all guests.