Charleston: Haunted Evening Carriage Tour & Dungeon Stories

Summary

Ghost tales, graveyard shadows & carriage wheels in Charleston dusk

You’ll ride through Charleston’s shadowy streets by horse-drawn carriage, listening to ghost stories from your local guide as you pass graveyards and historic churches. Expect laughter mixed with goosebumps while exploring alleys and hearing tales inside Charleston’s old walled city—ending with a quiet moment back at the stable that lingers longer than you’d think.

What’s the experience like?

"You hear that?" our guide whispered, just as the horse’s hooves echoed off the cobblestones near St. Michael’s Church. The air was thick—like saltwater and old wood—and I swear even the carriage creaked differently after he said it. We’d barely left the stable in downtown Charleston when he launched into a story about a woman who supposedly still wanders these streets. I caught myself glancing over my shoulder, half-laughing, half-wondering if I’d see her.

The tour wound through alleys where Spanish moss dripped from branches and every shadow looked suspicious. Our guide—his name was Marcus—seemed to know everyone; he waved at a man closing up his stall at the City Market and called out to a couple walking their dog. At the Circular Congregational Graveyard, Marcus stopped us right by the iron gate. "Oldest in Charleston," he said, tapping it gently. The metal was cold when I touched it (couldn’t help myself). Someone behind me sneezed and for a second it felt like we were all holding our breath together.

I didn’t expect to laugh as much as I did. Marcus had this way of telling stories—about pirates near the Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon or odd things people claim to have seen after dark—that made you forget you were on a tour at all. At one point, he tried to teach us how locals pronounce “Charleston” (I got it wrong; he grinned). The horses snorted every now and then, which somehow made things less spooky but more real. By the time we rolled past St. Michael’s again, the city lights were flickering on and everything looked softer, almost blurred around the edges.

We ended back at the stable under streetlamps buzzing with moths. It wasn’t scary exactly—not like in movies—but there was this feeling that stuck with me after stepping off that carriage. Like something old had brushed past us in those narrow streets, you know?

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Haunted horse and carriage tour

• Check in at stable
• Greeted by certified guide
• Board carriage via ramp
• Watch educational video
• Meet draft horses
• Begin 40-minute after-dark tour
• Pass Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon
• Pass Circular Congregational Graveyard
• Pass St. Michael's Episcopal Church
• Return along pirate-infested waters
• Pass Old City Market
• Return to stables

Top questions

How long is the haunted evening carriage tour in Charleston?

The tour lasts approximately 40 minutes through downtown Charleston.

Does this Charleston ghost tour include a visit to graveyards?

Yes, you’ll pass by historic graveyards like Circular Congregational Graveyard during the tour.

Is there a certified guide on this haunted carriage ride?

Yes, each carriage is led by a certified local guide sharing ghost stories and history.

Where does the haunted carriage tour start and end?

The experience begins and ends at the stables in downtown Charleston.

Are children allowed on this Charleston evening ghost tour?

Yes, children can join but must be accompanied by an adult; infants can ride in prams or strollers.

What attractions are included on this haunted evening tour?

You’ll pass places like St. Michael’s Church, Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon, Circular Congregational Church, and City Market.

Is public transportation available near the starting point?

Yes, there are public transportation options nearby for easy access to the stables.

What’s included

Your evening includes a 40-minute horse-drawn carriage ride through more than 15 blocks of historic Charleston after dark with a certified local guide sharing spooky tales as you pass haunted alleys, centuries-old graveyards like Circular Congregational Graveyard, churches such as St. Michael's Episcopal Church, plus sights like Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon—all starting and ending at our downtown stables where you can meet our draft horses before boarding.