Charlotte Haunted & True Crime Bus Tour: Fourth Ward & Cemeteries

Two centuries of ghosts, crime, and graveyards on a single motorized loop

A 90-minute motorized haunted and true crime tour of Charlotte covers the Fourth Ward, Old Settlers' Cemetery (opened 1853), and a 72-acre cemetery with ghost stories and local history told by a live guide. The tour runs Friday and Saturday nights, departs from Market at 7th Street where food and drinks are available, and includes stops where you walk among the sites. Minimum age is 13.

Step-by-step itinerary

Haunted and true crime bus tour

• Board bus at Market
• Ride through 72-acre cemetery
• Hear ghost stories at haunted site
• Visit oldest cemetery in Charlotte
• Tour Fourth Ward and hear spooky tales
• Learn about local tragedy and hauntings

The Experience

The tour picks up at Market at 7th Street, where you can grab food or a cold drink before boarding the climate-controlled bus. From there, you'll spend roughly 90 minutes moving through Charlotte's haunted landscape—two cemeteries and the Fourth Ward—with a guide recounting the ghost stories and true crime history tied to each location. Because the bus covers ground, you see more of the sites than you would on foot, and the motorized route lets the guide take you through areas that would take hours to walk.

You'll ride through the 72-acre cemetery opened in 1853, then move to Old Settlers' Cemetery, Charlotte's oldest burial ground, where the guide shares the hauntings and tragedies that linger there. The Fourth Ward gets substantial time—the guide spends a good stretch recounting the spooky tales of haunted houses and old gold mines in that neighborhood. You get off the bus at some stops to walk among the graves and buildings, so you're not just watching from a seat; you're standing in the places where the stories happened.

The tour runs Friday and Saturday nights only. Discounted parking is available in the marketplace parking deck with your Southern Charm ticket. Several food and drink discounts come with your booking: $1 off gourmet kettle korn at It's Poppin, $2 off a double scoop at Social Cow, and 15% off meals at Rí Rá Irish Pub (no alcohol included in the discount).

What’s included

• Climate-controlled motorized bus.
• live guide commentary in English.
• ghost stories and true crime history of Charlotte's Fourth Ward, Old Settlers' Cemetery, and the 72-acre cemetery.
• stops to walk among the sites.
• discounted parking in the marketplace parking deck.
• $1 off gourmet kettle korn at It's Poppin, $2 off a double scoop at Social Cow, and 15% off meals at Rí Rá Irish Pub with your ticket.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessiblePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Southern Charm Rides

Is this one for you?The motorized route means you cover more ground and hear more stories than a walking tour would allow in 90 minutes, so you see both cemeteries and the Fourth Ward's haunted sites in a single evening without the pace of a full walking tour.

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Top questions

What's the difference between the two cemeteries on this tour?

Old Settlers' Cemetery is Charlotte's oldest burial ground and is where the guide focuses on the hauntings and tragedies tied to the site. The other cemetery is 72 acres and opened in 1853, so it's younger but much larger, which is why the motorized bus lets you cover more ground and see more of the haunted sites there.

Do I have to get off the bus during the tour?

Yes, you do get off the bus at some areas. The tour includes stops where you walk among the cemeteries and Fourth Ward sites to experience the locations where the ghost stories and true crime history took place, rather than viewing everything from your seat.

What time do the tours run?

Tours run on Friday and Saturday nights only. The exact departure time is not listed, but you should book quickly to reserve your spot, as the operator notes that tours fill up.

Is this tour suitable for kids?

The minimum age for the haunted and true crime tour is 13. Children younger than that are not permitted on this particular tour.

What food and drinks are included with the tour?

No food or drinks are included with the ticket price, but discounts come with your booking: $1 off gourmet kettle korn at It's Poppin inside the Market, $2 off a double scoop at Social Cow, and 15% off meals (no alcohol) at Rí Rá Irish Pub and Restaurant when you show your Southern Charm ticket.

Is the bus accessible for wheelchairs?

Yes, the bus is wheelchair accessible. If you have a service animal, notify Southern Charm Rides before the tour to confirm a seat will be available, as space is limited.