About This Tour
Charleston slightly shifts once night settles in
The Ghosts & Gravestones Charleston Tour offers exclusive nighttime access to Bethany Cemetery. As you arrive at the cemetery, your ghostly guide will hand out lanterns to walk between the tombstones, creating the quiet glow that guides the walk inside the burial ground. Several prepared routes allow groups to move safely through different areas, and each route highlights stories tied to that specific part of the cemetery. Most ghost tours in Charleston move only on foot, but this tour includes a comfortable air-conditioned or heated ride through the city, a small touch many guests welcome. Live narration from a costumed historic character connects you to the darker side of Charleston and creates an evening suited for guests who enjoy haunted history and eerie settings.
Ghost-Meter
HISTORIC GHOST TALES
This rates the level of authenticity and historical accuracy of the content you’ll encounter on the tour.
SCARINESS OF CONTENT
This ranks the intensity of the chills you’ll experience as well as the overall spooky factor.
JUMP SCARES
Whether it’s a scare that makes you jump out of your shoes or if something else does the jumping, we rank it here.
This tour is rated PG-13 and not suitable for young children.
Tickets
Select Your Journey
See more than just the haunting tales of Charleston’s spooky side. Explore the beauty of Charleston and watch its prestigious history come to life aboard Old Town Trolley Tours.
to 10%
- The experience lasts 90 minutes.
- The tour includes transportation and an exclusive guided walk inside Bethany Cemetery.
- Lanterns are provided for guests.
- Mature themes are included.
- Walking areas may include uneven ground.
- Tours take place rain or shine.
- Reservations are required.
to 10%
- Fully narrated tour of Charleston with licensed guides
- Tour length: 1 hour and 40 minutes
- Four stops: Charleston Visitor Center, Hampton Park, The Battery, and City Market
- Choose to end your tour at the Visitor Center or Historic City Market for easy access to shops, dining, and historic sights
- Over 100+ points of interest – Dive into over 350 years of Charleston’s rich history
- Visit historic landmarks such as Rainbow Row, The Citadel and the French Quarter
- Learn about the city’s role in the American Revolution
- All-new luxury 2025 model vehicles with air conditioning and upgraded seats for comfort and a premium experience
- Largest fleet with the most departures. Tour when it suites you!
- Decades of expertise - backed by 50 years of delivering top-rated tours
- 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
- Charleston City Tour:
- Fully narrated tour of Charleston with licensed guides.
- Tour length: 1 hour and 40 minutes.
- Four stops: Charleston Visitor Center, Hampton Park, The Battery, and City Market.
- Choose to end your tour at the Visitor Center or Historic City Market for easy access to shops, dining, and historic sights.
- Over 100+ points of interest – Dive into over 350 years of Charleston’s rich history.
- Visit historic landmarks such as Rainbow Row, The Citadel and the French Quarter.
- All-new luxury 2025 model vehicles with air conditioning and upgraded seats for comfort and a premium experience.
- Ghosts & Gravestones:
- The experience lasts 90 minutes.
- The tour includes transportation and an exclusive guided walk inside Bethany Cemetery.
- Lanterns are provided for guests.
- Mature themes are included.
- Walking areas may include uneven ground.
- Tours take place rain or shine.
- 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.
- Reservations are required.
- Attraction tickets do not have to be used on the same day.
to 10%
- Tour on your schedule! Book this package and take the tours on the same or separate days and still enjoy the same incredible discount.
- Charleston City Highlights Tour (1 hr 40 min) – What's Included:
- Fully narrated tour of Charleston with licensed guides
- Four stops: Charleston Visitor Center, Hampton Park, The Battery, and City Market
- Choose to end your tour at the Visitor Center or Historic City Market for easy access to shops, dining, and historic sights
- Over 100+ points of interest – Dive into over 350 years of Charleston’s rich history
- Visit historic landmarks such as Rainbow Row, The Citadel and the French Quarter
- All-new luxury 2025 model vehicles with air conditioning and upgraded seats for a premium experience
- Tours begin and end at the Charleston Visitor Center, 375 Meeting Street
- Magnolia Plantation Tour (5 Hours) - What’s Included:
- Round-trip transportation from the Charleston Visitor Center (375 Meeting Street) aboard our brand-new 2025 luxury vehicles, ensuring a seamless journey
- Entry into the 66-acre Magnolia Plantation, one of the South’s most treasured historic sites
- Guided Tour of the Magnolia Plantation House
- Exclusive to Old Town Trolley, choose either the Nature Train Tour through scenic plantation trails and gardens, or the Wildlife Boat Tour of the Ashley River, where you may spot alligators, ospreys, hawks, and even bald eagles
- Wander at your own pace through the Audubon Swamp Garden, visit the Bloom Station, or explore the Wildlife Center
to 10%
- Historic City Tour (1 hour and 40 minutes):
- Tours begin and end at the Charleston Visitor Center, 375 Meeting Street
- Fully narrated tour of Charleston with licensed guides
- Four stops: Charleston Visitor Center, Hampton Park, The Battery, and City Market
- Choose to end your tour at the Visitor Center or Historic City Market for easy access to shops, dining, and historic sights
- Over 100+ points of interest – Dive into over 350 years of Charleston’s rich history
- Visit historic landmarks such as Rainbow Row, The Citadel and the French Quarter
- Learn about the city’s role in the American Revolution
- All-new luxury 2025 model vehicles with air conditioning and upgraded seats for a premium experience
- Largest fleet with the most departures. Tour when it suits you!
- Decades of expertise - backed by 50 years of delivering top-rated tours
- 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
- Charleston Museum / Historic Houses:
- Exclusive to Old Town Trolley Tours – Your ticket gives you the option to choose any two of the three offerings: Charleston Museum, Joseph Manigault House, Heyward-Washington House
- Embark on a self-guided tour of collections that include South Carolina archeology, 18th century costumes, entomology, fine art through the ages and geology
- Explore the history of the part that Charleston played in the American Revolution
- Learn about the descendants of French Huguenots who fled religious persecution in Europe in the late 1600s and prospered as rice planters and merchants during the 18th century
- Experience a classic Georgian-style double house, built in 1772, which was the town home of Thomas Heyward, Jr., one of four South Carolina signers of the Declaration of Independence
to 10%
- Historic City Tour (1 hour and 40 minutes):
- Tours begin and end at the Charleston Visitor Center, 375 Meeting Street
- Fully narrated tour of Charleston with licensed guides
- Four stops: Charleston Visitor Center, Hampton Park, The Battery, and City Market
- Choose to end your tour at the Visitor Center or Historic City Market for easy access to shops, dining, and historic sights
- Over 100+ points of interest – Dive into over 350 years of Charleston’s rich history
- Visit historic landmarks such as Rainbow Row, The Citadel and the French Quarter
- Learn about the city’s role in the American Revolution
- All-new luxury 2025 model vehicles with air conditioning and upgraded seats for a premium experience
- Largest fleet with the most departures. Tour when it suits you!
- Decades of expertise - backed by 50 years of delivering top-rated tours
- 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
- South Carolina Aquarium:
- Sea the difference in all of South Carolina’s habitats as you take a journey through the Aquarium and encounter thousands of native animals and plants!
- Learn nature-based concepts through play and guided discovery. Operate hands-on schematics focusing on water filtration for Aquarium animals while participating in collaborative activities with peers.
- Visit the Sea Turtle Care Center and enjoy the interactive guest experience with injured and rehabilitated sea turtles before they are released back into the ocean.
- Step outside and into the Saltmarsh Aviary. Overlooking the Charleston Harbor, this exhibit houses roseate spoonbills, gulls and our 6,000-gallon tank, home to diamondback terrapins, burrfish and more.
Fun for Everyone
- History Lovers
- Families on Vacation
- Fans of Ghostly Tales
- Weekend Getaway Seekers
- Holiday Gift Seekers and More
Explore Coast to Coast
Redeemable for any Historic Tours of America® attractions and experiences nationwide:
- Climb aboard iconic tours.
- Step inside fascinating museums and landmarks.
- Uncover popular haunted sites and local hidden gems.
Simple, Flexible, Fun
The perfect gift for anyone ready to explore the rich history of America.
Charleston Ghost Tours
Charleston has a long tradition of ghost storytelling
Many tours explore the legends tied to the city, but only the Ghosts & Gravestones Charleston Tour brings guests into a real cemetery at night and connects each story to the place where it happened. The guided format and live narration shape an experience built on authentic history and reported encounters. The narration weaves together tales shaped by centuries of Charleston history, from waterfront legends to old burial grounds. And we are the only tour with costumed historic characters.
There’s a reason that Charleston is listed as one of the top five most haunted cities in the country, with documented tales of death, disease, and disorder. For many years, Charleston was the home of pirates and privateers, and not long after the last of the pirates left these waters, the air was filled with the sounds of battle as the first shots of the Civil War echoed across the harbor.
Top Reasons
To Take a Ghost Tour in Charleston
Exclusive Access:
Enter Bethany Cemetery after closing hours for a rare nighttime experience.
Lantern Lit Setting:
Walk through the cemetery with provided lanterns that create an eerie atmosphere.
Exclusive:
We are the only tour with costumed historic characters.
Historic Burial Grounds:
Explore one of Charleston’s significant cemeteries with centuries-old headstones.
Ride and Walk Experience:
The only ghost tour that combines an air-conditioned ride with a guided walk inside the cemetery.
Charleston Ghost Tour Schedule
Ride the Trolley of the Doomed before it's too late...
Check reservations calendar for availability and times*
*Call 854-846-5556 for availability.
Where to Find Us:
Ghosts & Gravestones Frightseeing Tour boards at Charleston Visitor Center, 375 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29403.
Duration: 90 minutes
Warning: This tour is rated PG-13 and not suitable for young children.
Frequently Asked Questions
You will begin your journey at 375 Meeting Street at the Charleston Visitor Center. We depart from this central location to take you deep into the haunted history of the Holy City. Please arrive early to ensure you find the departure point before the tour leaves.
The Ghosts & Gravestones tour lasts approximately 90 minutes. This duration includes your time traveling aboard the ghost tour as well as guided walking portions at our haunted stop. We recommend allowing extra time after the tour to explore the surrounding historic district and reflect on the spirits you’ve encountered.
You should park at 46 John Street or 459 King Street Parking for the most convenient access to our departure point. Biking or using a ride-share service is also a great way to avoid downtown traffic.
We operate our tours rain or shine, so the spirits will be waiting regardless of the weather. The ghost tour has a covered vehicle to keep you dry during transport. Please bring a light rain jacket or umbrella for the walking portions.
There are no public restrooms available on the vehicle or at the haunted stop during the tour. We strongly recommend finding a restroom before arriving. The Charleston Visitor Center closes at 5:00 pm.
You must check in with our staff at least 15 minutes prior to your scheduled departure time at 375 Meeting Street. This allows us to verify your reservation and ensure everyone is boarded and ready to depart on time. Please have your digital or printed tickets ready to show the Ghost Host upon arrival.
Yes, our tour includes exclusive nighttime access to Bethany Cemetery. We are the only ghost tour in Charleston permitted to take guests into this historic burial ground after dark.
Lavinia Fisher, often called America’s first female serial killer, and the spirits of Revolutionary War soldiers are the most famous residents. Visitors often report hearing the clinking of chains or seeing shadowy figures in the dungeon. These restless spirits are said to remain tied to the site of their imprisonment and suffering.
Built in 1713, the Powder Magazine is the oldest public building in South Carolina and was used to store gunpowder for the city’s defense. Its massive brick walls were designed to withstand explosions and military sieges. Today, it stands as a silent witness to the city’s colonial military history and the many battles fought nearby.
The tour is rated PG-13 and is not recommended for children under the age of 10 due to its scary nature. We use theatrical storytelling that may be too intense or frightening for younger audiences. Please note that children under the age of 6 are not permitted on the tour for safety reasons.
You are welcome to take as many photos as you like to capture potential paranormal activity, but we do not allow EMF detectors. Our experience is built on theatrical historical storytelling, and external ghost-hunting equipment can be distracting to other guests. We encourage you to keep your eyes open for the spirits themselves rather than a meter.
There is a moderate amount of walking involved, totaling about 30 minutes. You will navigate the uneven paths of Bethany Cemetery. We recommend wearing comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes to safely traverse historic and shadowy locations.
We focus on historical storytelling and eerie atmosphere rather than jump scares. Our Ghost Hosts are experts at using dramatic narration to bring the city’s dark legends to life. This approach ensures a spine-tingling experience rooted in the actual history and documented hauntings of Charleston’s most notorious sites.
Reasonable accommodations for all of our disabled guests will be made. Please call us at least 24 hours in advance so that we can make appropriate arrangements.
Unfortunately, because a significant portion of our tour takes place in historic burying grounds that do not have any accommodations for people with disabilities (as historic sites, they are exempt from such requirements), and includes stairs, cobblestones, and other types of rough terrain, the tour is not recommended for guests who are unable to safely navigate such elements.
No, strollers are not permitted on the vehicle due to limited space and safety regulations. Additionally, the historic paths at our stop are not suitable for strollers. Since the tour is rated PG-13, it is generally recommended for older children who can walk the route independently.
Charleston Ghosts & Gravestones Parking
Ghosts & Gravestones Frightseeing Tour boards at Charleston Visitor Center
Ghosts & Gravestones Frightseeing Tour boards at Charleston Visitor Center, 375 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29403.
Please arrive for the tour fifteen (15) minutes prior to the departure of the tour as all tours leave promptly.
See below for parking available near our departure point. Please note that these are not run by Ghosts & Gravestones.
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