Charleston, South Carolina is famous for southern hospitality, colorful homes and coastal waters. It is also rich in history including the Charles Town colony, Civil War and Charleston Tea Party. Charleston has also seen its fair share of natural destruction such as an earthquake in 1886 followed by hurricanes in recent years. When you combine such notable events with southern plantations, pirates and soldiers, you get an area ripe for folklore about ghosts and hauntings.
There are many different ghost tours in Charleston from walking tours to harbor tours. Each one offers a close look at a piece of Charleston history. History buffs, believers of the paranormal and skeptics alike would all enjoy what these tours have to offer.
Sandlapper Haunted Harbor Tours, Inc.
Most of the city’s ghost tours are explored on foot. For those interested in seeing what the ocean has to tell, there are Haunted Harbor Tours. This tour goes out in the harbor to investigate ghosts and paranormal stories from soldiers, fishermen and pirates. The guides give information about ships lost at sea and other mysteries.
Bulldog Tours
This tour company features several different ghostly walking themes from leisurely strolls to tours that might make you jump out of your shoes. One of the more frightening stops is a tour of the oldest city jail, which was home to criminal such as pirates and Civil War inmates. Another popular tour is the Ghost and Dungeon walking tour. The guides also take visitors to historical churches, cemeteries and infamous back streets. Part of the tour includes plenty of stories about local legends and voodoo tales.
Tour Charleston, L.L.C.
Another company with a variety of ghost tours available is Tour Charleston, LLC. This company offers a frightening tour called The Ghosts of Charleston, which has haunted places such as homes and cemeteries. The guides also give some insight into the Gullah culture rooted in South Carolina Low Country history. One other tour offered is the Charleston county murders and executions. Last but not least guest can shiver their timbers on the pirate tour. This tour takes guests along pathways walked by famous pirates such as Anne Bonny and Blackbeard.
Things to Consider
One thing to keep in mind when going on a ghost tour is that these tours are meant to provide a ghoulishly good time and probably not for the faint at heart. Some of the tours have age restrictions and may not allow children. Tours usually start late in the evening around 8:00 p.m. and generally last one to two hours. The tours also sell out fast so it would be helpful to call for advance tickets.
