Charleston Haunted Jail Night-Time Walking Tour with Admission to Old City Jail

Explore Charleston’s haunted Old City Jail at night. Hear chilling tales of infamous criminals and Civil War prisoners. Book your unforgettable tour now.

Duration: 45 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Old City Jail - The Haunted Jail Tour takes you through the cells, hallways, and into the places where Charleston’s worst criminals lived and died. Brace yourself as you hear stories like the legend of Lavinia and John Fisher, hotel owners from the 1800s who supposedly poisoned their guests. Featured on such shows as Ghost Adventures, the story goes that Lavinia’s ghost still, very audibly, haunts the premises.

This Haunted Jail Tour is quite possibly the scariest place you will ever go! Open often to the public for arts events, the jail even gives locals an eerie chill down the spine as soon as one steps foot into the space. Visitors go as far to say they’ve seen objects move or even disappear, while others hear voices, the slamming of doors, or chains as they’re allegedly dragged against the floor of the jail.

What's Included
  • Charleston Haunted Jail Night-Time Guided Walking Tour
  • Admission to Old City Jail in Charleston
  • Professional Guide
  • 45min Behind-The-Scenes Guided Tour of Old City Jail
  • Experience the jail that housed some of Charleston’s most infamous criminals & 19th-century pirates
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
  • Transportation to/from attractions
Additional Information

Join us for a memorable tour of the ground level of the Old City Jail, which housed some of Charleston’s most infamous criminals, 19th-century pirates, and Civil War prisoners. Located on Magazine Street downtown, the Old City Jail operated from 1802 until 1939, and has recently undergone renovation, leaving the first floor in keeping with its original design (with the welcomed addition of air conditioning). Bulldog Tours, exclusively, guides guests through the cells, hallways and places where Charleston’s earliest criminals lived. Get a glimpse of how the incarcerated were mistreated with primitive forms of torture while living in miserable conditions. Hear stories like the legend of Lavinia Fisher, the jail’s most famous inmate and first female serial killer. Since Bulldog’s first tour of this storied place in 2004, guests have returned again and again to make their own discoveries about what has transpired in this historic site. PLEASE NOTE THIS TOUR IS FOR 10 AND UP ONLY.

Location
21 Magazine St
Magazine Street
Please meet the tour guide at Old City Jail 15 minutes prior to tour time.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.3
(492 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Sandil835
Aug 2, 2024
Historic and Fun! - Thoroughly enjoyed learning the history of the jail along with all the haunted spooky stories! Thanks for a great tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Katie_h
Jul 31, 2024
Very creepy! - Tour was creepy, informative and entertaining - I was definitely spooked and captivated - it was a quick 45 minutes almost wished for a little more time! Sarah was a terrific guide.
Review provided by Viator
Lea_s
Jul 29, 2024
Spooky and exciting-worth trying! - Was such a great and spooky experience! Loved how knowledgeable our guide was. Worth doing when visiting!
Review provided by Viator
Lisawz6785uq
Jul 29, 2024
Eerie but great tour - This tour was definitely worth it! Sarah was our tour guide and has such a passion for the history. I loved her delivery of the stories. Respectful and a twist of humor. Would highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Teresamo4379kh
Jul 26, 2024
Lots of methods of torture - Lots of info on the sordid and bad ways prisoners were tortured while the jail was holding prisoners. There is street parking around the jail.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Eileenso2040rt
Jul 16, 2024
Hauntingly good time - This tour was the high-light of our trip. My daughter chose to do this for her 16th birthday and it did not disappoint. Our tour guide Dustin was great, he was very engaging and had interesting stories to tell. We have taken several ghost tours in different areas and we found this one to be one of the best. I would recommend this to anyone interested in a good ghost tour and if we are ever back in the area we would do this again.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jessenia_d
Jul 30, 2024
Awesome tour guide - Mr. Kelly was great!! Very enthusiastic and awesome at engaging the group. The actual tour itself is mediocre. I’ve done other tours with this company that have been way better.
Review provided by Viator
Heatherkl6591rd
Jul 26, 2024
Ugh. - I went on the tour around 2016 and it was exactly as tou would expect, scary and a real haunted experience. Went back just a few days ago, someone has bought the jail and uaing it for oddixe spaces and weddings. Befoee youncould walk upstairs where levinia fiaher was housed, now its onky toured downstairs. I was not scared at all and actially bored, now made it like a tourist trap. Nit worth th money anymore.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Michael_w
Aug 1, 2024
Very... - Very disappointed….thought there would be a walking tour and full acccess to the old city jail. Was limited to the basement of the jail only which wasn’t very good representation of what the jail was like on upper levels which I had experienced years ago. Don’t waste your time or money
Review provided by Viator
Grady_c
Jul 16, 2024
Total different from last visit. Not as good - The guide did a great job, they greatly reduced the tour from when we did it a few years ago. Sorry to say we wasted money on this one.
Review provided by Viator
Select Date and Tickets
up to 15 guests
1
Adult
September 2024
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Today