
Charleston Haunted Jail Night-Time Walking Tour with Admission to Old City Jail
Traveler rating
4.4/5
Based on 789 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Charleston Haunted Jail Night-Time Walking Tour with Admission to Old City Jail worth booking?
Charleston Haunted Jail Night-Time Walking Tour with Admission to Old City Jail is a 0.8-hour experience in Charleston, United States, from $46 per person. It scores 63 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.4/5 rating across 789 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 63 / 100
- Rating
- 4.4/5 (789)
- Duration
- 0.8 hours
- From
- $46 per person
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. **Children under the age of 10 are not permitted.**
What you get
About this experience
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. **Children under the age of 10 are not permitted.**
What's included
Included
- Charleston Haunted Jail Night-Time Guided Walking Tour
- Exclusive access to entire first floor of Old City Jail
- 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
Not included
- Gratuities
- Transportation to/from attractions
- Parking fees
What you'll see and do
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! 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.
45 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Charleston
Please meet at the Old City Jail 15 minutes prior to tour time as tours start promptly. **If you are looking at the front glass doors, tour entrance will be at the gate to the left. Our staff will meet you there for check in. Old City Jail - 21 Magazine St, Charleston, SC 29401
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Please meet at the Old City Jail 15 minutes prior to tour time as tours start promptly. **If you are looking at the front glass doors, tour entrance will be at the gate to the left. Our staff will meet you there for check in. Old City Jail - 21 Magazine St, Charleston, SC 29401
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Bulldog Tours
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos





What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 785 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
9 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
4 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Value for money
3 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
785 verified traveler reviews for Charleston Haunted Jail Night-Time Walking Tour with Admission to Old City Jail. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
It was an amazing...
It was an amazing experience! I love our tour guide, and it was fascinating to hear about all of the history.
via Viator
Jail Time
Sarah was a fabulous ghost guide and history buff. She really made the experience so fun and interesting .The jail itself is very eerie, and her tour and knowledge of the property enhanced the experience. Our group of teens and adults enjoyed the tour.
via Tripadvisor
Best Ghost walk!!!
Very informative, lots of history. I would highly recommend the haunted jail tour. My granddaughters loved the tour! Our guide Sarah was wonderful ❤️
via Viator
Super spooky tour
Super spooky!! The guide was very knowledgeable! I would not take small kids. It was pretty scary!
via Tripadvisor
Ask for Sarah
Creepy!! Sarah made it worth it with her knowledge and enthusiasm. We had a blast and will be back. Check it out
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 0.8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 276
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Bulldog Tours, who run 8 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 68.9.
See everything Bulldog Tours runsWhy this scores 63
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Charleston Haunted Jail Night-Time Walking Tour with Admission to Old City Jail: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Charleston.
How much does Charleston Haunted Jail Night-Time Walking Tour with Admission to Old City Jail cost?
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Prices start at $46 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Charleston usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Charleston Haunted Jail Night-Time Walking Tour with Admission to Old City Jail take?
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Plan for about 0.8 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Charleston is not rushed.
Is Charleston Haunted Jail Night-Time Walking Tour with Admission to Old City Jail worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 63 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.4/5 across 789 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Charleston, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Charleston Haunted Jail Night-Time Walking Tour with Admission to Old City Jail?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Charleston Haunted Jail Night-Time Walking Tour with Admission to Old City Jail suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 0.8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Charleston Haunted Jail Night-Time Walking Tour with Admission to Old City Jail?
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Around 276 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Charleston can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Charleston and add a light layer if any part of the 0.8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Charleston Haunted Jail Night-Time Walking Tour with Admission to Old City Jail start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Charleston within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Charleston?
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Charleston's best experiences are small: house museum tours with an architectural historian, Gullah heritage walks, harbour sails at sunset and Lowcountry food crawls through the market district. Plantation day trips vary enormously in how honestly they handle the history, and our ranking factors that in directly. On Outty we rank every Charleston experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Charleston historical walking tour with a Professor of History at The Citadel, Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour, Hidden Alleyways and Historic Sites Small-Group Walking Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Charleston?
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March to May and September to November, the two mild shoulder windows. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Charleston?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Charleston Haunted Jail Night-Time Walking Tour with Admission to Old City Jail?
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Included: Charleston Haunted Jail Night-Time Guided Walking Tour; Exclusive access to entire first floor of Old City Jail; Professional Guide; 45min Behind-The-Scenes Guided Tour of Old City Jail; and Experience the jail that housed some of Charleston’s most infamous criminals & 19th-centur. Not included: Gratuities; Transportation to/from attractions; and Parking fees. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Charleston Haunted Jail Night-Time Walking Tour with Admission to Old City Jail?
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Please meet at the Old City Jail 15 minutes prior to tour time as tours start promptly. **If you are looking at the front glass doors, tour entrance will be at the gate to the left. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Charleston Haunted Jail Night-Time Walking Tour with Admission to Old City Jail offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Charleston Haunted Jail Night-Time Walking Tour with Admission to Old City Jail?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
What happens to Charleston Haunted Jail Night-Time Walking Tour with Admission to Old City Jail if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Charleston Haunted Jail Night-Time Walking Tour with Admission to Old City Jail?
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Across 789 reviews averaging 4.4 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide, value for money. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
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