Ghosts of Charleston Walking Tour + Unitarian Church Graveyard
Charleston, United States

Ghosts of Charleston Walking Tour + Unitarian Church Graveyard

Outty Ranking 80 4.6 · 2,926 traveler reviews1.5 hoursFrom $36
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Outty Ranking

80/100

Strongly Recommended. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.6/5

Based on 2,926 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Ghosts of Charleston Walking Tour + Unitarian Church Graveyard worth booking?

Ghosts of Charleston Walking Tour + Unitarian Church Graveyard is a 1.5-hour experience in Charleston, United States, from $36 per person. It scores 80 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.6/5 rating across 2,926 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
80 / 100
Rating
4.6/5 (2,926)
Duration
1.5 hours
From
$36 per person

Highlight: Exclusive nighttime entry into the 1772 Unitarian Church Graveyard. This lush garden graveyard is otherworldly, enchanted, and magical. There is nothing like it anywhere. Before the churchyard experience, our expert storytellers lead you through gas lamp lit streets and alleys, sharing eerie tales of mystery and wonder from Charleston's 356 years of rich and romantic history. Based on the book The Ghosts of Charleston by Julian Buxton (over 100,000 copies sold). The Ghosts of Charleston is our city's most popular, oldest, book-based walking tour--a favorite of residents and visitors for over 30 years. Departs from Buxton Books several times each evening. Come walk with us.

What you get

    About this experience

    Highlight: Exclusive nighttime entry into the 1772 Unitarian Church Graveyard. This lush garden graveyard is otherworldly, enchanted, and magical. There is nothing like it anywhere. Before the churchyard experience, our expert storytellers lead you through gas lamp lit streets and alleys, sharing eerie tales of mystery and wonder from Charleston's 356 years of rich and romantic history. Based on the book The Ghosts of Charleston by Julian Buxton (over 100,000 copies sold). The Ghosts of Charleston is our city's most popular, oldest, book-based walking tour--a favorite of residents and visitors for over 30 years. Departs from Buxton Books several times each evening. Come walk with us.

    What's included

    Included

    • Professional and Licensed Tour Guide
    • Exclusive access to the historic Unitarian Church Graveyard
    • Departure from Buxton Books: Charleston's Independent Bookstore

    Not included

    • Gratuities
    • No public restroom so please plan accordingly.

    What you'll see and do

    1. Start your tour at Buxton Books, and stop in either before or after your tour to purchase a copy of the The Ghosts of Charleston, the book this ghost tour is based off of.

      15 minutes here

    2. St. Michael's Church

      Historic church located in downtown Charleston

      Pass by without stopping

    3. St. Philip's Anglican Church

      Listen to Julian Buxton's strange and moving story titled "The Spectral Photograph", from his book The Ghosts of Charleston. See the majestic St Philip's steeple and graveyard.

      10 minutes here

    4. Unitarian Church in Charleston

      The highlight of The Ghosts of Charleston Tour is entering the lush, spellbinding Unitarian Church Graveyard built in 1772. Real time haunts occur several times a year. Since 1996, (we are now Charleston's oldest ghost tour) spirits in the Unitarian Church Graveyard have reached out to many people on our tour in visual, tactile and auditory ways.

      20 minutes here · Admission included

    5. Tour Charleston

      During our 90 minute walking ghost tour, our City of Charleston licensed tour guides recount hauntings and supernatural events from our best-selling book The Ghosts of Charleston. We are fortunate to have many repeat guests, and lots of tales to share, so we switch things up nightly by varying ghosts stories on every tour. There is no experience like walking enchanted Charleston at night, listening to our supernatural stories, and encountering what you will see and hear in the Unitarian Church Graveyard.

      10 minutes here · Admission included

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Charleston

    Departure Point: Buxton Books Address: 160 King Street Charleston, SC 29401

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    This tour ends in the (1772) Unitarian Church Graveyard, across the street from Buxton Books store, the departure location. At the tour's end, our guide will gladly direct you back to Buxton Books, to your hotel, or to another location in Charleston.

    Options you can book

    • Graveyard Only (7pm option)

      Duration: 1 hour Unitarian Church Graveyard: Departs from and returns to Buxton Books. After check in, travelers will be lead by tour guide directly to the graveyard. Graveyard Only: 1 hour tour of Unitarian Graveyard only. Select other option at check out to include city tour portion.

    • Graveyard + City Tour

      90 minutes guided ghost walking tour which includes exclusive access to the Unitarian Church Graveyard (1772). Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

    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
    Tour Charleston, LLC

    Know before you go

    • Service animals allowed
    • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Children must be accompanied by an adult
    • *Travelers may select either a 1-hour Graveyard Only Tour or a 1.5-hour full Ghosts of Charleston tour which includes Unitarian Graveyard and tour of haunted downtown Charleston.

    Photos

    Ghosts of Charleston Walking Tour + Unitarian Church Graveyard, photo 2Ghosts of Charleston Walking Tour + Unitarian Church Graveyard, photo 3Ghosts of Charleston Walking Tour + Unitarian Church Graveyard, photo 4Ghosts of Charleston Walking Tour + Unitarian Church Graveyard, photo 5Ghosts of Charleston Walking Tour + Unitarian Church Graveyard, photo 6Ghosts of Charleston Walking Tour + Unitarian Church Graveyard, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 2,925 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    9 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    The guide

    7 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Good for families

    2 mentions

    Reviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.

    Traveler reviews

    2,925 verified traveler reviews for Ghosts of Charleston Walking Tour + Unitarian Church Graveyard. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    2,360
    4 star
    236
    3 star
    153
    2 star
    96
    1 star
    80
    Sort
    Daniel_M · October 2026

    Awesome!

    It was just my wife and I on the tour (first of the month), but the way Simon did the tour, you’d think there were 20 people in our party. He was awesome! So much information, personal stories about the cemetery residents, and a master storyteller. One of the coolest cemeteries we’ve ever been in, too. Highly recommend!

    via Viator

    ashleyfV248PA · September 2026

    Amazing tour by Jerry!

    We had a wonderful time on our walking tour! Jerry was our guide and he was personable, informative and a great story teller! We had kids and adults in our group and everything was appropriately spooky. I learned a lot of history, which I loved and learned so much on my first trip to Charleston! The tour was roughly $100 for 3 of us and was 90 minutes long, well worth the money!

    via Tripadvisor

    amymF5980BB · September 2026

    Great Guide

    Our guide was excellent and our family thoroughly enjoyed the tour!!

    via Tripadvisor

    Stephanie_C · September 2026

    Simon was the best!! He...

    Simon was the best!! He is by far my favorite tour guide. Loved the history and getting to explore the graveyard.

    via Viator

    22leeroyj · September 2026

    Intriguing

    Great stories from our guide and she was very enthusiastic. Had a great time and never a dull moment along our little journey with the ghost.

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    1.5 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Price range
    $36 to $40
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    1,024
    Verdict
    Strongly Recommended

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by Tour Charleston, LLC, who run 3 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 78.2.

    See everything Tour Charleston, LLC runs

    Why this scores 80

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)72
    Review evidence (18% weight)96
    Booking momentum (14% weight)96
    Value for money (12% weight)75
    Listing quality (10% weight)81
    Local standing (8% weight)27
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Ghosts of Charleston Walking Tour + Unitarian Church Graveyard: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Charleston.

    How much does Ghosts of Charleston Walking Tour + Unitarian Church Graveyard cost?

    +

    Prices start at $36 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 Ghosts of Charleston Walking Tour + Unitarian Church Graveyard take?

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    Plan for about 1.5 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 Ghosts of Charleston Walking Tour + Unitarian Church Graveyard worth it?

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    It holds an Outty Ranking of 80 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.6/5 across 2,926 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Charleston, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Ghosts of Charleston Walking Tour + Unitarian Church Graveyard?

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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 Ghosts of Charleston Walking Tour + Unitarian Church Graveyard suitable for kids and families?

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    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Ghosts of Charleston Walking Tour + Unitarian Church Graveyard?

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    Around 1,024 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 1.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Ghosts of Charleston Walking Tour + Unitarian Church Graveyard 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?

    +

    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 Ghosts of Charleston Walking Tour + Unitarian Church Graveyard?

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    Included: Professional and Licensed Tour Guide; Exclusive access to the historic Unitarian Church Graveyard; and Departure from Buxton Books: Charleston's Independent Bookstore. Not included: Gratuities; and No public restroom so please plan accordingly. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Where is the meeting point for Ghosts of Charleston Walking Tour + Unitarian Church Graveyard?

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    Departure Point: Buxton Books Address: 160 King Street Charleston, SC 29401 Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.

    What languages is Ghosts of Charleston Walking Tour + Unitarian Church Graveyard offered in?

    +

    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 Ghosts of Charleston Walking Tour + Unitarian Church Graveyard?

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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 Ghosts of Charleston Walking Tour + Unitarian Church Graveyard 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 Ghosts of Charleston Walking Tour + Unitarian Church Graveyard?

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    Across 2,926 reviews averaging 4.6 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide, good for families. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    What booking options are available for Ghosts of Charleston Walking Tour + Unitarian Church Graveyard?

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    There are 2 options to choose from, including Graveyard Only (7pm option), Graveyard + City Tour. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

    Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Ghosts of Charleston Walking Tour + Unitarian Church Graveyard.

    Pick your date