Magpie
4.4(788 reviews)

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

From$45.5
45 min
Commentary: Guide · en
Charleston, USA

About this activity

Discover the eerie history of Charleston's Old City Jail on a guided night tour, delving into tales of notorious criminals and haunted spaces.

Highlights

  • Explore Charleston's most haunted building
  • Hear tales of notorious criminals and pirates
  • Visit eerie spaces like prisoner cells and hallways
  • Learn about 19th-century punishments and conditions
  • Experience a spine-chilling atmosphere after dark

Full description

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.

Included / Excluded

  • 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
  • Gratuities
  • Transportation to/from attractions

Important information

Know before you book

  • Tours are conducted in English; proficiency in the language is recommended.
  • The tour involves walking through dimly lit and potentially uneven areas; proceed with caution.
  • Advanced booking is recommended, as tours often sell out quickly.

Know before you go

  • Wear comfortable walking shoes suitable for uneven surfaces.
  • Bring a flashlight or use your phone's light feature for better visibility.
  • Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly, as tours operate rain or shine.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 1 days before the activity starts

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

Accessibility

  • Easy Public Transport

Traveler reviews

4.4
788 reviews
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Our tour guide was...

Our tour guide was amazing. Very informative and made it interesting as well. We toured several locations within the jail and she shared stories and the experiences from back when it was opened.

Leslie_GOct 14, 2026VIATOR

Loved it

Great experience and would recommend to anyone in the area. Definitely wouldn’t be comfortable being in the jail alone. Loved the history

Jason_MOct 11, 2026VIATOR

Creepy Jail Tour

Definitely a must do tour while in Charleston! Very creepy and Sara was the best tour guide. It was very apparent that she was well versed in the history of the jail and she was genuine in her delivery of historical facts, as well as, her own personal experiences. I’ve been on some other tours where the guides were just going through the motions and it seemed cheesy and unbelievable. I would definitely go on another tour with Sara and Bulldog tours.

Jill_JOct 10, 2026VIATOR

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.

Krista_OOct 8, 2026VIATOR

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.

Extraordinary673678Oct 6, 2026TRIPADVISOR
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