Charleston’s cobblestone streets and moss-draped oaks don’t just charm — they whisper. If you lean into the hush of twilight, you might hear more than the rustling wind. Our city holds centuries of untold stories and lingering spirits who refuse to check out.

Below, we’re sharing five of the most haunted places in Charleston — perfect for thrill-seekers, history lovers, and anyone who believes buildings carry memories of their own.

1) Old City Jail — 21 Magazine Street

Once a working prison from 1802 to 1939, the Old City Jail housed over 13,000 inmates. Today, its crumbling stone walls and rusted bars offer glimpses into the past — and perhaps into something else. Visitors report icy cold spots, echoes of footsteps, and voices that seem to come from nowhere. It’s no wonder it’s often called the most haunted building in Charleston.

Why it’s fascinating:
Like homes, structures absorb the energy of the people who move through them. The Old City Jail is proof a building can hold on tight to history.

Pro tip:
A nighttime ghost tour heightens every spine-tingling detail.

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2) The Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon — East Bay & Broad Street

By daylight, the Georgian architecture of the Old Exchange radiates beauty and refinement. But beneath the polished floors lies the Provost Dungeon — a dark, underground holding space tied to the Revolutionary War. Visitors have described the sound of chains dragging and disembodied whispers traveling through the stone.

This location brings to life the idea of Charleston as a place where elegance and eerie shadows coexist just steps apart.

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3) Battery Carriage House Inn — 20 South Battery

This charming 19th-century inn overlooking Charleston Harbor is known for romantic getaways…and ghostly encounters. Guests have shared stories of a well-dressed gentleman wandering the halls and a headless apparition who appears in the dead of night.

A home with a view is a dream — just hope the view doesn’t come with an unexpected roommate.

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4) Poogan’s Porch — 72 Queen Street

A favorite spot for shrimp and grits may also serve something supernatural. Poogan’s Porch is named after a beloved dog who once lived here, and some say his ghost still trots across the hardwood. Others report vintage-clad figures drifting through the dining room, or silverware moving all on its own.

There’s something especially chilling about hauntings in everyday spaces — dinner with a side of the unknown.

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5) Circular Congregational Church Graveyard — Meeting & George Street

As one of the oldest graveyards in Charleston, dating back to 1681, this site is steeped in history. Moss-covered headstones lean among towering oaks, and visitors often feel sudden chills or catch a glimpse of movement in the corner of their eye. With so many stories resting beneath the earth, it’s a place where silence feels strangely alive.

Mature vegetation, winding paths, and a deep sense of history make this location as beautiful as it is mysterious.

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These haunted spots remind us that every place has a past. When we step into a new home, we’re not just entering a building — we’re stepping into a story still unfolding.

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Plan Your Own Twilight Tour

Thinking of exploring these haunted haunts? Here’s a fun way to do it:
• Go at dusk for the full ghost-tour vibe
• Bring a flashlight and curiosity
• End your night with dessert at one of Charleston’s historic restaurants

Whether you meet a ghost or not, you’ll walk away with a deeper appreciation for the Holy City’s rich, layered past.