South Carolina, United States
Explore the unrestored ground floor of this 1802 prison on a guided evening ghost tour.
4.4 from 797 traveller reviews on Viator
Tickets & tours
Interior access requires an advance ticket.
Most bookedJoin 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...
Explore
Discover the unrestored basement and the newly restored exterior.
The jail housed inmates from 1802 until 1939.
The upper floors are now a private event space.
Plan your visit
Tours last exactly 45 minutes. Arrive 10 minutes early.
Tours run year-round in the evening. October sells out fastest.
Walk 10-15 minutes from the Historic Charleston City Market.
Adult tickets cost roughly $37 to $45. Children cost $29.
The Old Charleston Jail operated as a county prison for 137 years. It housed pirates, Civil War prisoners, and Lavinia Fisher. The building sits on a former public burial ground from 1680.
A $15 million restoration concluded in January 2024. The upper floors now host a private event venue called Twenty-One Magazine. See Facade & Grounds for details on the architecture.
The ground floor remains completely unrestored. You can only view it via an evening ghost tour. Learn what to expect in Ground Floor Route.
We only list tours that include actual interior ground-floor entry.
We highlight important rules, like the strict age limit.
We check live rates across major booking platforms.
From Viator
797 reviews of the haunted jail tour on Viator
Sara was excellent. Very informative and a real pleasure to see someone really enjoy their job.......
Sarah was our tour guide. She was so informative and very intertaining. She held our attention and gave us a awesome tour.
Travel tips
Ticket PricesHow to buy Old Charleston Jail tour tickets and current pricing.Read 
Parking & TransportWhere to park and how to get to 21 Magazine Street.Read 
Current Jail StatusLearn about the $15 million restoration and Twenty-One Magazine.Read Visiting with KidsAge restrictions and rules for bringing children to the jail.Read Lavinia Fisher GhostLearn about Lavinia Fisher and the paranormal sightings in her former cell.Read Inside the TourWhat to expect on a Bulldog Tours evening visit to the Old Charleston Jail.Read Yes. The ground floor remains open for guided evening tours run exclusively by Bulldog Tours.
Yes, but interior access requires booking a guided tour. You cannot walk in independently. Read more on Tickets.
Lavinia Fisher is reputed to be America's first female serial killer. She was imprisoned at the Old Charleston Jail. See Lavinia Fisher Ghost for details.
Tours cost approximately $37 to $45 for adults. Tickets for children aged 10-12 are $29.
Twenty-One Magazine is the private event and office space located on the upper floors of the jail. It opened after a $15 million renovation in 2024.
Many visitors report feeling cold spots or capturing unexplained orbs on camera. Over 10,000 deaths allegedly occurred on the property.
Book your evening tour to secure your spot inside the historic jail.
