Plan your visit

Plan Your Visit

Prepare for a dimly lit 45-minute tour of a 19th-century prison basement.

Old Charleston Jail

21 Magazine St, Charleston, SC 29401

GPS 32.77833, -79.93694

Open directions

Getting there

Getting to 21 Magazine Street.

How	Time	Cost	Notes
Walk: Walk from the Historic Charleston City Market	10-15 mins	Free	Located in Harleston Village between Franklin and Logan streets.
Car: Drive or ride-share to 21 Magazine Street	5-10 mins from downtown	Varies	Street parking is residential and very scarce; ride-sharing or walking from downtown garages is highly recommended.

When to go

QuietModerateBusyPeak

Tours run exclusively in the evening. Book early if you plan to visit in October, as Halloween demand is high.

What to bring

Comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes for uneven ground and stairs
Camera or smartphone for capturing unexplained phenomena and orbs
Water bottle (venues can be warm in summer and there are no stops to buy food/drinks)
Light jacket or sweater (the jail interior can feel cold or drafty)
Bug spray (if waiting outside for your tour during summer evenings)
Photo ID for tour check-in
Small bag or purse (large bags may be cumbersome in narrow halls)
Flashlight or phone light (tours are conducted in very low light)

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Street parking on Magazine Street is scarce.

Walk from a downtown garage or take a ride-share.

How the day runs

Suggested itineraries for your evening.

A typical evening plan for visiting the historic jail.

18:45
Arrive downtown
Park in a central Charleston garage and walk toward Harleston Village.
19:15
Check in
Arrive at 21 Magazine Street with your photo ID.
19:30
Tour begins
Follow your guide into the dark, unrestored ground floor.
20:15
Tour ends
Exit the property and walk back to the historic center.

What to bring

Wear comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes. The floors are uneven and you will navigate stairs. Bring a light jacket, as the stone interior can feel drafty.

Carry a flashlight or have your phone charged to use its light. The tour occurs in very low light. Use bug spray in the summer if you have to wait outside.

Easiest way to do it

Night view of the imposing exterior of the Old Charleston Jail building.

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

45 min 4.4 (797)

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

From$46per person

Viator$46 GetYourGuideCompare

Cancellation terms differ by platform and listing. Check them before you pay.

Planning questions

Where should I park for the Old Charleston Jail tour?

Do not rely on street parking near the jail. It is residential and very scarce. Walk from a downtown garage or use a ride-share.

How long is the Old Charleston Jail ghost tour?

The tour lasts 45 minutes. You will spend this time entirely on the ground floor and in the basement.

Is the Old Charleston Jail still open for tours?

Yes. Despite the recent $15 million renovation of the upper floors, the ground floor remains open for evening ghost tours.