Charleston brims with history and charm, and it also claims some of the South’s most chilling ghost stories. Along its cobblestone streets and behind centuries-old facades, tales of restless spirits, eerie encounters, and tragic pasts still linger. During your stay at The Restoration Hotel, step into the city’s shadowy side with a ghost tour through Charleston’s most haunted locations.
The Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon
Distance from The Restoration Hotel: 0.8 miles
Address: 122 East Bay Street, Charleston, SC 29401
The Old Exchange stands as one of Charleston’s most historically significant landmarks, but the infamous Provost Dungeon beneath it tells a far darker story. Authorities once imprisoned prisoners of war, pirates, and enslaved people within its stone walls. Today, visitors report ghostly apparitions, disembodied voices, and an overwhelming sense of dread. Many claim to see spirits of long-dead prisoners who never escaped the dungeon’s brutal conditions, while sudden cold spots add to its chilling reputation.
The Battery and White Point Garden
Distance from The Restoration Hotel: 1.2 miles
Address: 2 Murray Blvd, Charleston, SC 29401
At first glance, The Battery and White Point Garden appear serene, but history paints a far grimmer picture. In the 1700s, officials used this waterfront area as an execution site for pirates, including the notorious Stede Bonnet. Authorities left their bodies hanging as a warning to others. Today, visitors report shadowy figures, phantom footsteps, and ghostly pirates roaming the park at night—some searching for lost treasure, others seeking revenge.
The Unitarian Church Graveyard
Distance from The Restoration Hotel: 0.6 miles
Address: 8 Archdale Street, Charleston, SC 29401
Romantic and overgrown, the Unitarian Church Graveyard carries an air of quiet mystery. Locals often link the site to Annabel Lee, the inspiration behind Edgar Allan Poe’s famous poem. Poe spent time in Charleston and reportedly fell in love with a local woman who died young. Visitors now claim to see a ghostly figure resembling Annabel Lee wandering among the headstones.
The Dock Street Theatre
Distance from The Restoration Hotel: 0.3 miles
Address: 135 Church Street, Charleston, SC 29401
Dock Street Theatre enchants audiences with its performances—and unsettles them with its paranormal reputation. Many believe the ghost of Junius Brutus Booth, father of John Wilkes Booth, still haunts the stage. Others speak of Nettie Dickerson, a woman who met a tragic end on the theater’s balcony. Actors and guests alike report unexplained noises, moving objects, and ghostly figures appearing during rehearsals and shows.
The Powder Magazine
Distance from The Restoration Hotel: 0.4 miles
Address: 79 Cumberland Street, Charleston, SC 29401
As one of the oldest public buildings in the Carolinas, The Powder Magazine once stored gunpowder during colonial times. War and conflict shaped its past, and many believe soldiers from the Revolutionary War never truly left. Visitors have reported seeing figures dressed in period uniforms, hearing disembodied voices, and feeling sudden cold drafts inside the building.
Charleston’s haunted history is all around you during your stay at The Restoration Hotel. Whether you seek eerie encounters or simply want to explore the city’s darker past, these legendary locations promise a thrilling experience. After your ghostly adventures, return to the warmth and comfort of your suite for a cozy night—safely removed from the city’s restless spirits.
Read more stories from our Cultural Almanac Series here.
