Explore Charleston’s darker corners at your own pace. From churchyards and dueling alleys to centuries-old taverns, this self-guided walking tour pairs documented history with enduring ghost stories, mapped and narrated on your phone.
Admissions not included.
Your purchase is for 30-day access to our self-guided tour. Tickets or entry fees
for museums, historic sites, and other attractions are sold separately.
Experience Charleston’s legendary after-dark atmosphere on a flexible, self-guided walk. This route threads together graveyards, alleys, jails, and taverns where real events and long-told ghost stories overlap. At each stop, you’ll get grounded historical context first, then the folklore locals still share today — all delivered on an easy GPS map so you can wander, pause for a drink, and explore at your own pace.
Highlights
The Powder Magazine — Colonial-era powder store where sieges, explosions, and sentries left stories that some say still echo.
St. Philip’s Church & Graveyard — One of Charleston’s most photographed steeples and oldest burial grounds, with tales of wandering lights and lingering clergy.
Dock Street Theatre — Historic playhouse rebuilt in the 1930s, known for its actors, audiences, and a few reported guests who never left.
Philadelphia Alley — Former dueling lane where whispered apologies, pistols, and rivalries gave rise to restless legends.
Old Charleston Jail — Stark walls and famous prisoners, where Lavinia Fisher lore and jailbreak stories fuel its haunted reputation.
Unitarian Church Graveyard — Overgrown paths and layered headstones tied to broken-heart legends, Gothic tales, and twilight footsteps.
Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon — Revolutionary history, pirates, patriots, and an underground space that inspires more than a few ghost stories.
Tommy Condon’s Irish Pub — Live music and light-hearted lore about a prankster spirit said to favor the back bar.
Blind Tiger Pub — A nod to Prohibition-era “blind tigers,” with stories of a patron who refuses last call.
The Tavern on Exchange Street — One of Charleston’s oldest tavern sites, where ledgers, lanterns, and loyal regulars blur past and present.
All this, plus additional "hidden gems," expertly brought to life through our virtual guides....with rich, vivid history, local stories, and unmatched knowledge you will not find elsewhere. Even better, no tipping required!
Distance: ~1.4 miles (2.3 km) • Time: 2 hours • Stops: 10+ • Terrain: Mostly flat sidewalks with some cobblestone sections
Shaded area = approximate tour area
What you’ll experience
GPS location tracking — see your current location on the map.
Virtual Tour Guides — Detailed narration at each stop & answers to common questions.
Vast local knowledge — history, legends, and insider spots.
Local weather updates — stay prepared as you explore outdoors.
A “Free Roaming” adventure — start anywhere, wander at your pace.
What exactly unlocks when I buy?
You’ll get the full tour map with hot-air balloon markers (our map pins), our suggested walking path for orientation, detailed stories and site info, narration, and tons of local tips. Your purchase gives you unlimited access for 30 days via a private link. It runs right in your mobile browser — no installs, no storage — just open and go.
How do I start the tour?
Open your private tour link on your phone. On the map, tap the compass to center on your current location (one-time locate). If you’d like the map center to follow you as you walk, turn on GPS Auto-Location in Settings (optional). Now knowing where YOU are, visit any stop you like, in any order, at any pace — you’re in complete control.
How does a SmartWalkTour differ from a traditional tour?
It’s your pace, your path. No buses or group schedules. No tour guide tipping. Explore freely with on-map markers, narration, and an optional suggested path for big-picture orientation. Pause for a café, browse a shop, and pick up where you left off anytime — your guide is always in your pocket.
Screenshots from an actual tour. (Key West example)
Swipe or scroll to see more →
Multiple tour stopping points. Start at any one, then tap the hot air balloon for detailed tour guide information.Virtual tour guides share rich stories at every stop, with Q&A and helpful links.Always know the local weather and plan your walk comfortably.Discover more tours nearby—walkable options to keep exploring.Four map styles, live GPS, and a suggested path you can toggle on/off.Helpful information is built in, plus links for even more detail.In app tips, FAQs, Local festivals and events. Maps show a wealth of detail, with public restroom locations.Direct links to attractions for hours, tickets, and more.
