There’s no shortage of spirited adventures to be found in the Lowcountry, from historic haunts and ghost tours to lively bars and seasonal happenings. Whether you’re in the mood for a little history, a few thrills, or simply a good time, here’s a perfect itinerary for anyone looking for some chills in Charleston.
Gibbes Mausoleum at Magnolia Cemetery
DAY ONE
AFTERNOON
Make any season spooky season with a visit to Magnolia Cemetery, one of Charleston’s most beautiful (and haunted!) outdoor spaces. This historic site spans 92 acres, full of mossy oak-lined paths, elaborate tombstones and grand mausoleums, and even some alligator-filled lagoons. Make sure to stop by the 1888-built Gibbes Mausoleum, the unique Pyramid Tomb, and the cradle-shaped infant grave of Rosalie Raymond White. The dark beauty of it is quintessential Southern Gothic. If you’re craving a bite (or a margarita), head to nearby Santis for some great, affordable Mexican food in an eclectic space.
EVENING
If you’re here on Halloweekend, stop by Folly Beach, which holds an annual holiday house decorating contest. The charming coastal town transforms for the holiday, with residents decking out their homes in lights, skeletons, surfboards, and other spooky-season decorations. Judging begins in the early evening.
NIGHT
For dinner, embrace dark romance at Lowland, a Southern tavern where dim lighting, antique chandeliers, and cozy velvet booths set the seasonal mood. Order the Bucatini and Roasted Squash (with sauce piccata, pepitas, and smoked almond) for some extra fall flavor. Afterward, catch a movie at The Terrace, a beloved Art Deco-retro theater showing a mix of the latest films and cult classics. For the spooky season, The Terrace is screening horror classics like The Birds, The Shining, and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Grab some popcorn and a beer or wine from their well-stocked lobby bar – or BYOB – and be thankful you’re not staying at the Overlook Hotel.
Boone Hall Pumpkin Patch
DAY TWO
MORNING:
Start the day off with wholesome autumnal activities at the Boone Hall Pumpkin Patch, a family-friendly outdoor festival with a corn maze, tractor-drawn hayrides, a petting zoo, and trampolines. It’s one of Charleston’s most popular fall-time events, so buy tickets in advance online to skip the weekend entry lines.
AFTERNOON:
If you haven’t planned your costume yet (no judgment), Charleston is chock-full of vintage and antique stores where you’re sure to stumble upon some inspiration. Go treasure-hunting at Patina Market, the Holy City Vintage Market, or Exchange Factor, which has been a staple for Charleston thrifters since the ‘90s. Once you’ve got the “trick” part covered, stock up on treats at River Street Sweets (locations in Ansonborough, North Charleston, and Harleston Village), where the candy extends beyond traditional gummies and chocolate bars. Here you can get pecan pralines, peanut brittle, salt water taffy, homemade fudge, and more – plus a cup of ice cream to boot.
Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon
EVENING
For dinner, book a table at Poogan’s Porch, a Charleston institution serving up traditional Southern fare in an old Victorian townhouse. It’s delicious year-round – order the shrimp and grits – but the restaurant is best this time of year; legend has it it’s haunted by the building’s past residents, including a friendly dog named Poogan, for whom the restaurant was named. Some diners say they can feel his four-legged ghost scurrying around, begging for some scraps.
NIGHT
In the mood for more ghost stories? Go to the Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon, one of Charleston’s most popular visitor destinations, and join the Ghost and Dungeon Walking Tour – the only way to get exclusive nighttime entry into the historic dungeon, once the site of captured criminals, revolutionaries, and pirates. You’ll learn all about the local lore – it’s about as eerie as the Lowcountry gets. Plus, if you’re in town Friday, October 23, the Charleston Museum is hosting Nighttime at the Museum: Halloween Edition, complete with a scavenger hunt for the kiddos.
Mission Ruins in the Swamp at Cypress Gardens
DAY THREE
MORNING
Begin your Saturday by fueling up with coffee and – what else? – some more treats. Weltons Tiny Bakeshop is a quaint (and as the name suggests, very small) local favorite churning out fresh pastries, breads, cookies, and pies. Get there early, because they will sell out.
AFTERNOON
Then make your way to Monck’s Corner for Halloween in the Swamp at Cypress Gardens, the famous swamp that’s as romantic as it is spooky. (Case in point: It was the backdrop for both The Notebook and Wes Craven’s Swamp Thing.) There’s a range of activities for every degree of scary, from the kid-friendly marshmallow roast/storytime to the haunted boat ride and walk through the woods. You may not encounter monsters, but you’ll definitely see some gators. All tickets are sold online, so plan ahead.
Merci
EVENING
Here at The Manner, we love a restored historic home. Merci, a new bistro in an 1820s-era Federal townhouse, feels like a direct transport from Europe with its patinated facade and chic wood-lined interiors. Ghosts may not be present, but history is definitely alive at this James Beard Award finalist, albeit with window trims painted avocado green and a menu that changes daily. Afterward, grab a drink at Last Saint – perhaps a Death Row Daiquiri (two eight-year rums and lime).
Unitarian Church Graveyard
DAY FOUR
MORNING
If you haven’t had enough hoodoo, join a Haints and Hoodoo Walking Tour, where you can learn strange, true histories of conjure, Lowcountry rootwork, witch trials, and local voodoo practices. The walk is not your typical ghost tour; rather, it focuses deeply on local superstitions and spiritual traditions. Tours typically depart in the mornings from Waterfront Park.
AFTERNOON/EVENING
As the evening approaches, the gas lamps flicker on in historic Charleston. There’s no need for a formal ghost tour; take a stroll through downtown and you’ll feel the city’s spirits come alive. Wander through the little crooked path of the Unitarian Church Graveyard, where the gravestones, shaded by palmetto trees, date back centuries. Or head down the ultra-charming Philadelphia Alley, which runs between Queen and Cumberland Streets in the French Quarter and is known as the site of some of the city’s deadliest duels. Some believe the so-called “Dueler’s Alley” is haunted by the spirit of Dr. Joseph Brown Ladd, a physician and poet who died in a 1786 duel over a woman he loved, and that if you walk through it at night, you can still hear him whistling. (If that’s a bit too much for you, it’s a perfectly lovely brick alleyway by day!)
NIGHT
Settle in for a cozy drink at Bar Daniel at the Nickel. If you’re feeling devilish, order the “El Diablo” with tequila, cassis, and ginger beer before dolling up to attend the Rocky Horror Picture Show with a live shadowcast at the Charleston Music Hall. Remember: there’s no crime in giving yourself over to pleasure.