South Carolina’s long, storied past is filled with chilling ghost tales, tragic legends, and atmospheric sites. For travelers interested in the creepy and macabre, the Palmetto State delivers a treasure trove of destinations worth the drive and a lingering chill. Here are 11 things to see in South Carolina if you love the eerie, the haunted, and the unexplainable:
1. Old Gunn Church (Prince Frederick’s Chapel, Georgetown)
This Gothic Revival ruin is famous for ghost lights and tales of a restless spirit said to haunt the ruins after a fatal fall from the steep roof. Screams, phantom music, and other chilling phenomena have been reported here for decades.
2. Colonel Kolb’s Tomb (Bennettsville)
The tomb and nearby woods are said to be haunted by the revolutionary war hero, his wife, and murdered family. Visitors report footsteps, apparitions, and eerie noises at night.
3. Georgetown Lighthouse (North Island, Georgetown)
The state’s oldest active lighthouse is haunted by “Annie,” the lightkeeper’s drowned daughter who is rumored to warn sailors of storms as a phantom apparition.
4. Hampton Plantation (McClellanville)
Home to ghost sightings, phantom rocking chairs, and mysterious noises, this historic plantation offers guided tours—if you’re brave enough to risk a spectral encounter.
5. Strand Theater (Georgetown)
Strange footsteps, cold spots, and unexplained voices are common in this historic downtown theater, which is now home to the Swamp Fox Players.
6. Oakwood Cemetery / “Hell’s Gate” (Spartanburg)
Unofficially known as “Hell’s Gate,” Oakwood is considered one of the state’s most haunted cemeteries. Stories abound of shadowy figures, strange lights, and chilling brushes with the unknown.
7. Dark Castle Haunted Attractions (Elgin)
Offering a year-round rage room, escape rooms, and three different haunted attractions including the legendary Dark Knight’s Terror Trail, this park is a must for fans of immersive scares and horror excess.
8. Nightmare Dungeon Haunted Attraction (Greenville)
“What lurks in the Greenville night?” might best be answered inside this intensely scary multi-story haunted house, renowned for its actors and chilling true history.
9. Charleston Terrors Ghost Tours (Charleston)
These tours dive into more than 300 years of haunted happenings, murders, and tragedies. Charleston is known for its high concentration of haunted sites.
10. Ripley’s Haunted Adventure & Outbreak: Dread the Undead (Myrtle Beach)
Multiple haunted house attractions on the boardwalk deliver frights, zombie walks, and ghost stories, drawing thrill-seekers each season.
11. Scream Acres (Bishopville)
This legendary haunted hayride and house pull guests deep into the woods for a full scare dosage. It’s one of the longest-running and most creative haunted events in South Carolina.
These sites capture South Carolina’s rich tapestry of tragedy, folklore, and ghostly experiences. Whether you’re a paranormal investigator, a history buff, or just in the mood for a scare, these destinations offer a uniquely chilling journey into the state’s creepier side.
Sources
(https://www.westgateresorts.com/blog/10-haunted-places-myrtle-beach/)
(https://www.sandlappertours.com/boo-the-10-most-haunted-places-in-south-carolina/)
(https://kiddingaroundgreenville.com/haunted-places-in-the-upstate)
(https://foxsportsradiocharlotte.com/2023/09/15/this-is-the-best-and-scariest-haunted-house-or-attraction-in-south-carolina/)
(https://www.southcarolinahauntedhouses.com)
