Area Guide

Lowcountry Pastimes: The Lowcountry’s Most Haunted Places

With Halloween creeping around the corner, the Lowcountry is coming alive with tales of the supernatural, transforming into a playground of eerie explorations. Kiawah River’s prime location on Johns Island offers the perfect gateway to some of the region’s most haunted spots, where history and mystery intertwine to send shivers down your spine.  

While the Lowcountry’s irresistible charm draws visitors from all over the world, it’s the ghostly encounters and historic mansions that truly make it a Halloween hotspot. If you’re seeking a blend of history and heart-pounding thrills this season, you’re in for a treat—and maybe a few tricks, too. 

Fenwick Hall Plantation
Situated on the edge of Johns Island near the Stono River, Fenwick Hall Plantation holds over 300 years of haunted history.  This eerie estate has witnessed pivotal events of the Revolutionary and Civil and Wars and survived numerous hurricanes. One of its notable ghostly tales is the tragic love story of Ann, a Fenwick resident, and her forbidden husband, Tony. When Ann’s father discovered their secret elopement, Tony faced his wrath, leading to a haunting demise. For over two centuries, sightings of a headless horseman haunted the nearby marshes. 

Angel Oak 
The majestic Angel Oak on Johns Island initially captivates visitors with its sprawling branches, a living testament to centuries of Southern history. But as dusk falls, the tree’s haunting beauty takes on an eerie vibe, with reports of glowing, animal-like faces appearing around the oak’s towering limbs. 

The Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon
The Old Exchange Building, located at East Bay and Broad Street, is a National Historic Landmark in Charleston with a spine-tingling reputation. Reports of lingering spirits, clinking chains and cold drafts add to the eerie atmosphere. Once a prison during the Revolutionary War, it even housed infamous criminals like the pirate Blackbeard! 

Dock Street Theatre
Dating back to 1736, Charleston’s historic Dock Street Theatre has withstood fires and earthquakes, but it’s the spirits that have truly stood the test of time. While the venue is celebrated for its captivating performances, passersby have reported sightings of ghostly figures gazing out from the theatre’s windows at night. The theatre is said to be home to several spectral residents, including the famed actor Junius Brutus Booth, father of John Wilkes Booth, whose lost soul is rumored to still haunt the space, occasionally lurking behind the set. However, Nettie Dickerson, who met her untimely end when she was struck by lightning, is the real ghost of Dock Street Theatre and has been spotted roaming the balconies in a red dress.  

The Battery Carriage House
Perched above the scenic Charleston Harbor, the Battery Carriage House Inn has been charming guests with its breathtaking views and historic ambiance since the 1840s. But beyond its serene exterior lies a darker, more mysterious side. Known as one of the city’s most haunted inns, Rooms 8 and 10 are infamous for ghostly encounters, including sightings of a headless torso. 

Poogan’s Porch
Once a private residence, Poogan’s Porch is now a beloved restaurant serving Southern cuisine – and ghostly encounters. The most famous spirit said to haunt the space is Zoe St. Amand, a former resident who withdrew from society after her sister’s death. Today, guests claim to see her apparition, and reports of flickering lights, unsettling voices and unexplained footsteps add to the building’s paranormal charm.   

Get ready to experience the Lowcountry like never before this Halloween – from ghostly residences to historic landmarks, immerse yourself in the region’s past and uncover the supernatural stories that still linger in the air.