For 11 months of the year Charleston, S.C. is known as “America’s Friendliest City,” but during the month of October, the welcoming, historic town becomes a bit spookier.
With a history dating back centuries, including thieving pirates and foreboding personalities, Charleston remains the must-see Halloween hotspot. This fall, the area is offering visitors eerie holiday options including tours and Halloween packages.
Halloween in Charleston, South Carolina
The Wicked Good Fun package at the Francis Marion Hotel gives guests the chance to experience haunted Charleston as they participate in their choice of walking tours from premier tour company, Bulldog Tours. Guests can pick their poison with tours like: Ghost & Dungeon, Dark Side of Charleston, Ghost & Graveyard or the Haunted Jail Tour. After a night of hearing scary tales, guests can retreat to the Francis Marion Hotel with a copy of the property’s own ghost story while enjoying its signature spooky cookies. This package starts at $189 per night, is available until November 1, 2009 and includes:
- Luxury accommodations
- Two tickets per night for Bulldog Tours (choice of four different tours)
- A copy of the Francis Marion’s ghost story
- Turndown service with spooky cookies
With the Charleston Spirits package offered by the Andrew Pinckney Inn, guests can engage spirits of both the haunting and libation nature. The package includes a walking tour through the historic streets of Charleston where entertaining stories of pre- and post-Prohibition will be shared. It continues with a visit to four historic pubs where spirits will not only be plentiful but more importantly, ingested. Visitors are also invited to experience Charleston by boat during a haunted harbor tour where tales of lost fortunes, and the area’s most intriguing stories can be heard. This complete package is available until November 1, 2009, starts at $349 per night and includes:
- Deluxe accommodations for two nights
- Two tickets for a Haunted Harbor Ghost Tour
- Two tickets for the Original Pub Tour of Charleston
- A welcome amenity featuring Palmetto Brewing Company Beer
- Deluxe continental breakfast served on the rooftop terrace overlooking the Charleston Market Area
- Freshly baked cookies each afternoon with gourmet tea and coffee
Battery Carriage House’s Ghost Adventures package: Some travelers prefer their Halloween adventure to be a bit more of the face-to-face-type of thrill. Luckily, the Battery Carriage House Inn, known as Charleston’s most haunted inn, is offering visitors the chance to spend two nights mingling with spirits with its Ghost Adventures package. This complete package starts at $550, is available until November 1, 2009 and includes:
- Two-night’s accommodations in a carriage house room
- Tickets to retrace the steps of well-known Charleston spirits on a nighttime Ghosts of Charleston walking tour
- A bottle of Champagne (to calm one’s nerves)
- A private carriage tour of the city (in the safety of sunlight)
- Tickets to tour the historic Aiken-Rhett House
- Copy of “The Ghosts of Charleston” book
History & Mystery at the Holiday Inn. Ghost hunting is always more fun to tackle in pairs, which is why the Holiday Inn Riverview is offering guests the History & Mystery Package. Guests and their thrill-seeking partners can enjoy soothing accommodations for two in addition to a hearty complimentary breakfast to help gear up for an eerie adventure with Bulldog Tours. This package is available until December 31, 2009 with room rates starting at $119 and includes:
- Accommodations for two
- Daily breakfast for two
- A pass for two to enjoy a Bulldog Tour of choice
For more information on Halloween packages and activities, travelers can visit www.explorecharleston.com for starting rates and booking information.
Images courtesy of Charleston Area CVB, www.ExploreCharleston.com.
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