Charleston SC leans into ‘dark tourism’ and ghost tours

CHARLESTON — It was dark. The waning gibbous moon cast a faint glow across everything that was not hidden in the shadows. The crisp autumn breeze sent chills up the arm. Tour guide Nathan Cowan led a group of locals around downtown on this October evening.

It was the epitome of a night one would want to search for ghosts — something that historic cities like Charleston are banking on as more tours are popping up centered on a spookier side of the past.

With eight million visitors a year, the Holy City is far from a ghost town. But it’s not just travelers who are taking advantage of these year-round tours. These eerie offerings are also appealing to residents playing tourist in their own city.

The tour on Oct. 9 unveiled 300 years of Charleston's history, including its role in wars, slav