Rainbow Row Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Rainbow Row. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour

• Hidden Alleyways and Historic Sites Small-Group Walking Tour

• Highlights of Charleston Guided Walking Tour

• Undiscovered Charleston: Half-Day Food, Wine & History Tour with Cooking Class

• Historic Charleston Walking Tour: Rainbow Row, Churches, and More

Although it’s free to stroll along Rainbow Row, plenty of affordable tour options can upgrade your visit, starting as low as US$6 for a self-guided audio tour. Expert-led walking tours typically cost between US$30 and US$40, while horse-and-carriage rides are about US$45. Options such as food tours or professional photo shoots run closer to US$100.

Yes, Rainbow Row is worth visiting, as it's one of the most iconic landmarks in Charleston. Combine it with a visit to the Battery and Waterfront Park, or join a guided tour to learn about the history behind the pastel-colored mansions.

Per one customer who booked the Hidden Alleyways and Historic Sites Small-Group Walking Tour, "Our experience felt like we were traveling with a friend! Loved all the history, stories, and Rainbow Row. Our guide was so interesting to listen to and took time to answer questions along the way! Wish we could have had more time with him!"

Rainbow Row is located on East Bay Street in Charleston, between the cross streets of Elliott Street and Tradd Street, one block west of the Public Pier in the Joe Riley Waterfront Park. House numbers 83 through 107 are the official Rainbow Row homes.

Despite being designated historic landmarks by the National Park Service, the houses on Rainbow Row are privately owned and are not open to the public. It’s common for tourists to take photographs of the homes, but please be sensitive and don’t disturb those who live there.

Yes, Rainbow Row guided tours are available. Look for guided walking tours of historic Charleston, including architecture tours. There are also bus tours that pass by the colorful houses, but there are no hop-on hop-off bus services in the city.

Yes, Rainbow Row is part of East Bay Street, which has a wide sidewalk that wheelchair users can safely access and navigate. There are dedicated pedestrian crosswalks at the corner of East Bay Street and Tradd Street, located just south of the houses.

Rainbow Row is a row of 13 Georgian townhouses that were built in the 1700s,but fell into dilapidated disrepair by the 1900s. In 1931, these colorful houses became national historic landmarks after a local preservationist purchased and restored some of them. Today, Rainbow Row is considered a keystone in Charleston culture and history.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting Rainbow Row. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Charleston:

• The Battery and White Point Garden

• Charleston City Market

• Fort Sumter National Monument

• Charleston Waterfront Park

• Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Charleston.