Top Charleston Cultural Tours

Hear all about Charleston, South Carolina and its storied past with a Ph.D historian for a guide on this walking tour. Walk the city streets as part of a small group, seeing popular local attractions like the French Quarter, St. Michael’s Church, Dock Street Theater, Fort Sumter National Monument, and lots more.

Your guide brings history to life during this Charleston walking tour of the city's historical downtown. See notable buildings including the Nathaniel Russell House, the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon, and the Old Slave Mart Museum. As you walk over the flat and easy terrain with your guide, discover the history that occurred right under your feet and around every corner from Rainbow Row to the Battery.

See Charleston's most celebrated streets on your own schedule, without waiting for a group or keeping pace with a guide. This smartphone GPS walking tour leads you through the heart of historic downtown—past the grand antebellum homes of the Battery, the pastel facades of Rainbow Row, and along the waterfront—with location-triggered audio commentary that plays automatically as you walk.

Experience the charm and beauty of Charleston on a morning or afternoon walking tour. With an entertaining guide, take a leisurely stroll through the city’s Historic District, passing antebellum mansions, hidden gardens, historic churches and graveyards, as well as famous sites like Fort Sumter, Rainbow Row, and the Waterfront Battery. Along the way, learn about Charleston’s rich history and contemporary culture.

Learn about the history and heritage of Charleston during a small-group walking tour. Meet your guide for a city stroll that includes popular attractions such as the French Huguenot Church, the Dock Street Theater, and Waterfront Park. Hear stories about local architecture, historic figures, and cultural landmarks during this guided tour.

As you wind through the city, you will encounter many of the iconic sights, sounds, customs and stories that have shaped the low country of South Carolina and our nation over three centuries. Beyond the iconic points of interest, we will also explore little nuances that have created the character of this amazing city. The tour is expected to last approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes in total.

Learn all about more than 300 years of history on this guided carriage tour of Charleston. See the many mansions, churches, and gardens as your horse-drawn carriage tour covers more than 2.5 miles and 30 blocks of historic Charleston. Belgian and Percheron draft horses lead you through the streets while you learn about this “Holy City” and its role in the Civil War—leave your guidebook at home, these stories are better.

Pickup and drop-off from downtown Charleston, South Carolina make it easy to tour Magnolia Plantation, one of the oldest plantations in the South. This 4-in-1 tour includes a narrated drive out to the plantation, a walking tour of the garden, tram tour through the property, and tour of the house itself, providing incredible value.

See the historical sights of Charleston on a walking tour with a guide who tells you about the city's long history. You'll wander along narrow streets and alleys, passing by antebellum homes and other attractions as you listen to stories about Charleston's past 300 years.

Too hot for a walking tour? Enjoy Charleston's best history tour in the cool comfort of the Historic District's finest classic restaurants on the Tastes Through Time Tour. This unique four course foodie tour blends the perfect pairing of culinary delights with the captivating history of Lowcountry culture & the evolution of the region's cuisine. While you dine on Charleston's signature dishes & delicacies of the Lowcountry, your fun, knowledgeable, engaging guide, a lifetime local of the area, will escort you to some of the city's best known restaurants, where you will receive VIP service. Your guide will be happy to recommend the best local dining & touring experiences to make the most of your stay in Charleston. Our partner restaurants gladly substitute dishes for food restrictions upon request. *A minimum number of guests may be required for the tour to operate in peak periods.*

History, Haunts, & Hahas! is a small, local, mom-owned business specializing in Ghost Forensics, Ethical Storytelling, Comic Relief, and the Human Behind the Haunting. Drunk History & Haunt Jaunt combines a haunted history walk, ghost tour, and pub crawl with three designated bar stops and opportunities to independently purchase alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages. Rather than repeating recycled ghost stories, we explore the real history, folklore, architecture, and hidden clues behind Charleston's legends and reported hauntings. Guests learn how to distinguish documented history from folklore, evaluate paranormal claims, and recognize common misidentifications such as pareidolia and photographic artifacts. Small groups and adaptable conversations encourage curiosity and critical thinking. Limited EMF readers may be available. Stories are shared from public spaces outside landmarks and historic sites; admission is not included. Ghost activity can never be guaranteed.

Visit the site where the American Civil War began without the hassle of arranging transportation or waiting in line for tickets. This Fort Sumter package includes admission skip-the-line tickets as well as round-trip ferry transport. Take in views of Rainbow Row and the Battery as you cruise through Charleston Harbor. Then, enjoy time to explore the historic fort and museum, before the return ferry ride.

We are the only experience in Charleston led by a full-blooded Gullah Geechee Indian historian, Chief Godfrey Gullah JacK BlacK. While others stick to a sanitized script, we provide the raw, unfiltered, unscripted truth of America’s #1 slave-trading concentration camp. We reveal the ancient secrets of the people who built the Holy City’s economy. Your journey dives deep into the lives of enslaved builders, wealthy Black landowners, and resilient people. You will hear the Gullah Hebrew language and stand on the very ground where history was made. This is more than a tour—it's an eye-opening confrontation with the past. We offer a nuanced, deeply personal perspective you won't find anywhere else. From Indians to Negroes to Black, we trace the bloodline and the survival of a culture that still breathes today. Once you see the real Charleston through your eyes, you can never unsee it.

Discover the history of Charleston on this private walking tour. Follow your professional and native Charlestonian guide around the city’s historical downtown and see notable landmarks such as St. Michael’s Church, Rainbow Row, the Battery, Nathaniel Russell House, and more, and hear stories that bring the people, sites, and history of Charleston to life.

Experience Charleston on a relaxed 1.5-hour small-group city tour designed for comfort and storytelling. Tours are limited to just 12 guests, offering a more personal experience than the large tour buses commonly seen around the city. Travel through Charleston’s most iconic neighborhoods with a knowledgeable local guide who brings the city’s history to life. See Rainbow Row, the waterfront mansions along The Battery, the oak-lined streets of South of Broad, the French Quarter, historic churches, cobblestone alleys, and the College of Charleston campus. You will also pass the Four Corners of Law, one of the city’s most significant landmarks. Routes and sites visited may vary daily due to traffic, weather, or special events. This tour is ideal for first-time visitors, couples, and travelers seeking a smooth, informative overview of Charleston in a smaller group setting.

A combination of two of the historic museums in Charleston. The Aiken-Rhett House offers an intimate, visceral encounter with the human stories and social structures that shaped the city, while the Charleston Museum provides a broader, comprehensive understanding of its pivotal role in American history. Together, they offer a nuanced and unforgettable perspective that will deepen your appreciation for this remarkable city. The museum is a great way to immerse yourself in all things Charleston. It is just half a block from the Aiken-Rhett House and just across the street from the Charleston Visitors Center. The tour is expected to last approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes in total.

While others offer scripted stories, we offer the raw, unfiltered truth. What sets us apart is simple: we are the only tour in Charleston led by a full-blooded Gullah Geechee historian, Chief Godfrey Gullah Jack. This isn’t a rehearsed performance—it’s a living history. Your "Truth Offensive" takes you where conventional tours won’t go. We dive deep into the real lives of African American craftsmen, landowners, and the enslaved people who built this city. You won’t just hear dates; you’ll experience the Gullah language and culture firsthand from the people who carry its legacy. We provide the most accurate, nuanced account of Charleston’s history, moving past the polished versions to reveal the strength and redemption of your ancestors. Choosing us means choosing authenticity over gloss. You aren't just a tourist; you’re a witness to a story that has been waiting to be told. Join us for an educational, soul-stirring experience that will change how you see Charleston forever.

Visit Boone Hall Plantation and Gardens on this 4.5-hour tour from Charleston, South Carolina. One of the oldest working plantations in the United States, Boone Hall was founded in 1681 and still grows crops. During your tour led by a guide in period costume, you'll see the plantation's slave quarters and learn about its history and modern-day use. Select a morning or afternoon departure time when booking. Enjoy a personalized experience on this small-group tour of just 15 people.

History comes alive on this combo tour. The tapestry of the city history is presented in a passionate, well rounded way. We believe history is history, the good, the bad and the ugly of it. After this tour, you will never think of Charleston the same way again. When you are done touring the house, you will stroll, at your leisure, through the oak canopied Wragg Mall on your short walk back to the Charleston Visitors Center. The tour is expected to last approximately 3 hours in total.

Explore Charleston, a crucial hub of the American Revolution on this immersive walking tour. As you stroll through the historic streets, encounter the homes and burial sites of Founding Fathers while uncovering the tales of courageous Patriots and influential Loyalists. Learn about key events, including the British assault and the fall of Charleston. This 90-minute guided experience deepens your understanding of Charleston's significant contributions to America's fight for independence. - 90-minute walking tour through Charleston's historic district - Discover the homes and graves of Founding Fathers - Hear captivating stories of Patriots and Loyalists - Learn about Charleston's pivotal role in the American Revolution

Beat the heat while touring Charleston on this minibus tour. Relax and ride in comfort as your driver takes you to top Charleston sights such as Colonial Lake, Rainbow Row, and Whitepoint Gardens. As a bonus, this tour includes admission to the Charleston Museum—visit the downtown location on your own schedule.

See the highlights of Charleston in comfort on this guided tour on a climate-controlled minibus. Learn more from your guide’s narration as you ride past must-see Charleston sights such as the Battery, the Citadel, Old City Market, and Hampton Park. Also enjoy spectacular views of Fort Sumter, Castle Pinckney, and the Sullivan Island Lighthouse from a distance. The express tour provides an ideal overview for first-time visitors to Charleston.

Charleston has a rich history that’s exciting to learn about, but many of the city’s historical tours focus on just the Revolutionary War and Civil War. Go beyond that during this Charleston’s Historic Women Walking Tour that focuses on telling you stories of the strong women who helped make Charleston what it is today. Visit the Pink House Gallery, Rainbow Row, and more spots.