Top Charleston Cultural Tours

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.

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.

Bring your appetite for this tasty walking tour of downtown Charleston. You’ll spend a few hours of mouthwatering fun touring the culinary side of the Holy City, learning about the history of the city as you dine at four local restaurants. Explore the French Quarter and the Market while tasting traditional and contemporary Lowcountry cuisine.

See the Charleston Harbor by boat with a leisurely sightseeing tour along the Cooper River to Fort Sumter National Monument. Leave the guidebook at home, because this fully-narrated tour focuses on Charleston, South Carolina's history from Civil War sites to antebellum houses and landmarks, passes under Cooper River bridges, and explores a waterfront that’s home to bottlenose dolphins and pelicans.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Embark on a horse-drawn carriage tour through the heart of historic Charleston, one of the most charming cities in the US. Ride along cobblestone streets and take in the antebellum architecture, historic landmarks, and lush gardens. Your knowledgeable guide shares fascinating stories about Charleston’s rich history and Southern culture. This is a charming introduction to this part of Charleston.

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.

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.

Explore the rich architectural heritage of Charleston on a two-hour walking tour that delves into the city's stunning preserved buildings. This informative journey showcases a variety of structures, including churches, civic buildings, and private residences, revealing the unique styles and construction techniques that define Charleston. Perfect for architecture enthusiasts or anyone interested in learning about the city's history, this tour provides valuable insights into the artistry behind each building. - Two-hour guided walking tour of Charleston’s architecture - Discover historic churches, civic buildings, and private homes - Learn about unique architectural styles and construction methods - Tour departs from The Griffon at 18 Vendue Range

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.

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.*

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.

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.

Enjoy a time-saving way to explore one of the country’s most historic cities on this sightseeing bus tour of Charleston, South Carolina. Visit Rainbow Row, the longest stretch of Georgian row houses in the United States; the Old Exchange Building; White Point Garden, in the heart of the city's historic district; and more. You can also upgrade to include admission to the Joseph Manigault House or the Charleston Museum.

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.

Charleston is such a charming, laid-back city in South Carolina that you can’t help but slow your pace and enjoy the Southern weather. This private self-guided audio tour lets you explore at your own speed. Grab your smartphone, put your headphones on, and take a walk into Charleston’s past. As you stroll the streets, you’ll pass by historic buildings and hear stories dating back to the Revolutionary War.

If you’re someone who likes to discover a new city but aren’t interested in the crowds or the pace of a standard tour, then this self-guided audio tour of Charleston is an excellent choice for you. You’ll explore the city’s historical French Quarter on foot at your own pace and on your own schedule. Using your phone, you’ll be guided through the city streets, hearing stories from pre-Civil War times up to the present.

What sets your tour apart isn’t just where we go—it’s who leads the way. We are proud to be the only tour in Charleston led by a full-blooded Gullah Geechee Indian, Chief Godfrey Gullah Jack. This isn’t a scripted performance; it’s a "Truth Offensive." While other tours might offer a polished version of the past, we provide the raw, unfiltered, and deeply accurate history of the Gullah Geechee people and Charleston’s slave trade. We dive into the untold stories of African American slaves, master craftsmen, and influential landowners, bringing to light the legacy that built this city. You’ll hear the Gullah language spoken by a native voice and experience the vibrant culture that has survived for centuries. We don’t just show you landmarks; we offer a profound connection to the spirit of resilience and redemption. If you want a genuine, educational, and transformative look at the real Charleston, this is the only tour that delivers it. Don’t settle for the surface.

You’re coming to Charleston and you want the best experience possible. You’re staying at a great hotel, you’ve made reservations at some of Charleston’s finest restraunts and you want to learn about this wonderful beautiful city, it’s rich history and you want to know what it’s like living here today. Historic Charleston Tours is a boutique tour guide company that specializes in small group and private tours. All of our guides are licensed by the city (no longer required in Charleston), but more importantly all of our guides live in the Old and Historic District. They can offer you interesting and amusing insights as to what it’s like living in this truly fascinating, historic neighborhood. Virtually no other tour guide company in Charleston can make such a claim. And if you have trouble walking or it's too hot we will drive you. Your choice. See why so many of Charleston’s finest hotels choose Historic Charleston Tours for their guests.