Top Charleston Cultural Tours

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.

Delve into the history and lore of Charleston with this in-depth tour that takes in the top landmarks in just a few hours. Enjoy tales of the pirates and patriots the founded the city while you admire highlights like the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon, East Bay Street and its Rainbow Row mansions, the storied shops and homes along Broad Street, and the Four Corners of the Law.

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.

Get 3 tours in Charleston and explore the city, at your own pace. All highly rated and popular. You'll get the Ghosts of Charleston, Charleston's French Quarter and the Charleston Downtown, Rainbow Row and Battery tour. Step into the story of Charleston like never before with this all-in-one bundle of three immersive, highly rated (with 100's of reviews) self-guided audio tours. Whether you’re wandering the charming streets of the French Quarter, strolling past the iconic mansions along the Battery and Rainbow Row, or exploring the city’s darker, haunted past, this collection lets you experience Charleston at your own pace—on your schedule. Each tour is GPS-guided and professionally narrated, giving you the freedom to start anywhere, pause anytime, and explore at your own pace while still enjoying rich storytelling and local insight. If you want to truly understand Charleston—not just see it—this bundle is the perfect way to explore the Holy City from every angle.

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.

Discover Charleston, South Carolina with the help of a local to guide you around town and share fun facts about the city’s storied past and vibrant present on this private tour. See popular attractions as well as hidden gems you might have missed without your guide to show you. Get around Charleston in a comfortable, air-conditioned car with hotel pickup included, and save your energy for sightseeing.

Boone Hall Plantation has had a long and fascinating history since its founding near Charleston in 1681. Learn about the estate and its place in South Carolina history by visiting the plantation with an all-access admission ticket. Nine original cabins where enslaved people lived, coupled with the Black History in America exhibit, demonstrate what life was like for many people at the plantation.

Explore Charleston at your own pace on a self-guided walking tour that lives entirely on your smartphone — no app to download and no physical guide required. A clear map links 9 essential landmarks, from the historic Mother Emanuel AME Church to the pastel facades of Rainbow Row and the harbor views of The Battery, with simple directions between each stop. At every location, short audio stories bring Charleston's history and culture to life, and an interactive quiz lets you test what you've learned. Walk solo or team up with friends in multiplayer mode, start and pause whenever you like, and take as long as you want. All you need is a charged smartphone with internet and a comfortable pair of shoes.

Prefer to explore Charleston in comfort? Whether it's a hot summer afternoon, a chilly winter morning, or you simply prefer not to walk, Miss Alice's driving tour is the perfect way to experience the Holy City. Your tour includes complimentary pickup and drop-off at your downtown Charleston accommodations. Along the way, you'll see historic churches, the College of Charleston, the Charleston City Market, elegant homes, picturesque neighborhoods, and many of the city's most iconic landmarks. Relax, enjoy the scenery, and let Miss Alice bring Charleston's fascinating history to life on this unforgettable driving tour.

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.

Your licensed tour guide is a 7th-generation Charlestonian resident with a lineage that extends back to the colonial era. A relator who brings extensive knowledge of the people, customs, and history of this one-of-a-kind American City. Learn about the details of all the fascinating buildings, parks, and historical monuments and the stories that surround them. Join us as we take you through the journey of Charleston like a true local.

Savor the very best of the Lowcountry on a unique Charleston food tour designed for true foodies. Our family-run business has crafted a curated culinary experience giving you guaranteed line-skipping access to top restaurants in Historic Downtown. Indulge in iconic Southern classics, including: - Rich and creamy She-Crab Soup - A slow-cooked, savory BBQ Slider - Tender, seasoned Collard Greens - Warm, golden Cornbread - A decadent Daily Special Cake As you walk off your tastings along beautiful cobblestone streets, an expert local guide uncovers the deep history behind landmarks like the Old Exchange Building and the Pineapple Fountain at Waterfront Park. Discover where locals actually eat, learn the complex history of Southern spices, and enjoy a full meal's worth of world-class cuisine. (Note: Child tickets ages 0-6 does not include food).

Get a look behind the scenes of the historic South Carolina shrimping industry with a guided walking tour of Shem Creek. This immersive experience will give you a chance to see this nearly century-old waterfront community at work, as you learn all about the history, ecology, culture, and language of this special place.

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.

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.

Take an educational stroll through 350 years of Charleston history on this 1.5-hour walking tour of The Holy City with the help of a guide who’s passionate about the city’s past. Learn all about the people and events that have made this place what it is today, from pirates and earthquakes to the ones who established the town in the first place.

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.

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.

Experience Charleston and the surrounding area like a local with your own Private Guide Come explore one of the oldest cities in America with its historic homes, French Quarter, and beautiful waterfront. Then let us take you out to discover the charming Old Village in Mt. Pleasant. The tour will pause for a lunch break* in the middle of the day in either Downtown Charleston or Mt. Pleasant (guest's choice) before continuing on. In the afternoon, guests will tour either Boone Hall Plantation or the McLeod Historic Site - two historic and beautiful plantations near Charleston. Let us do the driving and show you the best Charleston has to offer - both inside and outside downtown! *cost of lunch not included in tour price

Just you and your crew! Private groups allow for more opportunities to ask questions and to interact with your native Charlestonian guide. This unique foodie tour blends the perfect pairing of culinary delights with the captivating history of Lowcountry culture and the evolution of the region's cuisine. While you dine on Charleston's signature dishes and delicacies of the Lowcountry, your fun, knowledgeable, engaging guide, will escort you through the famous Historic District to some of the city's premier restaurants, where you will receive VIP service. Your guide will be glad to recommend the best local dining and touring experiences to make the most of your stay in Charleston. *Minimum of 4 guests required for this tour to operate.*

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.

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.

Travel back in time to discover one of America’s most historic cities—Charleston, South Carolina—on this guided small-group walking tour. Explore some of the city’s most enchanting alleys and hidden passages. Visit the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon, a colonial building with a 300-year history; Rainbow Row, the longest cluster of Georgian row houses in the United States; plus historic Philadelphia Alley, and many more.

A city born in the Age of Sail, there was no guarantee that immigrants would make it to Charleston. Those that came before established societies from each country to welcome their neighbors. These charitable groups became members only clubs that have helped guide the city since 1729. Discover the hidden charitable and fraternal organizations that do so much good in the city without anyone knowing it. History comes alive on this engaging walking tour led by local author and historian Chip Sturgis. Explore the historic streets and iconic landmarks, uncovering the captivating stories and lesser-known facts that shape this beautiful city. Connect with Charleston's vibrant past in a way that goes beyond traditional history lessons. - Discover Charleston's iconic landmarks. - Uncover hidden stories and fascinating tales often missed by visitors - Experience history where it happened with a local expert guide - Perfect for history enthusiasts and curious travelers alike