Top Charleston Culture - page 5

A walk-through Charleston is a visit into the past. What better way to experience the beauty and history of the Holy City than with a lifetime local. Licensed by city, and with over 25+ years of storytelling experience, our guides know Charleston inside & out. Hear the whole story, from the 1670 landing to the scourge of piracy, from the Revolutionary war to the Civil war, and everything in between. Ours is a city of tragedy and redemption, destruction and rebirth. Join us for a tour like no other in town.

Explore Charleston’s history in a unique way with this private outdoor escape game. This hybrid adventure takes you to sites like St. Philip’s Church, Dock Street Theater, and Rainbow Row. At each stop, solve clues to unlock the next part of the story and directions to continue at your own pace.

Charleston is such a relaxed city that it’s hard to believe that it’s much busier than the towns along the coast. Take an opportunity to leave the city streets for the shoreline during this private guided tour. You’ll visit the islands of the Charleston peninsula, first stopping at Folly Beach then visiting Sullivan’s Island. Throughout the tour, you’ll stop for photos at two lighthouses, a popular tourist beach, and a historic fort.

Enjoy a private walking tour of Charleston with a guide who was born and raised in the city. Your guide Ann will weave in her own personal stories as she shares information on the city's history and culture. Plus, because it’s a private tour, you can tailor the experience to your preferences and needs.

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.

Decide for yourself if Charleston’s ghost stories are true on this haunted after-hours tour of the Holy City. Walk to infamously spooky locations—including the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon—and hear a mix of history and lore from your guide about soldiers who once fought within the city.

⭐ Top-Rated Vacation Photoshoots 2025 We’re not just photographers, we’re storytellers capturing your holiday exactly as it feels. With over six years of experience photographing travellers around the world, our small team specialises in authentic, natural photography that truly reflects your trip. In Charleston, we combine creativity with local knowledge to show you hidden gems, secret angles, and the best light. You’ll not only get beautiful, professional photos but also insider tips to make the most of your time here. We’re proud to be recognised among the top-rated photography tours of 2025, trusted by travellers worldwide for our relaxed style and stunning results.

Getting to the Holiday Festival of Lights at James Island County Park is difficult without a car. Don't worry about hiring a vehicle or booking a taxi with this bus tour. Skip the hassle of parking at this event and spend more time admiring the festive lights. Keep your energy levels up with included snacks and light refreshments. Perfect for anyone looking to get into the holiday spirit.

No more awkward selfies and no more dull walking tours. With this mini photoshoot package, your local guide takes you across Charleston’s most scenic spots, snapping great photos of your group along the way. You’ll get to see why Charleston is one of the prettiest cities in America—and get your crew looking even better than your backdrop.

CELEBRATE your milestone in a meaningful way. Plan a secret proposal, capture your engagement, honor your anniversary, honeymoon, babymoon, or simply document a special trip with the people you love. CUSTOMIZE your experience to match your vision. Choose from: historic downtown Charleston, Boone Hall, Isle of Palms, Cypress Gardens, Shem Creek. Together, we’ll create the perfect setting for your story. ENJOY a relaxed, private experience designed just for you. I’ll guide you through beautiful locations and help you with simple, natural posing so you always know where to stand and what to do, while I capture professional photographs along the way. CHERISH the memories long after your trip is over. Leave Charleston with timeless photographs that will remind you of this special chapter for years to come. At the moment, I don’t offer portrait sessions for a single person unless it’s for graduation or senior photos.

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.

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.

See a spookier side of Charleston as you head off the beaten track on a ghost tour of the city. Hear 10 chilling tales of plagues, hurricanes, fires, earthquakes, and battles—supposedly leaving the area with many ghostly residents. This small-group tour makes for a more intimate experience, and is perfect for fans of all things macabre.

Step back in time to the 1718 pirate siege of Charleston Harbor on this self-guided scavenger hunt that turns Charleston's colonial past into an interactive route through the Historic District. Solve a set of clues at the Powder Magazine, St. Philip's Church, Philadelphia Alley, the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon, and White Point Gardens, and learn more about the city as you play.

The Best Way to Discover Charleston: Scavenger Hunt & Self-Guided Tour. Play, learn, and walk! Explore at your own pace with a 100% self-guided activity. Start anytime (24/7) with no guides or schedules. Pause for a photo at Washington Square or a visit to the Gibbes Museum of Art and resume whenever you're ready—even the next day. This unique team-building activity is perfect for couples, families, and groups. The "Complete City" Package - Everything you need in one app: Interactive Game: Solve puzzles and discover 10+ major attractions, plus hidden gems revealed along the way. Learn the history/legends of each site. Insider Tips: Access hand-picked local restaurant and shop recommendations. What you will visit: The Charleston Museum, Marion Square, Charleston City Market, Gibbes Museum of Art, Washington Square, Old Slave Mart Museum, Heyward-Washington House, Rainbow Row, Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon, and Waterfront Park.

Hear spooky stories all about witches, poltergeists, murder plots, and, of course, ghosts while you explore The Holy City with a guide passionate about local history. You’ll walk the streets of Charleston for an hour while your tour leader shares the darker parts of the city’s past and you see some must-see sights. Tourists and locals alike can enjoy what this experience has to offer.

Enjoy a spooky adventure and learn more about Charleston’s haunted history with this self-guided audio tour. Download the app and tour on your phone and start the tour whenever you want by heading to the Old Exchange. Walk past some of the city’s most haunted sites while learning about the ghostly stories connected to them, including the the Dock Street Theater, Pirates Courtyard, Circular Church Graveyard, and more.

If you're a history buff or just someone who appreciates how a city has come to be what it is today, Charleston is full of historical stories you'll want to hear. This Charleston French Quarter Historic Walking Tour takes you through the city from Joe Riley Waterfront Park all the way to Philadelphia Alley with more than 10 stops. Learn about the city's history while you see its most impressive sights.

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.

Embark on Secret Strolls, a unique walking tour that unveils Charleston's most hidden charms. Your expertly guided journey takes you through exclusive alleyways (some)only accessible on foot, presenting a side of the Holy City rarely seen by the casual visitor. You'll wander past picturesque, cobblestone streets, discover breathtaking architecture, and find serenity among historic churches. The tour showcases quintessential Southern beauty, from majestic Spanish moss-draped live oaks to vibrant crepe myrtles. As you stroll through these tucked-away paths, you'll be immersed in captivating stories steeped in low country tradition, learning the intriguing origins of the alleys and intimate details about Charlestonian life. This experience offers unparalleled photography opportunities and promises a fresh, magnificent perspective on your treasured city.

Learn about the history of Charleston and the Native American tribe, known as Chicora, in South Carolina on this educational walking tour of the city. Stops include St. Philip's Church, Old Slave Mart Museum, Rainbow Row, Nathaniel Russell House, and more. Go off-the-beaten path and discover more than the usual tourist spots.

Take a walk through time, exploring eclectic architecture and intriguing history. Lose yourself in the serene beauty of Charleston’s rich heritage and grand architecture on this journey through the famous Historic District and French Quarter. As you stroll along the City Market, hidden alleyways, majestic churches, cobblestone streets, Waterfront Park‘s Pineapple Fountain, and Rainbow Row, your certified guide, a Charleston native, will unravel the mysteries of the Lowcountry’s intricate history and culture. Find out why Charleston was once a walled city, why it is called the “Holy City,” and many other fascinating details about the port that was once known as the Jewel of the Crown. *A minimum of four guests are 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. Southern Spirit Stroll combines a haunted history walk and ghost tour with hidden history, folklore, architecture, and paranormal curiosity. Rather than repeating recycled ghost stories, we explore the real people, events, and historical clues behind Charleston's legends and reported hauntings. Guests learn how to distinguish documented history from folklore, evaluate paranormal claims, recognize common misidentifications such as pareidolia and photographic artifacts, and follow the historical breadcrumbs hiding in plain sight. 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.

The Junior Experience transforms Charleston’s history into an engaging nighttime adventure for families with children aged 5–11. This interactive walking tour invites kids to explore historic sites while participating in storytelling, solving challenges, and collecting stickers in their personal passports. Each stop is crafted to highlight kid-friendly facts and imaginative activities, ensuring that learning is both fun and memorable. Parents actively participate, guiding and celebrating their Junior walker, making it a truly shared experience. After the tour, families can enjoy a bonus activity that continues the fun beyond the streets of Charleston. - Nighttime walking tour tailored for families with kids aged 5–11 - Interactive storytelling and hands-on activities at historic locations - Collect stickers in personal passports while solving fun challenges - Includes a bonus activity for continued family adventure after the tour