Top Charleston How to Get Around in 2026

See Charleston differently—and come home with the photographs to prove it. Explore colorful streets, hidden alleyways, historic architecture, reflections, shadows, and changing Lowcountry light while learning directly from a photographer with more than 30 years of photography and teaching experience. This is hands-on, relaxed, and built around your skill level. Learn the exposure triangle—aperture, shutter speed, and ISO—along with focus, depth of field, lens choice, composition, framing, perspective, and working creatively with light. More experienced photographers can dive deeper into layering, visual storytelling, and developing their personal style. Bring anything from a smartphone to professional gear. You’ll leave with great photographs of Charleston, a better understanding of your camera, and practical techniques you can use anywhere you shoot next.

Get to known Charleston in a unique way with this fun and interactive scavenger hunt. Download the app and walk around the city with your team, looking for a list of objects and performing challenges to earn points. Compete against other teams across the country, with a live remote host to provide help or more challenges if needed.

3Quest Challenge of Charleston allows your team to discover the city in a fun and unique way! The game is played on an app and instructs you to find a variety of items (given in riddle form) that can be found in the downtown area of the city. For every item you find, you'll get points. You will also be participating in exciting challenges for points too! These items and challenges are separated into 3 quests and your goal is to complete all 3 quests in order! If you want the game to be even more challenging, set a time limit of 2 hours for yourself to see if you can do all 3 quests in the time allowed. You will also get a remote host who will follow along virtually and give you support via chat if you need it. Can you complete all 3 quests? Find out in Charleston today!

This experience is unique for its unmatched flexibility and strong emphasis on group interaction. It’s not bound to a fixed schedule or route, allowing groups to start, strategize, and explore at their own pace. The core difference is the immersive, lighthearted zombie theme that dictates the tasks—you're scavenging for supplies and completing silly challenges to prove your survival mettle. It’s perfect for team-building or family fun because it's priced per team (up to 10 people), includes the guidance of a remote, chat-based host, and culminates in the unique bragging rights of checking your national rank on the app's leaderboard.

Charleston may be a laid-back Southern city, but you’ll want to pick up the pace during this exciting city scavenger hunt. The Holy City is your game map and the secrets of this scavenger hunt are found throughout its streets. Follow the clues on your Crazy Dash smartphone app to find objects hidden downtown. Collect points for each clue you solve, plus earn bonus points for all of the challenges you complete.

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.

Explore Charleston's rich history and vibrant culture on a private walking tour tailored just for you. With a knowledgeable and licensed guide, stroll through the historic district and discover the city's stunning architecture, gardens, and hidden gems. Delve into Charleston's intriguing past, from its wars to its architectural marvels, while enjoying personalized insights and anecdotes. This leisurely tour offers an intimate experience, perfect for individuals, families, or corporate groups. - Private tours allow for a personalized pace and focus on your interests - Experienced local guides provide in-depth knowledge of Charleston's history - Explore iconic sites including private homes, churches, and graveyards - Suitable for any group size, with customized itineraries available

Charleston's narrow alleys and hidden passageways reveal the city’s most atmospheric corners–but they are easily missed by first-time visitors. This private walking tour follows them through the French Quarter and South of Broad. Admire Rainbow Row and some of the finest colonial, Federal, and antebellum architecture in America, and finish with a view over Charleston Harbor.

Our Private Driving Tour offers guests the ultimate personalized experience in Charleston. Traveling in comfort and style aboard our premium Nissan Armada SUV, guests enjoy a spacious, climate-controlled ride with panoramic views of the city's historic beauty. What sets our tour apart is complete customization. Whether guests are interested in Charleston’s rich history, architecture, Gullah culture, Civil War landmarks, or hidden local gems, the itinerary is tailored entirely to their interests and pace. This flexibility allows for a deeper, more meaningful connection to the city without the crowds or rigid schedules of group tours. With professional, knowledgeable guides and luxury-level service, our Private Driving Tour is the ideal choice for travelers seeking an unforgettable, curated Charleston experience.

Discover Charleston at a relaxed pace with this private, elevated culinary experience that blends food, culture, and history. Starting in the historic French Quarter, your group will enjoy a curated journey through Lowcountry classics and modern interpretations, with stops at three top restaurants for generous tasting portions—more than a full meal. Your experience is fully tailored: before the tour, your guide will connect to learn your preferences and dietary needs, ensuring every dish suits your taste. The final stop is your choice—savory, sweet, or a surprise delight. As you dine, your City of Charleston-certified guide shares stories of the city’s past and its influence on today’s cuisine. Light walking between locations keeps the focus on food and culture. Alcoholic beverages can be purchased or added with an optional libations package. Perfect for special occasions, couples, or friends, Taste of History offers an immersive way to savor Charleston’s culinary heritage.

Discover southern hospitality on our Charleston Brunch Food Tour in the vibrant Upper King Street district! Starting near the historic William Aiken House, we kick off the morning with a buttery, handmade Hot Little Biscuit. As we stroll toward Marion Square, we dive into the soul of Lowcountry cooking with crunchy Fried Green Tomatoes. Walking through the Mazyck-Boragard neighborhood, we'll savor a sweet and savory Croffle with Fried Chicken and local honey. We also indulge in creamy Shrimp & Grits and Pimento Cheese, the 'Caviar of the South.' Before ending near the Aiken-Rhett House Museum, we reveal our incredible Secret Dish—a warm, nostalgic delicacy with a unique local twist!

Charleston History. Jewish Soul. Charleston was home to the largest Jewish community in the U.S. until the 1820s — even surpassing New York. Experience iconic landmarks and hidden gems on a private tour that weaves Jewish heritage into the broader story of Charleston. We will explore a fascinating stretch of Charleston’s historic core, visiting homes once owned by Jewish merchants, including a steamship magnate and a successful clothier, as well as the site of America’s first Jewish-owned pharmacy. You’ll also see the Hebrew Orphan Society building and stroll past the colorful facades of Rainbow Row. As we walk, we’ll reflect on the vital role of African Americans in Charleston’s Jewish story and the complex legacy of Jewish involvement in both the city’s slave economy and the Civil War. This is more than a history tour—it’s a meaningful exploration of Jewish identity, community, and continuity in Charleston, led with insight, care, and a storyteller’s heart.

Experience the beauty of the Lowcountry during golden hour in the tidal salt marsh with up to 6 of your favorite people. Your evening ecotour boat trip takes you away from the hustle and bustle of Charleston Harbor and crowded beaches into the quiet, remote waterways of the estuary. Cruise through winding tidal creeks and keep an eye out for great blue herons, egrets, pelicans, ospreys, shorebirds and Atlantic bottlenose dolphins as they move through the marsh during Golden Hour. Relax on the water with Capt. Chris, a local guide sharing the stories, history, culture, seafood and ecology that make the Lowcountry special. Explore hidden creeks and untouched marsh views away from crowded tourist routes while learning how this ecosystem supports the wildlife. This is a private tour for up to 6 passengers. There will not be any other guests on the boat. Watch the sun go down, discover the hidden side of the Lowcountry, and enjoy an unforgettable coastal adventure beyond the postcards.

The audio guide is a convenient mobile companion for a self-guided walk through Charleston. The tour is designed specifically for getting to know the city in a short time (2–2.5 hours). Follow the route on the in-app map to walk from Washington Square to the Charleston City Market, passing the city’s main landmarks. You will definitely see: The Four Corners of Law, Rainbow Row, The Nathaniel Russell House Museum, The Williams Mansion, The French Huguenot Church. The tour includes 25 interesting stops. All stories are written by professional journalists and historians, with a touch of humor and a love of travel. After you download the tour, the app works offline. You can always hear the audio guide clearly through your headphones. Enjoy fascinating stories and legends as you move at your own pace, with no need to follow a tour group. You can stop at any time to rest in a café or turn down a picturesque alley, and then continue your walk around the city later.

Discover the history and secrets of America's most historic city. Stories from the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, Pirate history of Charleston as well as some haunted areas as well.

Skip the scripted ghost tours and follow the evidence instead. Through Ghost Forensics, your guide blends primary-source historical research, forgotten histories, architecture, historic preservation, documented folklore, and reported paranormal experiences to explore Charleston's haunted reputation from multiple perspectives. Every stop asks not only what is said to haunt a location, but who the people were, why the stories began, and what evidence remains today. Hear personal paranormal experiences alongside employee testimonies, local legends, and documented history while clearly distinguishing fact from folklore. Enjoy a unique Haunted Bar Intermission where the storytelling continues inside another historic location. Leave with more than ghost stories—leave with a deeper understanding of the people, places, and mysteries that continue to shape Charleston today.

This tour turns Charleston’s Revolutionary War history into a dramatic, location-based audio story. Instead of a generic history lesson, travelers walk through the same streets connected to the Siege of Charleston, British occupation, Patriot resistance, dueling culture, Francis Marion, Christopher Gadsden, William Moultrie, William Jasper, Isaac Hayne, and the fight against the British Empire. The tour is self-guided, so guests can explore at their own pace, pause when they want, and experience each stop from publicly accessible exterior locations only. It is ideal for travelers who want a flexible, affordable, story-driven way to experience Charleston during America’s 250th anniversary era.

We offer unforgettable private boat tours and party cruises on the beautiful waterways of Charleston. Perfect for celebrations like bachelorette parties, birthdays, or simply enjoying a cruise, these charters promise a fun and relaxing experience. Each tour includes a captain, a state-of-the-art sound system, coolers with ice for your beverages, and comfortable seating. Whether you opt for a 2-hour trip or a longer gathering with friends, prepare to make lasting memories on the water. - Choose from 2, 3, or 4-hour private charters, ideal for any occasion - All boats come equipped with a sound system, seating, coolers, and ice - Perfect for bachelorette parties, birthdays, and relaxing cruises

This self-guided audio tour explores Charleston’s real true crime history through documented cases, criminal trials, and historical records, allowing travelers to explore at their own pace using mobile audio narration.

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.

This is a self-guided exploration game where you'll be solving a paranormal case involving real people and their wandering ghosts. The file on Charleston has been open since 1949. You, with your detective and observational skills, and a little help from the Questo app, will try to close it in 2 hours. The route takes you through 13 of the Holy City's darkest addresses. Your job is to get the other version of every pretty story, and to find out who has been following you since St Michael's. You'll discover dark stories like the steeple painted black to hide it from British guns, the 22-year-old doctor killed in a duel over an actress, and the rich planter who turned pirate out of boredom. Each location involves inspecting a real-world object and solving a challenge. Best after dark with your phone torch on. About 1.5 miles of walking, with unlimited breaks. Hints and 24/7 support if you get stuck. Perfect for Halloween or any night you're in the mood for creepy ghost stories.

Walk through Historic Downtown Charleston with a self-guided audio tour that plays automatically on your app. Navigate the city's charming streets as GPS triggers immersive stories about its complex colonial origins and evolution. Pass key historical landmarks like the Old Exchange, St. Michael’s Church, the Powder Magazine, and the Miles Brewton House. Discover how a bustling port built on Atlantic commerce and a plantation economy gave rise to distinctive Georgian architecture, Revolutionary War conflicts, and a diverse but deeply unequal society. Explore at your own pace—pause to admire the architecture, stop for a meal, or take a detour. The audio resumes whenever you’re ready, so you can move freely without keeping up with a group. This is a self-guided experience (no in-person guide). Download the tour in advance and use it anytime—it works offline and follows your location along the route.

Charleston is often called a living museum, and this 60-minute walking tour brings its architectural history to life. Starting at the 1841 Greek Revival Market Hall, you’ll stroll Meeting Street to admire landmarks like the Circular Congregational Church and the Fireproof Building, while learning how Charleston’s built environment reflects English, French, and Barbadian influences. You’ll also discover how earthquakes, preservation, and adaptive reuse shaped the city’s landscape, ending the tour back near the Market. Highlights include: • Explore the “Four Corners of Law” with its diverse architectural styles • Examine Charleston’s iconic single house design with breezy side piazzas • Discover Rainbow Row’s colorful past and pastel façades • Learn about the 1886 earthquake’s impact on architecture • Identify French and English ironwork patterns • See South Carolina’s oldest public building, built to withstand explosions • Understand how adaptive reuse keeps historic Charleston alive

My tour is about the people that settled in Charleston and why they chose this city. By the time the Revolutionary war started Charleston was the wealthiest city in America and our homes and gardens reflected this. Status was associated with your house and also your garden. Because of this, Charlestonians employed many Gardeners and Nurserymen from Europe who brought with them plants seen in many gardens today. Charlestonians (women and men) corresponded with the Royal Society of London members and John Bartram of Philadelphia regarding plants both for export and import. The history of the city, its people, architecture and plants is fascinating and I love sharing it.