Top Charleston Private Sightseeing Tours

Explore Charleston's rich history during a private walking tour that brings the city's past to life. Starting from its founding in 1670, this 3 hour and 30 minutes journey covers the Colonial era, the American Revolution, and the impactful stories of the Gullah Geechee people. Marvel at the architecture, gardens, and historic churches while gaining insights into the families and visionaries who shaped this vibrant city. Perfect for small groups, this tour offers a personalized experience with expert narration. - Discover Charleston's history from 1670 to the Civil War - Learn about the Gullah Geechee culture and their contribution - Enjoy a 3 hour and 30 minutes tour with insightful commentary and beautiful sights

Enjoy a slow tour of Charleston without tiring yourself out by walking when you trade in a walking tour for a horse-drawn carriage excursion. Hop in a private horse-drawn carriage and head out on the town, checking out historic landmarks and listening to live commentary from the carriage driver you make your way through the city.

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.

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.

Charleston's coastal waterways hide an entire ecosystem most visitors never experience up close. This private boat adventure heads out through the marshes and estuaries of Folly River with a local captain, as you scan for dolphins, shorebirds, and other marine life in their natural habitat. There's time to stop at Morris Island to see the Morris Island Lighthouse and stroll on the beach.

This private sightseeing tour of Charleston offers a local perspective on this charming city in the South. Beat the crowds of bus tours and go where carriage rides can’t as your licensed guide drives you around the peninsula in the comfort of a private vehicle. As you drive past top sights like Waterfront Park and the Battery, hear stories of Charleston history and culture in the Holy City.

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.

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.*

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.

Boone Hall Plantation- A USA Today’s 10 Best Choice as the “Best Plantation in the Charleston Area!” Explore the rich history of the South Carolina Lowcountry with Private Plantation Tours. Walk beneath ancient live oaks draped in Spanish moss, while learning about the legacies of rice and cotton plantations. Understand the profound impact of both the wealthy plantation owners and the resilient enslaved Africans who contributed to the region's culture and economy. This plantation visit offers a unique perspective through preserved gardens and historic exhibits, ensuring a meaningful experience that connects past events to contemporary Charleston. - Visit 1 historic plantation with house tour and grounds tour in the Charleston area - Transportation included for a hassle-free experience- private only your party - Gain insights into the lives of enslaved Africans and plantation owners

Visit the site where the first shots of 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 a round-trip, narrated ferry ride from Charleston. Enjoy time to explore the historic fort and museum, watch a battle reenactment, and browse for souvenirs before the return ferry ride.

Explore America’s oldest public gardens and discover romantic-style landscape designs during this private Magnolia Plantation and Gardens tour with transportation. Stroll historic pathways to admire vast collections of blooming camellias and azaleas while learning about the rich history and botanical heritage of this historic site. Guided commentary and round-trip transport make exploring these expansive grounds effortless and deeply engaging.

See Charleston from the water, and enjoy a luxurious way to admire the sights, with this private sailing charter. This flexible experience is tailored to your preferences: pick your own departure time, bring aboard a picnic and drinks (or upgrade for gourmet catering), and request a photographer if you want to capture the moment. As you go, circle the Charleston Harbor, see landmarks like Fort Sumter, and enjoy a relaxing ambiance.

Walk through the historic grounds of Middleton Place to enter and explore America's oldest landscaped formal gardens. Your guide will walk you through sweeping vistas, guiding you past dramatic terraced lawns, symmetrical geometric bowers, and calm reflection pools while sharing insights into the site's rich cultural and historical significance of the Middleton family. Middleton Place was the home of American patriots and two of our founding fathers. Embrace the beauty of Middleton as you step back in time. Site admission and private round-trip transportation are included with your reservation, though food, drinks, and personal purchases are at your own expense. Expect to walk across uneven lawns and gravel paths, so wearing comfortable walking shoes and bring sun protection is highly recommended.

GUARANTEED DOLPHIN SIGHTING OR YOUR MONEY BACK! We will experience one of Charleston’s most scenic rivers where the water is calm, land is always in sight and nature reigns. Our departure location at Crosby’s Seafood is very convenient with plenty of free parking and clean restroom. Our boats are roomy and comfortable making for a relaxing and intimate exploration. Our captains are truly a local connection to Charleston's Wild Side! Captain Ducky has lived in Charleston since 1995. He spent 18 years as a Spanish Teacher at a local highscool before becoming a full-time fishing and tour guide. He loves interacting with guests, is funny and great with kids and grandparents alike! Captain Nick is a wizard regarding local wildlife! He's a Charleston native with over a decade of experience as a tour guide. Nick's upbeat positive energy is contagious. Spacious coolers with ice and waters will be provided. You are welcome to bring whatever food and drink you’d like! (BYOB)

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.

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.

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.

Charleston is the home of Lowcountry cooking, shaped by West African, French, and Caribbean influences, and this tour works through four courses across three restaurants in the Historic District. Eat signature Charleston dishes while a local guide explains how the city's cultures shaped its cuisine. Walk between stops past the City Market, St. Philip's Church, and Philadelphia Alley.

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.

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.

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.

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.