Top Charleston Sightseeing Tours in 2026

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.

Kayaking in the tidal marshes around Charleston is a must-do for wildlife lovers, but without a guide by your side, you’re likely to miss a lot. This tour gets you out on the water with a guide who knows the best spots to go for sightings. While you never know just what you’ll see, creatures that live in these waters include Loggerhead turtles, bottlenose dolphins, and more.

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.

Sit back, relax, and sip your favorite drink while your captain takes you and your private party of up to six people for a sightseeing pleasure cruise in the waters around Charleston, South Carolina. Let your captain set sail for the sunset with you, or enjoy a leisurely afternoon charter.

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.

Discover one of America’s most haunted cities and prepare for a scare as you trundle through historic neighborhoods and past Charleston’s most famous supernatural hotspots by horse-drawn carriage. Hear chilling tales about the city’s past inhabitants, some of which still frequent their homes and graves, and pass eerie graveyards, churches and warehouses said to have paranormal activity. Whether or not you believe in ghosts, this activity is a fascinating insight into Charleston’s history.

Set sail for an unforgettable 2-hour sunset cruise on the Serendipity Catamaran, departing from Seabreeze Marina in downtown Charleston. Enjoy stunning waterfront views and local wildlife as the sun dips below the horizon. This upscale sailing experience accommodates only 12 guests, ensuring a cozy atmosphere while you sip a complimentary champagne toast and savor a curated charcuterie spread. Guests are also welcome to bring their own beverages, making it a perfect setting for a refined evening with friends or a romantic outing. - Limited to 12 passengers for an intimate sail experience - Includes complimentary champagne toast and charcuterie spread - BYOB with provided cooler, ice, and cups - Departs from Seabreeze Marina, convenient for downtown visitors - Heated Cabin and blankets for year round comfort

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)

Uncover Charleston’s darkest secrets on an evening ghost tour. Stroll through the atmospheric heart of the old city while a guide regales you with tales of the dark deeds, restless spirits, and supernatural phenomena that make Charleston one of the most haunted cities in America. Get exclusive after-hour access to the famous Unitarian Church Graveyard, where an overgrown southern garden surrounds historic plots. If you choose, you can book a shorter tour with just access to the Unitarian Church Graveyard.

Discover the spookier side of Charleston’s history on this haunted tour of the Old City Jail. With an expert guide, learn about some of Charleston’s most notorious criminals, pirates and despicable characters like Lavinia and John Fisher, 19th-century hoteliers who allegedly poisoned their guests. Visit eerie spaces such as prisoner cells, hallways and locations where criminals died. Brace yourself for a possible ghostly apparition!

Charleston's haunted history comes alive on the Ghosts and Gravestones Night Tour. With exclusive access to Bethany Cemetery, guests are guided by a costumed Ghost Host who shares chilling tales of the city’s darker past. The tour allows for a unique nighttime exploration, complete with lanterns to light the way through the cemetery's eerie grounds. As you ride through the haunted streets, the stories deepen, revealing the ghostly legends that linger in Charleston's shadows. This 90-minute experience is designed for those seeking a thrilling adventure, perfect for an adult audience.

Trade the typical tours and peek into Charleston’s shadowy history with a chilling nighttime walking tour of the city’s eeriest sites. Wind through the dark corridors of the Historic District and hear spooky tales of graveyard hauntings, voodoo, and botched burials from your guide. Pass by infamous locations with grisly histories and wander through Charleston’s oldest cemetery after hours.

Learn about the history of Charleston on a walking tour with a Charleston native who leads you past some of the city's many heritage sites. As you go, hear about local events related to the American Revolution and the Civil War.

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.

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.

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

Learn more about the city of Charleston and its landmark harbor as you cruise through the waters with this sightseeing cruise. Set off on a comfortable pleasure craft and skirt the coastline to take in the skyline and top historic sites like Fort Sumter, the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown, The Battery, the Ravenel Bridge, and Castle Pinckney. Gain a better understanding of the city’s colorful past with live narration during the cruise.

Join Charleston native and host of the popular Pleasing Terrors Podcast, Mike Brown, on this 90-minute Pleasing Terrors Night-Time Walking Ghost Tour. Join Mike as he combines suspenseful storytelling with unparalleled knowledge of the hidden and often frightening stories lurking in Charleston's past and present.

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.

Take in views of some of Charleston’s top historic sights from a unique perspective with this panoramic dinner cruise through Charleston Harbor. Enjoy a four-course dinner and a full-service bar available for purchase as you cruise past Fort Sumter, the Battery, and Ravenel Bridge. Capture spectacular harbor views, watch the sunset (for summer cruises), and relax to live musical entertainment on board.

Travel back in time aboard a horse-drawn carriage and discover more than 300 years of history on this private tour of Charleston. See the many mansions, churches, and gardens of yesteryear on this narrated tour around historic Charleston. Enjoy the romantic clip-clop sound as this educational adventure winds through the streets and learn about the evolution of the city over the centuries.

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.

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.

This Farm-to-Table Experience is provided by CHARLESTON CULINARY TOURS, the longest-running food tour company in Charleston. This 2.5-hour tour showcases the seasonal bounty of the Lowcountry and the creative prowess of a local chef. - Handpick local seasonal produce at a favorite neighborhood market. - Explore the historic TwoBoroughs neighborhood and Upper King Street with a city-certified guide. - Enjoy a one-of-a-kind farm-to-table experience at a local restaurant with a multi-course feast, created from your seasonal Market selections. This is a great way to explore beloved local shops and a historic neighborhood, meet a Charleston chef (or two!), and see their creativity in action. Come enjoy a true Charleston farm-to-table experience that's unique, local, and not to be missed.