Top Charleston Sightseeing Tours in 2026

Charleston History. Jewish Soul. Charleston was home to the largest Jewish community in the U.S. until the 1820s — even surpassing New York! This private tour blends iconic landmarks with hidden gems, weaving Jewish heritage into the broader story of Charleston. We’ll visit sites both famous and often overlooked — including “Little Jerusalem” and two of America’s oldest synagogues: one, the oldest in continuous use and birthplace of Reform Judaism; the other, the nation’s oldest active Orthodox Ashkenazi congregation. You'll also see the first Jewish-owned pharmacy in America, a brothel once run by a Jewish woman, and homes and civic spaces tied to merchants, leaders, and reformers. Along the way, we honor the contributions of African Americans and reflect on Jewish involvement in Charleston’s slave economy and the Civil War. Each tour is private, unhurried, and carefully curated — complete with refreshments and storytelling that make the experience both meaningful and memorable.

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.

Learn about the impact that pirates, patriots, and the prohibition had on South Carolina’s oldest city on this private guided evening walking tour of Charleston. With a native Charlestonian guide in the lead, walk past landmarks such as the Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon, Circular Congregational Church, the Powder Magazine, and more, and hear stories that bring the history to life.

Hunt for treasure in Charleston with a pirate adventure cruise for kids aboard a wooden ship. Climb aboard the boat for a small-group tour complete with costumes and pirate gear for all kids. Cruise out on the Ashley River to Wappoo Creek and enjoy a variety of music, games, treasure maps, and more. Adults can kick back and relax during the cruise which includes scenic views and potential dolphin sightings.

Experience Charleston’s haunted history on a captivating one-hour ghost tour through the city’s most notorious locations. Travel in comfort aboard a climate-controlled passanger van, guided by an expert storyteller while a professional driver ensures a smooth, worry-free ride. With a small group of just nine guests, enjoy an intimate and engaging experience as you explore historic graveyards and ghostly landmarks, hearing chilling tales that bring Charleston's past to life.

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.

This is a unique opportunity to explore and ghost hunt in a historic church before renovations and restorations begin. This old temple from the mid 1850s has been a church, a confederate medical storehouse, a federal forces seizure, and even a historic manuscript and document museum. This building is completely off-limits to the general public. The only way to explore this place is through this gathering. We invite you to be one of the first pioneers to discover the paranormal secrets of Saint James. This is NOT simply a story telling tour. This is an active ghost hunting quest. Yes, you can bring your own ghost hunting equipment, but we will supply a vast assortment of paranormal detection devices for you to use. Come with an open mind to the possibilities of experiencing something supernatural. Come with a skeptical mind and enjoy the raw architecture, history, and creepy vibes.

Charleston has more than 350 years of history packed into its downtown, and it’s easy to walk straight past its most important landmarks. This private tour pairs you with a local guide, starting at City Hall before heading out among homes, churches, and public buildings that predate the American Revolution. Hear how wars, hurricanes, and the Gullah community shaped the city.

Step back in time during this private Drayton Hall Plantation tour with transportation to see the oldest preserved and unrestored plantation house in America still open to the public. Drayton Hall is one of the finest examples of Palladium architecture in America. Explore centuries of authentic history, architectural detail, and surrounding grounds while gaining rare insight into the past through guided commentary. Hear the stories of the generation of the Drayton families that lived here and stories of those that were enslaved to work the land, Dedicated round-trip transport ensures a smooth, seamless journey to and from this historic landmark.

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.

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.

Charleston’s a city with centuries of history, but you won’t feel like you’ve got too little time to explore it thanks to this self-guided audio tour. Skip the crowded, speedy group tours and opt to see Charleston on your schedule with unlimited use of this tour which you can even use at home. On your stroll, you’ll pass by sites like the High Cottage Charleston Restaurant, Rainbow Row, Dock Street Theatre, and the Battery - all of which you can visit.

Explore beyond the Charleston city limits with this private half-day tour. Get picked up at the location of your choice and set out along the scenic River Road to the historic landmarks of West Ashley. Visit Drayton Hall, Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, and Middleton Place at your leisure. Maximize time with this private, half-day sightseeing excursion including a box lunch.

Join us on an insightfully historic immersion tour which traces the history of Charleston left out of our history books. Charleston's storied past will come alive as we tour the original walled city and learn the how, when and where it all happened by walking in the footsteps of Charleston's living history!

Take in the beauty of the Charleston coastline and even spot dolphins along the way with this exclusive sailboat charter directly from the downtown Harbor City Marina. Enjoy the luxury of an entire boat to yourself as you skirt the coast past highlights like the Arthur Ravenel Jr Bridge, the battery, and historic forts on the Charleston Harbor. Keep your eyes peeled for bottlenose dolphins and stay cool with drinks and shade on board.

Welcome to Mystique, the beautiful 43ft sailing yacht operated by the longest running private charter company in Charleston's history. #1 activity on Tripadvisor since 2012, our sailing yachts are the highest quality and operated by two professional crew to give you the best experience possible. Standard 2 hour charters are private, only you and the guests in your party will be on board. Additional hours can be added by request. We depart from the safe Harbor City Marina downtown Charleston and sail out towards fort Sumter or the Arthur Ravenel Jr bridge, past the battery and the historic forts on the Charleston Harbor. We always point out the bottlenose dolphins that we see and try to get as close as we can for your viewing pleasure. Great for children and adults alike, we have plenty of shade, two bathrooms and soft drinks refreshments are included. We strive to provide the best customer service giving our guests the finest sailing experience available in Charleston.

Hello travelers, Welcome to my city! Come ride with Captain Gene around the Harbor to see how beautiful Charleston is by water! It is breathtaking to see White Point Battery, FortSumter, Castle Pinckney, Shem creek, the rocks of the Charleston jetties and the tallest bridge on the East coast. While traveling enjoy a safe and comfortable ride on my vessel while I give a small history lesson and the first mate caters to your every need. Ride in absolute style in my new Irish lobster boat! I can take up to 24 guest! We will be safe and dry during our tour and the envy of everyone on land! Can not wait to meet you all! Captain Gene

As you embark on our 2-hour journey, you'll witness some of the most spectacular scenes enjoyed in coastal South Carolina. Our goal for our guests is to search for bottlenose dolphins and local species of birds while taking pleasure in the splendid scenery along the way. Bottlenose dolphins, well known for their intelligence, friendly disposition, and smiling faces, have been interacting with humans for centuries and seem to have as much interest in us as we have in them. They often swim near the boat, lifting their heads out of the water to get a glance at all the people on-board. Our South Carolina shores offer breathtaking beauty that becomes a serene portrait aboard our boat where we see dolphin jump and play. The Charleston coast is home to a wide variety of birds of prey, waterfowl, wading birds, terns and gulls, and shorebirds.

Create the sailboat cruise of your dreams with this fully customized private tour on board the Fate in Charleston Harbor. Set off for as little as two hours or for half a day to take in the sights along the waterfront, including Charleston Battery, Fort Sumter, and Ravenel Bridge. Upgrade with catering for food and drinks on board, or bring your own refreshments—you can personalize your charter to suit your tastes.

Enjoy a half day cruising the harbor on a private center console captained by a professional yacht captain. Stop at secluded island beaches for shark tooth hunting, shelling or just lay out on the beach. We pass by all the historic areas of the harbor and more. The perfect boat to see and do it all in style! Add beach chairs, cabana, beach towels, beach cooler and JBL speaker, and make it a party on the beach (additional fees for each item). Southern Charm can reach speeds of 30mph, in three hours we can cover a lot of ground and visit many parts of the harbor. Lunch at Shem Creeks many restaurants is an option along with a long stroll on Morris island with the hopes of finding that coveted 50 million year old Megalodon tooth! Its up to you what we do and our captain will take you there! We provide, cooler with ice, soft drinks, bottled water, Bluetooth boat stereo, Emergency porto potty, and Rain ponchos just in case You may bring any food or beverages onboard.

Enjoy two hours cruising the harbor on a private center console captained by a professional yacht captain. Stop at secluded island beaches for shark tooth hunting, shelling or just enjoy the sunset while looking at mansions along the way. We pass by all the historic areas of the harbor and more. The perfect boat to see and do it all in style! Southern Charm can reach speeds of 30mph, in two hours we can cover a lot of ground and visit many parts of the harbor. Get dropped off at Shem Creeks many restaurants is an option or have it catered through Caviar and Bananas. We provide, cooler with ice, soft drinks, bottled water, Bluetooth boat stereo, Emergency porto potty, and Rain ponchos just in case You may bring any food or beverages onboard.

Charleston's oldest buildings and landmarks are spread across the downtown peninsula and seeing them on foot can eat up much of your day. This private horse-drawn carriage covers more ground at an easy pace, with your driver-guide narrating the journey as you ride. See the Powder Magazine, the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon, and the graveyard at the Circular Congregational Church, plus surviving stretches of the old walled city.

This historic immersion tour promises to make your stay richer and culturally more enjoyable as you take an insider’s look at the people, places and food that make Charleston unique. The #1 hospitable city in America will come alive as we experience our shared Southern history together!

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.