Top Charleston Sightseeing Tours in 2026

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!

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Discover the eerie and intriguing history of Charleston with the 4-Tour Audio Mega-Pass, featuring four self-guided audio walking tours. This bundle includes two different ghost tours, a captivating true crime walking tour, and a Revolutionary War history tour, all accessible through your smartphone. Wander through Charleston’s historic streets at your own pace, learning about haunted legends, scandalous crimes, and the city’s pivotal role in the American Revolution. Enjoy the freedom to start whenever you wish, pause the audio as needed, and delve into the depths of Charleston’s past without the constraints of a traditional tour. Your tours stay accessible for 7 after first activation.

Discover Charleston Harbor as the sun sets, casting vibrant colors across the sky. Aboard SpiritLine Cruises, enjoy a peaceful evening while admiring iconic sights like the Charleston Battery, Fort Sumter, and the USS Yorktown. This sunset adventure offers stunning views and the chance for unforgettable photos, making it ideal for couples or anyone looking to unwind after a day of exploration. With convenient departures from Patriots Point and Aquarium Wharf, grab a drink from the snack bar and soak in the beauty of Charleston's waterfront at dusk.

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.

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

Just you and your crew will have a guide all to yourself! 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. 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. 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. *Minimum of 4 guests required for this tour.*

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.

Discover the haunted streets and dark tales of Charleston with this self-guided 3-tour bundle. Enjoy three unique tours at your own pace—two ghost tours featuring different eerie legends, and one true crime tour delving into real scandals and mysteries. Perfect for those who want to explore Charleston’s chilling history, this bundle provides an affordable way to experience the city’s rich, atmospheric stories without the constraints of a live guide. With 7 days of access, dive into the depths of Charleston’s haunted past and true crime intrigue. - Three complete audio tours in one bundle - Two distinct ghost tours with unique stories and locations - One true crime tour exploring scandals and mysteries - Self-guided and flexible—explore at your own pace

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.

Download our Savannah Charleston audio tour for a scenic drive along Route 17, plus historic walks through each city. Start from either direction, and stop for spots like the 400 year old Angel Oak, the ACE Basin Wildlife Refuge, and historic sites like Charles Towne Landing and Drayton Hall. Longer side trips in Charleston and Savannah's historic districts lead you through the Colonial and Civil War history here. Allow a full day to enjoy the highlights of the walks and scenic drive, or two days to explore more along the route.

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.

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.

Step onto Charleston's only ghost ship for a unique paranormal investigation aboard a nearly 90-year-old vessel. This experience transcends the traditional ghost tour, allowing guests to hear chilling tales of crew members and passengers who perished at sea. Equipped with advanced paranormal detection tools, participants will explore the ship’s dark passageways and historic compartments, searching for spectral evidence. Engage in real investigations, listen for unexplained sounds, and possibly encounter something from beyond. Ideal for thrill-seekers and history buffs alike, this tour offers an unforgettable journey into the supernatural. - Engage in a hands-on ghost investigation aboard a haunted ship - Utilize EMF detectors, infrared cameras, and audio equipment - Explore various compartments, including crew areas and the helm - Perfect for those seeking unique, immersive experiences in Charleston

Relax and enjoy a refreshing beverage as we cruise the Charleston harbor, take in a history tour or enjoy a swim or do it all! BYOB or add catering.. All charters are private, only those you bring will be onboard, there is a captain and 1st mate who operate the vessel. A true luxury yachting experience! Yes 15 passengers total, Kismet is a Coast Guard inspected vessel and can legally take large parties with no bareboat contracts. BYOB, yes you can bring anything you want, including beer, wine, liquor, and food. You can make it easy on yourself and order beer, wine, and gourmet catering through Caviar and Bananas. They can deliver the food and drinks directly to the boat. A clean bathroom is onboard. We allow you to swim off the boat or lounge in our floats. If you want the best customer service and the longest running private charter company in Charleston, look no further!