Top Charleston Tours by Duration

Hear all about Charleston, South Carolina and its storied past with a Ph.D historian for a guide on this walking tour. Walk the city streets as part of a small group, seeing popular local attractions like the French Quarter, St. Michael’s Church, Dock Street Theater, Fort Sumter National Monument, and lots more.

Explore Charleston by water taxi with this convenient harbor cruise. Utilize quick and scenic water-based transportation to reach several popular landmarks including Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum and the Aquarium. Check out attractions like Joe Riley Waterfront Park and the Charleston Harbor Marina at your leisure. Keep an eye out for dolphins during the cruise.

Skip the tourist traps and lose yourself in the flavors of true Charleston cuisine. Taste local delicacies like classic Carolina-style BBQ, historic She-Crab soup, and famous fried green tomatoes and, as with all of our tours, you'll also indulge in our decadent Secret Dish, which just might make you leave singing a happy song! Your local guide will steer you toward the very best spots to enjoy these classic Southern dishes.

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.

Pickup and drop-off from downtown Charleston, South Carolina make it easy to tour Magnolia Plantation, one of the oldest plantations in the South. This 4-in-1 tour includes a narrated drive out to the plantation, a walking tour of the garden, tram tour through the property, and tour of the house itself, providing incredible value.

The Holiday Festival of Lights fills James Island County Park with more than 700 displays and 2 million lights. Arrive by round-trip transfer from Charleston Visitor Center and take in the festival at your own pace. Pick up holiday treats, take little ones to meet Santa, ride the Festival Express train or join a reindeer-making workshop.

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

Experience Charleston’s Festival of Lights the intimate way without crowded buses or big group tours. Chicora Tours provides a cozy small group journey with a maximum of twelve guests in a clean, spacious, and comfortable tour van with festive ambiance and holiday music. Enjoy hot chocolate and personal service as we explore millions of sparkling lights and magical displays. Avoid the hassle of parking and large tour groups. Our experience is relaxed, friendly, and perfect for couples, families, and friends seeking something truly special. Celebrate Charleston’s most enchanting holiday tradition in comfort and style. Please note that this experience also includes about 2 hours of free time to explore the park, roast marshmallows, explore Santa’s village or ride the Christmas light train. A moderate amount of walking is required.

Rainbow Row and the historic homes South of Broad are high on most Charleston itineraries, and this small-group walking tour covers them all with foodie tastings along the way. Start in the French Quarter with a grab-and-go bite, then continue on to Rainbow Row for a taste of Lowcountry cooking. Finish with a sweet treat from a family-owned dessert bar near the Charleston City Market.

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 walking tour and interactive lunch combo provides a two-in-one experience in Charleston. With a celebrated local chef, Forrest Parker, you'll start with a 1.5-hour historical walking tour about the influences of Lowcountry food in the city of Charleston. Then watch a cooking demonstration from Parker before enjoying lunch paired with wine.

Travel back in time to discover one of America’s most historic cities—Charleston, South Carolina—on this guided walking tour. Visit points of interest including Charleston City Hall; the Dock Street Theatre, America’s first theatre; the Old Exchange Building, South Carolina's most historic building; White Point Garden, in the heart of Charleston’s historic district with a spectacular view of Fort Sumter, and many more.

Explore one of the most popular plantations in the Charleston area with ease on this half-day guided tour of Middleton Plantation with a small group. Enjoy convenient pickup from your hotel and a brief driving tour of Charleston’s Old and Historic District on the way. While the entrance fee is not included, you’ll benefit from the expertise of a guide who knows the plantation well as you walk around the estate.

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

Enjoy a full day of touring with this plantation and see it all bus tour combo! Start your day with a 4.5-hour tour of Magnolia Plantation and see the plantation has stood the test of time dating back to 1676. One of America's most important historical sights, you will travel in comfort on board an air conditioned coach. This tour is led by a knowledgeable and professional guide, that can transport you back in time. Upon your return to the city, enjoy a 90 minute guided tour of historic downtown Charleston.

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.

Spend the day outside of Charleston and discover the trees, tea, and wines of Wadmalaw Island. Travel by luxury minivan and admire the island’s majestic trees at Angel Oak Park before enjoying a trolley tour and unlimited tea at Charleston Tea Garden. Finally, explore the vineyards and enjoy wine tasting at Deep Water Vineyard.

Get all the thrills of a Charleston ghost tour without any walking on this haunted horse and carriage ride. A horse and carriage takes you down twisting side streets and cobbled alleyways with ease as your guide shares spooky stories from Charleston’s past. Make your way past the Mills House, the Circular Congregational Graveyard, and and Provost Dungeon in the heart of the Holy City.

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.

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.

Explore Charleston through its food—and visit places you might miss while exploring alone. Stroll the streets of the Upper King Design District with your local guide in the lead, stopping for Southern and Lowcountry bites like shrimp and grits, biscuits, fried green tomatoes, pimento cheese, fried chicken with honey, and more. You’ll get to see landmarks like the Aiken-Rhett House, Charleston Music Hall, and Marion Square along the way.

Travel back in time to discover one of America’s most historic cities—Charleston, South Carolina—on this guided small-group walking tour. Explore some of the city’s most enchanting alleys and hidden passages. Visit the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon, a colonial building with a 300-year history; Rainbow Row, the longest cluster of Georgian row houses in the United States; plus historic Philadelphia Alley, and many more.

Getting to the Holiday Festival of Lights at James Island County Park is difficult without a car. Don't worry about hiring a vehicle or booking a taxi with this bus tour. Skip the hassle of parking at this event and spend more time admiring the festive lights. Keep your energy levels up with included snacks and light refreshments. Perfect for anyone looking to get into the holiday spirit.