Top Charleston Private Sightseeing Tours

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Visit the site where 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 round-trip ferry transport. Take in views of Rainbow Row and the Battery as you cruise through Charleston Harbor. Then, enjoy time to explore the historic fort and museum, before the return ferry ride.

CELEBRATE your milestone in a meaningful way. Plan a secret proposal, capture your engagement, honor your anniversary, honeymoon, babymoon, or simply document a special trip with the people you love. CUSTOMIZE your experience to match your vision. Choose from: historic downtown Charleston, Boone Hall, Isle of Palms, Cypress Gardens, Shem Creek. Together, we’ll create the perfect setting for your story. ENJOY a relaxed, private experience designed just for you. I’ll guide you through beautiful locations and help you with simple, natural posing so you always know where to stand and what to do, while I capture professional photographs along the way. CHERISH the memories long after your trip is over. Leave Charleston with timeless photographs that will remind you of this special chapter for years to come. At the moment, I don’t offer portrait sessions for a single person unless it’s for graduation or senior photos.

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.

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 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.

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, a native Charlestonian, 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.*

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.

Get out on the waters of Charleston Harbor during this cruise aboard an 84-foot-tall (25-meter) classic tall ship. As the crew hoists the sails of the schooner, you glide past some of the city's historical sights and watch for dolphins in the water. The route varies depending on the sailing conditions. Drinks are available to purchase on board. Select a morning or afternoon departure time when booking.

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

Download GuideAlong’s self-guided audio tour bundle to make the most of your Eastern USA road trips. As you drive, hear stories play automatically as you explore scenic drives, national parks, lakeshores, and historic parks. This is the ultimate collection of 14 iconic destinations, including Acadia, Blue Ridge Parkway, Catskills, Florida Keys, Great Smoky Mountains, Lake Superior, Outer Banks, Shenandoah, and Vermont’s Route 100. A memorable adventure awaits on America's iconic roads. Enjoy the freedom to explore offline at your own pace, spending more time at places that interest you and bypassing any that don’t. Stories, tips, and directions play automatically based on your location Travel at your own pace Tour offline using GPS. No cell service or WiFi is needed Suggested itineraries for half, full, or multi-day use Buy once, use forever! No expiry, includes free updates Like having a tour guide along for the drive Purchase one bundle per vehicle.

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.

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.

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 Charleston’s History on a Private Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour Discover the rich history of Charleston on a horse-drawn carriage tour through historic Downtown. As you ride through the charming streets of one of America’s oldest cities, your licensed tour guide will share fascinating stories of Charleston’s past, from its colonial beginnings to its role in shaping the nation. This personalized experience allows you to ask questions and tailor the tour to your interests, making it the perfect way to immerse yourself in the city’s culture. Begin your journey at the Big Red Barn, just one block off Market Street in the heart of downtown. From there, you’ll explore iconic landmarks, historic buildings, and beautiful streets lined with centuries-old architecture, all while enjoying a relaxing ride in an elegant carriage. The tour concludes back at the Big Red Barn, where your adventure began.

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.