Top Charleston Sightseeing Tours

See the highlights of Charleston in comfort on this guided tour on a climate-controlled minibus. Learn more from your guide’s narration as you ride past must-see Charleston sights such as the Battery, the Citadel, Old City Market, and Hampton Park. Also enjoy spectacular views of Fort Sumter, Castle Pinckney, and the Sullivan Island Lighthouse from a distance. The express tour provides an ideal overview for first-time visitors to Charleston.

Visit the site where the first shots of 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 a round-trip, narrated ferry ride from Charleston. Enjoy time to explore the historic fort and museum, watch a battle reenactment, and browse for souvenirs before the return ferry ride.

Enjoy a time-saving way to explore one of the country’s most historic cities on this sightseeing bus tour of Charleston, South Carolina. Visit Rainbow Row, the longest stretch of Georgian row houses in the United States; the Old Exchange Building; White Point Garden, in the heart of the city's historic district; and more. You can also upgrade to include admission to the Joseph Manigault House or the Charleston Museum.

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 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.

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.

Without a guided walking tour, you might miss some of the eclectic history and hidden nooks and crannies around Charleston that make this city such a gem. This walking tour takes you through the French Quarter and South of Broad neighborhoods to top sights such as the Rainbow Row, the Old Slave Mart Museum, and the Old Exchange, all while your guide shares stories from Charleston history and lore.

Travel back to Colonial times aboard a horse-drawn carriage and discover more than 300 years of history on this guided, 1-hour 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 this ‘Holy City’ and its rich history and role in Civil War times.

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 in the historic district, including the French Quarter and "South of Broad." Admire landmarks, including Rainbow Row and White Point Garden, and learn about the city's history from your licensed guide.

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.

The USS Yorktown is the WWII aircraft carrier in Charleston Harbor, and this group ghost tour takes you on board after the museum has closed and the crowds have disappeared. Hear the stories behind the sightings reported on board, from maritime superstitions to sailors who went missing, alongside the history of a ship commissioned in 1943 and crewed by more than 3,000 men who lived, fought, and died onboard.

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.

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.

Step into the storied streets of Charleston where centuries of American history unfold behind wrought-iron gates and beneath canopies of live oaks draped in Spanish moss. This self-guided walking tour leads you through the City's most captivating landmarks, from the pastel Georgian townhouses of Rainbow Row to the grounds where the Civil War began. Wander through the nation's oldest public market, pause in elegant gardens, and stand on the seawall at The Battery as the Ashley and Cooper Rivers converge. Along the way, hear stories of revolution and resilience, of enslaved Africans who shaped the city's culture, and of the devastating 1886 earthquake that nearly leveled everything. Charleston's charm lies in its contradictions — a city that celebrates beauty while confronting a complicated past. From the towering spire of St. Michael's Church to the limbs of the Angel Oak Tree, every stop reveals another layer of this remarkable Southern city.

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.

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 the waters around Folly Island on this small-group bottlenose dolphin-spotting tour. Let your captain sail you through the tidal creeks behind Folly Beach in the hopes of spotting the dolphins and observing their behavior in the wild. Listen as your guide explains more about the flora and fauna you see along the way.

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.

Discover the delights of the Charleston food scene on this walking tour. With a guide, you'll learn about the cuisine of the Lowcountry region as you explore this historic city and sample local food products such as stone-ground grits, pralines, collard greens, and South Carolina barbecue. Tour is limited to 12 people for a small-group experience.

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.

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.

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 three-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.

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.