Top Charleston Cultural Tours

Your guide brings history to life during this Charleston walking tour of the city's historical downtown. See notable buildings including the Nathaniel Russell House, the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon, and the Old Slave Mart Museum. As you walk over the flat and easy terrain with your guide, discover the history that occurred right under your feet and around every corner from Rainbow Row to the Battery.

Learn about the history and heritage of Charleston during a small-group walking tour. Meet your guide for a city stroll that includes popular attractions such as the French Huguenot Church, the Dock Street Theater, and Waterfront Park. Hear stories about local architecture, historic figures, and cultural landmarks during this guided tour.

Meet the Lid Lady (and our team of certified guides) at the Hat Man for a storytelling walking tour of Charleston exploring the French Quarter and South of Broad neighborhoods. We'll discuss the rich architectural history of the city and guests will gain a greater understanding of the vital roles Charleston has played throughout our nation's history. Stroll through picturesque neighborhoods and admire architectural gems as we dive into stories of the colorful characters who have shaped the city's history.

Covering Charleston's historic peninsula on foot takes time and energy, especially in the summer heat. This bus tour covers more ground in less time, for an overview of the city from past to present. Take in the architecture, church steeples, and ironwork as you go, and hear local stories on everything from Gullah culture to sweetgrass baskets.

Charleston's main landmarks and most picturesque streets are spread across the peninsula, and this small-group tour covers them all without the long walk. Ride in a Sprinter van past St. Michael's Church, the French Quarter, Rainbow Row and the Battery, with a local guide explaining the history and culture that has shaped the city.

Explore the rich architectural heritage of Charleston on a two-hour walking tour that delves into the city's stunning preserved buildings. This informative journey showcases a variety of structures, including churches, civic buildings, and private residences, revealing the unique styles and construction techniques that define Charleston. Perfect for architecture enthusiasts or anyone interested in learning about the city's history, this tour provides valuable insights into the artistry behind each building. - Two-hour guided walking tour of Charleston’s architecture - Discover historic churches, civic buildings, and private homes - Learn about unique architectural styles and construction methods - Tour departs from The Griffon at 18 Vendue Range

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.

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.

History, Haunts, & Hahas! is a small, local, mom-owned business specializing in Ghost Forensics, Ethical Storytelling, Comic Relief, and the Human Behind the Haunting. Drunk History & Haunt Jaunt combines a haunted history walk, ghost tour, and pub crawl with three designated bar stops and opportunities to independently purchase alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages. Rather than repeating recycled ghost stories, we explore the real history, folklore, architecture, and hidden clues behind Charleston's legends and reported hauntings. Guests learn how to distinguish documented history from folklore, evaluate paranormal claims, and recognize common misidentifications such as pareidolia and photographic artifacts. Small groups and adaptable conversations encourage curiosity and critical thinking. Limited EMF readers may be available. Stories are shared from public spaces outside landmarks and historic sites; admission is not included. Ghost activity can never be guaranteed.

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.

We are the only experience in Charleston led by a full-blooded Gullah Geechee Indian historian, Chief Godfrey Gullah JacK BlacK. While others stick to a sanitized script, we provide the raw, unfiltered, unscripted truth of America’s #1 slave-trading concentration camp. We reveal the ancient secrets of the people who built the Holy City’s economy. Your journey dives deep into the lives of enslaved builders, wealthy Black landowners, and resilient people. You will hear the Gullah Hebrew language and stand on the very ground where history was made. This is more than a tour—it's an eye-opening confrontation with the past. We offer a nuanced, deeply personal perspective you won't find anywhere else. From Indians to Negroes to Black, we trace the bloodline and the survival of a culture that still breathes today. Once you see the real Charleston through your eyes, you can never unsee it.

Savor the very best of the Lowcountry on a unique Charleston food tour designed for true foodies. Our family-run business has crafted a curated culinary experience giving you guaranteed line-skipping access to top restaurants in Historic Downtown. Indulge in iconic Southern classics, including: - Rich and creamy She-Crab Soup - A slow-cooked, savory BBQ Slider - Tender, seasoned Collard Greens - Warm, golden Cornbread - A decadent Daily Special Cake As you walk off your tastings along beautiful cobblestone streets, an expert local guide uncovers the deep history behind landmarks like the Old Exchange Building and the Pineapple Fountain at Waterfront Park. Discover where locals actually eat, learn the complex history of Southern spices, and enjoy a full meal's worth of world-class cuisine. (Note: Child tickets ages 0-6 does not include food).

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 Historic Highlight Tour of Charleston will show guests the most beautiful, historic and cultural places in Charleston. This includes the French Quarter neighborhood and Charleston's famous South of Broad neighborhood. Allow our knowledgable and easy going guides to take you back and time to see churches, cobblestone road, alleyways and mansions. The tour includes iconic locations such as Rainbow Row, the Battery, Pineapple Fountain, the Four Corners of Law the City Market and more! Join Chicora Tours for a fun and informative tour experience Questions on tours are always welcomed and encouraged!

Get a look behind the scenes of the historic South Carolina shrimping industry with a guided walking tour of Shem Creek. This immersive experience will give you a chance to see this nearly century-old waterfront community at work, as you learn all about the history, ecology, culture, and language of this special place.

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.

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.

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.

Charleston is the home of Lowcountry cooking, shaped by West African, French, and Caribbean influences, and this tour works through four courses across three restaurants in the Historic District. Eat signature Charleston dishes while a local guide explains how the city's cultures shaped its cuisine. Walk between stops past the City Market, St. Philip's Church, and Philadelphia Alley.

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.

Experience the charm and beauty of Charleston on a morning or afternoon walking tour. With an entertaining guide, take a leisurely stroll through the city’s Historic District, passing antebellum mansions, hidden gardens, historic churches and graveyards, as well as famous sites like Fort Sumter, Rainbow Row, and the Waterfront Battery. Along the way, learn about Charleston’s rich history and contemporary culture.

Visit Boone Hall Plantation and Gardens on this 4.5-hour tour from Charleston, South Carolina. One of the oldest working plantations in the United States, Boone Hall was founded in 1681 and still grows crops. During your tour led by a guide in period costume, you'll see the plantation's slave quarters and learn about its history and modern-day use. Select a morning or afternoon departure time when booking. Enjoy a personalized experience on this small-group tour of just 15 people.

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.