Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour
Recommended by 98% of travelers
Charleston, USA
- 2 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
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.
- Take a walking tour of Charleston, South Carolina
- Visit many of the city’s historic points of interest
- Benefit from the expertise of your professional guide
- Numerous departure times make it easy to schedule
What's Included
- 2-Hour Sightseeing Walking Tour of Historic Charleston
- Professional & Licensed Local Guide
- Stroll through the quaint and charming streets of the historic district
- Learn about the history and events that shaped Charleston
- Explore notable sites in the French Quarter
- Several popular points of interest including Rainbow Row
- Explore the residential area "South of Broad"
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- 80 Broad St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
Important! Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the tour start time. All tours begin on time and it is not guaranteed that you will find the guide if you arrive after the tour starts. If you arrive late, please call us.
End point
- South of Broad, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
The end location will vary depending on the guide and route taken, but they will always walk you back to the start if requested.
Itinerary
Make your way to the starting point at Charleston City Hall to meet your guide and group. City Hall is one of the pillars of the “Four Corners of Law.” You’ll also view the Courthouse, the Post Office, and St. Michael’s Church, where George Washington is known to have worshipped.
Afterwards, head to the French Quarter to explore landmarks such as the Dock Street Theatre, the first theater in America, St. Philips Church, the Slave Mart Museum, the Powder Magazine, the French Huguenot Church, and the Pink House.
Pass by Rainbow Row, the series of 13 colorful houses along the waterfront. Then head to “South of Broad,” including Battery & White Point Gardens, with views over to Fort Sumter.
Afterwards, head to the French Quarter to explore landmarks such as the Dock Street Theatre, the first theater in America, St. Philips Church, the Slave Mart Museum, the Powder Magazine, the French Huguenot Church, and the Pink House.
Pass by Rainbow Row, the series of 13 colorful houses along the waterfront. Then head to “South of Broad,” including Battery & White Point Gardens, with views over to Fort Sumter.
1
Charleston City Hall
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
2
French Quarter
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
3
Rainbow Row
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
4
Battery & White Point Gardens
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- Comfortable walking shoes and a water bottle are strongly advised
- This tour operates in all weather conditions. Please check the forecast prior to the tour.
- Please contact us directly if members of your group are booked under a different name so that we can assign you all to the same tour guide.
- Please arrive 15 minutes prior to tour start time as all tours begin promptly
- Water is not provided and there are very few places to purchase water along the tour, so please bring a water bottle especially during the summer months
- Please use the restroom prior to the tour as there are no public restrooms along the tour route
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
Supplied by
Frequently Asked Questions (2)
Q:Is there parking available near the departure point for the 2-Hour Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour?
A:There are several “pay as you go” parking garages and open-air lots scattered throughout the downtown area. If you are joining us for the Charleston History Tour, we recommend the parking garage at 85 Queen Street.
Feb 2021
The answers provided are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.9
based on 6,813 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Steve_G, Jul 2026
This was probably the most informative tour I have ever been on. It was well organized, interesting and very entertaining.
Lisa_L, Jul 2026
Sam gave us a great tour of the best parts of historic Charleston. She was very knowledgeable and we learned so much. This tour was the highlight of our day trip to the city.
Judy_P, Jul 2026
Our tour guide was excellent! The history is amazing in this city. He provided local insight we wouldn’t have otherwise had.
Ron_C, Jul 2026
Duggar was extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and funny. One of the best tours my wife and I have ever been on. Highly recommend him.
Jessica_C, Jul 2026
Evans was an incredible tour guide with a vast amount of knowledge about the history of Charleston. Not only did we learn about the history of the buildings, who lived there past and present, but also about the role Charleston played in the Revolutionary and Civil War, along with notable anti-succession players including John Smalls, Francis Marion and all the women who played roles in making Charleston great.
Donna_C, Jul 2026
We always choose Viator when visiting elsewhere so when company is visiting , I do the same. Tours are always fun and informative. I learned a few things and I live here!
Tour guide Al was great and tried hard to keep the group in the shade on a 100 degree day in Charleston!
Bonnie_J, Jun 2026
This walking tour was one of the best!
Michael has such zeal for his hometown of Charleston, with so many great facts and a gift of sharing it!
Mary_S, Jun 2026
Good walking pace, covered important sites. Our Guide Evans was exceptional! Great history and stories to back it up.
AnnaMaria_S, Jun 2026
Bring good shoes and a positive energy . We enjoyed the humor our guide brought to his expert exploration of historic Charleston. Very enjoyable and entertaining if you have a knowledgeable guide like Michael
Stephanie_M, Jun 2026
Was hoping for an overview of the high points of Charleston history and was more of an architectural tour based on the tour guides interests
Tricia_H, Jun 2026
Tour was fabulous and well paced. The guide was informative and allowed time for questions while walking around .
Tracy_B, Jun 2026
This was such a great tour!! We got to see and learned so much. Dennis was a fabulous tour guide. The two hours flew by— even in the heat.
Elizabeth_D, Jun 2026
Our guide was knowledgeable and charismatic. We highly recommend this tour. We would recommend the evening hours during the hot summer days.
Mary_N, Jun 2026
Coach was very informative! As a history teacher, I loved the tour!! Make sure to bring your own water!
Lisa_M, Jun 2026
Our excellent guide, Sam ,made this an enjoyable walking tour. She was pleasant and knowledgeable. She offered interesting information.
Kim_U, Jun 2026
Dennis was just awesome and the knowledge he has is absolutely phenomenal. We highly recommend this trip and ask for Dennis
Kristine_G, Jun 2026
Great experience with our tour guide, Dennis. He was pleasant, knowledgeable and a good since of humor.
Sabana_j, Jun 2026
Lovely walking tour with Al who took us off to the local spots as well an off the beaten path with great information’ very enjoyable!
DuaneL_R, Jun 2026
Casual walk around historic district in Charleston. Small group tour with follow-up recommendations for other sites to visit and restaurants.
Lisa_H, Jun 2026
This tour was perfect for our first day in Charleston. Sam was an excellent tour guide. She was full of fun and interesting facts about the city and moved at the appropriate pace for our group.
Renee_M, Jun 2026
Very educational and entertaining. Evan’s was very knowledgeable about Charleston history. He told great stories.
Aveanna_R, Jun 2026
Al was an amazing guide, was very knowledgeable on the history of Charleston and provided such great insight. 10/10 tour!
Patricia_H, Jun 2026
Dennis Mardis Was and excellent tour guide. Full of facts, loud enough to hear, and a little humor mixed in. I would highly recommend him for your next tour.
Austin_W, Jun 2026
Our guide, Al, was awesome! He was engaging, hilarious, and incredibly knowledgeable. If you’re looking for a tour that will get you around the best parts of the city while learning fascinating things about the city’s history and architecture — this tour is the way to go! Again, Al was one of the best tour guides we’ve ever had.
— the Ohioans
Megan_B, Jun 2026
This walking tour was absolutely excellent! It was such a treat to have Evans as a tour guide who was a born-and-raised Charlestonian. He deeply knew his history and shared unique, fascinating stories that are completely passed over in standard history classes. I especially appreciated his thoughtful ode to the women of Charleston and his focus on the important abolitionist history that exists here. On top of the incredible commentary, he did a fantastic job keeping our group in the shade as much as possible throughout the walk. He is truly doing his part to keep this beautiful city preserved in the hearts and minds of visitors. Highly recommended!
Harvey_F, Jun 2026
Very informative. Our guide Dennis did a wonderful job explaining the history and architecture on our walk. He also made great recommendations for our lunch after the tour.
Beth_L, Jun 2026
We enjoyed seeing some of Historic Charlestown. We were disappointed that Ben chose to use unprofessional language throughout the tour and that he opted to not mention the word slavery once doing the tour. History ? No peaks in historic churches and too much reiterated information. Sometimes less is more. Our tour was already passed the 2 hour mark when we were told that now we were getting 'Bonus Ben'. Then more talk.... Ben, please don't use the 'f' word when in your professional role. Please pare your talk a bit. And give a fuller picture of SC/ US history. Whether I'd recommend this tour would depend upon who the guide is leading the tour. So I'll have to click no, for now.
April_K, Jun 2026
Mark was amazing. Great story telling and good knowledge of Charleston and its history. Just overall a great tour.
Nancy_R, Jun 2026
Our tour guide Duggar was everything you’d want and hope for in a tour guide. He was so friendly, personable, knowledgeable and fun. We enjoyed every minute of our tour.
Suzette_P, Jun 2026
David our tour guide is a real treasure to the City of Charleston. His passion & knowledge of the city shows in the tour
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