One of the oldest cities in the United States, a trip to Charleston, South Carolina, is full of history, beauty, and a whole lot of fun. With so much to see an do in the Holy City, a tour of this South Carolina town is a great way to get an introduction to and what makes this city so special.
Whether you want to learn about the history of the ghosts or see the city from the water or from a horse-drawn carriage –one ( or three) of these Charleston tours is sure to work for you.
BEST WALKING TOURS IN CHARLESTON
Walk through the streets of Charleston on these guided tours and get up close and personal with the people, views, and famous landmarks that make this historical city so amazing.
CHARLESTON HISTORY TOUR
If you’re looking to discover everything about the history of this fabulous town, taking the Charleston History Tour is a great choice! You’ll start at Charleston City Hall, and visit the Historic Charleston Market, the French Quarter, the Old Exchange Building, St. Philip’s Church, St. Michael’s Church, take in view of Fort Sumter, and visit White Point Gardens (also known as “The Battery”). This tour is an amazing introduction to the Holy City.
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Adult Ticket: $25
Duration: 2 hours
PRIVATE CHARLESTON TOUR
If you’re looking for a tour with just your friends and family, Walks With Charleston offers a great private tour! You can customize your experience, ask in-depth questions, and visit places larger groups cannot. They offer private tours for groups up to 10 people.
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Prices from: $200
Duration: Varies
CHARLESTON’S ALLEY AND HIDDEN PASSAGES TOURS
Charleston’s Alleys and Hidden Passages tour is a 2-hour walking tour that will take you to some of the charming cobblestone alleyways that are often overlooked by visitors and residents alike. You’ll really get an in-depth look at all the Holy City has to offer, and how beautiful this historical town is.
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Adult Ticket: $30
Duration: 2 hours
CHARLESTON’S MOST BEAUTIFUL WALK TOURS
Charleston’s Most Beautiful Walk Tour will take you to see some of Charleston’s most beautiful sights and places. The 2-hour walking tour will take you to historic neighborhoods, charming private gardens, to the waterfront, and so much more! There is no shortage of beauty in Charleston.
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Adult Ticket: $30
Duration: 2 hours
A WALK THROUGH CHARLESTON
This tour will give you a complete overview of Charleston through the centuries! You’ll hear about its founding, pirates, the architecture, the Civil War, and so much more while walking through the streets and gardens of the city. The perfect way to learn a lot about what makes this town so charming.
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Adult Ticket: $35
Duration: 1.5 hours
CRUISING AND SAILING ADVENTURES IN CHARLESTON
Sail away, sail away, sail away…but not really, because you’re not going to want to get too far away from those beautiful views of Charleston!
SUNSET CRUISE ON CHARLESTON HARBOR
Climb aboard the historic “Carolina Belle” and coast along the Charleston Harbor for a relaxing cruise. You’ll learn about the rich history of Charleston, passing a multitude of landmarks and points-of-interest.
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Duration: 1.5 hours
BOATING TOURS
A day on the water is a day to remember — and Charleston has plenty of boating tours to choose from. In this section, you’ll find so many great tours, including ones with ghost stories, sunsets, and dolphins!
BYOB PRIVATE HARBOR CRUISES
Bring your own beverage on one of these private, customized harbor cruises! Choose between the daytime harbor cruise, or the sunset harbor cruise — you can’t go wrong either way! You’ll enjoy complimentary water and cookies — and whatever beverages you choose to bring with you — while relaxing on a modern yacht. They’ll be a lot of photo opportunities, views of Charleston’s waterfront, comfortable seating, and a whole lot of relaxing.
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Prices from: $350 up to six guests
Duration: 2 hours
HAUNTED GHOST TOUR AND CRUISE OF CHARLESTON HARBOR
Take this nighttime cruise around Charleston Harbor while learning about the haunted history of the town on this tour! You’ll board a 45-foot catamaran and tour secluded creeks and the harbor. Along the way, you’ll hear spooky stories about pirates, fisherman lost at sea, the Holy City’s history of wars and storms, and more. No children under age 3 please!
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Adult Ticket: $38
Duration: 1.5 hours
CHARLESTON HARBOR TOUR
How about exploring Charleston by boat? Charleston Speed Boat Tours offers a Charleston Harbor Tour! You’ll explore 13 miles of Charleston Harbor during this fully narrated tour. Enjoy beautiful views of some of Charleston’s most famous spots from your unique vantage point.
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Prices from: $150 & up
Duration: 2 hours
HISTORY AND CULTURE TOURS
Charleston is a city that is full of history. With so much to learn and see and experience, these tours give you an in-depth look at what makes Charleston’s history so special.
STRONG WOMEN OF THE SOUTH HISTORY TOUR
Holy City History Tours offers some unique historical views of Charleston. The Strong Women of the South History Tour examines Charleston’s history and the women who helped build this city and America. It’s a 2-hour walking tour, and will include information about how women’s rights were born in this town.
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Adult Ticket: $35
Private Group Rate: $280+
Duration: 2 hours
SEVEN ERAS OF SLAVERY HISTORY MUSEUM TOUR
The Seven Eras of Slavery History and Museum Tour takes you to a 300-year-old African American community in Charleston’s east-side neighborhood. Highlights of this tour include the Aiken-Rhett House and Emanuel AME Church. A tour of the Philip Simmons House is included.
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Adult Ticket: $35
Private Group Rate: $280+
Duration: 2 hours
CHARLESTON WALKING & STORYTELLING TOUR
This tour gives you a general overview of the history of this beautiful city. You’ll explore Charleston’s most beautiful places, while learning how the city played an integral role in the formation of the United States!
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Adult Ticket: $35
Private Group Rate: $280+
Duration: 2 hours
A DAY AT MIDDLETON PLACE
Spend the day touring America’s oldest landscaped gardens with this tour. You’ll visit the House Museum, Plantation Stableyards, and Eliza’s House while here, and a low country meal is included!
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Prices from: $99
Duration: 4 hours and 45 mins
LIFE ON THE BATTERY: THE EDMONDSTON-ALSTON HOUSE WALKING TOUR
Tour the historic district around The Battery on this walking tour. Starting and ending at the Edmondston-Alston House, you’ll walk through the streets of Charleston, learning about the history of the area along the way. At the end, you’ll tour the Edmondston-Alston House, which still contains 90% of the furnishings originally owned by the family.
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Adult Ticket: $40
Duration: 1 hour
MAGNOLIA PLANTATION TOUR
The Magnolia Plantation Tour begins with a professional guide picking you up from Charleston. You’ll enjoy a narrated (and air-conditioned!) drive out to Magnolia Plantation — one of the oldest plantations in the south. Once there, you’ll be able to tour the gardens, take a tram tour of the property, and tour the house, before being driven back to Charleston.
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Adult Ticket: $80
Duration: 4 hours and 30 mins
BOONE HALL PLANTATION TOUR
Transportation to and from Charleston is included in this Boone Hall Plantation Tour. Boone Hall Plantation is one of the oldest working plantations — they still grow crops there. A guide in period costume will lead your small tour group through a tour of the house, and you’ll be able to visit and learn about the history of the slave quarters on the property. A self-guided tour of the gardens is included.
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Adult Ticket: $67
Duration: 4 hours and 30 mins
CARRIAGE TOURS
Is there a better way to tour the cobblestone streets of Charleston than by horse drawn carriage? I think not! Carriage tours are a fun and unique way to see the sights and learn about this historical city.
GROUP CARRIAGE TOURS
A great way to experience a historic city is by historic transportation. Enter: a carriage tour! The carriages seat 16 people and leave every 30 minutes from the Historic City Market. You’ll learn all about the history of the city, enjoy spectacular views, and relax in the carriage with your new friends. It’s a really neat way to see the Holy City.
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Adult Ticket: $45
Duration: 1 hour
VIS-A-VIS PRIVATE TOUR
Experience Charleston from the comfort of private horse drawn carriages. The Vis-a-Vis Private tour is an intimate tour for you and three others to enjoy together. “Vis-a-Vis” is French, meaning “face-to-face,” because that’s the way the carriage seats face! See mansions, gardens, churches, and historical places with your closest friends, while learning all about what makes Charleston so wonderful.
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Prices from: $200
Duration: 1 hour
LARGE GROUP PRIVATE TOUR
Just want to spend a day hanging with your friends and family? Then a large group private carriage tour is the answer! A private group carriage tour seats 16 people, and you’ll enjoy learning about this historical city with just the people you love most. All ages are welcome.
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Prices from: $400
Duration: 1 hour
BUS TOURS
Take a break from the heat, and sit back in your seat while you enjoy learning about this awesome southern city.
DAILY BUS TOUR
Sit back, relax, and enjoy the air conditioning on this Daily Bus Tour of Charleston. You’ll learn about the history of the Holy City from your guide, while taking in the views from the comfort of your seat!
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Adult Ticket: $35
Duration: 1 hour and 30 mins
PRIVATE BUS TOUR
Ready to have a tour tailor-made for your group? A private bus tour is the way to go! You get to choose what most interests your group, while relaxing in the air-conditioned bus with your family and friends. A perfect way to take in the city!
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Prices from: $375
Duration: Varies
THE CHARLESTON COMEDY BUS
Tour Charleston while laughing uncontrollably on this Comedy Bus Tour. Comedians of Charleston will entertain you while driving through the streets of Charleston. This tour is only for adults over the age of 21, and includes some explicit content.
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Prices from: $30
Duration: 1 hour and 15 mins
PIRATE AND GHOST TOURS
Aaaargh you ready to be spooked?! Whether you’re looking for pirate stories, or ghostly ones, there’s a tour in Charleston for you!
Charleston Pirate Tour
Your pirate guides and their parrot companions will take you through a history of pirates in Charleston on the Charleston Pirate Tour! You’ll feel like you’re in the middle of the action during this 2-hour walking tour. Includes admission to the Powder Magazine Museum.
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Adult Ticket: $25
Duration: 2 hours
CHILDREN’S TREASURE HUNT TOUR
If you’re looking for a tour for the kids, then the Children’s Treasure Hunt Tour is for you! Kids will practice sword drills, make their own pirate flags, and search for treasure in White Point Gardens! At just 1 hour long, is the perfect length of time for the little ones. Includes admission to the Powder Magazine Museum.
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Child Ticket: $18 (3-12 year olds)
Duration: 1 hour
CHARLESTON PIRATE AND GHOST TOUR
Take a nighttime tour with guides dressed in period costumes to learn more about pirates, ghosts, and Gullah legends on the Charleston Pirate and Ghost Tour. You’ll learn all you need to know about one of America’s most haunted cities! Includes admission to the Powder Magazine Museum.
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Adult Ticket: $25
Duration: 1 hour and 30 mins
FOOD AND DRINK TOURS
Charleston is a southern city that has no shortage of great food and drink. Take one of these tours to try the best!
DOWNTOWN CHARLESTON CULINARY TOUR
A combination history and culinary tour — you’ll learn about the city of Charleston through its cuisine. This walking tour through Charleston’s historic French Quarter district will take you to four local restaurants for food tastings. You’ll discover local landmarks, while enjoying local food favorites! The perfect introduction to this southern food capital.
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Adult Ticket: $85
Duration: 2 hours and 30 mins
UPPER KING STREET CULINARY TOUR
The Upper King Street district has emerged as an area with tremendous energy; showcasing culinary innovation, experimental design, and exuberant nightlife. The restaurants featured on this 2.5-hour food tour are trailblazers in Charleston’s culinary scene, edgy and innovative, with tremendous passion for their craft. This Upper King Street tour is designed to show off the modern and eclectic side of the Lowcountry while providing insight into Charleston’s ever-changing culinary scene.
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Adult Ticket: $75
Duration: 2 hours and 30 mins
Charleston Tour FAQ
How many days should you spend in Charleston?
There is so much to do in Charleston, you could stay there for months and still not see and do everything! With that said, to get a general feel for the city and experience some of the great restaurants, three days is recommended.
Does Charleston offer trolley tours?
The Downtown Area Shuttle, DASH, offers free transportation to areas of Charleston. Although not a guided tour, it’s a great way to get around town!
Is there a hop-on, hop-off trolley tour in Charleston?
Currently, there is no hop-on, hop-off trolley tour in Charleston. The CARTA DASH Trolley will take you to popular downtown areas of Charleston, though.
MORE INFORMATION FOR YOUR TRIP TO SOUTH CAROLINA
- YOUR SOUTH CAROLINA VACATION
- CHARLESTON: 45+ Fun Things To Do in Charleston SC on a Romantic Weekend
- BEAUFORT: 29 Things To Do in Beaufort SC for a Perfect Weekend Getaway
- COASTAL TOWNS: 19 Beautiful South Carolina Coastal Towns You’ve Got To Visit
- GEORGETOWN: 7+ Relaxing Things To Do in Georgetown SC for a Calming Getaway
WHERE TO STAY DURING YOUR VISIT
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