USA · CHARLESTON TOURS

The 15 Best Charleston Tours

57 tours  ·  from $29

Good charleston tours fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.

Charleston’s Old South Carriage Historic Horse & Carriage Tour - What you see from the carriage
Charleston Tours, Historical Tours, Historical Tours in Charleston, Horses, Tour Reviews, Tours

Charleston’s Old South Carriage Historic Horse & Carriage Tour

1.Charleston’s Old South Carriage Historic Horse & Carriage Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10,023 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $50Our pick

Meet at Old South Carriage Company on Anson Street for a one-hour narrated ride through Charleston’s historic district. A Belgian or Percheron draft horse leads up to 16 passengers past mansions, piazzas, gardens, churches, and wrought iron gates. Your guide and route vary by departure.

“You would truly enjoy the experience, and everyone was so nice and professional. The tour guides are very friendly and informative. Great overall experience 😊”

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Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour - City Hall and the Four Corners of Law
Charleston Tours, Guided, Historical Tours, Historical Tours in Charleston, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Charleston

Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour

2.Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6,216 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $30

Start at Charleston City Hall and walk through the Four Corners of Law, French Quarter, Rainbow Row, and South of Broad. Guides such as Al, Duggar, Dennis, and Evans bring local history, architecture, and difficult stories to life. Bring water, wear good shoes, and expect a group of up to 20.

“Pleasant walk with very knowledgable guide. Really enjoyed it. Never really knew all of the history. Home run.”

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Haunted Evening Horse and Carriage Tour of Charleston - Starting at Old South Carriage Company on Anson Street
Charleston Tours, Evening Experiences, Ghost & History Walking Tours, Ghost Tours in Charleston, Horses, Tour Reviews, Tours

Haunted Evening Horse and Carriage Tour of Charleston

3.Haunted Evening Horse and Carriage Tour of Charleston

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3,678 reviews · 40 minutes (approx.) · from $50

Ride 40 minutes through Charleston’s old walled city with a certified guide such as Holly, Miles, or Annie. You’ll pass graveyards, churches, the Mills House, Old City Market, and the Provost Dungeon while a draft horse carries you through the dark streets. The covered carriage seats up to 16 people.

“Such a stupid “tour”. We basically went around the block while being referred to photos of the places we were supposed to see rather than reliably being shown those locations. The tour guide’s spiel was so indecipherable we couldn’t follow her at all. Some of the photos in the QR code photo album weren’t even mentioned. We kept stopping near parking lots and construction areas. Beyond dumb and a total waste of money. Nice horse, though.”

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Charleston Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour: Explore Historic Charleston - Meeting the horses at the Big Red Barn
Charleston Tours, Historical Tours, Historical Tours in Charleston, Horses, Tour Reviews, Tours

Charleston Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour: Explore Historic Charleston

4.Charleston Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour: Explore Historic Charleston

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,561 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $49

Ride through historic Charleston from the Big Red Barn with a certified guide and a horse such as Admiral, Duke, or Marley. Expect about an hour on an open-sided, covered carriage, roughly 30 blocks of architecture, churches, gardens, and stories shaped by a city-assigned route.

“Lovely experience. We went early in the day and had an almost private tour. Jim was a great guide and Donald, the gorgeous Belgian draft horse, did a great job leading us around. Palmetto takes such good care of their horses!”

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Fort Sumter Admission and Self-Guided Tour with Roundtrip Ferry - Arriving at the Fort and Hearing the Ranger
Charleston Tours, Ferry Trips, Guided, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Fort Sumter Admission and Self-Guided Tour with Roundtrip Ferry

5.Fort Sumter Admission and Self-Guided Tour with Roundtrip Ferry

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3,343 reviews · 2 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $43

Ride a 30-minute ferry from Liberty Square or Patriots Point to Fort Sumter, hear a National Park Service ranger explain the Civil War’s opening battle, then explore the fort, museum, bookstore, and harbor views for about an hour. Expect stairs, changing tides, and no restroom on the island.

“Beautiful ferry ride in Charleston harbor. Even saw many dolphins. The one hour stay was just enough to take in the history.”

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Charleston: Fort Sumter Entry Ticket with Roundtrip Ferry - Choosing between Liberty Square and Patriot’s Point
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Charleston: Fort Sumter Entry Ticket with Roundtrip Ferry

6.Fort Sumter Entry Ticket with Roundtrip Ferry

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 2,879 reviews · 2 hours · from $43

Take a roughly 2-hour Fort Sumter ferry trip from Liberty Square or Patriot’s Point. A narrated cruise, National Park Ranger talks, harbor views, Civil War ruins, and time to browse the museum make this a strong choice for history-minded visitors.

“Trip to Ft. Sumpter was excellent, the short ferry ride was good. When you get there you can go through the museum and ask questions of the park rangers on site. The last tour of the day is also involved in the lowering of the flag ceremony when a little history lesson was given.”

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Ghosts of Charleston Night-Time Walking Tour with Unitarian Church Graveyard - Starting at Buxton Books on King Street
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Ghosts of Charleston Night-Time Walking Tour with Unitarian Church Graveyard

7.Ghosts of Charleston Night-Time Walking Tour with Unitarian Church Graveyard

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,835 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $35

Walk Charleston’s historic center after dark with guides such as Simon, Jerry, Liz, or Jake, then enter the 1772 Unitarian Church Graveyard after hours. Expect local history, supernatural tales, harbor views, and uneven paths. Choose the full 90-minute tour or a shorter graveyard-only visit.

“The tour guide was extremely informative and knowledgable about events that took place around the city. Our guide had the ability of telling the stories in an exiting way that captivated our group.”

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Charleston Harbor History Day-Time or Sunset Boat Cruise - Boarding at the Charleston Maritime Center
Boat Tours in Charleston, Charleston Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Evening Experiences, Historical Tours, Historical Tours in Charleston, Tour Reviews

Charleston Harbor History Day-Time or Sunset Boat Cruise

8.Charleston Harbor History Day-Time or Sunset Boat Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,788 reviews · from $44

Spend 90 minutes aboard the 80-foot Carolina Belle, cruising from Charleston’s French Quarter toward Fort Sumter, USS Yorktown, historic forts, the Battery, Waterfront Park, and the Ravenel Bridge. A licensed captain narrates the route. Choose a morning, afternoon, or sunset departure.

“the cruise was very enjoyable. We had the perfect weather, so it made it even better. Nice narration on board regarding history of Charleston.”

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Hidden Alleyways and Historic Sites Small-Group Walking Tour - Rainbow Row from the street
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Hidden Alleyways and Historic Sites Small-Group Walking Tour

9.Hidden Alleyways and Historic Sites Small-Group Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,335 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $34

Walk Charleston’s South of Broad and French Quarter districts with a licensed local guide. You’ll see four to six alleys, Rainbow Row, Philadelphia Alley, St. Philip’s Church, and the Old Exchange, with guides such as Dennis, Duggar, Evans, and Al sharing local stories.

“Evans was an amazing historian and horticulturist! Our 2 hour tour was so informative and a great way to learn the history of Charleston… as well as see historic downtown! Worth every dollar!”

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Highlights of Charleston Guided Walking Tour - French Huguenot Church and Charleston’s religious mix
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Highlights of Charleston Guided Walking Tour

10.Highlights of Charleston Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,206 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Walk Charleston’s French Quarter and South of Broad with guides such as Bill Harris or Vanna. Over two hours, you’ll see Rainbow Row, the Old Slave Mart, historic churches, and the Old Exchange while hearing candid stories about the city’s past.

“A fantastic fully engaged guide offering a grand historical perspective based on the groups understanding and goals. We fully felt like we left with a full understanding of the history, culture, and modern preservation of the city.”

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Charleston Eco Boat Cruise with stop at Morris Island Lighthouse - Through Tidal Creeks and Salt Marshes
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Charleston Eco Boat Cruise with stop at Morris Island Lighthouse

11.Charleston Eco Boat Cruise with stop at Morris Island Lighthouse

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,111 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

Ride a small Carolina Skiff from Bowens Island through salt marshes and tidal creeks with a naturalist captain such as Chris, George, Jacob, or Tripp. Watch for dolphins and birds, then spend about an hour on Morris Island beach collecting shells and viewing its inaccessible lighthouse.

“Great experience! Check-in was easy! Boat was nice and clean. Captain was knowledgeable of the area and its marine life. LOVED seeing so many dolphins! Definitely made a special memory during our visit to Charleston!”

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Charleston French Quarter or Brunch Food Tour with 7+ Tastings - What the French Quarter route puts on your plate
Charleston Tours, Food, Food & Drink, Tour Reviews, Tours

Charleston French Quarter or Brunch Food Tour with 7+ Tastings

12.Charleston French Quarter or Brunch Food Tour with 7+ Tastings

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,853 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $108

Choose a three-hour Charleston food walk through the French Quarter or Upper King Street. Guides such as Robin, Perry, Nathan, and Crystin pair generous tastings with local stories. Expect up to 12 people, plenty of food, and a menu that can change with restaurant availability.

“Robin was fabulous! Her experience and knowledge gave us a really great tour. It’s not always easy to to entertain and to keep people focused and entertained for 3 hours. I will always remember her and the tour!! Thank you Robin! Becky and Janel Seattle Washington”

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Boone Hall Plantation All-Access Admission Ticket - Walking Down the Avenue of Oaks
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Boone Hall Plantation All-Access Admission Ticket

13.Boone Hall Plantation All-Access Admission Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,736 reviews · 2 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $36

Spend 2 to 4 hours at Boone Hall Plantation, touring the first floor of the 1930s mansion, nine enslaved people’s cabins, gardens, stable area, and Gin House Museum. The ticket also includes a tractor ride, history talk, and live Gullah culture presentation, all in English.

“It was a beautiful place, and it can all be seen within about four hours, but it's not spectacular. The staff was very helpful and friendly, and they all seem to appreciate our visit. Other than trying to keep the house tour short, I didn't see reason why they did not want visitors to take pictures of the inside of the house. It's not like anything would be harmed by it. However, the big disappointment was the price that Viator charged for tickets versus what Boone Hall Plantation charged. Viator charged $38 each for two senior adult tickets, while the official price of senior tickets at Boone Hall Plantation was…”

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Charleston Haunted Booze and Boos Ghost Walking Tour - Starting at Henry’s on the Market
Charleston Tours, Ghost & History Walking Tours, Ghost Tours in Charleston, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Charleston

Charleston Haunted Booze and Boos Ghost Walking Tour

14.Charleston Haunted Booze and Boos Ghost Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,569 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $39

Follow a costumed pirate guide through Charleston for about 2.5 hours, stopping near the Powder Magazine, City Market, church graveyards, and Four Corners of Law. You will hear local ghost tales, visit historic bars, and buy your own drinks. Guides such as Vanna, Jo, Blakely, and Brandon bring different styles.

“We had so much fun,,,,, Jo was so Amazing she knew all the best stories and it was very entertaining. We also met some great people in our group. I’m glad we went , had some drinks and leaned some history. 🏴‍☠️”

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Charleston City Sightseeing Bus Tour - Rainbow Row and Charleston’s colorful face
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Charleston City Sightseeing Bus Tour

15.Charleston City Sightseeing Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,422 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)

Spend about 90 minutes seeing Charleston from a small, air-conditioned minibus limited to 14 people. Guides such as Neal, Nick, Benjamin, Smitty, and Sean share stories about architecture, food, the Civil War, civil rights, and local life while you pass Rainbow Row, the Battery, White Point Gardens, and historic churches.

“After 90 minutes, as a Charleston tourist, I learned so much about this beautiful city, its history and the names and dates of the people who built Charleston. Don’t miss this tour.”

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New in Charleston Tours

★ 5.0Kayak With Dolphins in Historic Shem CreekFrom $48407 reviews
★ 5.02-Hour Guided Kayak Eco Tour in Charleston954 reviews
★ 5.0Charleston’s Best Highlights: History, Culture & Architecture422 reviews
★ 4.5Charleston Ghosts of Liberty Guided Walking Tour473 reviews
★ 5.0Undiscovered Charleston: Half Day Food, Wine & History Tour with Cooking Class948 reviews
★ 4.5Afternoon Schooner Sightseeing Dolphin Cruise on Charleston HarborFrom $45620 reviews
★ 5.0Real Hauntings of Charleston! (Small Group Ghost Tour)From $35724 reviews
★ 4.5Savor the Flavors of Charleston Walking Food TourFrom $110881 reviews
★ 5.0Private Luxury Yacht Charters, BYOB & Dolphins395 reviews
★ 5.0Private Daytime Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour of Charleston340 reviews
★ 5.0Lost Stories of Black Charleston Walking TourFrom $39412 reviews
★ 4.5Magnolia Plantation Admission & Tour with Transportation from CharlestonFrom $90836 reviews
★ 4.5Charleston Horse & Carriage Historic Sightseeing TourFrom $45460 reviews
★ 4.5Charleston Haunted Jail Night-Time Walking Tour with Admission to Old City JailFrom $40570 reviews
★ 4.5Narrated Haunted Ghost Cruise of Charleston HarborFrom $45418 reviews

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