15 Historical Tours in Charleston Worth Booking

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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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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3.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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4.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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5.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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6.Daytime or Sunset Historic Harbor Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,352 reviews · 1h 30m · from $49

Spend 90 minutes aboard a 1920s Bay-Steamer replica with live English narration from the captain. You’ll pass 75 Charleston landmarks, Fort Sumter, The Battery, the Ravenel Bridge, and the WWII-era Fighting Lady, with indoor or outdoor seating and snacks and drinks available to buy.

“We took the 4 pm boat ride and it was excellent for the group of eight people we were with and it was a nice beginning to our evening and pre-dinner plans. The Captain gave us an overview of the harbour, and the historic sites along the harbor as well as some Civil War history of Charleston. A lot of fun, some dolphins and warm SC sun. Just a beautiful afternoon.”

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7.Charleston historical walking tour with a Professor of History at The Citadel

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,284 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $40

Walk Charleston with Citadel professor Eric Lager, Ph.D., in a group capped at 12. Over about three hours, you’ll connect churches, theaters, civic buildings, the French Quarter, and Civil War sites while asking questions along the way.

“This tour was very enjoyable and educational! Dr. Lager is incredibly knowledgeable and engaging. He also has a great sense of humor. Don’t miss out on the best walking tour of this charming historical town.”

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8.Historical Downtown Tour by Horse-drawn Carriage

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,009 reviews · 1 hour · from $50

Ride a traditional carriage through Charleston’s historic downtown with an English-speaking licensed guide. Expect stories about 350 years of city history, handsome homes, the harbor, Rainbow Row, King Street, White Point Gardens, and the Battery. Routes are assigned by a city bingo system, so no two rides are quite alike.

“I loved riding in the carriage it was a very special experience. Jessie our horse was gorgeous. The horses are very well cared for. The pace of the tour was perfect”

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9.Undiscovered Charleston: Half Day Food, Wine & History Tour with Cooking Class

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 948 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

Chef Forrest Parker leads a 90-minute walk from the Pineapple Fountain through Charleston’s historic district, linking architecture, slavery, crops, and Lowcountry cooking. The tour ends at a cozy bistro with a cooking demonstration, three-course lunch, wine pairings, and recipes to take home.

“Great tour and history lesson. Guide was knowledgeable and friendly. Chef Parker made the most delicious food. Company was great and I would highly recommend”

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10.Historic City Highlights Guided Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 719 reviews · 1h 30m · from $35

Ride a climate-controlled shuttle from the Charleston Visitor Center while an English-speaking local guide points out more than 100 landmarks, from Rainbow Row and The Battery to historic churches, homes, markets, and neighborhoods. Guides such as Alan, John, Bonnie, and Valerie are known for lively local stories.

“very historical. The houses are amazing. Well worth the $$.”

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11.Old Walled City Historical Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 705 reviews · 2 hours · from $30

Spend two hours walking Charleston’s old walled city with an English-speaking guide, often a longtime local such as Al, Bruce, Eric, or Alfie. See churches, colonial homes, Rainbow Row, the Old Exchange, Waterfront Park, and the Dock Street Theatre while hearing vivid stories about war, piracy, disasters, and daily life.

“The tour was amazing! A lot of interesting stories and facts. Thank you!”

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12.Historic Charleston Walking Tour: Rainbow Row, Churches, and More

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 691 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $40

Walk Charleston’s old district with guides such as Gordon, Diane, Eric, or David, seeing Rainbow Row, the Waterfront Battery, churches, graveyards, mansions, gardens, and Fort Sumter from afar. The tour includes Powder Magazine admission, runs morning or afternoon, and caps groups at 20.

“Historical accounts of Charleston were very interesting. Tour guide was very thorough. She also took into account the heat and try to stop in the shade while she talked. Great tour of Historical Charleston.”

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13.Charleston’s Historic Residential Horse and Carriage Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 668 reviews · from $50

Meet the horses at 20 Anson Street, then ride about two to three miles through Charleston’s residential Historic District. A city-licensed guide narrates the hour-long trip, while a route chosen by a bingo-style system keeps the streets you see a pleasant surprise. Groups are limited to 10.

“An absolutely perfect introduction to Charleston. Our guide and our horse, Trevor, were wonderful! Everyone we encountered was so friendly and welcoming. It was also very obvious that the horses are extremely well taken care of.”

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14.Charleston Horse & Carriage Historic Sightseeing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 460 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $45

Spend about an hour touring Charleston from a horse-drawn carriage with a guide such as Caroline, Daniel, or Ricky. Routes vary by city assignment, but may include The Battery, Rainbow Row, Nathaniel Russell House, St. Philip’s Church, and historic gardens. The ride begins and ends at City Market.

“Caroline was very engaging n personal The trip Was great n covered everything I hoped Perfect day in Charleston”

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15.Charleston’s Best Highlights: History, Culture & Architecture

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 422 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Join Charleston Sole Walking Tours for a two-hour walk through Charleston’s historic center. Guides Brian and Fin connect the Old Exchange, Rainbow Row, the Old Slave Mart, churches, grand homes, and the Battery to the city’s past. Expect a small group, plenty of questions, and a tour that may run long.

“Fin was excellent - knowledgeable, personable and gave a great overview of the history of Charleston - highly recommend”

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