Historic Charleston Walking Tour
From$30
2 hours
Charleston, USA
About this activity
Join a guided walking tour through Charleston's historic district, visiting landmarks like Rainbow Row and The Battery, and learn about the city's rich history and architecture.
Highlights
- Explore Charleston's historic district
- Visit iconic Rainbow Row
- Stroll along The Battery promenade
- Learn about Charleston's rich history
- Discover well-preserved antebellum architecture
Full description
Step back in time and immerse yourself in Charleston's captivating history on this guided walking tour. Wander through the charming streets of the historic district, where you'll encounter well-preserved antebellum architecture and hear tales of the city's storied past. Visit iconic sites such as Rainbow Row, a series of colorful 18th-century houses, and The Battery, a scenic promenade offering views of historic mansions and the harbor. Your knowledgeable guide will share fascinating insights, making this tour a must-do for history enthusiasts and culture seekers alike.
Included / Excluded
- Guided walking tour of Charleston's historic district
- Visit to Rainbow Row and The Battery
- Insights into Charleston's rich history and architecture
- Transportation to and from the meeting point
Itinerary
1
The tour will begin in front of City Hall which is one of the pillars of the "Four Corners of Law" which also includes the Courthouse, the Post Office and St Michaels Church at the intersection of Meeting Street and Broad Street. From here you will explore many notable sites in the French Quarter and the residential area "South of Broad".
Duration: 15 minAdmission: NO
2
Stops on the tour will vary but you can generally expect to see notable sites in the French Quarter including the Dock Street Theatre, St Philips Church, The Slave Mart Museum, The Powder Magazine, the French Huguenot Church and the Pink House as well as many others. **Please note that stops on the tour may vary**
Duration: 45 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
3
Learn the history behind the famous Rainbow Row, one of the most photographed sites in Charleston. Rainbow Row is located in the "South of Broad" neighborhood which we will explore and includes many historically significant homes including the antebellum mansions located along the famous "Battery". ***Please note that stops along the tour may vary.***
Duration: 10 minAdmission: NO
4
Explore the residential area "South of Broad" including the Battery with views over the water to Fort Sumter. Please note that the tour will not cover the entire length of the Battery and stops along will vary per guide.
Duration: 30 minAdmission: NO
Meeting point
Start Location
Unknown location
Important information
Know before you book
- The tour operates rain or shine; cancellations due to weather are rare.
- Photography is encouraged; however, be respectful of private properties.
- The tour is conducted in English; non-English speakers may need to arrange for a translator.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes suitable for uneven surfaces.
- Bring a bottle of water to stay hydrated during the tour.
- Check the weather forecast and dress appropriately for the conditions.
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation up to 1 days before the activity starts
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair Accessible
- Stroller Accessible
- Service Animals Allowed
- Easy Public Transport
Good to know
- 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
Traveler reviews
4.96,691 reviews
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Good overview of Charleston and South of Broad
Excellent tour. Al was informative and entertaining. Walked through beautiful residential areas. Recommend!
jkell35May 25, 2026TRIPADVISOR
Historic Walking Tour
You see lots of cool architecture and learn a lot about the city of Charleston. You get to see things that you wouldn’t think of, like the smallest street in Charleston.
Meghan_YMay 25, 2026VIATOR
Fantastic two-hour...
Fantastic two-hour walking tour. Takes you through the historic district and neighborhoods. Amy was funny and super knowledgeable of the area.
Tim_JMay 25, 2026VIATOR
Great introduction to Charleston.
The tour was informative and entertaining. Dennis was knowledgeable and handled the topic of enslavement frankly and tactfully. He also had great recommendations for dining and other activities.
Gary MMay 24, 2026TRIPADVISOR
Outstanding and educational tour by a very knowledgeable and enjoyable guide.
We really enjoyed this tour and our guide, Al. He was fantastic! He has a great sense of humor, deep knowledge of the history of the area, and he’s very good at leveraging his expertise as a retired architect to tell a lot of interesting stories about many of the old and historic buildings in the core of downtown. The time flew because of how enjoyable and educational the tour was!
Orn_BMay 24, 2026VIATOR
Additional information
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