Charleston Lowcountry Tour: 12 Stops Beyond Downtown

Walk, hike and ride through Charleston's hidden history

A 6-hour small-group tour of Charleston and the surrounding Lowcountry with a city-certified guide, visiting 12 stops that include plantation houses, historic churches, lighthouses and the USS Yorktown. The tour covers roughly 8,000 steps across multiple walks and hikes, with bottled water and snacks included. Bring or purchase lunch separately. Minimum age is 12.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Morris Island Lighthouse30m
2. Drayton Hall10m · entry included
3. Magnolia Plantation and Gardens10m
4. Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum10m

Explore Charleston Lowcountry highlights

• Stroll Wragg district street
• Visit Folly Beach Pier
• Hike to Morris Island Lighthouse
• See Angel Oak Tree
• Stop at Drayton Hall for photos
• Drive through Magnolia Plantation grounds
• Visit Old St Andrew's Church
• View Citadel College
• Walk Station Street to beach
• Tour Old St Andrew's Church
• See Charleston Lighthouse
• View USS Yorktown and USS Laffey
• Enjoy water taxi cruise back

The experience

This tour moves beyond the downtown peninsula to the places that shaped Charleston's story. You'll stroll Charlotte Street in the Wragg district, hike three-quarters of a mile to the Morris Island Lighthouse, the sixth oldest in the US, and stand in front of the Angel Oak Tree, a 400- to 500-year-old live oak on John's Island. At Drayton Hall, the oldest remaining plantation house in its original form, the guide stops for history and photographs rather than an interior tour. Magnolia Plantation gets a brief stop to capture the circa 1870 home, and you'll see Old St. Andrew's Church, built in the 1830s for Irish Army engineers constructing the island forts.

The day includes stops at Citadel College, Fort Moultrie, Sullivan's Island, and Charleston Lighthouse before ending at Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum for an up-close view of the USS Yorktown and USS Laffey. A water taxi cruise across Charleston Harbor returns you to either Wharfside Aquarium, Waterfront Park, or a downtown hotel drop-off (the water taxi is self-pay at $15). You travel in a 2021 Mercedes Sprinter with the same guide throughout, keeping the group to eight people maximum.

The tour is active: 8,000 total steps means multiple walks and hikes during the day, including traversing a sand dune to reach the lighthouse. Bottled water and snacks are provided. You'll stop for a quick lunch to-go or bring your own. The full day runs 6 hours, so plan accordingly if you have evening plans or want to explore downtown on your own.

What’s included

• Bottled water and snacks throughout the day.
• transportation in a 2021 Mercedes Sprinter with a city-certified guide.
• access to all 12 stops including Morris Island Lighthouse, Angel Oak Tree, Drayton Hall, Magnolia Plantation, Old St. Andrew's Church, Citadel College, Fort Moultrie, Sullivan's Island, Charleston Lighthouse, and Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to WednesdayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (12 to 88 years) · Under 12: can't be booked

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Snap! Picture Perfect Tours

Is this one for you?Six hours is long enough to reach the plantations, lighthouses and forts outside downtown, but short enough to leave your evening free if you want to explore the city center on foot. The active pace (8,000 steps across multiple walks and hikes) suits travelers comfortable with sustained walking. If you prefer a slower day or have mobility concerns, this tour's schedule and terrain may not fit.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Morris Island Lighthouse hike actually like?

The Morris Island Lighthouse hike is a three-quarter mile roundtrip walk from Folly Beach to reach the 6th oldest lighthouse in the US. You'll traverse a sand dune to get to the beach, so wear shoes suitable for sand and uneven terrain.

How many steps does this tour involve?

The tour totals roughly 8,000 steps across the day, spread across several walks and hikes at different stops. It's an active tour, so comfortable walking shoes are essential.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

Lunch is not included. You'll stop for a quick lunch break where you can purchase food to-go or bring your own.

What happens at Drayton Hall and Magnolia Plantation?

At Drayton Hall, the oldest remaining plantation house in its original form, you stop for photographs and a history lesson but do not tour inside the house. At Magnolia Plantation, you ride through the grounds with a brief stop to photograph the circa 1870 home.

How does the tour end and how do I get back?

The tour ends at Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. A water taxi cruise across Charleston Harbor returns you to Wharfside Aquarium, Waterfront Park, or a downtown hotel drop-off. The water taxi is self-pay at $15. The van can also drop you at Liberty Hilton or anywhere on the downtown peninsula instead.