Things to do in Charleston
The unmissables
Most booked
Charleston Horse & Carriage Tour: 30 blocks of history★ 4.82 (10,943) · 1h
Top rated
Charleston Walking Tour: 2 Hours Through French Quarter★ 4.91 (6,958) · 2h
Best value
Charleston: Haunted Horse Carriage Tour & Dungeon After Dark★ 4.73 (4,321) · 40m
Recommended (7)
Fort Sumter Tour from Charleston: Ferry, Museum & Civil War Site★ 4.56 (3,888) · 2h 15mUS$ 43View ›
Charleston: Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour & Historic District★ 4.81 (3,809) · 1hUS$ 50View ›
Charleston Ghost Tour & 1772 Unitarian Church Graveyard★ 4.61 (2,916) · 1h 30mUS$ 36View ›
Charleston: Historic Alleyways & Rainbow Row Walking Tour★ 4.90 (2,653) · 2hUS$ 34View ›
Charleston Eco Boat Cruise: Morris Island Lighthouse & Wildlife★ 4.94 (2,375) · 2h 30mUS$ 56View ›
Charleston Food Tour: 7+ Tastings Through French Quarter History★ 4.88 (2,344) · 3hUS$ 89View ›
Charleston: Historic Walking Tour French Quarter & Rainbow Row★ 4.92 (2,294) · 2hUS$ 26View ›Top rated (10)
Rainbow Row Walking Tour Charleston: 2 hours, 350 yearsYou walk 2 hours through downtown Charleston with an experienced guide who covers 350 years of the city's history—from the oldest churches and graveyards to the slave market and the Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon. The tour includes stops at Rainbow Row, the Nathaniel Russell House, and several colonial-era churches, with no separate entry fees. You'll need moderate fitness to walk the route comfortably, and the guide tells the full story, not just the pretty parts.Is it for me?Right for you if you want to understand Charleston's real history—not just its appearance—and you're comfortable walking for 2 hours at a moderate pace through downtown streets. The guide does the research; you just show up and listen.
Charleston: Historic Walking Tour & Four Corners of LawYou’ll meet your certified guide right at City Hall and start weaving through Charleston’s oldest streets—think pre-Revolutionary homes, quiet alleys, and corners where history actually happened. Expect small surprises: locals chatting on porches, church bells echoing down cobblestones, stories that stick with you after you leave. You’ll walk away feeling like you’ve touched something real here.
Charleston: Private Photo Session at Rainbow Row & WaterfrontYou’ll wander through Charleston’s most iconic spots with a local photographer who makes you feel comfortable from the start. Expect candid moments along Rainbow Row, laughter under live oaks at The Battery, and real smiles by Waterfront Park’s fountain. Leave with professional photos — but also memories of small details you might’ve missed otherwise.
Charleston walking tour Civil War sites with history professorA historical walking tour of Charleston led by a Ph.D. historian from The Citadel, limited to 12 people and lasting three hours. The guide draws on thousands of hours of primary-source research to connect the sites — Fort Sumter, the Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon, St. Michael's Church, the Heyward-Washington House — to the events that shaped the nation. All fees and taxes are included.Is it for me?Choose this if you prefer a guide who draws on archival research to connect historical events across sites, rather than standard talking points—the smaller group size lets that depth happen without rushing.
Charleston Food History Tour with Cooking Class: Chef-LedA 90-minute food history walking tour through Charleston's historic district, followed by a cooking demonstration and three-course lunch with wine pairings at Bistro a Vin, led by Chef Forrest Parker—South Carolina's only certified chef tour guide. The tour covers 400 years of culinary influence, including lesser-known sites where enslaved cooks shaped the Lowcountry's defining flavors. You leave with copies of Chef Forrest's recipes and the knowledge of how to prepare them.Is it for me?Book this if you want to understand how Charleston's food actually came to be, not just taste it—the walking part and the cooking part work together to show you the history and then teach you the technique in the same morning.
Charleston: Private Yacht Charter, BYOB & Dolphin SightingYou’ll sail past Charleston’s historic skyline on your private yacht charter, with BYOB drinks in hand and dolphins sometimes swimming alongside. See Fort Sumter from the water and catch sunset under Ravenel Bridge. With a local crew taking care of details, you’ll have space to relax or celebrate — just bring your favorite people.
Charleston: Pirate Adventure Cruise for Kids & FamiliesYou’ll step aboard a real wooden pirate ship in Charleston harbor, where kids get their own pirate names and join a lively crew for a treasure hunt. Battle Sneaky Pete with water cannons, belt out sea shanties, and explore creeks along the Ashley River—all guided by locals who know how to make families laugh. It’s messy fun you’ll remember long after your shoes dry.
Folly Beach Dolphin Viewing Boat Tour: Dolphins & LighthouseA 90-minute boat tour departing from Folly Beach that takes you into the local tidal creeks and salt marsh estuary in search of bottlenose dolphins, with a USCG-licensed captain and eco guide who explains the dolphins' feeding techniques, social behaviors, and the ecosystem they inhabit. The tour also passes the historic Morris Island Lighthouse. Sunrise, sunset, or midday departures are available; the boat holds a small group and includes a cooler with ice and cushioned seating.Is it for me?The tour departs from Folly Beach with parking on-site, so if you have a car or rental, you're set. If you're staying in Charleston without a vehicle, you'll need to arrange a taxi or rideshare to reach the boat—once you're there, the captain and guide handle the rest, and you're on the water for the full 90 minutes without worrying about navigation or where the dolphins are likely to be.
Charleston History Tour: Small Groups & Alleyways with Local GuideYou walk through nine stops across Charleston's oldest neighborhoods — from the 1713 Powder Magazine to Rainbow Row and Waterfront Park — with a licensed history guide who leads every tour himself and keeps groups under 10 people. You enter one historic building, hear detailed stories instead of surface facts, and move at a pace that lets questions happen. Bring comfortable walking shoes and water; the tour runs mornings and takes about two to three hours.Is it for me?Book this if you want Charleston's real history — not the condensed version — and prefer walking with a small group where you can actually ask questions and hear the guide over the sound of your own footsteps.
Shem Creek: Shrimp Walking Tour with Captain & Local StoriesYou’ll walk Shem Creek with a real shrimper as your guide, pass historic shrimp shacks, meet local families still working the docks, and hear honest stories about life on the water. Smell salt air, see wildlife in Shem Creek Park, learn why only a handful of boats remain — and leave with a small prize plus a new respect for this place.
Lowest price (10)
Charleston Water Taxi: Harbor Cruise & Dolphin SightingsYou board the water taxi at the Maritime Center and ride hourly between Charleston Waterfront Park and Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum, with frequent dolphin sightings along the way. The all-day pass costs $14, service runs 9am to 7:30pm, and you can hop on and off as many times as you want. No reservations needed—just show up and catch the next boat.Is it for me?This works best if you want to move between downtown Charleston and Patriots Point without renting a car or paying for a standard tour—the all-day pass and hourly schedule let you explore at your own pace and catch dolphins without committing to a fixed itinerary.
Trolley Tour in Wadmalaw Island Tea Garden: 35-40 MinutesA trolley tour on Wadmalaw Island near Charleston takes 35–40 minutes through the only tea garden in North America, with a live English-speaking guide and the founder's recorded narration. The route passes hundreds of thousands of tea bushes across multiple acres, then stops at the greenhouse where you step off to see how new tea plants are propagated. Service animals are welcome, and infants can sit on an adult's lap or use a specialized seat.Is it for me?Pick this if you're without a car—the trolley departs from the plantation itself and includes a greenhouse stop where you walk among the plants, so you see the tea operation hands-on rather than from a distance.
Charleston: Dark History & Ghost Tour with Adam MooreYou’ll walk Charleston’s oldest streets with Adam Moore as your guide, hearing chilling ghost stories outside places like Poogan’s Porch and St. Philip’s Church cemetery. Expect laughs mixed with goosebumps in a small group setting where every detail feels personal — from ghost photos to tales of buried secrets. It’s more than just scary stories; it stays with you.
Charleston Walking Tour: History, Architecture & Harbor ViewsA two-hour guided walking tour through Charleston's historic districts covers the French Quarter, South of Broad, and the Battery waterfront, with stops at the Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon, Rainbow Row, St. Michael's Church, the Nathaniel Russell House garden, and views of Fort Sumter across Charleston Harbor. The guide discusses architecture, religious history, and Charleston's role in the American Revolution and Civil War. Wheelchair accessible; suitable for all fitness levels.Is it for me?You move through four distinct neighborhoods—French Quarter, South of Broad, the Nathaniel Russell House garden, and the Battery—with a guide who connects the architecture and stories across Charleston's history as one continuous narrative rather than isolated landmarks.
Charleston: Historic District Walking Tour & Rainbow RowYou walk through Charleston's Historic District with a licensed local guide for two hours, starting at City Hall and moving through the French Quarter and South of Broad. You see Rainbow Row, St. Michael's Church, the Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon, and the Battery, learning the city's founding story and architecture along the way. The tour is wheelchair accessible and suitable for all fitness levels, so book it if you want the main landmarks and their histories without arranging a guide yourself.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Charleston's main historic landmarks and learn their stories in one focused walk without arranging a guide separately—the two-hour frame fits the core district and keeps the pace steady enough for all fitness levels.
Charleston: Old Walled City Walking Tour & Fort Sumter ViewsYou walk through Charleston's oldest neighborhoods with a licensed guide who knows the city's full history — from the 1681 Circular Congregational Church through Rainbow Row, the Old Exchange, and down to the High Battery overlooking Fort Sumter. The group caps at 15 people, so you can ask questions and take photos without losing the thread. Two hours, all taxes included, and the route works in any weather if you dress for it.Is it for me?Book this if you want Charleston's core history — from colonial settlement through the Civil War — without arranging your own route or guide, and you prefer a small group where you can actually hear and ask questions.
Charleston Ghost Tour: 90-Minute Night Walk & Haunted HistoryYou walk through downtown Charleston at night with a guide who's spent 30 years learning the city's haunted past. You'll hear about ghost sightings at a restaurant, see the Blood Book in the library, visit Bloody Alley where duels ended in death, and stand in St. Michael's Church while learning what people have witnessed there. The tour lasts 90 minutes, includes water in summer, and ends with you knowing Charleston's darker stories in a way a daytime walking tour never could.Is it for me?Book this if you want Charleston's real ghost stories told by someone who actually knows the city's history, not a script repeated every night—Mike's 30 years of experience means you get the details and context that turn folklore into something you'll remember.
Charleston: Ghosts of Liberty Walking Tour & Dungeon StoriesYou’ll walk Charleston’s oldest streets with a local guide after dark, hear ghost stories at the Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon, and wander past graveyards where legends linger. Expect laughter, goosebumps, and a few moments that might stick with you long after you leave these cobblestones behind.
Charleston Historic City Tour: 100+ Sites by Mini-CoachA 90-minute narrated mini-coach tour of Charleston with a professional guide covers more than 100 points of interest, including Rainbow Row, the Old Exchange Building, Whitepoint Gardens and the Battery waterfront. The tour traces Charleston's pivotal role in American history from the Revolution through the Civil War. Optional upgrades add admission to the Charleston Museum or the restored Joseph Manigault House, an 1803 Federal-style townhouse built for a wealthy rice-planting family.Is it for me?Choose the standard tour for walking-focused history across 100+ landmarks, or upgrade to add museum entry if you want to spend time inside a single restored house or collection.
Charleston Ghost Tour: 10 Stories & Ghost Equipment Night WalkYou’ll wander Charleston’s haunted streets after dark with a small group and a local guide who brings real ghost-hunting equipment for you to try out yourself. Hear ten original stories tied to places like St. Michael’s Church and the Old Exchange Dungeon—and maybe even catch something on camera if you’re lucky (or unlucky). It’s eerie, funny sometimes, and surprisingly moving.
