Top 15 History Tours in Charleston

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

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

Set out from Old South Carriage Company on Anson Street for a narrated, one-hour ride through 30 blocks of Charleston. A certified guide such as Carol, Wendy, or Ro may lead the tour, while a Belgian or Percheron draft horse pulls the carriage. Routes vary by city-assigned zone, so each ride offers a different slice of the historic district.

“We thoroughly enjoyed this experience. We arrived early and met our horse, Aiken, who loved the attention he was getting! One of their employees explained their Belgium Draft horses come from the Amish when the Amish are done using them as work horses. Very interesting to talk to and learn about the horses. Happy to hear these horses are out on a farm when not pulling the carriage and they are limited to the number if times they do their routes. Very knowledgeable tour guides. Will do this again next time we’re in Charleston!”

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2.Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour

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

Meet your licensed local guide at Charleston City Hall for a two-hour walk through the Four Corners of Law, French Quarter, Rainbow Row, and South of Broad. Guides such as Al, Evans, Dennis, and Duggar are known for lively storytelling, architecture, and local tips. Expect flat streets, outdoor stops, and weather exposure.

“Very interesting tour of the historic district. Duggar, our guide, was very knowledgeable, interesting and fun. I would highly recommend this tour as an introduction to Charleston.”

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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 Charleston’s historic district in a covered, open-sided carriage with a certified guide. Starting at the Big Red Barn near City Market, you’ll pass old homes, churches, gardens, and landmarks while hearing stories of pirates, wars, plantations, and Reconstruction. Routes vary by city lottery, so sights are not guaranteed.

“Brianna was excellent and the staff was friendly and professional. Brianna was knowledgeable on the history of Downtown and her delivery was great. Multiple tours are required to see it all. Highly recommended.”

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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, following Charleston Harbor toward Fort Sumter while the captain explains Civil War sites, antebellum homes, forts, bridges, and waterfront landmarks. Choose a daytime sailing for stronger historical commentary or a sunset departure for glowing harbor views. Drinks and snacks are sold onboard.

“Beautiful weather. Beautiful views Captain was very engaging. Had a great time. Note: sunset cruise does not have much history. Mostly focus on the views.”

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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 visit four to six alleys, see Rainbow Row, hear Revolutionary and Civil War stories, and learn about the city’s architecture and past. Guides praised by name include Duggar, Dennis, Evans Byrd, Al Mixson, Mark Jones, and Bruce.

“Duggar was a terrific guide. We really enjoyed his perspective and engaging story telling. We learned a lot, and saw a beautiful part of the city.”

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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 replica 1920s Bay Steamer with live narration from the captain. See Fort Sumter, The Battery, the Ravenel Bridge, historic forts, and more than 75 harbor landmarks. Choose daytime or sunset, sit indoors or on the upper deck, and buy drinks and snacks on board. Captains may include Ron, Lance, or Matt.

“We really enjoyed it. The Captain was very knowledgeable and you could tell he enjoyed doing it. Would highly recommend for a different person of Charleston.”

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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

Join Eric Lager, Ph.D., a history professor at The Citadel, for a roughly three-hour walk through Charleston’s historic center. In a group capped at 12, you’ll connect buildings, politics, religion, architecture, and the Civil War, from Dock Street Theater to the Battery. Admission to the Heyward-Washington House and Old Exchange is not included.

“Highly recommend this tour. Our guide was a rare combination of hugely knowledgeable, highly engaging, humorous. We learned lots - historical and otherwise.”

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8.Historical Downtown Tour by Horse-drawn Carriage

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

Spend an hour in historic Charleston aboard a custom-built horse-drawn carriage. An English-speaking guide such as Carol, Mike, or Christina explains the city’s 350-year story as you pass Rainbow Row, King Street, White Point Gardens, the Battery, and the harbor. The city assigns the route, so each ride can show a different slice of downtown.

“We loved frances and dusty!!! What a great experience and even with the rainy weather towards the beginning of our tour. Saw the beautiful houses of charleston and learned cool history !”

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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 Charleston walk focused on food, culture, architecture, and the people who shaped Lowcountry cooking. The tour ends at Bistro Au Vin with a cooking demonstration, three-course lunch, wine pairings, and recipes for your kitchen. Groups are limited to 11 people.

“Great historical info and fabulous food!! Would highly recommend for all visitors. Chef was very entertaining!”

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10.Historic City Highlights Guided Bus Tour

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

Spend 90 minutes touring Charleston from a climate-controlled shuttle with a local English-speaking guide. You’ll pass more than 100 landmarks, including the Battery Sea Wall, Rainbow Row, Four Corners of Law, historic churches, old markets, and residential streets. Guides such as Alan, Bonnie, John, and Valerie are praised for lively stories and local detail.

“The tour was amazing. We saw all important and historical places and houses. We learned a lot about the city’s past. The driver was amazing, she showed us everything while driving and keeping us safe. She also recommended us places to visit and places to eat. 10/10 experience. 🌞”

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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 streets with an English-speaking guide, often a seventh-generation Charlestonian such as Al, Bruce, or Eric. See the French Quarter, Dock Street Theatre, Old Exchange, Waterfront Park, Rainbow Row, historic homes, and St. Michael’s Church while hearing candid stories about piracy, fires, epidemics, war, and the city’s difficult past.

“Touring Charleston with such a knowledgeable guide was a real treat! His rich experience and humor made for a very engaging and enjoyable tour!”

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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 Historic District with a local guide such as Gordon, Diane, Eric, or Graham. See Rainbow Row, antebellum homes, churches, graveyards, hidden courtyards, the Waterfront Battery, and Fort Sumter from afar. The tour runs morning or afternoon, includes Powder Magazine admission, and keeps groups to 20 people.

“You will be standing and walking for 2 hours. The guide was very knowledgeable and informative about Charleston. It is a worthwhile tour. I am so glad we did it.”

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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 two to three miles through Charleston’s residential Historic District in a custom carriage. A city-licensed guide handles the storytelling, while departures every 30 minutes make scheduling easy. Groups are limited to 10, though carriages can hold up to 16.

“Excellent ride through streets. Seeing beautiful architecture and gardens. Horses are well cared for.”

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14.Charleston Horse & Carriage Historic Sightseeing Tour

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

Ride with a professional guide through Charleston’s historic district in a horse-drawn carriage. Guides such as Caroline, Daniel, and Ricky bring the city’s stories to life, while horses including Amigo, Grayman, Chico, and Ironsides may be available for photos. Routes vary by city assignment, so expect a pleasant overview rather than a fixed landmark checklist.

“This was our first time visiting Charleston,SC, it’s beautiful here we would come back. I think fall would be better for the ones that don’t like heat. The food is great, the people was very nice. Every activity we did was great, however some was a little pricey. Some was affordable.”

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

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

Walk central Charleston with guides such as Brian and Fin, visiting the Old Exchange, Rainbow Row, the Old Slave Mart, Dock Street Theater, St. Michael’s Church, and the High Battery. Expect lively storytelling, architectural detail, and thoughtful discussion of Charleston’s role in American history. The walk is in English and may run longer than two hours.

“Very knowledgeable guide and great tour. Have much better understanding of Charleston and its origins. Appreciated the break in between.”

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