History tours · HISTORY WALKING TOURS IN CHARLESTON

Top 15 History Walking Tours in Charleston

22 tours  ·  from $8 a head

The good history walking tours in Charleston fill weeks ahead and the best of them go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.

Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour - Begin at the Four Corners of Law
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Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour

1.Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour

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

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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Hidden Alleyways and Historic Sites Small-Group Walking Tour - South of Broad: quiet streets and private corners
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Hidden Alleyways and Historic Sites Small-Group Walking Tour

2.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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Charleston historical walking tour with a Professor of History at The Citadel - Old Exchange, Provost Dungeon, and the path to the Revolution
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Charleston historical walking tour with a Professor of History at The Citadel

3.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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Charleston: Old Walled City Historical Walking Tour - The French Quarter sets the tone
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Charleston: Old Walled City Historical Walking Tour

4.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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Historic Charleston Walking Tour: Rainbow Row, Churches, and More - Mansions, gardens, churches, and graveyards
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Historic Charleston Walking Tour: Rainbow Row, Churches, and More

5.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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Charleston: History and Architecture Guided Walking Tour - Starting in Historic Downtown
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Charleston: History and Architecture Guided Walking Tour

6.History and Architecture Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 349 reviews · 1h 30m · from $29

Walk about one mile through Charleston’s South of Broad and French Quarter with an English-speaking local guide. Visit three secret alleys, Rainbow Row, City Market, and, when open, St. Michael’s Church, Dock Street Theatre, and the Old Exchange. Guides such as Jeff, Emerson, Paige, and Jackson bring the city’s architecture and past to life.

“Emerson, our guide was excellent! Highly recommend this tour with him!”

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Charleston History and Hops Tour: Bar and History Walk - French Huguenot Church and Charleston’s drinking culture
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Charleston History and Hops Tour: Bar and History Walk

7.Charleston History and Hops Tour: Bar and History Walk

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 316 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $31

Join Adam or Captain Brian/Bryan for a two-hour walk from Market Street to Broad Street, tracing Charleston’s drinking culture through Huguenot Church, Philadelphia Alley, Chalmers Street, the Old Slave Mart, and Prohibition-era bars. A small snack is included, but drinks cost extra. Ages 21 and up.

“Adam, our tour guide, was very friendly and informative. We had a great time and look forward to doing more of their tours on the next trip.”

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Small-Group Tour: Charleston Old Walled City Historical Walking Tour - Powder Magazine and the city’s defensive past
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Small-Group Tour: Charleston Old Walled City Historical Walking Tour

8.Small-Group Tour: Charleston Old Walled City Historical Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 283 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Spend about two hours walking Charleston’s old peninsula with a local guide such as Al, Bruce, Linda, or Eric. Expect the French Quarter, Rainbow Row, historic churches, the Old Slave Mart, the Battery, and a view of Fort Sumter. The route is flat, outdoors, and capped at 15 people, with no house admissions included.

“Charleston is a wonderful city, rich in history and Al, our guide brought all that history to life !”

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Charleston History, Homes, and Architecture Guided Walking Tour - Starting at City Hall and the Four Corners of Law
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Charleston History, Homes, and Architecture Guided Walking Tour

9.Charleston History, Homes, and Architecture Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 267 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $28

Spend two hours walking Charleston’s French Quarter and South of Broad with a licensed local guide. See City Hall, St. Michael’s Church, Rainbow Row, the Old Exchange, and the Battery, then visit the Powder Magazine Museum at your own pace. Guides may include Dennis, Al, Duggard, Evans, Mark Jones, or Lawrence.

“Very interesting. I think the leader may have had a couple of his history items incorrect but overall he was very informational and entertaining.”

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Semi-private SMALL group Historic Walking Tours w/certified guide - Four Corners of Law and Charleston’s civic story
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Semi-private SMALL group Historic Walking Tours w/certified guide

10.Semi-private SMALL group Historic Walking Tours w/certified guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 224 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $35

Spend about two hours walking central Charleston with a licensed guide such as Steve, Kay, Kate, or Russ. You’ll trace early city history, admire old homes and public buildings, visit the Four Corners of Law and Charleston Battery, and finish near Dock Street Theatre. Groups are capped at 10, with time for questions and some flexibility.

“The smaller group tour allowed for a much more personal experience! Kay was our guide! Very friendly, knowledgeable and energetic tour guide! I'd highly recommend this experience!”

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Historic Women of Charleston Guided Walking Tour - The Pink House Gallery adds a personal scale
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Historic Women of Charleston Guided Walking Tour

11.Historic Women of Charleston Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 176 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $40

Join Jonathan Green at Bitty and Beau’s Coffee for a two-hour walk about Charleston’s bold, influential women. The route visits St. Philip’s Church, the Pink House Gallery, the Old Exchange, Rainbow Row, and Nathaniel Russell House, while also covering slavery, architecture, and the city’s wider past. English tour, $40 per person, maximum 20 people.

“Highly recommend Jonathan Green’s tour Bad Ass Broads of Charleston! He brings to life the history of these remarkable women who influenced this area and far beyond. I have some new heroines! Jonathan also provides some interesting details about Charleston’s general history as well as some of the architecture on the walk.”

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Charleston walking tour with a Citadel history professor - Starting at 108 Meeting Street
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Charleston walking tour with a Citadel history professor

12.Charleston walking tour with a Citadel history professor

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 105 reviews · 3 hours · from $40

Join Eric Lager, a Citadel history professor with nearly 20 years in teaching and public history, for a three-hour walk through Charleston’s historic district. Groups are limited to 12 as you visit the Dock Street Theater, French Huguenot Church, Washington Park, old alleys, graveyards, and the Four Corners of Law while connecting architecture, politics, religion, war, and daily life.

“Our tour was exceptional. Eric guided our group through the history of Charleston, walking the streets at an easy pace and encouraging questions about the city's founding and early significance. Clearly a scholar and clever storyteller, his tour was the highlight of our time in Charleston.”

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Charleston: Walking History and Bar Tour - Starting at O-Bar at Oyster House
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Charleston: Walking History and Bar Tour

13.Walking History and Bar Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 63 reviews · 2 hours · from $31

Spend two hours walking Charleston’s French Quarter with Captain Bryan, Adam, or another licensed local guide. Visit two historic bars, enjoy a small snack at the first, buy local beers or cocktails, and hear stories of piracy, colonial drinking, theaters, alleyways, and Prohibition. Drinks cost extra.

“Absolutely FANTASTIC tour. CAPT BRIAN has an amazing knowledge of the history of Charleston that was intricately woven into the tour. This a MUST for anybody who enjoys having a day of fun and history! We learned of so many hidden treasures about Charleston because CAPT Brian is a true historian, not just a tour guide. DON’T MISS THIS TOUR. Truly the best tour I have EVER had!! Thanks!!”

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Charleston History and Architecture Walking Tour - Rainbow Row packs Charleston’s charm into one street
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Charleston History and Architecture Walking Tour

14.Charleston History and Architecture Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 63 reviews · from $27

Walk Charleston’s historic center for about two hours with an architectural historian guide. See Pineapple Fountain, Rainbow Row, the Unitarian Church, Twenty-one Magazine, the Old Exchange, and Philadelphia Alley. Guides such as Emerson and Paige bring the buildings and people behind them to life, with possible church access along the way.

“Emerson was very entertaining with his descriptions of Charleston History His was one of the best guides I’ve booked”

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Small Group Historic Charleston walking Tour - Tradd Street and the old walled city
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Small Group Historic Charleston walking Tour

15.Small Group Historic Charleston walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 62 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $47

Walk Charleston’s historic core with longtime resident Mike, visiting White Point Garden, the Battery, Rainbow Row, Tradd Street, and Meeting Street. The 90-minute tour covers architecture, the Revolutionary and Civil wars, local stories, and Charleston’s Black history. Groups are capped at 10, and you can request a Civil War or slavery-focused route.

“Mike gave us the history of Charleston during the Civil war era just as we requested. Also he is local to the tour area and knew many interesting facts and stories that he shared. We would recommend Mike to anyone looking for a genuine tour by a personable and professional tour guide.”

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New in History Walking Tours in Charleston

★ 4.9Hidden Alleys and Historic Sites Walking TourFrom $3022 reviews

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