Charleston Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour





Description
Get a taste of the authentic antebellum American south with this self-guided walking tour of Charleston, SC. Explore historic districts packed with lovely shops and beautiful architecture as you learn about the city’s founding, its growth into a major metropolis, and how the Revolutionary War and Civil War changed it forever. This tour offers a comprehensive view of this fascinating city and its past. After booking, check your email/text to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the designated starting point. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want. This isn't an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The church was established in 1681, making it one of the oldest continuously worshiping congregations in the South. Originally known as the White Meeting House, it was built as a meeting place for Dissenters who did not conform to the Church of England. The current circular building was constructed in 1891 after the original building was destroyed by fire. NOTE: The tour is over 2+ miles long, with more than 45+ audio stories, and takes about 1-2 hours to complete. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want. Please note: This is a city tour, so construction, road closures, traffic, or local events may occasionally affect the route. We recommend checking current conditions and planning ahead before you begin.
Hibernian Hall was constructed in 1840 and served as the meeting place for the Hibernian Society of Charleston. The Hibernian Society was established in 1801 by Irish immigrants and their descendants to provide aid, support, and cultural activities within the Irish community in Charleston.
The South Carolina Historical Society (SCHS) was founded in 1855 and is one of the oldest historical societies in the United States. Its mission is to collect, preserve, and promote the history of South Carolina and its people. The SCHS Museum serves as the primary public face of the organization, showcasing the society's extensive collection and offering educational programs to visitors.
The Four Corners of Law is a term used to describe the intersection of Broad and Meeting Streets in downtown Charleston. It refers to four significant buildings, each representing a different aspect of law and government. The name highlights the diverse legal and governmental institutions that converge at this intersection.
The South Carolina Society Hall, also known as the South Carolina Society for the Preservation of Spirituals, is an architectural gem that was constructed in 1803. The building was originally commissioned by the South Carolina Society, a social and charitable organization founded in 1737. The society played a significant role in Charleston's political, social, and cultural life.
I know what you’re thinking! But no, Pringle has no connection to the popular snack. But his story is a great example of life for a European colonist in early Charleston.
The ornate home two houses down from the Miles Brewton House is the Patrick O’Donnell House. Rumor has it that O’Donnell wanted this house to be perfect for his fiancee. So perfect, in fact, that it took 12 years to build this house.
White Point Garden has a rich history dating back to the early days of Charleston. Originally known as Oyster Point, the park was a public gathering place as early as the 18th century. It has served as a defensive position during times of war and has witnessed significant events in Charleston's history.
Charleston was a strategically significant city during the Civil War due to its deepwater port and its role as a major center for the production and export of cotton. Controlling Charleston was vital for both the Confederate and Union forces.
The monument is dedicated to the memory of General William Moultrie, a prominent figure in the American Revolutionary War. Moultrie was the commander of the fort on Sullivan's Island, now known as Fort Moultrie, during the pivotal Battle of Sullivan's Island in 1776.
The Palmer Home was built in 1825 for Thomas Bennett Jr., who served as the Governor of South Carolina from 1820 to 1822. The house is named after John Ravenel Palmer, who purchased it in 1861. The Palmer family owned the property for several decades.
The Edmondston-Alston House was built in 1825 and has a rich history tied to the Charleston area. The house has seen many notable residents and visitors throughout its existence.
This alleyway is known as Longitude Lane, one of Charleston’s most picturesque attractions. Remember that fake cannon in White Point Garden? This is the lane where the real cannon was taken from!
The houses on Rainbow Row have a rich history. They were originally built as mercantile stores and residences for merchants and traders. Over the years, the buildings have been restored and preserved, contributing to Charleston's architectural and cultural heritage.
This memorial marks the land where many slave auctions occurred in the late 1700s and early 1800s. It’s a stark reminder of what was actually at stake during the Civil War.
See that fountain shaped like a pineapple? It was built in 1990, but references a neat bit of Charleston history.
On your right is the Old Slave Mart Museum. It’s similar to the Old Exchange that we saw earlier, but with some notable differences.
This building began as a theatre in 1736, and reopened once more as a theatre in 1937. But what about the years in between?
You may notice that this church juts out onto Church Street. In fact, the whole street bends a little all along the church, then straightens out again. What went on there?
It’s been here since 1804, and houses arts and crafts from locals, Gullah sweetgrass baskets, and tons of delicious food.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- How To Access: After booking, you’ll get an email and text with setup instructions and password (search “audio tour” in emails and texts). • Download the separate tour app by Action • Enter the password sent by email and text. • MUST download the tour while in strong wifi/cellular. • Works offline after download.
- How to start touring: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction.
- Go to the starting point No one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided Enter the first story’s point and the audio will begin automatically Follow the audio cues to the next story, which will also play automatically. Enjoy hands-free exploring. If you face audio issues, contact support. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
- Travel worry-free: Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace. Skip anything you don’t care about or explore bonus content for everything that interests you
- Savings tips: Walking tours: couples can share one tour by splitting headphones
- New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
- For the best experience, bring headphones/earbuds for your walking tour.
- The tour requires a supported mobile device for navigation. Please use an iPhone with iOS 15 or later, an Android device with Android 9 or later, or an iPad/tablet with GPS and cellular service.
- Your password can be used on the same number of devices as travelers booked. Enter the same password on each device.
- Please note: This is a city tour, so construction, road closures, traffic, or local events may occasionally affect the route. We recommend checking current conditions and planning ahead before you begin.
Reviews(28)
Not able to arrive at start of tour due to road closures. No parking near stops. Many street closed.
Sadly, I have no control over parking lot availabilities and road closures, but the good news is that the tour is yours forever, so you can still take the tour today if you’re in town!
The tour itself was fine, once we got it going. But the technology to get there & the disclosures in advance about that were a real pain. Users are not notified before payment that they will need to download an app - so we paid, and then some of our group had real trouble downloading the app (for common technical reasons). We lost a lot of time with that and it delayed our experience.
I’m glad to hear you liked my Charleston GPS Audio Walking Tour once the initial setup was complete. I’m sorry the process felt cumbersome at first. The listing does mention that this is a GPS app-based tour, and after booking, travelers receive step-by-step setup instructions along with a tutorial video. I also recommend downloading the tour in advance, since service can sometimes be limited and may cause issues during the download. If anything feels difficult, my support team is always happy to walk you through the app and help with setup. I’d also be happy to offer a replacement tour or assist with a refund. Please feel free to reach out — I’m available daily from 9 AM–6 PM EST.
Do NOT register for this tour through Viator! It told us to start on Meeting Street ( 2+miles) from the actual start of the tour. Once we downloaded the tour, we had to walk well over 2 miles in what felt like a wild goose chase to get to the actual starting point using Google Maps, which kept changing as we walked. We wasted a whole hour trying to find the starting point. Halfway through the tour, our phone battery died, so we didn't get to finish. The actual tour was decent, but the overall experience was highly disappointing.
David, I’m really sorry to hear about your experience. The correct meeting point for the Charleston Audio Walking Tour is 152 Market St, Charleston, SC. I include a nearby landmark in the instructions to help you find it. Could you let me know where you started? This will help me understand what may have gone wrong. Please reach out to me with your booking details, and I’ll ensure a full refund is processed. I'm available daily from 9 AM to 6 PM EST and am happy to assist.
Excellent people doing customer care and an excellent way to learn about a city Very easy to understand the system
Thank you for your wonderful review of my Charleston Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour. I'm glad to hear you enjoyed the experience and found the system easy to use. It’s always our goal to ensure our customers can explore at their own pace while learning about the city’s rich history. If you're planning your next adventure, consider my East Coast USA Self-Guided Driving & Walking Tour Bundle, which features iconic spots like Shenandoah, Cape Cod, and the Boston Freedom Trail—perfect for exploring at your own pace.
Nice to be able to take breaks and see museums along the way or stop for lunch. It’s also great to be able to stop for pictures.
Lisa, I’m so glad to hear that you enjoyed my Charleston Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour. I’m thrilled that the flexibility to take breaks, visit museums, and stop for lunch made your experience even better. It’s great to know you had the opportunity to pause for pictures along the way too. If you're planning your next adventure, consider my East Coast USA Self-Guided Driving & Walking Tour Bundle, which features iconic spots like Shenandoah, Cape Cod, and the Boston Freedom Trail—perfect for exploring at your own pace.
really good - downloadable so you dont need wifi and interesting. Very good history and cleverly constructed
Jacq, I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed my Charleston audio tour. It’s great that the downloadable feature made it easy to explore without needing Wi-Fi, and I’m happy you found the history fascinating and well-constructed. If you're planning your next adventure, consider my East Coast USA Self-Guided Driving & Walking Tour Bundle, which features iconic spots like Shenandoah, Cape Cod, and the Boston Freedom Trail—perfect for exploring at your own pace.
We saw an amazing amount of historical sites and it was wonderful! Being able to listen to all the incredible history was really awesome! Being able to stop at sites and just take our time was just what we needed! It was wonderful that the market was near our last stop so we could be able to look at all the wonderful craft stands available...Thank you for making our vacation even more special! I would definitely suggest this if you are visiting Charleston...You won't be disappointed! :)
Lisa, I’m thrilled to hear my Charleston Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour made your history-filled adventure even more special. It’s terrific that you could explore at your own pace, soak in all those incredible stories, and wrap up near the market for some local crafts—sounds like the perfect way to experience the city. If you're planning your next adventure, consider my East Coast USA Self-Guided Driving & Walking Tour Bundle, which features iconic spots like Shenandoah, Cape Cod, and the Boston Freedom Trail—perfect for exploring at your own pace.
Like that I could use this offline. However it frequently didn't advance by itself and I had to keep toggling back and forth between map and tour. So. Times I had to force it to tell me what I was seeing. It wa raining and I didn't like having to keep my phone out in the rain. Also felt the info could have been a little more in depth.
Laura, I’m sorry the experience didn’t go as smoothly as expected, especially with the rain making things trickier. The tour does work entirely offline and it shouldn’t need manual advancing. I’d love to know more about the device you used and other technical details. In the meantime, I’d be happy to issue a refund and offer a replacement tour for your future travels. Please reach out!
Is was a nice tour. Good pace. Could add even more info. I love history. No bathroom easily available for the first half. Just keep that in mind
Debbi, I’m glad you enjoyed the pace and the tour. If you're craving more history, tap the "Learn More" section at each stop; there’s extra content packed in there. Also, that section has a "Near Me" option for restrooms and restaurants to help you quickly find nearby facilities. If you're planning your next adventure, check out my East Coast USA Self-Guided Driving & Walking Tour Bundle, featuring iconic spots like Shenandoah, Cape Cod, and the Boston Freedom Trail—perfect for exploring at your own pace!
Easy to use and informative. Great to take at your own pace. Easy to follow directions and easy to detour and return.
Megan, I’m so glad you enjoyed my Charleston Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour. Love that you found it easy to use, informative, and flexible enough to detour and pick right back up. If you're planning your next adventure, check out my East Coast USA Self-Guided Driving & Walking Tour Bundle, featuring iconic spots like Shenandoah, Cape Cod, and the Boston Freedom Trail—perfect for exploring at your own pace!



