Tours/Charleston/Charleston Signature History Walking Tour: Explore the Past
Viator · group up to 20 pax

Charleston Signature History Walking Tour: Explore the Past

5.0(6)Charleston1 hour
VIATOR5.0(6)

Description

Discover Charleston's rich history on a captivating 90 minute walking tour through its historic streets and hidden alleys. Beginning at the Shepheards Tavern marker, this journey takes you from the city's 17th-century founding through pivotal events that shaped its identity. Your knowledgeable guide will share engaging stories, encouraging questions and interaction to enrich your understanding of Charleston's complex past. Ideal for first-time visitors, seasoned travelers, and local residents alike, this tour offers an intimate look at the city's heritage while fostering a personal connection with each guest. - Walk through the Old and Historic District, uncovering Charleston’s storied past - Tour lasts approximately 90 minutes, ending near the iconic Rainbow Row - Perfect for history enthusiasts, newcomers, and locals wanting to learn more - Departure from Shepheards Tavern marker at 46 Broad Street, 15 minutes early arrival recommended

Tour Options

Charleston Signature History Walking Tour: Explore the Past

Itinerary

15 min

This tour will at 46 Broad Street, an intersection that includes the Shepheards Tavern Marker, Plenge the Hat Man, and one of Charleston's first banks which saw a very odd attempt to rob it by underground tunnels. We will walk down Church Street along the original grid streets of the 1670's Grand Modelle design before exploring Stoll's Alley and its collection beautiful Philip Simmons ironworks.

10 min

Emerging from the relatively hidden entrance to Stoll's Alley, we will walk along the Sea Wall on East Bay Street and learn about the original Walled City, view the Charleston Harbor and its historic fortifications, and learn more about the beautiful architecture and stories of the large antebellum homes that line the waterfront.

10 min

No walking tour is complete without a stop at the historic White Point Gardens and Battery. Filled with the canopies of aged live oaks, and lined with cannons that saw history in the making during the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, this part of Charleston also bears a marker to end of the pirate age in Charleston. We may also see a wedding taking place at the historic gazebo.

30 min

We will stroll from White Point Gardens back up the storied streets such as Meeting, King, or Legare. Sharing more fascinating stories and busting some myths about some houses too. We listen to your interests all throughout the tour and adjust as needed to make sure you all leave us having learned all you could. From a house that is still owned by descendants of signers of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, to remnants of the horrible institution of slavery, we will have you captivated along the entire way.

5 min

The intersection of Broad and Meeting Street once was the general location of the drawbridge to enter the walled city of Charleston. Today it is believed to be the only place in the world where you have all forms of law represented in once place. We will also move through Washington Park here and learn about its fascinating history.

10 min

A walk down Chalmers Street, with its beautiful cobblestones, will be balanced with the harsh reality that it also contains one of the last slave auction locations in Charleston. Here we will also see what is believed to be the oldest house in Charleston, from the late 17th Century.

5 min

We will walk by the Old Exchange and learn about its history as the site of the first Revolutionary Tea Party as well as site of many other events through history.

5 min

We will end our tour near Rainbow Row, but not before we learn about its history and how it became such a beautiful street (with a few myth busters in there too).

Highlights

City Licensed and Certified Guide
Strolls through the picturesque historic streets of Charleston
A $0.50 tour tax is included in each ticket price.
Stops and learning about historical places with the guide focused on the best experience
1.5 hr walking tour where the guide listens to the guests and adjusts based on their interests

What's included

Included
City Licensed and Certified Guide
Strolls through the picturesque historic streets of Charleston
A $0.50 tour tax is included in each ticket price.
Stops and learning about historical places with the guide focused on the best experience
1.5 hr walking tour where the guide listens to the guests and adjusts based on their interests
Not included
Gratuity

Traveller Ratings

5.0
6 reviews
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Important Information

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Reviews(6)

C
Charles_S
June 12, 2026
Awesome and informative tour from Brian!

Brian was our tour guide, and he was friendly, engaging, knowledgeable, and passionate about the history of Charleston. We were mesmerized by his knowledge and insight into the history of Charleston. We learned so much about the sites on our walking tour, and the walk was on level ground at a leisurely pace yet we covered everything in the tour description. My wife and I would highly recommend this tour, especially if Brian is the tour guide.

Operator response

Thank you! I love to be able to share so much that captures the history here in a walking tour. Truly an honor each time.

C
Caroline_H
June 11, 2026
Personalized, informative and engaging tour

Brian led a tour for just my adult daughter and I, making it personalized according to our interests and history questions about Charlston. He was very knowledgeable and friendly, and we learned so much about the city, its founding, historic leaders, revolutionary and civil war events, enslaved peoples and even the city's trees and wildlife. Brian was an excellent and engaging guide. I would highly recommend his tours especially if you like American history and can appreciate learning all the aspects of Charleston - the good and the bad moments from the city's varied history and people.

Operator response

Thank you so much for joining us! Sharing the history of Charleston is our passion and we hope to see you again soon!

S
steve_r
May 7, 2026
Historic Charleston

Extremely knowledgeable guide and very accommodating! Would definitely recommend this tour for first time visitors to Charleston.

Operator response

Thank you! We aim to ensure that each and every walking history tour is a memorable experience for you!

R
Ruth_C
May 4, 2026
Great tour

Great tour of old Charleston by a knowledgeable guide Roy. There were just 2 of us so felt like a private tour! Learned a lot about Charleston history and architecture. Definitely recommend.

Operator response

Thank you so much and we enjoyed having you with us for a history walking tour!

C
Colleen_K
October 17, 2025
Very informative...

Very informative especially if you’re interested in Charleston history. Brian was a wealth of knowledge.

Operator response

Thank you very much for letting me walk you around Charleston and sharing some of our history with you. It was my pleasure and hope to see you again soon!

L
laura_k
September 6, 2025
Beautiful Charleston

This was an amazing tour!! Please book this!! Our guide was so knowledgeable and made this tour fun!! We learned so much...it is so beautiful here!! Thank you Brian!!!

Operator response

Thank you! It was wonderful to walk around our beautiful city with you and help you learn more about its history. I truly appreciate the opportunity to be your guide for a few hours.

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