Highlights of Charleston Guided Walking Tour
Description
Our two hour Highlights of Charleston walking tour guides guests through the historic French Quarter and South of Broad neighborhoods of downtown Charleston. Along the way, your guide will describe the long history, unique culture, architecture, and geography of Charleston and the greater lowcountry area, painting a detailed picture of how Charleston's tumultuous past formed the city now beloved by travelers the world over. You'll view some of the city's oldest houses of worship, burial sites, theaters, the forts of Charleston harbor, and the antebellum mansions that look out across the waters of the Cooper and Ashley rivers, among many other historic and picturesque sites. Our guides also offer their expert advice on other activities, restaurants, and bars for guests to explore once they've finished their tour.
Tour Options
Itinerary
View the historic church of the longest-meeting congregation in Charleston.
View the only church of its denomination in North America
View the oldest private residence in Charleston
View the only museum dedicated to the history of the enslaved in Charleston
View the pre-Revolutionary heart of economic Charleston
View the most photographed sight in Charleston
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Guests are responsible for bringing their own sun protection (sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, parasols) and rain gear
- We HIGHLY recommend guests bring bottled water. It is not always available for purchase on the route
- We ask guests to check in at the meeting location 5-10 mins prior to tour time. We cannot hold for latecomers.
Reviews(2,281)
Bill Harris was terrific. Extremely knowledgeable of Charleston and history in general!
Took the tour with guide Bill. He was well informed - clearly history driven - very stimulating and provocative. Rather than a schtick tour, Bill opened by inviting questions as a start point. Along the well thought out itinerary he shared insights and stories as might be expected. Outside the Old Slave Mart he struck a very principled position regarding "revisionist" telling of history regarding the "peculiar institution" which was refreshing and new. Bill took the time to answer all questions and even had a cracker-jack recommendation for further Civil War reading. Very, very worthwhile.
An amazing learning experience about the history of Charleston from an incredible guide. He provided an unfiltered understanding of the history of Charleston and the legacy of slavery in the south. I would highly recommend this for anyone with an interest in gaining a better understanding of this area's and our country's history beyond what we are "taught" in school.
Bill is extremely knowledgeable. Best tour I’ve ever taken
Our guide was clearly very knowledgeable about a wide variety of current and historical topics related to the city and region. However, the members of my group left this tour feeling like his strong personal biases were a distraction to our overall experience. In the end, I'd say I learned a good deal about the history of the area and I'm sure none of us will soon forget his brash take on smacking us in the faces with the negative aspects of Charleston's past and present. I would specifically recommend avoiding this tour if you have strong right-leaning opinions.
Very informative and honest about the city.
Bill was filled with knowledge of the history of Charleston as well as a love of Charleston. The walk was not too strenuous and he attempted to keep us in the shade as much as possible, thankfully. We enjoyed his tour and would recommend it for those who would like to hear a portion of Charleston’s past.
Fantastically interesting guide
Bill is more than knowledgeable about the history of Charleston. We throughly appreciated his true honesty about the history of Charleston, slavery, the whitewashing of Charleston's history. I look forward to returning to Charleston and booking Oyster Point, again, and learning more from Bill. Highly recommend.
Bill was a great guide not only taking us to key historic sites around Charleston, but sharing things about Charleston and US history that they don't teach us in school or in most history books. He will flex to what you are comfortable with but will also challenge what you think you know. Bill took us to the last remaining slave auction house museum in Charleston that very few other tour groups will take you to. My wife and I will continue to ponder and process what we learned from.Bill even after we get back home. Highly recommend!
