Scenes of Shem Creek History and Shrimp Walking Tour
Description
This walking tour led by Captain Bryan is not your average "sit there and shut up" tour where the guide won't even remember you. Rather, after brief introduction, Captain Bryan will lead you on a historic journey of how Shem Creek came to prominence with its famous shrimping fleet and much more. Unlike any other tour in the area, guests have a chance to see the industry at work. The first half of the tour will contain history of the area and discuss events back to the early 1700's, the second half of the tour will specifically cover the Shrimp Industry. This is not a tour, it is an experience to immerse yourself in the Shem Culture. Take back history, culture, language, but most of all guests will take from this experience an underlying appreciation for our local shrimpers and the history behind these hard working men and women.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Guests will take Mary Street to get a overview of the Charleston Harbor and the changes this seaside community would endure due to conflict, natural disasters, and insect infestations.
Guest will pass by the home of the first commercial shrimper on Shem Creek and see the "shrimp shacks." Where the original shrimpers used to live in this historic neighborhood.
Guests will walk by the Captain Peter Lewis House (1855) and discuss the importance of the ferry system that once operated on Shem Creek.
Guest will view the Hibben House, the oldest structure standing in the Town and dating back to the mid 1700's. History will allow us to understand how commercial shrimping would begin in the area.
Guests will see an assortment of locally sourced seafood at this generational family facility and discuss the decline of this important fishery. How the town went from nearly 100 trawlers down to 4 by 1998.
Guests will traverse the boardwalk to see the Shrimp Trawlers and learn how they operate. We will finish the tour with a cast net demonstration to learn how to catch your own shrimp!
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Walking distance is around 1.5 miles. Please note especially with summer heat that guests should be able to walk this distance.
Reviews(187)
Captain Bryan was amazing! To be so young, he is so knowledgeable about his hometown’s history and shrimping industry. My adult daughter and I happened to be the only ones on the tour. Since it was so hot, Bryan offered to chauffeur us around to the stops. It was awesome! The air conditioned ride was greatly appreciated. Bryan was so personable and made the tour fun and engaging. I highly recommend this tour!!
Such an AMAZING experience!!!! There is one thing in life that truly inspires me and that is when I am blessed to experience someone else’s PASSION. It does not matter whatever job it is, when someone has unbridled passion for something and they graciously pour their hearts out on a stage or kindly and simply share it with others, it is inspirational!!! That is who Captain Brian is. It’s not really about ranking Brian as a tour guide it’s simply about telling you that he one of those PASSIONATE souls that has the ability to share that knowledge and experience with others. Our group was so very impressed with our tour of Shem Creek and how personable Brian was by involving us all with his enthusiasm, knowledge, and wittiness. Captain Brian, you are a true inspiration to your passion and we THANK YOU SO MUCH for living that passion and sharing it with us!!!! Much Love, Uncle Phil (not really your uncle)
Captain Bryan was very well versed in the history of Charleston & shrimp industry. Extremely passionate, knowledgeable and engaging. Highly recommend.
Capt Bryan is engaging, well educated and full of energy. He has great stories that bring to life all the interesting history of Charleston. He ties in the economics of the Shrimping industry and shows you where to enjoy local shrimp! A real pro! We loved our time with him.
The Shem Creek History & Shrimp Walking Tour was hands-down the highlight of our long weekend in Charleston — and this is coming from someone who did not expect to become emotionally invested in shrimp logistics. Capt. Bryan walked us through the historic neighborhood where we learned that Charleston’s early residents apparently could not catch a break: Spanish and French attacks in the 17th and 18th centuries, pirates kidnapping locals, and the whole place getting burned to the ground more than once. Honestly, the city has survived enough drama for at least three Netflix series. Bonus fun fact: the area was colonized in 1680, which made me feel very young and very bad at history trivia. Then we crossed over to the shrimping side and got a fascinating crash course in the shrimp industry — including what fueled its growth (modern refrigeration, the interstate system, and WWII…because apparently shrimp needed infrastructure). We visited one of the few remaining shrimp processing plants and got a sobering but interesting look at how global competition has dramatically changed what was once a booming local industry. We also went dockside to view a shrimp trawler where Capt. Bryan explained the entire shrimp-catching process, right down to the escape device that lets larger sea creatures avoid becoming accidental dinner guests. We wrapped up the tour learning how to throw a shrimp net, which is much harder than it looks and gave me a newfound respect for people who do this for a living. If “history and shrimp tour” sounds boring, trust me — it isn’t. Capt. Bryan is funny, charming, and teaches in a way that keeps you completely engaged (even when the subject is, technically, shrimp economics). When we return to Charleston, we’ll absolutely look him up for one of his other tours.
This was a fun walking tour. Capt. Bryan is very knowledgable about Charleston history, shrimping, and current trends. He was accommodating and flexible, ensuring a good experience. It was sad to learn that so few local restaurants actually serve local shrimp. The walking tour showed some historic homes, beautiful flora, and how to catch shrimp with a net. Bryan was a great guy and the tour is highly recommended. A treat at the end was very nice!
Captain Bryan was our guide for our morning tour. He was excellent! He has a wealth of knowledge that he shared in an informative, yet entertaining way that taught us so much about the history of Mount Pleasant and its development.
Captain Bryan Blalock’s Shem Creek Shrimp Tour is excellent and filled with fascinating facts. I’m a Charleston resident who learned previously unknown information about Mount Pleasant’s history and shrimp culture. Bryan is very engaging with tour guests and delivers a fun, fact packed walk around Mount Pleasant’s Shem Creek area. I highly recommend taking this tour!
Captain Bryan was amazing! He not only had a wealth of interesting facts, he presented them in such an engaging way that history truly came alive. I’ve been on many wonderful tours but I have never learned so much and enjoyed doing so as much as I did on this tour. I can’t recommend this tour enough and not just for visitors but for anyone living in the area. Thank you, Captain Bryan - you are truly a gifted teacher!
Captain Brian was very knowledgeable about the history of the area and we learnt a lot in the 2 hours we were on the tour.
