Charleston Perspective Walking Tour
Description
Discover the history, architecture and culture of Charleston with a local guide. We will cover 350 years of history in a 2 hour stroll through the cobblestone streets and alleys of the old walled city district. You will see many historic attractions along the way as we discuss the history from the founding in 1670, religious diversity, wars, fires, hurricanes, Gullah/Geechee Culture, economic swings to current growth and expansion. Charleston has more than tripled it's population in the last 25 years. Most walking tour and carriage tour guides are "from off", meaning they are new to Charleston. All Charleston Perspective walking tour guides are locals, born and raised in our Lowcountry. We will give you a unique perspective to this centuries old colonial town.
Tour Options
Itinerary
We will meet on the steps of the US Custom House located at 200 East Bay Street.
We will walk down Philadelphia Alley and discuss the brick making industry and the enslaved brick masons who built the centuries old structures of Charleston.
We will discuss the religious freedom in Charleston from it's founding in 1670. We will also discuss the history of the founders and the structure.
We will discuss the French Huguenot history in Charleston beginning in 1685, and the history and architecture of the structure.
We will discuss the trans-Atlantic slave trade, the Rice Culture, the Gullah/Geechee culture and the African American history in Charleston, standing outside the structure on Chalmers Street.
The People's Building was built in 1911 as a business office to try and rebuild the failing economy in Charleston from the time of the Civil War. It sparked a Preservation Movement to preserve and restore the centuries old structures in Charleston, which is still active today. We will stand outside the building while we talk about the Preservation Movement history.
Oak Steakhouse is a restaurant housed in a historic structure on Broad Street with exposed brick walls and original heart pine flooring. We will pass through Four Post Alley on the west side of the building.
We will see iconic Rainbow Row and discuss the history of the buildings, the bustling waterfront port and the role of Charleston in the Revolutionary War.
Charleston was a walled city from 1680-1725. Recent archaeology has uncovered a massive foundation that still exists beneath the surface of modern day Charleston.
We will see the fortifications surrounding Charleston Harbor including Fort Sumter, Castle Pinckney, Fort Johnson, Fort Moultrie, Fort Wagner, High Battery, Low Battery. We will discuss Charleston during the Civil War.
We will pass through Stolls Alley and discuss the role of the Freed men and women in early Charleston history.
First Baptist Church is the Mother Church of the Southern Baptists, founded in 1685. The structure there today was built in 1822 by Robert Mills, first native-born American Architect. He was the architect for the Washington Monument in DC, the Fireproof Building in Charleston, and many other monuments and courthouses up and down the eastern seaboard.
The Heyward Washington House is an impressive pre-Revolutionary War museum house. Built in 1771 by Thomas Heyward, signer of the Declaration of Independence. It is flanked by two low rent tenement buildings dating from 1750s and 1780s. The 1780s structure is the setting for the book "Porgy" written by Dubose Heyward in 1925. Gershwin came to Charleston in 1935 and the opera "Porgy and Bess" was created from the book.
We will end the tour in the courtyard of 86 Church Street.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(6)
Exceptional experience! We learned so much detailed history of Charleston we had no idea of prior; Leader Martha, a Charleston native, not only walked us through the nooks and crannies of the city, highlighting historic places, but also shared the importance of the city in our history. The two hour tour was the perfect amount of time to walk, but we could listen to her all day! Highly recommend.
We had such a wonderful tour with Martha! She was a wealth of knowledge and has the insight of a true Charlestonian local. She told great stories and led us to unique beautiful spots throughout the historic district.
Martha is a native of Charleston who can date her family back to the first descendants and her knowledge of the city is impressive. We LOVED our tour.
So informative! Martha, tour guide is a 13th generation Charlestonian. She knows Charleston, she loves Charleston, she respects its history and is passionate about preserving it for the future. The absolute best walking tour, especially if you’re serious about learning all about Charleston historical and architectural past. Enjoy!
Excellent tour! Martha is an anthropologist and is very friendly and interesting to talk to. She was open to questions and we greatly enjoyed our tour. I actually grew up in Charleston and have taken various other tours over the years but Martha told me many interesting things that I had never heard. I feel like I understand the city I grew up in and really our country's history a bit better too after just a two hour tour. Martha gives good perspective and connects things together in a way that gives you a much better understanding. Instead of just telling you what something is, she explains why it's that way. Like why is there stucco over brick here, both environmentally and culturally? I'm very glad I chose this tour and would definitely recommend her to anyone.
Excellent walking history tour of the historic area of Charleston with Martha! Her knowledge and insights to the city as a 13th generation Charlestonian and an archeologist were fascinating! Learned so many facts about SC/Charleston role in the Revolutionary War. Highly recommend over other tours I’ve taken on past trips!
