Booked this trip and Al the tour guide was a NO SHOW. I had to call there to ask where they were. He made an excuse that he couldn’t get downtown for the tour. Who runs tours and doesn’t have their own transportation?? Said he would call me back with a time he could get there. An hour later and numerous attempts to call back ( he then wouldnt answer) I told the receptionist at our hotel. She tried to call and suddenly he picked up! He told her he was having a tough morning ( something about bank fraud) and couldn’t get there. This threw off our entire day’s plans! She said we wanted our money back. Never got our money back. I called him for 2 days after that. No call back. I then found a way I could request my money back through Viator. He finally texted saying he was having trouble locating where he could click to “ refund” me. Many days later I still don’t have my refund. Do yourself a favor and book Bull Dog tours. They were much more reliable, showed up right on time, and were wonderful. I should not have to pay for a tour never given. I should not have to waste my time trying ( so far unsuccessfully) to get my refund. Michael T would be very disappointed to know what has happened to this company. DON’T USE!
Charleston Footprints Walking Tour
+5 photos
Description
Tour with us with confidence that you are touring with the best in the business. Our guides are licensed by the city and are Palmetto Guild Certified. Our guides are full time veterans with 90 years combined experience in the industry. We strive every time to provide our guests a tour experience that edifies, entertains and informs. Since we are fluent in all topics related to Charleston, no two tours are alike, taking into consideration the interests of our guests, the weather, and physical disabilities. We can talk pirates to pyracanthas, Revolution to Regency style. Come along and learn Charleston's rich and complex story from engaging and knowledgeable guides with a passion for Charleston, America's Most Historic City! Questions are encouraged!
Tour Options
Itinerary
The Old Exchange and Provost (1771)was built to collect tarriffs and fees at the port. A building of National importance, it was here that South Carolina declared independence in 1776. The British used it as a prison from 1780-1782, the Constitution was here ratified, ans Ptrdident George Washington was entertained in 1791.
This row of 18th century buildings in the Georgian and Jacobean styles looked out at wharves on the harbor. In the 1930s the dilapidated buildings were restored as residences and are perhaps the first successful venture in Charleston's early preservation movement.
Charleston's oldest church (1761) is substantially intact to its 18th century design. Some windows feature stained glass by Louis Tiffany and Company. Two signers of the Constitution arelaid to rest in the graveyard. Notably, the church bells have crossed the Atlantic Ocean five times!
in 1937, the Work Projects Administration created a play house in the style of the eighteenth century. Research had proven that the first dedicated theater space in British North America, also called the Dock Street Theater, was built on the very same ground in 1736.
The oldest congregation, founded 1680. National figures, including a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and a signer of the Constitution, are laid to rest in the graveyard. St Philip's has worshiped at this sight since 1723.
This congregation has worshipped at the same site since 1681. The Church of the Colonial Townspeople has fine slate tombsones from the eighteenth century.
Built to house gunpowder in 1713, it is the oldest public use structure between St Augustine and Williamsburg.
We walk through the garden, the design of landscape architect Loutrell Briggs. The house is perhaps the finest Adams/Federal style house available to tour in the country.
We stop at Charleston'd historic waterfront to discuss the Battle of Fort Sumter (1861) and the Battle of Fort Sullivan (1776). We admire and discuss the grand waterfront homes built as party palaces for the winter season prior to the Civil War.
The Gibbes has been procuring Southern Art since 1858, and has an exceptional collection of miniature and full length portraits from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
Charleston's oldest surviving entertainment venue, it was originally a tavern. Some sources date it as early as 1686. Its name derives not from the pink paint job, but rather the boldly pink coral rock of which it is constructed.
This unique building was built specifically for gunpowder storage. Walls are 35" thick of brick, but the vaulted ceilings are just 2 bricks thick in the top, designed to blow up and not out in case of exposure. This Colonial Military Museum has been operated by the Colonial Dames since 1905.
Highlights
All Fees and Taxes
What's included
Included
All Fees and Taxes
Not included
Alcoholic beverages is strictly for 18 years old and above only
Lunch
Traveller Ratings
4.0
55 reviews
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(55)
S
DON’T book here!!
R
Bummer
Owner canceled the tour less than 45 minutes before the start; his only saving grace was he told me about another tour company and the guide was awesome, so I felt like it maybe it was meant to be and it was a better experience in the end!
6
Great tour
Our guide was great and catered our tour to what we were most interested in.
H
Get away
Great way to learn fun facts and places to explore. Guide was knowledgeable and had a great personality.
S
Wealth of Information
Al was a wonderful guide around historic Charleston. We ended up with a private tour due to impending weather and he was willing to modify the tour to our interests and also avoid wind and pending rain. This was the first activity for us in Charleston and it was a great way to start our trip. Al was a wealth of information and shared stories with humor and enthusiasm. We would recommend Al and Charleston Footprints Walking Tours to anyone wanting to familiarize themselves with this charming town.
J
Best Tour Guide Ever!
Al was fantastic. We were only in Charleston for one full day, and his tour was really the highlight of our trip. He was incredibly knowledgeable, personable, and friendly. As a native Charlestonian and a tour guide for nearly 50 years, he knows the history of this town like the back of his hand. He took his time walking us through the most beautiful neighborhoods; I think he even spent an extra half hour with us! I highly recommend Al and the tour!
M
No show
Tour was cancelled and we weren’t notified. We’ve since spoken w the organizer who was apologetic and promised us a refund. Hope he’s honest.
Operator response
This response mirrors the one below, both occurring during an episode of API diruptio: , i certainly can understand your frustration. Experiencing a "No Show: is frustrating and disappointing.. There was no guide because that tour had been cancelled weeks ago . You didnt know that and we did;t expect you. Its called technical glitch.. When a product is revised it disrupts the API (Affiliate Party Interface ).The product (in this case the tour as it is posted on Viator, does not interface with the booking platform.The information flow that starts with your booking doesn't connect to the calendar so the reservation platform does not notify us of the purchase or place it in the roster. Tours can be booked even when the tour is not available, which is your circumstance. Our goal is to exceed your expectations, not disappoint., and so: (1) We have accelerated this to the tech team to solve this once and for all. (2)We have put in place a daily email citing reservations outside of the daily manifest/calendar (2) email notifications for these tours are marked Top Priority and will show first in the string.With these safeguards and the tech team performing a full integration, we resolve to never miss a reservation again!
E
Not recommended, so far no feedback about reimbursement
The guide has not come, absolute disappointment
Operator response
I certainly can understand your frustration. Experiencing a "No Show: is frustrating and disappointing.. There was no guide because that tour had been cancelled weeks ago . You didnt know that and we did;t expect you. Its called technical glitch.. When a product is revised it disrupts the API (Affiliate Party Interface ).The product (in this case the tour as it is posted on Viator, does not interface with the booking platform.The information flow that starts with your booking doesn't connect to the calendar so the reservation platform does not notify us of the purchase or place it in the roster. Tours can be booked even when the tour is not available, which is your circumstance. Our goal is to exceed your expectations, not disappoint., and so: (1) We have accelerated this to the tech team to solve this once and for all. (2)We have put in place a daily email citing reservations outside of the daily manifest/calendar (2) email notifications for these tours are marked Top Priority and will show first in the string.With these safeguards and the tech team performing a full integration, we resolve to never miss a reservation again!
H
Perfect for history enthusiasts—informative, engaging, and expertly guided.
A fantastic tour from start to finish. The guide’s depth of knowledge was impressive, and the historical insights were fascinating. Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in history.
D
Maybe we just had a bad guide
Neither of us enjoyed the guide. I think his name is Al, When he showed up we thought he was a homeless person. He was not dressed professionally, had a dirty jacket and cap. He was hard to understand, and it wasn’t just his accent. He tried too hard to be funny and entertaining, he was neither. The other folks on the tour also did not seem to get into him. We did cover a good amount of sights. He seemed knowledgeable. We did not tip, which was a first for me. I didn’t notice anyone else tip him either
