Tours in Charleston

Step into the shadows of the Holy City and discover a side of Charleston that history books prefer to forget. On this spirited walking tour, you’ll sip your way through haunted pubs and eerie alleyways as we uncover chilling tales of colonists, cutthroat pirates, scandalous brothels, and Prohibition-era bootleggers. From ghostly whispers of the Civil War to the dark dealings of the city’s pirate past, this tour serves up strong spirits—both in your glass and from beyond the grave. Get ready for a thrilling night of history, haunts, and hops as we explore the not-so-holy side of Charleston. Our ghostly route may shift slightly from time to time—some pub stops might change depending on how busy the bars are. Don’t worry! We always aim to keep things flowing smoothly so you can enjoy your drinks, your spirits, and your spooky stories without delay. It’s all part of making your experience fun, seamless, and right on time!

Experience the beauty and history of downtown Charleston from underneath the awning of a horse drawn carriage. Listen to the rich stories told by your engaging guide as you are lead through a time of revolution and splendor. This relaxing 1-hour, fully narrated group tour leads you through the quaint and charming streets of downtown Charleston. You will see beautiful gardens and parks, stately mansions, historic churches and buildings all the while learning about the people and events that shaped the history of this "Holy City". Tours depart approximately every 30 minutes beginning at 9:30am and your specific start time will be assigned to you upon check-in.

Join us out on the water for sunrise, sunset, or somewhere in between in a search for our favorite saltwater mammal – the bottlenose dolphin. On this trip, we will cruise through the local tidal creeks behind Folly Beach to see how many of these amazing creatures we can spot. From a distance, you will get to experience the unique feeding techniques and socializing behaviors that our dolphins display out in the wild. Along the way, your experienced guide will teach you all about the natural wonders of our salt marsh. You will also get to pass by the historic Morris Island Lighthouse during the trip, a great photo opportunity! If you are interested in making this experience private, contact us directly!

Charleston, see it all on a city tour and explore the best of the city! This relaxing and informative 90-minute city bus tour is the best way to be introduced, or re-introduced, to the 'Holy City'. Professional and knowledgeable guides will share 350 years of the city's history with you while you cruise through its historic district in cool, air-conditioned comfort. Bus tours can cover so much ground that you can experience and see everything that is Charleston! Join a memorable tour and explore the city together.

All tours conducted by local tour guide with 30 years experience. On all our tours you will see The Battery, Rainbow Row, The City Market, Iconic places of Worship, Fabulous Architecture, Cobblestone Streets, Lush Gardens, Quaint Alleys, Mansions of the Wealthy, where South Carolina Seceded from the Union and homes of a few celebrities. You also will have a chance to briefly exit the tour bus at The Battery and get a view of Charleston Harbor and Fort Sumter. Escape the heat, as our tours are conducted on a new sightseeing bus with a super cold air-conditioner. You are assured of receiving that "personal touch" since all tours are conducted by the owner who's family sailed into Charleston Harbor in 1740. Tours last 90 minutes.

Embark on a delightful journey through the heart of Charleston with our exclusive private horse and carriage tour. Perfect for couples, families, or small groups, this personalized experience invites you to explore the city’s rich history and stunning architecture at a leisurely pace. As you settle into the cozy carriage, your certified guide will share captivating stories about Charleston’s storied past, from its colonial beginnings to its vibrant present. This Charleston horse and carriage tour is the perfect way to immerse yourself into Charleston’s vibrant culture. Begin your private tour of Charleston at the Big Red Barn, just one block off of Market Street in the heart of downtown. Our private horse and carriage tour is the ideal way to create lasting memories in this historic city. The tour concludes back at Palmetto Carriage Works' Big Red Barn. Please select (1) during checkout for the group pricing per carriage. Each carriage can accommodate 1-4 people per group.

Embark on a unique hands-on cooking adventure in the heart of Charleston’s historic French Quarter, as you join a seasoned Lowcountry culinary expert in our charming 19th-century headquarters. Through expert guidance and experimentation, immerse yourself in the essence of Southern cuisine while learning to prepare authentic regional dishes. Our personalized cooking class offers a delightful journey through the region’s rich culinary history, surrounded by the ambiance of a bygone era. Discover the secrets of traditional Lowcountry cooking in this immersive experience, blending history, culture, and the vibrant flavors that define Charleston’s gastronomic legacy. Book your spot now for an unforgettable and educational culinary escape in one of the South’s most iconic destinations.

Step into the shadows of Charleston’s past on The Ghosts of Liberty Tour—an unforgettable walking adventure that brings history and hauntings to life! Perfect for families and curious minds of all ages, this tour shines a ghostly light on the brave souls who risked everything for freedom and unity in the Holy City. As twilight falls over Charleston, you’ll uncover chilling tales of Revolutionary heroes and haunted legends, weaving together the city's most iconic ghost stories with hidden supernatural secrets only the locals whisper about. This is not your typical ghost tour—it’s a spine-tingling journey through time, where patriotism meets the paranormal on cobblestone streets and historic graveyards. History has never been this haunting… or this exciting! If you have 10 or more guests in one group, please get in touch with the private & group sales coordinator for additional availability.

Join Chicora Tours for the Magnolia Plantation Tour, the only Magnolia Plantation tour that includes all major experiences at the plantation. Enjoy round-trip transportation in a luxury Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van from the Charleston Visitor Center (pickup at 10:30 AM, drop-off by 4 PM latest). The day includes time to explore the grounds and grab a snack or lunch, plus three guided experiences: the Nature Train Tour (12 PM), the House Tour (1 PM), and the Slavery to Freedom Tour (2 PM). Chicora Tours caps each group at 10 guests for a more personal experience. Guests are encouraged to arrive by 10:15 AM to allow time for parking and restrooms; seating is first-come, first-serve. While Chicora doesn’t provide a private guide, the Magnolia Plantation guides deliver rich, engaging tours. Enjoy extra time at the gift shop or walking the gardens—this is the most complete Magnolia experience Charleston has to offer! *This tour may include other guests going to separate plantations.

Experience the Charleston area’s only “On the Water” Pirate Adventure designed just for kids! With a lively crew aboard, the Black Ghost embarks on an exhilarating treasure-hunting journey. Ever vigilant for skallywags, the crew knows the cunning Sneaky Pete could lurk around any corner. Armed with water cannons for battle, divvying up a haul of gold and jewels, and reveling in true pirate fashion, our band of adventurers savors the rewards of authentic piracy. We sail through Charleston harbor and its nearby creeks, offering stunning views while your kids enjoy their Best Day Ever!

Looking for a stress-free way to see Charleston? Join local guide Jeff Zimmerman and his team on their 2 hour citywide private driving tour. Beat the crowds in a comfortable full sized weatherproof SUV. Experience Charleston your way as Jeff and his team tailor your private tour to suit your own personal interests. As licensed tour guides since 1997, Jeff and his team provide a unique narrative on the city's history, eclectic architecture, culture, and even the natural world. You will not only visit the must-see places but also get off the beaten path and get closer to less touristy nooks that are off limits to carriage and bus tours.

On this tour, the boat ride through Folly Beach's most pristine marshlands is a must do and an adventure in itself. Along the way, your captain will teach you about our local estuary and the wildlife that inhabit it. You will get to see many variety of birds and other sea creatures including our resident bottlenose dolphins! Once at Morris you will be able to enjoy the island, look for various sea shells that scatter the area, and take in the stunning views of the historic lighthouse! You will get to explore the barrier island for approximately 1 hour before getting back on the boat. This tour can be enjoyed by the whole family and is the ultimate saltwater experience in Charleston!

Unlock Charleston’s Darkest Secrets on the Death and Depravity Ghost Tour. Not for the faint of heart. This is Charleston like you’ve never seen it—raw, unfiltered, and crawling with the ghosts of its most sinister past. Pull back the veil on the Holy City’s most shameful secrets. From shadowy alleyways once lined with brothels to the bloodstained corners of true crime history, this adults-only experience exposes the city's twisted underbelly. You’ll step into a world of scandal, sin, and the supernatural—where desire turned deadly and justice was often anything but. Prepare to hear stories that chill to the bone: grisly murders, tragic suicides, restless spirits, and whispers that still haunt Charleston’s darkest corners. These are the tales most tours won’t dare to tell—and that Charleston itself would rather forget. Are you brave enough to walk with the dead?

I offer great stories and good times! What makes this tour unique is that I can promise that you will be getting me, Adam Moore, as your tour guide. With some of the other larger tour companies you never know who your guide could be. When you book this tour you can be reassured that I will be your guide. This makes sure that you will be getting a licensed and engaging tour guide here in Charleston. In addition to that, most tours in Charleston will take out 20 people on a tour. I keep my tours smaller and max out at 14-15 people. By having smaller groups it allows my guests to have a more personalized and unique experience.

Come join Charleston's premier ghost tour company on a 60 minute haunted history adventure. On this small group tour, you will be guided by a history expert familiar with the darker side of Charleston. See why leading publications tout Charleston as one of the most haunted cities in America. Come join us on a journey were memories haunt visions lurk and the impossible and unexplained could be around the next corner. This tour company was featured in "Formers" as one of the best ghost company's in the nation. We also only used licensed tour guides. Other company's hire college students who do not meet the same standards set forth by Charleston tour guide guild.

Beware: This Wine & Tea Lover’s Dream is a great way to see the Lowcountry sights outside of Charleston. This tour starts off with a group photo among the majestic Angel Oak Tree. Then, your group will visit America’s only tea plantation, the Charleston Tea Plantation, for a tour of the factory and unlimited freshly brewed hot/cold tea. Guests will learn about tea both from their guide as well as founder, Bill Hall, who narrates a portion of the tour. Your group will visit Deep Water Vineyard and snap a few pictures among the vines for the ‘Gram or enjoy a wine tasting with a ticket purchased on site.

This is a tour of Charleston where you don’t get up from your seat. This activity is unique to the industry, in that the dishes are all authentic to the time period and the courses are done chronologically beginning in the 18th century, and it’s all narrated by Culinary Historian Mike Hebb.

This Farm-to-Table Experience is provided by CHARLESTON CULINARY TOURS, the longest-running food tour company in Charleston. This 3-hour tour showcases the seasonal bounty of the Lowcountry and the creative prowess of a local chef. - Handpick local seasonal produce at two neighborhood markets. - Explore the historic Cannonborough-Elliotborough neighborhood with a city-certified guide. - Enjoy a one-of-a-kind farm-to-table experience at a local restaurant with a multi-course feast, created from your seasonal Market selections. This is a great way to explore a beloved local shops and a historic neighborhood, meet a Charleston chef (or two!), and see their creativity in action. Come enjoy a true Charleston farm-to-table experience, that's unique, local, and not-to-be-missed.

Listen to the lost stories of black Charleston on this 2-hour walking tour. Hear forgotten folktales and learn about the heroes and heroines who were left out of the history books. Gain more understanding about Charleston's role in the nation's history on this enthralling walking tour.

On this historical Charleston tour, journey back in time as your guide reveals the beauty and charm of one of America's most historic cities. Learn about the history of Charleston and discover its pivotal role in American history with visits to more than 100 points of interest including Rainbow Row, Colonial Lake, the Old Exchange Building and Whitepoint Gardens.  Bonus: Included with your City Tour is admission to America's first museum, The Charleston Museum located in downtown Charleston. Make your way there for a self-guided tour of this popular attraction.

Enjoy a full day of touring with this plantation and see it all bus tour combo! Start your day with a 4.5-hour tour of Magnolia Plantation and see the plantation has stood the test of time dating back to 1676. One of America's most important historical sights, you will travel in comfort on board an air conditioned coach. This tour is led by a knowledgeable and professional guide, that can transport you back in time. Upon your return to the city, enjoy a 90 minute guided tour of historic downtown Charleston.

Experience Charleston like a local with your own Private Guide Come explore one of the oldest cities in America with its historic homes, French Quarter, and beautiful waterfront. Then let us take you out to discover another historic site, the charming Old Village in Mt. Pleasant. Let us do the driving and show you the best Charleston has to offer - both inside and outside downtown!

Welcome to Mystique, the beautiful 43ft sailing yacht operated by the longest running private charter company in Charleston's history. For over 12 years, our sailing yachts are the highest quality and operated by two professional crew to give you the best experience possible. Standard 2 hour charters are private, only you and the guests in your party will be on board. We depart from the safe Harbor City Marina downtown Charleston and sail out towards fort Sumter or the Arthur Ravenel Jr bridge, past the battery and the historic forts on the Charleston Harbor. We always point out the bottlenose dolphins that we see and try to get as close as we can for your viewing pleasure. Great for children and adults alike, we have plenty of shade, two bathrooms and soft drinks refreshments are included. We strive to provide the best customer service giving our guests the finest sailing experience available in Charleston.

Experience Charleston’s dark side on this haunted horse-drawn carriage ride. Wander through historic neighborhoods, where centuries-old homes whisper secrets of their past inhabitants. Hear chilling tales of tragic events, restless spirits, and the mysteries that linger in the air. Your certified tour guide, steeped in local lore, will share spine-tingling stories of the city’s haunted sites, including eerie graveyards and spectral sightings. Discover why Charleston is known as one of the most haunted cities in America! Begin your haunted tour at the Big Red Barn, just one block off of Market Street in the heart of downtown Charleston. Your journey will take you past some of Charleston’s most talked about haunted sites, including cemeteries, churches and historic buildings. Whether you're a skeptic or a true believer, this tour promises to leave you captivated by Charleston’s legends and rich history. The tour concludes back at the Big Red Barn; your original departure point.