charleston history tours

Charleston History Walk, LLC

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Tour Schedule and Itinerary

All tours are 2.75 hours in duration, travel about 1.5 miles, and will never be larger than 12 people.

Schedule of Tours:

Monday: 9:30am and 2pm

Wednesday: 9:30am and 2pm

Friday: 9:30am and 2pm

Saturday: 9:30am & 2pm

Sunday: 9:30am and 2pm

Schedules are subject to change, please check the calendar on my website's booking engine for current availability.

All tours begin at 108 Meeting Street and the tour will end on the Battery next to Charleston Harbor and near the iconic Rainbow Row section of the city. Please arrive ten minutes prior to departure.  

Private Tours are available by appointment. Please call (843) 655-9551 to inquire.       

Sites To See

As we stroll along Charleston’s historic streets, you will see the oldest sections of the city, important public buildings, and its picturesque residential area. We will surely pass by:

The Mills House Hotel St. Phillips Church Dock Street Theatre Huguenot Church Cobblestone Streets French Quarter Hibernian Hall Fort Sumter The Fireproof Building Decorative Wrought Iron Work Washington Park St. Michael’s Church Heyward-Washington House First Baptist Church The Charleston Battery Catfish Row Historic Graveyards and Cemetery’s Quaint Alleys and Gardens Pink House Four Corners of Law Stories To Hear

Each tour begins with an introduction to the founding of Charleston in 1670, its economic development, and the rise of the modern preservation movement that created the historic district in 1931. We will cover a wide variety of topics and during our walk you will hear gripping stories about historic buildings and people, learn about the city’s architecture and culture, and depart the tour with a greater understanding and appreciation of Charleston's unique history.

Learn More About Charleston History Walk

For more information about my historical walking tours, please do not hesitate to reach out to me anytime. I will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.

Charleston Historic Tours

Ready For The Best Charleston Tour?

Bryan Blalock is a 7th generation Charlestonian of Huguenot heritage, a people that would have been among the first immigrants to this historic city. His mastery of the local waterways, knowledge of the history of Charleston, and love to share this information has allowed for a great opportunity for tourists and locals alike to enjoy Charleston on a variety of tours with a licensed guide.

History and Hops Tour

Two Bars and a Ton of History, this tour is a great way to experience the French Quarter in Historic Downtown Charleston

• Includes small complimentary appetizers at the two bars

Shem Creek Bar Tour

One of Charleston’s best known stomping grounds is the famous Shem Creek. Here you can often find a mixture of libations, live music, and an abundance of food choices.

• Includes a a variety of complimentary appetizers

Historic Walking Tour

• Includes small snack for the group

Boo-Hag and Brews Tour

Located in historic Downtown Charleston within the charming French Quarter, this unique tour is a combined ghost and bar tour. Some even consider it “the best of both worlds.” 

• Includes complimentary appetizers

Historic Harbor Tour

This one of a kind perspective cruising the waters of Charleston Harbor on a private tour provides insight into how this historic city developed since its founding in 1670.

• Includes small snacks for the group

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Historic City Tour

Quick Details

• Hour Glass Duration: 1.5 hours
• Map Marker Departure Location: 375 Meeting St. Charleston SC

Checkmark Easy Cancellations!

Discover Over 300 Years of City History

Take a journey through Charleston’s 300 years of living history with our licensed tour guides. Experience the Old Market area and the historic homes and churches where generations of Charlestonians worked, lived, and worshiped. Step out of the air-conditioned minibus onto the famous Battery Seawall.

• Charleston’s Historic Homes
• The Battery Sea Wall
• Historic Churches
• Old Market Area
• The Four Corners of Law
• Rainbow Row

Please Note

• Please confirm date and times before submitting reservation.
• Please note that booking times are exact and not an arrival window.
• Changes may be made on a space-available basis.
• Departs from the Visitors Center at 375 Meeting Street.
• Must cancel scheduled tour 24 hours prior to tour departure time in order to receive a full refund.
• Please note the City of Charleston does not allow hop-on-hop-off services.
• Daily tours begin at 10:00 a.m.
• We are committed to responsible tourism and traveler safety.

Related Sightseeing Tours

• Hour Glass 5 hours

Historic City Tour and Fort Sumter Tour

Tour Fort Sumter, “where the Civil War began,” plus visit historic areas around Charleston on this combo bus tour. Points of interest include Battery Seawall & more.

• Hour Glass 1.5 hours

Historic City Tour & Charleston Museum

Enjoy your tour of Charleston as your guide points out important sights, and visit the Charleston Museum to learn all about the South Carolina Lowcountry and natural history.

Historic City Tour & Southern Mansion Combo

See historic Charleston’s many points of interest and tour the interior of a fully restored southern mansion on this exciting combo tour with Gray Line.

Historic Charleston Tours

Charleston's Premiere Tour Company

What We Offer

There are plenty of reasons why travelers gravitate towards Charleston — it’s a great place that allows you to enjoy a sunset sail and soak up the sun at neighboring beaches, admire the city’s colorful architecture, and sample the city’s finest southern fare. With centuries-old traditions and so much history, it’s important to choose the right tour guide to make your experience truly memorable.

Our licensed city guide, Mike Frederick, has lived in the old and historic district for over two decades. This allows him to give you a perspective that few others can. Mike will help you visit obscure pathways and learn 350-year-old traditions that are still exercised today. Anyone that meets our city guide will be able to witness how much he truly adores Charleston through the enthusiasm he brings to every tour he offers.

A few things you should know when choosing your guide. At one point it was illegal for an unlicensed person to give a tour in Charleston. That law was challenged and now anyone can give a tour. Also, you should know that tour guide companies are allowed to have tours with up to 20 people. We feel that’s too many both for the person taking the tour and for the neighborhood. Finally, the larger tour guide companies have wonderful guides, of course, but the turnover is high and you have no way to choose your guide. Our licensed city guide, Mike Frederick, has lived in the old and historic district for over two decades. This allows him to give you a perspective that few others can. Mike will help you visit obscure pathways and learn 350-year-old traditions that are still exercised today. Anyone that meets our city guide will be able to witness how much he truly adores Charleston through the enthusiasm he brings to every tour he offers. As one of Charleston’s best tour guide, Mike’s main priority is to ensure you truly familiarize yourself with the ins and outs of this beautiful city before the tour comes to an end.

-Mike Frederick

Pleasantly surprised! Tripadvisor review: Historic Charleston Tour, Civil War in Charleston Tour Mike was extremely friendly and well informed about the area we were in. His stories mixed with the history was great at showing the character and history of Charleston and some of its unknown facts. Was a nice and easy tour and you would never of known of so...

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Learn About Charleston's History, Architecture & Plants

Charleston History and Horticultural Tours is a boutique company focusing on a walking tour through the historic district of this charming city founded in 1670.  

The tour combines stories about the history, 

architecture and its people with an additional focus on the history of plants, trees and shrubs.

Charleston is one of the best built, handsomest and most agreeable cities that I have ever seen.

Marquis de Lafayette - March 1825

Always learning... member of these organizations

Copyright © 2022, Charleston History and Horticultural Tours, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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Charleston History Tours

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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Charleston History Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

BOOK ONLINE NOW AND GET $2 OFF! (CODE: 2OFFWALK)

Charleston History Tours

Charleston history tours are a great way to get to know the Holy City! 

Learn about Charleston’s rich history while taking in the sights. Most tours pass through some of the most iconic areas of the city, and you’ll get to hear the stories of its past from local Charlestonians. 

Just some of the Charleston history tours offered include walking tours, carriage rides, and food tours.

What to Expect on a History Tour of Charleston

First and foremost, don’t expect history tours in Charleston to be boring. 

Charleston tour guides are expert storytellers, who are either native Charlestonians or have lived in the Holy City for a significant amount of time. 

You won’t get a bunch of facts or dates thrown at you without context here. The people of Charleston are what makes this city’s history so rich. 

On a typical Charleston history tour, you might hear stories about:

• Politicians
• The Civil War
• Lowcountry food
• Stunning architecture

Our European history spans back to the 1600s and our indigenous history spans back thousands of years. 

The Battle of Fort Sumter (April 12–14, 1861) was the bombardment and surrender of Fort Sumter, near Charleston, South Carolina, that started the American Civil War.

Types of Charleston History Tours

• Walking Tours
• Carriage Rides
• Architecture Tours
• Plantation Tours

Walks of Charleton history tours guide you through Downtown, the French Quarter, and the Battery. 

We offer several different history tours, so there’s something for everyone. 

Whether you want to get an overview of Charleston’s history, see some of the off-the-beaten-path spots, or stick to only the most beautiful neighborhoods, you can get a better understanding of the city on a Walks of Charleston tour. 

The Charleston Battery at Dawn

Charleston History Tour

The Charleston History Tour is our classic tour.

This tour is ideal for anyone who wants to get an overview of the city’s history, check out some of the most famous sites, and hear the stories of the people who made Charleston what it is today.

We pass by some stunning architecture as well as a few iconic structures, including:

Rainbow Row

• French Quarter
• Old Exchange Building
• St. Philip’s Church
• St. Michael’s Church

St. Michaels Church

Our tour guides don’t just show you the sites, they tell you the stories of the people who lived here — which is what makes our history come alive!

Charleston’s Alleys and Hidden Passages

Charleston’s Alleys and Hidden Passages is an alternative tour to the Charleston History Tour.

You’ll see most of the iconic sites you would on our standard tour… just from a slightly different perspective.

The alleys and hidden passages of Charleston are how some of the city’s elite, as well as the lower classes, have always gotten around the Holy City.

Since these passages aren’t large enough for vehicular traffic, you’ll get a view of the city you wouldn’t be able to see by bus or car. This is what also makes this tour an intimate experience. 

Alleys and Hidden Passages Tour

Private Charleston Tours

Private Charleston tours are available to anyone who wants to dig a little deeper into Charleston’s neighborhoods or architecture. 

Since our public tours were designed to appeal to everyone, we can only scratch the surface of Charleston’s history on these tours.

Book a private tour to learn more about your favorite Lowcountry niches, including architectural history, plantation history, and even the history of nearby cities, such as Savannah. 

Charleston Carriage Rides

One of the most iconic ways to see Charleston is by horse and carriage. 

Carolina Polo & Carriage Co. Horse Drawn Carriage Tour

Charleston Culinary Tours

Charleston’s food history is Charleston’s history. There’s no way to separate food from our city or its people — no matter what era you’re interested in.

That’s why Walks of Charleston has partnered with Charleston Culinary Tours, the leading food tour operator in the city. 

On a Charleston Culinary Tour, you’ll still see most of the city’s iconic sites. But you’ll also get to taste its iconic food at every stop. 

Just some of the foods you’ll try on one of these tours include fried chicken, barbecue, biscuits, and pork belly. 

Charleston Boat Tours

One of our favorite ways to see the city is by boat, mainly because Charleston’s historic city center is almost surrounded by water. 

Luckily, there are plenty of ways to see Charleston by boat, including Charleston Harbor Tours , Spiritline Cruises , and the Charleston Water Taxi . 

No matter your budget, you’ll be able to get out on the water to learn about Charleston’s history from a different angle. 

Check out the full list of our favorite Charleston boat tours .

Charleston Beer Tours

After your Charleston history tour, take a brews cruise to learn a little bit about Charleston’s beer history — and to enjoy tastings of local beers. 

Charleston Pirate Tours

Pirates have been a part of Charleston’s history since the 1600s. 

Famous pirates, such as Stede Bonnet and Anne Bonny, all walked Charleston’s cobblestoned streets. 

While our guides ensure that Charleston history is fun for everyone — even kids — Charleston Pirate Tours creates an immersive experience that swashbucklers of all ages will love.

Some of the tours offered by Charleston Pirate Tours include:

• Children’s Treasure Hunt Tour
• Charleston Pirate History and Ghost Tour
• Daytime Ghost Tour

Check out our list of partners to book a pirate tour, food tour, carriage ride, or beer tour.  

• Most Popular!
• Hour Glass 2 hours

Discover the essentials of historic Charleston on this leisurely walking tour with our knowledgeable tour guides.

• Small Group!

Charleston’s Alleys and Hidden Passages

This is the most popular tour offered by our sister company, Lowcountry Walking Tours, which specializes in small-group tours for a more intimate experience.

• Hour Glass Varies

Private Tours

Take a private tour of Charleston to gain a deeper understanding of the Holy City. Allow us to create the perfect tour for your group!

BOOK ONLINE NOW USING THE LINK ON PAGE

Join your knowledgeable Charleston history tour guide

Charleston historical walking tour.

Stroll down the high battery, past the mansions and gardens, your tour guide will detail the Revolutionary events that have shaped Charleston.  A Charleston history tour that will delight everyone in your group. 

• Churches 
• Gardens 
• Mansions 
• The French Quarter 
• Rainbow Row 
• The High Battery 

Tour with us

Join us for a stroll thru the French Quater, down to Rainbow Row, along the High Battery. You will view Mansions that face the Ashley & Cooper Rivers, Historical Churches, and beautiful gardens. All the while your tour guide will share with you the history of the innovative and eclectic people that formed Charleston.  You will take a trip thru time as you learn about the founding of the " Holy City", slavery, revolts, revolutions, wars, monumental achievements, and everything in between. Your Charleston tour guide will share with you stories of some of the most revolutionary people and historical moments that influenced not only Charleston but the nation. We invite your to explore an in-depth look at Charleston beyond the single house and stone paved streets.  

Copyright © 2021 Charleston Ghost Tours - All Rights Reserved.

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10 Best Historic House Tours in Charleston

By Allston McCrady

Charleston's history is central to its experience, and the city's Historic Charleston Foundation, along with several other organizations, maintain several historic homes and properties that will give you a deep dive into the area's background. Here, our list of some of the most informative, professional, and enriching ones to check out.

Joseph Manigault House Arrow

Magnolia Plantation & Gardens Arrow

Heyward-Washington House Arrow

Nathaniel Russell House Arrow

Shannon McMahon

Charley Ward

Hannah Towey

Madison Flager

McLeod Plantation Historic Site Arrow

Aiken-Rhett House Arrow

Philip Simmons Foundation Arrow

This is certainly an unusual house museum in Charleston, but it is one absolutely worth visiting. Not only does it provide a pleasing contrast to the grand residences South of Broad, it also tells the story of those whose skills and determination formed the backbone of Charleston’s built environment.

Edmondston-Alston House Arrow

Drayton Hall Arrow

Middleton Place Arrow

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