city bus tour charleston sc

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Explore Charleston by Land and Sea

Tour updates & safety information.

Charleston Tours & Events is excited to be able to continue our long tradition of creating memorable Charleston experiences form tours to private events. The health and well-being of our guests and crew members is our number one priority. Our policies are designed to keep everyone safe, while also allowing for an enjoyable experience.

• All unvaccinated guests over the age of 2 are requested to wear a facial mask while indoors on the vessel.

We are running at up to full capacities which does not allow for much distancing on a passenger vessel. Please bring your mask if you are uncomfortable in what could be a crowded environment or if you are unvaccinated.

Small Group PRIVATE CHARTER & HARBOR TOUR options are available!

More Questions? Call or text our sales department at 843-722-1112 . Live support office hours are 7 days a week 8am-5:30pm

WE'RE OPEN AND SAFELY CRUISING. See our COVID-19 Safety Information.

Adventure Sightseeing Charleston Bus Tours

Get the best look at charming charleston, on the ‘see it all’ city bus tour.

There is no better way to sightsee the historic and captivating holy city than on Adventure Sightseeing’s Charleston Bus Tours. Experience all the charm of Charleston, including historic mansions, Rainbow Row, the historic city market, gardens, churches, and more! Enjoy a comfortable journey on our air-conditioned, climate-controlled busses, and each City Tour includes a knowledgeable and engaging narrator on board who will inform and entertain you as you take in the best sightseeing in Charleston. Please note: the city of Charleston does not allow hop-on, hop-off bus tours, so the ‘See it All’ City Bus Tour is your best way to enjoy Charleston!

All The Best Sightseeing

In charleston.

Take advantage of all the great deals offered by Adventure Sightseeing, including the best plantation tours in Charleston, combination tours that give you discounts by pairing up Charleston bus tours with harbor tours, Charleston plantation tours, or mansions and museums. Combination tours save you money and give you the best Charleston sightseeing experience.

The best way to see Charleston is on this climate-controlled, air-conditioned, comfortable, ‘See it All’ city bus tour through the historic city of Charleston, showing off all of its stunning architecture, beautiful flowers and gardens, and Southern charm.

Plantation Tours in Charleston

Charleston’s best plantation tours give you an up-close-and-personal look at historic Charleston landmarks Boone Hall Plantation and Magnolia Plantation, with transportation to and from provided.

Combo Tours in Charleston

Make the most of your Charleston sightseeing and save money with Adventure Sightseeing’s combo tours that allow you to mix and match tours to suit your appetite. Tours include the ‘See it All’ City Bus Tour, Harbor Tour, and plantation and museum tours.

Book Your Next Group Tour on a Charleston

‘see it all’ city bus tour.

Host your next celebration in style with a private ‘See It All’ City Bus Tour. See the best Charleston sightseeing and celebrate your event in style on a comfortable, climate-controlled bus tour. Adventure Sightseeing gives you and your guests an afternoon or evening they will never forget; whether you are hosting a corporate outing, birthday party, or a simple gathering with friends and family, choosing Charleston Tours & Events will make it an experience you’ll never forget.

Charleston Tours & Events is the one-stop solution for the top-rated Charleston experiences through harbor cruises, historic tours, day trips & more!

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The Best Charleston Bus Tours

This post reviews and compares the various bus tour options available to you in Charleston, including prices, discounts, as well as a free option.

• Guided Bus Tours
• Free Trolley
• Carriage Tours
• Things to Do in Charleston

There are (7) companies offering bus tours of Charleston and the surrounding area: 

• Gray Line of Charleston 
• Adventure Sightseeing Tour

Pineapple Tour Group

Southern Accent Tours

• Charms of Charleston  

Prices range from $20-$30 per person and each lasts approximately 90 minutes.

In addition, each company also offers trips to nearby plantations such as Magnolia Plantation and Boone Hall Plantation . 

Gullah Tours

• Sites & Insights Tours of Charleston

Gullah Tours and Sites & Insights Tours of Charleston specialize in tours highlighting Charleston’s Gullah culture and African American history.

These tours are also slightly less expensive than those listed above, though not by a huge margin. 

All tours feature charismatic guides who share a personal connection with Charleston’s unique Gullah culture and do an excellent job of sharing their enthusiasm with visitors!

GUIDED BUS TOURS

This section covers all of the major bus tour services currently available in Charleston, including details about ticket prices, subjects covered, and the length of each outing.

Gray Line Tours ( seen in the video above ) offers 3 daily tours, in addition to several other combo tours.

Their Historic City Tour is a 1 ½ hour bus tour that covers important sites such as Charleston’s Historic Homes, the Battery Sea Wall, the Old Market Area, Rainbow Row, and many others. 

Additionally, they also offer tours of Magnolia Plantation and Boone Hall Plantation, each of which runs for approximately 4 - 4 ½ hours. 

Overall, Gray Line is very similar to companies like Adventure Sightseeing in terms of length, price, and itinerary.

Historic City Tour

• $31/Adults | $21/Children
• Departs daily at 10 am, 11 am, 12 pm, 12:30 pm, 1:30 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm

The Historic City Tour is included with the Charleston Tour Pass, allowing you to save a lot of money on tickets. For more details, please read our discounts section .

Gray Line receives mostly positive reviews of around 4 ½ out of 5 stars for their informative and convenient tours around Charleston and the surrounding area ( read the reviews ). 

Many note that this is a great alternative to a carriage tour in the winter, as the Gray Line buses are warm and enclosed.

Adventure Sightseeing

Adventure Sightseeing is a family-run tour company that has been operating since 1984. 

They offer a wide range of popular tours including the “See It All” City Tour, Magnolia Plantation Tour, Boone Hall Plantation Tour, and a range of combination tours. 

Most run multiple times a day, though spaces tend to fill up during the high season.

At $33.79 for the city tour and approximately $65-$85 for the half-day tours to nearby plantations, these provide excellent value for the price. 

Adventure Sightseeing can drop off guests at most hotels in the city after the tour.

“See It All” City Tour

• $33.79/Adults | $21.80/Children
• Duration: 1 ½ hour
• Departs daily at 10 am, 11 am, 12:30 pm, 1:30 pm

TIP: The “See It All” City Tour is included with the Charleston Tour Pass which can be used to save money on a variety of fun activities and attractions. For more details, please read our discounts section .

Boone Hall Plantation Tour

• $65/Adults | $34/Children
• Duration: 4 ½ hours

Magnolia Plantation Tour 

• $85/Adults | $50/Children

Adventure Sightseeing is the highest-rated bus tour company in Charleston. Though some guests found their buses to be too warm and stuffy, those complaints are few and far between. 

A majority of guests were very happy with their experience, writing that the guides were informative and personable. 

This company has an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars ( read reviews here ).

Pineapple Tour Group is newer to the scene and prides itself on a “luxury” tour experience. 

Their city bus tours are offered usually 3 times a day, at 10:15 am, 1 pm, and 3:15 pm, and last 1 ½ hours. 

They also have exclusive rights to provide an all-inclusive Middleton Place experience. 

This means an all-day tour that includes lunch, round-trip transportation from downtown Charleston, and even an introductory video to get an overview of the place before you arrive.

Charleston City Bus Tour

• $47.50/Adults | $45/Seniors | $38.25/Children

Middleton Place Tour w/ Lunch

• $115 per person
• Duration: 5 hours

Thus far, Pineapple Tour Group has received excellent ratings from its customers and they enjoy an overall 5 out of 5-star rating ( read reviews here ).

Guests indicate that their bus tours are fun and informative, and their guides are both knowledgeable and entertaining.

Like Gray Line and Adventure Sightseeing, Southern Accent Tours offers a similar 1 ½ hour Historic City Tour.

At $22 per adult, this is a slightly cheaper option, though only by a $1 difference. The real value of this company is its diverse selection of plantation tours. 

In addition to offering tours of Magnolia and Boone Hall Plantation, they also offer trips to McLeod Plantation, Drayton Hall Plantation, and Middleton Place, as well as a Winery, Distillery, and Tea Plantation Tour. 

However, these tours are not led by a Southern Accent Tours guide, and instead, just include transportation and the entrance fee. 

Free hotel pick-up is available 30 minutes prior to any of their tours.

Historical City Tour

• $32/Adults | $18/Children

Purchase tickets or learn more .

Boone Hall Plantation Tour 

• $49/Adults | $26/Children
• Not currently available.

Drayton Hall Plantation Tour 

• $53/Adults | $29/Children
• $53/Adults | $26/Children

Middleton Place Tour 

• $69/Adults | $29/Children

Though reviews from a few years ago were critical of the company’s lack of organization, more recent reviews suggest that they’ve since improved tremendously as most praise Southern Accent Tours for being so punctual.

This company currently enjoys an overall average rating of 4 out of 5 stars on TripAdvisor.

Charms of Charleston

Charms of Charleston is a small tour company that offers a Historic City Tour of Charleston with the option of adding on a visit to the Aiken-Rhett House as well. 

The latter is a nice follow-up to the city tour as it brings to life some of the histories that were shared throughout the tour.

As a younger company, Charms of Charleston doesn’t attract quite as many visitors as some of the others.

However, this is perfect if you’re looking for a more intimate experience as they often cater to fewer than 10 guests!

Another bonus is that they provide free pick-up from any hotels located downtown. 

Historic City Tour 

• $24/Adults | $15/Children
• Departs Tuesday – Saturday at 11:15 am & 2 pm

Historic City Tour with Aiken-Rhett House  

• $36/Adults | $18/Children

Historic City Tour + Aiken-Rhett House + Charleston Museum

• $43/Adults | $23/Children

Despite being the smallest tour company on this list, Charms of Charleston maintains the highest rating on TripAdvisor with 5 stars.

Guests write that “this was the best tour I’ve ever been on” and “worth every dollar”.

As of Spring 2017, this company has only ever received 4 or 5-star reviews and they currently have a rating of 5 out of 5 stars on TripAdvisor.

Gullah Tours specializes in Charleston’s African American history and Gullah heritage.

As their website states, Gullah is “the language spoken by the Lowcountry’s first black inhabitants.” 

Gullah Tours aims to share that language and culture with visitors by bringing you to important historic sites such as Denmark Vesey’s home, Catfish Row, the Old Slave Mart, and the Market, the Aiken-Rhett House slave quarters, and many more. 

All tours are led by Alphonso Brown, a passionate historian and licensed tour guide who speaks Gullah fluently. 

Gullah Tours are very unique in their approach to Charleston’s history, and so we highly recommend them to those interested in learning more about Gullah’s role and influence in the city.

• $20 per person
• Monday – Friday 11 am and 1 pm
• Saturday 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm

This is a very popular company that receives excellent reviews.

Alphonso Brown is especially highly regarded by many visitors who describe him as both charming and funny, but also hugely knowledgeable.

Currently, they have an overall rating of 4 ½ out of 5 stars on TripAdvisor.

Sites and Insights Tours

Sites and Insights Tours of Charleston is another smaller company that also specializes in African American history, like Gullah Tours. 

Their most popular tour is the Black History/Porgy & Bess Tour, which can be done in 1 or 2 hours, depending on if you would like to visit the Hanging Tree Site as well. 

This is the most affordable bus tour on the list at only $15 per adult for the 1-hour option or $20 per adult for 2 hours. 

Additionally, Sites and Insights Tours of Charleston also offer a Sea Island Tour, which is a 2-hour motorized tour that visits both James and Johns Islands. 

Stops include the Angel Oak Tree on Johns Island, Ft. Lamar Civil War Battleground, and Burn Churchyard Memorial, as well as a drive past McLeod Plantation.

Black History / Porgy & Bess Tours

• 1-Hour Tour: $20/Adults | $15/Children
• 2-Hour Tour: $25/Adults | $20/Children

Sea Island Tours 

• $40/Adults | $25/Children

Reviews for this company are generally very positive. Their guides are especially well regarded and described as “personable, engaging, and funny,” as well as extremely knowledgeable.

There are a few less-than-stellar reviews, but these are uncommon and usually due to extenuating circumstances.

Overall, this company has a 4 ½ out of 5-star rating on TripAdvisor.

Tourist Passes

There are currently two bus tours included with the Charleston tour pass which you can use to save money on a variety of fun activities and attractions.

This all-inclusive pass covers admission to over 40 different tours, historic locations, museums, plantations and more for a specific amount of time (1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 days).

Depending on which services you use the pass to access, you could save anywhere from 10% - 55% off or more.

Here are the bus tours you can take with the Charleston tour pass:

• Gray Line Historic City Tour | $ 28
• Adventure Sightseeing “See It All” Tour | $32

In addition to those outings, here are just a few places you can visit with this tourist pass. Next to the activity is the retail price you’d pay without the pass. 

• Charleston Speedboat Adventures | $ 75
• Ghost & Dungeon Walking Tour | $30
• Aiken Rhett House Museum | $ 15
• Palmetto Carriage Works Tours | $ 28
• Charleston Tea Plantation | $ 12
• Boone Hall Plantation | $ 24
• McLeod Plantation | $ 15
• Fort Sumter Tour | $23
• Drayton Hall | $3 2

For more information about how to use this service to save money, please read our post about Charleston tourist passes .

Combo Packages

If you’re only interested in a few different activities, you may want to consider a combo deal instead.

These packages typically include at least 2-3 attractions or tours for a discounted price.

Gray Line offers the largest number of package tour options, each of which is combined with its standard Historic City Tour. 

• $35/Adults | $20/Children
• $39/Adults | $26/Children
• $59/Adults | $39/Children
• $61/Adults | $39/Children
• $75/Adults | $46/Children
• $83/Adults | $50/Children
• $49/Adults | $35/Children
• $71/Adults | $46/Children

Adventure Sightseeing offers a wide selection of package tours, which allow you to combine 2 different attractions at a discounted rate! 

By purchasing a package rather than 2 individual tours, you can save a lot of cash — especially if traveling as a family!

• $80/Adults | $47.50/Children
• $57/Adults | $34.50/Children
• $95/Adults | $55/Children
• $38/Adults | $22/Children

Purchase combo tickets or learn more .

Southern Accent Tours is the only company to offer a full-day tour package that incorporates their Historic City Tour, Fort Sumter Tour, and a trip to any plantation. 

At $89 per person, this is a very budget-friendly way to see as much as possible in just 1 day.

The trip can be a bit exhausting, but if you only have one day to spare, this tour will allow you to make the most of it! 

Additionally, they also offer $10 off the listed price of any of their plantation tours if combined with their Historic City Tour.

• $89/Adults | $49/Children

Sites and Insights of Charleston Tours

Sites and Insights Tours of Charleston offers one package that incorporates an abbreviated tour of Charleston with a visit to John and James Islands to see the Burn Churchyard Cemetery and the Angel Oak Tree. 

This 2 ½ hour package tour is their best seller, and it is an extremely cheap way to do both trips.

Discount Sites

If you’re only interested in a bus tour, you might still be able to save some money by using a site such as Groupon or Living Social .

In addition to the discounts these services provide, they also frequently offer coupon codes you can use to save an extra 10% - 25% off or more.

Before you make any purchases, check the top and bottom of the page for any banners that may feature a coupon you can use to save even more money!

FREE TROLLEY

Though there are no traditional hop-on-hop-off bus tours in Charleston, they do have a free city trolley called the CARTA DASH Trolley. 

These trolleys travel through the historic part of Charleston, allowing you to see much of what you would on the other guided tours, though without any commentary. 

However, if you use our Self-Guided Tour of Historic Charleston  or one of our audio tours of Charleston during your ride, you may not even know the difference!

There are 3 different routes that the trolley takes:

• From the College of Charleston to the Aquarium
• Waterfront, Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon, and City Market
• Connects Brittlebank Park and Riley Stadium to the city center

Each of these routes meets at the Visitors Center, Marion Park, and Charleston Museum. Maps are available at each of these locations.

Learn more about the CARTA DASH Trolley .

RELATED POSTS

• Tourist Attraction Discount Passes
• Charleston Boat Tours

And much, much more

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90-Minute Charleston City Sightseeing Bus Tour

Similar events.

Historic City Tour and Fort Sumter Tour

Quick Details

• Hour Glass Duration: 5 hours
• Map Marker Departure Location: 375 Meeting St, Charleston, SC

Checkmark Easy Cancellations!

Tour the City & Fort Sumter on a Combo Tour

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. See and hear about Fort Sumter, the Harbor of History, and the Aircraft Carrier Yorktown at Patriots Point.

PLUS enjoy a cruise to historic Fort Sumter “where the Civil War began.” The Fort Sumter tour lasts 2 1/4 hours and may be taken with the city tour.

Your Ticket Includes

• 90-minute guided tour of historic Charleston
• Cruise to historic Fort Sumter. Includes a 30-minute cruise to the fort, approx. one hour on Fort Sumter for visitation and a 30-minute return cruise.
• Tours run consecutively. Breaking tours up will not include complimentary transportation.
• Complimentary transportation to and from the Fort Sumter Visitor Education Center.
• Charleston’s Historic Homes
• The Battery Sea Wall
• Historic Churches
• Old Market Area
• The Four Corners of Law
• Rainbow Row
• Fort Sumter
• Aircraft Carrier Yorktown
• America’s longest cable-stayed bridge
• Charleston’s bustling Port

Please Note

• Please confirm date and times before submitting the reservation.
• Times listed denote City Tour portion only. Please allow extra time for combination tours.
• Please note that booking times are exact and not an arrival window.
• Changes may be made on a space-available basis.
• There is no hop on/off service in the city of Charleston.
• Must cancel scheduled tour 24 hours prior to tour departure time in order to receive a full refund.
• All Gray Line City Tours depart from the Charleston Visitors Center located at 375 Meeting Street.
• Boat Vouchers: Gray Line guests will receive vouchers for boat passage to Fort Sumter upon check-in with the Gray Line dispatcher.
• We are committed to responsible tourism and traveler safety.

Related Sightseeing Tours

• Most Popular!
• Hour Glass 1.5 hours

Historic City Tour

Enjoy your tour through the beautiful city of Charleston and discover over 300 years of history in the streets of this must-visit location on a Gray Line bus tour.

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.

🌷 Spring Semester 2024: Busy Students, Bright Futures, Making Every Moment Count! 🌱 

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Wofford Summer City Tour 2024: Charleston, SC

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Wofford College Alumni Association and Career Center are taking it on the road for our 2024 Summer City Tour! Join us for an afternoon of networking and socializing with local alumni, Wofford staff, families, and current/incoming students at the home of Morgan and Catherine Templeton ’93 on Sunday, August 4th from 5:30-7:30pm.

Home of Morgan and Catherine Templeton ’93 34 Saturday Rd Mt Pleasant, SC 29464 United States

More Information

For more information, contact:

Dr. Laura Love Director of External Relations Wofford Career Center lovels@wofford.edu

One more step:

Spread the word by sharing this event with your social networks, save it to your calendar, add to calendar.

COMBO: CITY BUS TOUR & CHARLESTON HARBOR TOUR

OUR MOST POPULAR COMBO TOUR!

Quick Details

• Users Ages: All Ages
• Clock Duration: 3 Hours

Charleston City & Harbor History Tour

Join Adventure Sightseeing and Charleston Harbor Tours for our See It All half-day city tour by minibus followed by a harbor history tour aboard the Carolina Belle. See the best of Charleston!

Our relaxing and informative 90-minute bus tour is the best way to be introduced (or re-introduced!) to the Holy City. Our professional and knowledgeable guides share 350 years of Charleston history with you while you cruise through the city’s historic district in cool, air-conditioned comfort.

Then climb aboard the Carolina Belle for a 90-minute live narrated tour of the harbor that covers over 75 points of interest!

One discounted ticket will guarantee you a spot on the the See It All city tour AND entitle you to a voucher for the Charleston Harbor Tour that can be used for any date and time!

IMPORTANT NOTE: When booking online, you are booking for your bus tour time only! You must call our offices at 843-762-0088 to confirm your harbor tour time. You may do tours back to back, or split them up over the course of a day or multiple days. Please call to confirm harbor tour times! Each tour on this combo is 90 minutes, but they are not necessarily back to back. The harbor tour schedule is 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. (with a 9:30 a.m. tour in the busy season). There is also a 6 p.m. tour mid-April – mid-October on Wednesday – Saturday (subject to availability). This ticket does not guarantee your time for a harbor tour. You can call to reserve a time with Charleston Harbor Tours.

This combo includes:

See It All Charleston City Bus Tour

• Select stories from 350 years of Charleston history
• Beautiful architecture in the historic district
• Drive through The Citadel, the South’s most famous military academy
• The Old City Market, lovely gardens, wrought iron art, and many of the city’s 210 churches
• Tour around the Battery and stop for a photo opportunity with Fort Sumter in the background
• Many other historic sights of Charleston!

Charleston Harbor Tour

Aboard the classic, 80-foot Carolina Belle, cruise the scenic Charleston Harbor while hearing fascinating local stories and seeing more than 75 landmarks, some critical to our nation’s history, including:

• Fort Sumter: One of Charleston’s most popular landmarks, where the first shots of the Civil War were fired
• Confederate and Union army forts Moultrie and Johnson
• USS Yorktown: The famous World War II “Fighting Lady”
• St. Michael’s Episcopal Church: A survivor of both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, whose steeple was painted black so as not to be an easy target
• Stately homes on the Battery: Symbols of Southern elegance and perseverance
• Cooper River bridges, including the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge: A state-of-the-art span that accommodates the largest ships in the world
• Dolphins skimming the surface of the water and pelicans diving for food

This family-friendly, relaxing, and insightful cruise is best way to discover the Holy City and its famous harbor!

Want more Charleston? Check out what is included with our tours FOR FREE!

The Powder Magazine – South Carolina’s oldest public building. Exhibits focus on South Carolina’s colonial military history!

• Chevron down FAQs

Do I have to purchase tickets in advance?

Advance purchase is highly recommended and tours often sell out in advance. To maximize your chances of getting the day and time you prefer, please book well in advance. Tickets can be purchased with Visa, Mastercard, or American Express.

What’s not included?

Gratuities are not included, nor required, but always appreciated for a job well done!

How does the combination ticket work?

You booked a specific time and date for your bus tour. The Harbor Tour ticket can be used at your leisure. You will be given a boarding pass voucher and brochure with current harbor tour times when you check in for your bus tour. You must use the bus tour portion of this combination ticket first. You may call our offices directly at 843-762-0088 to reserve a Harbor Tour time and verify the current seasonal schedule.

What is the schedule for the Harbor Tour boat?

Although the City Tours are offered all year-round, the Harbor Tour aboard the Carolina Belle only runs from mid-February through November. Therefore, combo tickets for the Harbor Tour can only be purchased when the Harbor Tour is available. Please call for the current Harbor Tour schedule.

Is there a cancellation policy?

Once purchased, tickets cannot be refunded and cannot be rescheduled because your space is being guaranteed at the event.

What if it rains?

The tours run rain or shine, so please dress according to the day’s forecast. Please keep in mind that most of the tour takes place on our vehicle, so you will be out of the elements.

Are children allowed? What type of ticket should I buy?

Yes, and there is a reduced price for children’s tickets. While we welcome children of all ages on the tour, the tour is not recommended for small children. We have reduced price tickets for children ages 4 to 11. Children ages 3 and younger can come for free with an accompanying adult ticket and must sit on their parent’s lap.

Can I bring food or beverages on the bus?

Food and drinks are not allowed on the bus. However, there is a snack bar aboard the Carolina Belle that has bottled water and soda ($2-3), wine ($6), beer ($4-$5.5), mixed cocktails ($6-7), chips, hot dogs, burgers, candy bars, cookies, etc. The snack bar accepts cash or charge on board.

Are there any stops along the way?

We will stop at the Battery for a brief photo break.

Is the bus air conditioned?

Yes, the bus is air conditioned.

Is the tour narrated?

Yes, the tour is fully narrated by a licensed, professional tour guide.

Is there a restroom on the bus?

No, but restrooms are located at the meeting location. We highly recommend using the bathrooms at the starting location before the tour.

Do you run year-round?

Yes, we operate tours seven days a week year-round except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Seasonal hours apply so please check our calendar for the most up to date schedule information.

What kind of a vehicle will we be traveling in?

We operate a fleet of 25-passenger buses and 14-passenger vans. All are climate controlled.

Is there assigned seating on the bus?

Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are traveling with a large group, you may want to arrive 15 – 20 minutes prior to departure.

How should I dress for the tour?

Check the forecast. Buses are climate controlled, and you do stay on the bus for the duration of the tour.

Is the bus handicap accessible?

At present, we cannot accommodate wheelchairs, but the bus is accessible for those with limited mobility if they can be assisted by a companion.

Will locals enjoy the tour as well, or is it mostly for tourists?

Absolutely! Whether you are looking for a way to entertain out-of-town guests, planning a bachelor/bachelorette party, having a team-building exercise or just want to learn more about the wonderful city you live in, this is the tour for you! You’ll be surprised at how much you will learn on the tour from the comfort of our bus.

Will we be able to purchase souvenirs or shop during the tour?

Adventure Sightseeing T-shirts are available for purchase at our sister company, Charleston Harbor Tours. The kiosk is located at the Charleston Maritime Center at 10 Wharfside Street. There are various other Charleston souvenirs available for purchase.

Are pets allowed?

No. Service animals are allowed, however.

Does the tour start and end at the same place?

The tour starts and ends at the same location. There will be the option to get off the bus towards the end of the tour at the Market. Transportation is provided back to the meeting location if you choose to not get off at the Market.

Is there parking?

Yes, there is parking at the Visitor’s Center at the surface lot or in the parking garage next door. There is a fee of $2 per hour.

Is smoking allowed on the tour?

Smoking is not permitted during the tour.

Can I bring luggage on the bus/leave my belongings on the bus?

No. We do not have space on the bus for large items such as luggage, wheelchairs, or strollers.

Is the tour only offered in English?

Yes, the tour is only given in English.

Can I book a private tour?

Yes! We can accommodate a variety of special requests. Please contact our sales department at 843-722-1112 or email [email protected]

RELATED TOURS

• Clock 6 Hours
• Users Ages 4+

Combo: See It All City Bus Tour & Boone Hall Plantation Tour

Take a trip through the history of America’s oldest working, living plantation, Boone Hall, then enjoy our top-rated city bus tour!

• Clock 7 Hours

Combo: Magnolia Plantation & Harbor Tour

See some of the best historic sights in Charleston! Embark on a Charleston Harbor Tour aboard the Carolina Belle, then visit Magnolia Plantation and Gardens.

Travel | Your friends aren’t wrong: For girls trips,…

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Travel | your friends aren’t wrong: for girls trips, charleston is now a mainstay.

Walking out of the Charleston airport, we trailed behind a group of women, including one with a gold crown and birthday sash. Clearly this was a girls trip.

And we, too, were there for such a trip, three friends celebrating the five-year anniversary of our friendship and hoping for good food and some sunshine.

Turns out, we found just the place.

We chose South Carolina because we kept hearing about the historic port city of Charleston. A friend’s friend had gone there; a neighbor had just returned from a girls trip, drinking frozen rosé and riding a mechanical bull at El Jefe restaurant.

The city won out over mainstays like Miami and Nashville because it had sun — a must for leaving Chicago in March — and none of us had been there. Plus, so many friends couldn’t be wrong, right?

Charleston’s Instagram-worthy streets have long made it a wedding destination and now, too, a women’s trip destination. Gorgeous scenery abounds, from the brightly colored houses on Rainbow Row to the poolside scene at Little Palm restaurant and the fragrant, blooming wisteria trees.

The city’s tourism bureau actively advertises the Girlfriend Getaway for “4 days to sip, shop & selfie in Charleston,” including candle shops, spa offerings and Parisian cocktails.

The hospitality director of the downtown Guesthouse Charleston, where we stayed, said it often hosts such getaways. “Women travel groups have definitely increased in the last few years,” Kerri Beasley said. “Ages range from early 20s to 70s-plus.”

We arrived on a sunny day in Charleston, escaping cold, driving rain in Chicago. We lucked out with the weather, which featured 70-degree days. But the bright greenery flowing throughout the city and bold colors of the homes would have brightened our winter getaway regardless of weather. Every street seemed to have some hidden courtyard or bright blooms.

Our goal was simple: wine with dinner, interruption-free sleep and some unfettered time to really talk and hang out together.

Charleston itself skews more toward women; the city is 52.5% female, according to census data. And as we kept asking various people we encountered, more than one told us it’s hard to date in Charleston because the apps seem to have way more single men than women.

On our first morning, we took a walking excursion offered by Two Sisters Tours, run by two sisters whose family roots in Charleston date to 1793. We heard about Charleston’s history while strolling through streets and hidden nooks we’d never have known were pathways. We learned about everything from how the palm trees are actually palmettos to noting bolts used to repair earthquake damage to buildings.

Charleston is known for its cobblestone streets, many of which we meandered through on the walking tour. We also saw horse-drawn carriages ferrying people on their own historical tours. The city also has many historic houses; we visited during the annual Charleston Festival, which provided access to some private homes and gardens .

We stopped outside the Nathaniel Russell House Museum and toured its garden. If we had more time, we would’ve gone inside to see exhibits about the lives of both the elite and the “enslaved men and women whose forced labor made possible their lavish lifestyles,” according to the website of the Historic Charleston Foundation.

On King Street, the Preservation Society of Charleston has a neat shop with local art and items like feathered jewelry and thoughtful, local children’s books. Proceeds help preserve the city’s character, quality of life and diverse neighborhoods.

Walking along King Street, dotted with shops and restaurants, we saw so many groups of three or four women clearly vacationing together it felt comical at first, but eventually we began to feel a sense of camaraderie. One morning we waved to a group of four ladies on a porch on the same property where we were staying, all with coffees and gold under-eye masks.

The female-heavy vibe felt empowering, not overpowering. We saw bachelorette parties. We saw midlife women celebrating birthdays. We met a waitress whose mom had just come through on her own trip.

Charleston’s restaurants are well known for award-winning cuisine, and we found our experience no different. At Vern’s, often seen on must-visit lists, we ordered multiple dishes, including a delicious pork loin and appreciated the selection of natural wines. Our waiter was patient with our slow decisions, and it was a cozy space to watch the sky darken outside.

We also enjoyed a laid-back vibe downtown at Indaco, where the spicy soppressata pizza had a surprising amount of flavor and the pastas included raviolini with peas and prosciutto.

Wherever you dine, make reservations early as places book up. Even a 7:15 p.m. reservation couldn’t be moved to 8, as many spaces are small and can’t easily shift table plans.

At Sorelle, which opened about a year ago, we found an inviting space with small, elegant touches throughout, including marble imported from Italy. The airy space serves espresso in the morning, inventive cocktails in the afternoon and dinner as well. We went twice.

Over at Millers All Day, we watched women filter in with matching hats or shirts for the popular brunch, boasting a hot honey chicken sandwich and the King Street bowl, a flavorful mix of eggs, grits, sausage, pimento cheese, home fries and sausage gravy.

Server Noelle Verrusio said girls trips are ubiquitous. At a previous place where she worked, which was coated in pink décor, she said, “It was like 15, 15, 15 (in each party) and we were on a wait all the time.”

If she saw a bachelor’s party, she said laughing, “I would’ve been like, ‘Are you guys, OK?’”

When we ventured to Folly Beach, seeing men playing frisbee in the sand brought to mind the feeling of leaving Barbieland and entering Kendom.

Throughout our trip, we encountered Southern hospitality, with people always eager to give us recommendations for activities. Downtown shop Candlefish offers BYOB candle-making classes at $60; or you can try your hand as a mixologist at Sweet Grass Vodka , with classes at $85 per person.

Be sure to visit the water. We tried a sunset cruise on the Schooner Pride — cruise options include dolphin spotting — which departed from a harbor by the aquarium and featured a gorgeous sunset; passengers could even help put up the sail. But do note, however, that alcohol is not allowed on public beaches, and police do issue tickets.

As we were leaving Charleston, we were already planning to perhaps bring back the families and stay on the water, driving into downtown for those delicious meals.

On the flight home, I sat near yet another woman returning from a girls trip. So did my friend, in a separate row.

Although we never did try the mechanical bull at El Jefe, it’s awaiting our next girls trip. We’ll prepare to wait in line.

Alison Bowen is a freelancer.

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