Top Charleston Walking Tours

Hear some of Charleston's most fascinating and terrifying ghost encounters, history and folklore on this 90-minute Pleasing Terrors Night-Time Walking Ghost Tour. Tours are lead by Mike Brown, Charleston native and host of the popular Pleasing Terrors Podcast, which has been featured on television and radio shows including the BBC, HGTV, Voice of America Radio and Destination America's Ghost Asylum. Join Mike as he combines suspenseful storytelling with unparalleled knowledge of the hidden and often frightening stories lurking in Charleston's past and present. Every tour is given by Mike so you are guaranteed that the quality of the experience will match the reviews.

Visit historic Fort Sumter with the only operator in Charleston providing Admission to Fort Sumer National Monument and Round-Trip Ferry Transportation from Liberty Square or Patriots Point. Cruise by top Charleston sites from your ferry such as Rainbow Row and Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge. For those departing from Patriots Point, experience views of the USS Yorktown Aircraft Carrier from up-close. Explore the grounds of Fort Sumter and stand where America’s deadliest war began at Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park. The first shots were fired here, igniting a conflict that saw more than 700,000 casualties. Experience the opening battle of the American Civil War and explore its origins with a National Park Ranger who will greet you upon arrival. Your approximate 1-hour visit to Fort Sumter allows ample time to explore well-preserved fort ruins and browse Museum Store souvenirs. Then enjoy the beautiful views of the city as you ride the ferry back to Charleston.

Come walk with us on The Ghosts of Charleston walking tour, leaving nightly from Buxton Books, Charleston’s independent bookstore located at 160 King Street. Our licensed guides are expert storytellers who lead you through centuries old alleys and paths while sharing stories and solid history from Julian Buxton’s best-selling book, The Ghosts of Charleston. The true tales of intrigue, tragedy, and lost love reveal a rich underside of Charleston’s character that isn’t apparent during the day. The highlight of your tour is our exclusive nighttime access to the 18th century Unitarian Church Graveyard, where you will experience something magical. The Ghosts of Charleston is Buxton Books’ signature and most popular book-based walking tour -- a favorite of visitors and locals for over 23 years.

Explore some of Charleston's enchanting alleyways and historic sites on this small group, 2-hour walking tour. With our small group tours, you are guaranteed a more intimate and up-close experience. Charleston's alleyways are fortunately located within the popular historic district which allows us to include some well known points of interest and go a little "off the beaten path” while exploring the history and beauty of Charleston's enchanting alleyways. Generally, we include between four to six different alleyways/passages as well as popular points of interest like Rainbow Row and of course, tons of history! These pedestrian passageways are often overlooked, but walking along these cobbled paths is an opportunity to appreciate Charleston's rich history and hidden, more intimate charms.

Our two hour Highlights of Charleston walking tour guides guests through the historic French Quarter and South of Broad neighborhoods of downtown Charleston. Along the way, your guide will describe the long history, unique culture, architecture, and geography of Charleston and the greater lowcountry area, painting a detailed picture of how Charleston's tumultuous past formed the city now beloved by travelers the world over. You'll view some of the city's oldest houses of worship, burial sites, theaters, the forts of Charleston harbor, and the antebellum mansions that look out across the waters of the Cooper and Ashley rivers, among many other historic and picturesque sites. Our guides also offer their expert advice on other activities, restaurants, and bars for guests to explore once they've finished their tour.

The 2.5-hour Downtown Charleston Culinary Tour visits four different food establishments and combines elements of a historical tour with a culinary adventure! Learn about Charleston's history as you enjoy tastings of traditional favorites and contemporary innovations, all of which highlight the cuisine of locally-owned restaurants. Insight into Lowcountry cuisine accompanies the broad range of samples on your food tour. This is our original tour around the French Quarter and City Market and focuses on the traditional flavors of the region.

Enjoy this 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.

Travel by horse-drawn carriage along the picturesque streets of Charleston and take in the history of this South Carolina city. See highlights such as historically significant homes, churches and gardens while listening to informative commentary about the city’s role in our nation's history from your certified guide. Enjoy the relaxed pace of a carriage tour as you soak up the southern charm of Charleston.  

During this scenic and relaxing 90 minute tour you will experience Charleston Harbor on the unique 80-foot Carolina Belle. Your professional licensed captain will narrate history, sights, and facts about the Charleston Harbor as you pass locations critical to United States history. Enjoy the beauty of the Charleston Harbor and learn its rich history while you are in town.

Walk, talk and taste your way through historic Charleston South Carolina. This small-group 2.5-hour tour will immerse you in the history and culture of the Lowcountry and allow you to experience a remarkable culinary scene in downtown Charleston.  Stops along the way will include many of the city’s leading restaurants through out the city. Typical tastings include: stone ground grits, Southern pralines, sweet tea, collard greens, Lowcountry barbeque, and fried green tomatoes. ***PLEASE NOTE: If there are any food allergies in your party, we must know at least 48 hours in advance or some restaurants may not be able to accommodate. We also can't guarantee there will be a substitution at every location due to some allergies.

Tour where carriages and motorcoaches are not allowed as you take a fascinating stroll with stories and traditions revealing Charleston’s rich history and colorful past. This two hour tour through America’s most charming historical district is sure to be the highlight of your visit.

Experience the chills of Charleston's only on-site graveyard tour. You will get an exclusive opportunity to walk inside the gates of Charleston's oldest graveyard after dark. Walk through Charleston's haunted Historic District, and hear stories of ghosts, haunted houses, voodoo and Low-country superstitions.

On our Secret Food Tour: Charleston, let our experienced guides take you on a foodie adventure through the picturesque and historic streets of the French Quarter. Learn how pirates, pandemics, natural disasters, and war have all shaped our local food scene. At the end of the tour, you'll have sampled classic Carolina-style BBQ, fresh seafood, and even a local delicacy crafted for a U.S. President. Plus, our decadent Secret Dish might just make you leave singing a happy song!

Experience 25-30 blocks of Charleston’s historic downtown district on this 1-Hour Daytime Palmetto Carriage Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour. See houses, gardens, mansions, churches & parks, learn about buildings, history, architecture, flora & the people that make up the “Holy City." Palmetto Carriage Works is the oldest carriage tour company in Charleston and has developed the greatest carriage experience in the city! A Palmetto Carriage tour offers a blend of knowledge, wit, humor, and history and is exciting and ever-changing; a seamless fusion of 19th-century conveyance in a 21st-century city.

This 2-hour, walking tour explores Charleston's Historic District by visiting the streets of the French Quarter and the residential area "South of Broad". Hear the stories of Charleston's founding, see historic homes and churches and view the city architecture. Learn the story of this beautiful city—from its first settlers to today.

Step back in time with a 4.5-hour visit to one of America's oldest working, living plantations. Be transported to this historic site with an experienced driver on a comfortable, air conditioned mini bus.  Boone Hall Plantation has been recognized as the #1 Plantation in the Charleston area, according to USA TODAY. Tour includes round-trip transportation from the Visitors Center in Charleston, all entrance fees, a guided house tour, Gullah Theater (in season), self guided garden and grounds tour, and a tram tour (based on availability). Small-group tour is limited to a maximum of 25 people.

Limited to 14 guests, our Small Group Format ensure attentive service for any questions you may have along the way. Our guides have a deep knowledge of both Charleston and National history, and sometimes your questions determine whether we turn right or left at the next intersection! Take a stroll through Charleston's oldest neighborhoods on this 2-hour walking tour. Follow your licensed guide as they provide history, legends, and cultural insight about this historic city. Discover the significant French Quarter and tour past grand mansions South of Broad Street before seeing Charleston's High Battery which overlooks the Charleston harbor.

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 90-minute tour, join a local author for a ghost walk starting at the Scottish cross center of the original peninsula. The Supernatural Charleston walking tour and Haunted Charleston book have been featured in Charleston City Paper, Charleston Magazine, Fodor's Traveler, Lonely Planet, Savannah Morning News, US News & World Report, and the Supernatural Charleston Tour was ranked as a Best Ghost Tour Experience in North America in Coastal Living Magazine, Microsoft Network News, and Yahoo! News. This authentic tour offers a mesmerizing view of the Holy City's illustrious past and present spirits across a Revolutionary War battleground, alleged slave uprising site, American Revolutionary and Confederate military parade ground, a native folklore setting, and a displaced cemetery . . . take notice, this supernatural tour is not for the faint of heart!

I promise you're going to learn more about history on this tour than on any other tour in this town. I will teach you things you did not know, and challenge things you think you know. But... we start by discussing what's important to you about history. What you like, and what you hope to learn. This allows me to focus the conversation where you want. I use a story format and I ask you a lot of questions to spur discussion. I'll walk you down the path of Charleston in a funny, interesting, sometimes irreverent way. We'll start at Waterfront Park and head south to the famous Charleston battery. We'll see some amazing sights and have some fascinating discussions about the very colorful history of the early fort of Charles Towne. When we’re finished we’ll end up very close to where we started, the proud new owners of the most valuable souvenir you can take home from your trip – knowledge. So come on ya'll, this tour ain't gonna book itself! :)

Every badass history has a badass...HERSTORY. Walk with us as we celebrate Charleston's. We have a very rich story and the women of Charleston have played an enormous role in it. This is the only tour in the city showcasing badass women.

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.

On this haunted GPS guided Audio walking tour you will see Charleston’s most haunted sites and hear their ghostly stories including: Old Exchange and the Ghosts of the Prisoners Below The Blind Tiger and the Woman in Black The Dock Street Theater and the Ghost of Nettie The Pirates Courtyard and the Ghosts of the Hung Pirate St. Philips Church and the Ghost of the Weeping Woman The Powder Magazine and the Ghost of Gabriel The Circular Church Graveyard and the Trench Ghost Poogan’s Porch and the Ghost of the Pooch Haint Blue and it’s Spooky Past The Unitarian Cemetery and the Ghost of Anna The Old Charleston Jail and the Ghost of Lavinia Fisher This ghostly adventure is smart phone guided. You go to the Old Exchange, open the tour, enter your experience code from Viator and press play. From there you are guided turn by turn through Charleston's haunted streets.