The Best of Charleston: History, Culture & Architecture Tour
Overview
We pride ourselves on researched history and anecdotes of the city and its people. We try to tailor the tour to our guests' interests and make connections to further explain Charleston's history and make it fun.....not just another boring history lesson! Come see what makes Charleston such special place to visit. Whether being your first visit or your twentieth, Charleston always has more to see and learn! We keep learning as well!
Inclusions
- Tour guide
What to expect
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon, 122 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401-2103
Our starting point is one of the most historical buildings in South Carolina, c. 1771. The Declaration of Independence was read here in 1776, it was used a British prison for roughy two years during the American Revolution, US Constitution ratified in SC in 1788, George Washington was entertained during week-long visit in May 1791, plus many more events.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Rainbow Row, 79 E Bay St # 107, Charleston, SC 29401-2544
See the longest row of attached Georgian row houses in the country. These were mariner's stores in the 18th & 19th centuries. Restored in the 1930's during Charleston's preservation efforts to a bright Caribbean color scheme.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Old Slave Mart Museum, 6 Chalmers St, Charleston, SC 29401-3005
Known as Ryan's Slave Mart in the 1850's, this building was an auction site of the interstate slave trade. We will speak about Charleston's role in the slave trade. The City of Charleston operates the museum and tours are available on site. We do not enter the building.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Charleston City Hall, 80 Broad St, Charleston, SC 29401-2225
This building sets on one the "Four Corners of Law", named by Robert Ripley (Ripley's Believe it or Not). Built in 1801 as a bank, City Hall has been as such since 1818 and is one of the oldest continuously run city hall's in the country. During the weekdays, visitors can enter the council chamber and see their collection, complimentary.
Duration: 2 minutes
Stop At: Dock Street Theater, 135 Church St, Charleston, SC 29401-2899
Entrance depending on availabilty. Built on the site of the first theater in the British colonies, The Dock Street Theatre, c. 1937 was restored from the old Planter's Hotel, c. 1809. The Charleston Stage company operates as the largest professional theater company in South Carolina. Roughly 120 performances take place every year.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Edmondston-Alston House, 21 E Battery St, Charleston, SC 29401-2740
We walk up on the High Battery wall to take a look at the waterfront mansions and discuss the beginning of the Civil War. Ft. Sumter is in the distance. The Edmonston Alston House has been in the family since 1838 and was a site where Gen. Beauregard watched the bombardment of Ft. Sumter with other onlookers.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: St. Michael's Church, 71 Broad St, Charleston, SC 29401-2902
Entrance depending on availability. Oldest house of worship in the city, c.1761. We speak about Charleston's religious history of the past and present. The building has much of the original woodwork and beautiful Tiffany stained glass windows. John Rutledge and Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, US Constitution signers, are buried in the churchyard.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Nathaniel Russell House, 51 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29401-2536
We enter the garden of this beautiful Federal style townhouse built in 1808 and owned by Nathaniel Russell. Reigning from Rhode Island, he was a wealthy merchant involved in shipping.
Duration: 10 minutes
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon, 122 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401-2103
Our starting point is one of the most historical buildings in South Carolina, c. 1771. The Declaration of Independence was read here in 1776, it was used a British prison for roughy two years during the American Revolution, US Constitution ratified in SC in 1788, George Washington was entertained during week-long visit in May 1791, plus many more events.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Rainbow Row, 79 E Bay St # 107, Charleston, SC 29401-2544
See the longest row of attached Georgian row houses in the country. These were mariner's stores in the 18th & 19th centuries. Restored in the 1930's during Charleston's preservation efforts to a bright Caribbean color scheme.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Old Slave Mart Museum, 6 Chalmers St, Charleston, SC 29401-3005
Known as Ryan's Slave Mart in the 1850's, this building was an auction site of the interstate slave trade. We will speak about Charleston's role in the slave trade. The City of Charleston operates the museum and tours are available on site. We do not enter the building.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Charleston City Hall, 80 Broad St, Charleston, SC 29401-2225
This building sets on one the "Four Corners of Law", named by Robert Ripley (Ripley's Believe it or Not). Built in 1801 as a bank, City Hall has been as such since 1818 and is one of the oldest continuously run city hall's in the country. During the weekdays, visitors can enter the council chamber and see their collection, complimentary.
Duration: 2 minutes
Stop At: Dock Street Theater, 135 Church St, Charleston, SC 29401-2899
Entrance depending on availabilty. Built on the site of the first theater in the British colonies, The Dock Street Theatre, c. 1937 was restored from the old Planter's Hotel, c. 1809. The Charleston Stage company operates as the largest professional theater company in South Carolina. Roughly 120 performances take place every year.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Edmondston-Alston House, 21 E Battery St, Charleston, SC 29401-2740
We walk up on the High Battery wall to take a look at the waterfront mansions and discuss the beginning of the Civil War. Ft. Sumter is in the distance. The Edmonston Alston House has been in the family since 1838 and was a site where Gen. Beauregard watched the bombardment of Ft. Sumter with other onlookers.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: St. Michael's Church, 71 Broad St, Charleston, SC 29401-2902
Entrance depending on availability. Oldest house of worship in the city, c.1761. We speak about Charleston's religious history of the past and present. The building has much of the original woodwork and beautiful Tiffany stained glass windows. John Rutledge and Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, US Constitution signers, are buried in the churchyard.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Nathaniel Russell House, 51 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29401-2536
We enter the garden of this beautiful Federal style townhouse built in 1808 and owned by Nathaniel Russell. Reigning from Rhode Island, he was a wealthy merchant involved in shipping.
Duration: 10 minutes
Additional information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Most travelers can participate
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
David_S
May 2022
We really enjoyed this tour. Very Glad that we did this early on in our visit. It provided a comprehensive view the history of how Charleston was settled and grew. Really valuable because this gave us a real understanding of the layout of the city and helped us figure out where in the city to vi...
We really enjoyed this tour. Very Glad that we did this early on in our visit. It provided a comprehensive view the history of how Charleston was settled and grew. Really valuable because this gave us a real understanding of the layout of the city and helped us figure out where in the city to visit nextdianecO9881NQ
April 2022
Learning about the history of Charleston was very interesting. Our tour guide was very knowlegeable and personable. Would recommend doing this tour to anyone.
Learning about the history of Charleston was very interesting. Our tour guide was very knowlegeable and personable. Would recommend doing this tour to anyone.Jonathan_D
April 2022
Brian was very knowledgeable and learned quite a bit about Charleston’s rich history. Highly recommend!
Brian was very knowledgeable and learned quite a bit about Charleston’s rich history. Highly recommend!Fran_C
April 2022
Our tour guide Brian was superb! No only did he know Charleston's history but also knew his American history beginning with the Revolutionary War, the Civil War and up to modern day. Highly recommended!
Our tour guide Brian was superb! No only did he know Charleston's history but also knew his American history beginning with the Revolutionary War, the Civil War and up to modern day. Highly recommended!630annez
April 2022
History and education of Charleston. Our tour guide named Finn was awesome. He was very knowledgeable and personable.
History and education of Charleston. Our tour guide named Finn was awesome. He was very knowledgeable and personable.Eileen_G
April 2022
Brian was sooo knowledgeable, friendly, considerate, great sense of humor and you know he loves his job and wants to make sure his group is having a great time and is engaged. Thank you for your wonderful intro to Charleston's history.
Brian was sooo knowledgeable, friendly, considerate, great sense of humor and you know he loves his job and wants to make sure his group is having a great time and is engaged. Thank you for your wonderful intro to Charleston's history.