
Charleston History Tour /
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 391 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Charleston History Tour / worth booking?
Charleston History Tour / is a 2-hour experience in Charleston, United States, from $49 per person. It scores 81 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 391 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 81 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (391)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $49 per person
Witness history on our daily walks. This breathtaking tour is filled with legends and heritage to proclaim Charleston's vibrant past and opulent history. Discover our quaint alleys, antebellum mansions, private gardens and cobblestone streets. From 1670 through the Civil War to the present day, I invite you to relish this venture into yesteryear. - Rainbow Row - French Quarter - Four Corners of Law - High Battery (visual tour of Forts Sutter & Moultrie) - Old Exchange Building - Dock Street Theatre - South of Broad - English Churches Why Travelers Choose This Tour This is a walking tour with a difference, aimed to make you feel like a local and introduce you to Charleston's hidden gems. Learn about pirates, food and architecture while discovering the city's secret sites. A small-group format ensures a personalized experience.
What you get
About this experience
Witness history on our daily walks. This breathtaking tour is filled with legends and heritage to proclaim Charleston's vibrant past and opulent history. Discover our quaint alleys, antebellum mansions, private gardens and cobblestone streets. From 1670 through the Civil War to the present day, I invite you to relish this venture into yesteryear. - Rainbow Row - French Quarter - Four Corners of Law - High Battery (visual tour of Forts Sutter & Moultrie) - Old Exchange Building - Dock Street Theatre - South of Broad - English Churches Why Travelers Choose This Tour This is a walking tour with a difference, aimed to make you feel like a local and introduce you to Charleston's hidden gems. Learn about pirates, food and architecture while discovering the city's secret sites. A small-group format ensures a personalized experience.
What's included
Included
- All sites seen will not require additional payments.
Not included
- Gratuities
- Food and drinks
What you'll see and do
Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon
Built in 1771, home to the ratification of the United States Constitution.
Pass by without stopping
Old Slave Mart Museum
Learn about the "Gullahs" of Charleston.
Pass by without stopping
Dock Street Theater
Ornate playhouse with elegant woodwork and courtyard. Circa 1810
5 minutes here · Admission included
St. Michael's Church
A historic church and the oldest religious building in the city. Circa 1764
5 minutes here · Admission included
Rainbow Row
Rainbow Row is composed of 9 buildings, attached to one another. All but one predate the American Revlution
5 minutes here · Admission included
Battery & White Point Gardens
The Battery is a defensive seawall and promenade on the Charleston Harbor
5 minutes here · Admission included
French Huguenot Church
Built in 1844, it is the oldest Gothic Revival church in SC and is the only independent Huguenot Church in the country.
5 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Charleston
We meet in front of Charleston City Hall. Corner of Meeting Street. Public restrooms and water fountain are available.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
We meet in front of Charleston City Hall. Corner of Meeting Street. Public restrooms and water fountain are available.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Charleston History Tours
Know before you go
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 391 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
9 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
4 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
391 verified traveler reviews for Charleston History Tour /. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Best Tour of Charleston
Joyce Weir of Charleston History Tours is the FANTASTIC! She took us all around the city, both on foot and by car. Her knowledge of Charleston's history and present-day culture is incredible. She is energetic and full of enthusiasm for the city she loves. Her stories kept us entertained and we learned so much! This was our second tour with Joyce and we look forward to spending another day with her when we are lucky enough to come back to Charleston!
Response from the operator: Thank you for your kind review!
via Tripadvisor
Fantastic Tour of Charleston
We highly recommend Charleston History Tours! This was our second tour which was led by Joyce. Joyce is knowledgeable, entertaining, enthusiastic and the best person to share her love of Charleston with you. She knows the history of her city in great detail and she shares interesting tidbits about every stop on the tour. Our tour combined driving and walking. Highlights from our previous tour included the Old Angel Oak Tree and The old dungeon, as well as Rainbow Row and the harbor. Last weekend we visited the amazing Cypress Gardens as well as revisiting the mansions and history of Charleston. We even had lunch at the best barbecue ever! Joyce will customize your tour to meet your interests. You will not be disappointed if you allow her to show you around Charleston!
Response from the operator: We were lucky to have beautiful weather. I'm happy to hear from you and that your day was fulfilling. Thank you for your kind words.
via Tripadvisor
Fabulous way to get to know the historic district of Charleston in a not boring way!
We had a guide named Joyce who was excellent. She knew tons of history and you could tell she was passionate about her job, but it was not too much history. We had an excellent time!
via Tripadvisor
Repeat customer
First met Joyce in 2023. Great tour. Had to rebook when we returned in 2024. Very adaptable to needs and capabilities. Definitely would recommend.
via Tripadvisor
Private half day tour with Joyce is the Best!!
This half day private tour was so worth it!! We learned so much about the city, history, culture and all of the little things about the different homes that made this unique. Joyce knows her city! I would highly recommend to anyone especially a first time visitor. The visit to the Boone Plantation was interesting especially seeing the slave homes and hearing the stories about Guligh history. Unfortunately the tour of the mansion is pretty limited because it is owner occupied on most of the floors. We also did a private tour in Savannah that did not come even close to the quality of this tour with Joyce. It was disappointing after having such an outstanding experience in Charleston.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 137
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 81
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Charleston History Tour /: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Charleston.
How much does Charleston History Tour / cost?
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Prices start at $49 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Charleston usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Charleston History Tour / take?
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Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Charleston is not rushed.
Is Charleston History Tour / worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 81 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 391 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Charleston, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Charleston History Tour /?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Charleston History Tour / suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Charleston History Tour /?
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Around 137 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Charleston can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Charleston and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Charleston History Tour / start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Charleston within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Charleston?
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Charleston's best experiences are small: house museum tours with an architectural historian, Gullah heritage walks, harbour sails at sunset and Lowcountry food crawls through the market district. Plantation day trips vary enormously in how honestly they handle the history, and our ranking factors that in directly. On Outty we rank every Charleston experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Charleston historical walking tour with a Professor of History at The Citadel, Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour, Hidden Alleyways and Historic Sites Small-Group Walking Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Charleston?
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March to May and September to November, the two mild shoulder windows. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Charleston?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Charleston History Tour /?
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Included: All sites seen will not require additional payments. Not included: Gratuities; and Food and drinks. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Charleston History Tour /?
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We meet in front of Charleston City Hall. Corner of Meeting Street. Public restrooms and water fountain are available. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Charleston History Tour /?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Charleston History Tour / wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Transportation options are wheelchair accessible; and Wheelchair accessible. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Charleston History Tour / if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Charleston History Tour /?
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Across 391 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide, photo opportunities. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
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