
Highlights of Charleston Guided Walking Tour
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 2,307 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Highlights of Charleston Guided Walking Tour worth booking?
Highlights of Charleston Guided Walking Tour is a 2-hour experience in Charleston, United States, from $26 per person. It scores 91 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “90+ Club”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 2,307 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing. It sits in the Outty 90+ Club, the top tier of everything we rank.
- Outty Ranking
- 91 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (2,307)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $26 per person
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.
What you get
About this experience
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.
What's included
Included
- Tour Guide
Not included
- Not included in your ticket price are any parking fees if you choose to drive to your tour. Gratuity is optional, but gratefully accepted.
What you'll see and do
St. Philip's Anglican Church
View the historic church of the longest-meeting congregation in Charleston.
10 minutes here
French Huguenot Church
View the only church of its denomination in North America
10 minutes here
Pink House Gallery
View the oldest private residence in Charleston
10 minutes here
Old Slave Mart Museum
View the only museum dedicated to the history of the enslaved in Charleston
10 minutes here · Admission not included
Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon
View the pre-Revolutionary heart of economic Charleston
10 minutes here · Admission not included
Rainbow Row
View the most photographed sight in Charleston
10 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Charleston
We'll meet on the East Bay Street staircase of the U.S. Customs House, at East Bay Street and South Market street, directly across East Bay Street from the City Market. We recommend guests park at 1 Cumberland Street or 89 Cumberland Street. Both are ~5 minute walk from our tour meeting point.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
We generally end near the intersection of Meeting Street and Broad Street. The exact end point can change based on your group's walking speed, and your guide.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 20 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Oyster Point Historic Tours
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Guests are responsible for bringing their own sun protection (sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, parasols) and rain gear
- We HIGHLY recommend guests bring bottled water. It is not always available for purchase on the route
- We ask guests to check in at the meeting location 5-10 mins prior to tour time. We cannot hold for latecomers.
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 2,299 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
8 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
2,299 verified traveler reviews for Highlights of Charleston Guided Walking Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Bill gave us a brilliant...
Bill gave us a brilliant intro to Charleston history and culture. Most importantly, his voice was very clear and loud enough for us to hear everything he said.
via Viator
Great small tour
Great tailored tour. Almost like a private experience. Learned lots about the city and its character. Tour guide’s insights made the history relevant to today.
via Tripadvisor
Best part of our stay
Best tour guide hands down. His knowledge of Charlestown’s history was unsurpassed. We would recommended this tour guide to everyone
via Tripadvisor
Our guide was a very...
Our guide was a very knowledgeable educator and historian, and was clearly passionate about Charleston and its true history, and educating others.
via Viator
Deep dive into history
Deep dive into history and architecture, good recommendations and worthwhile stops with full context by the knowledgeable guide. Highly informative, learnt a lot!
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
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 807
- Verdict
- 90+ Club
Why this scores 91
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Highlights of Charleston Guided Walking Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Charleston.
How much does Highlights of Charleston Guided Walking Tour cost?
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Prices start at $26 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 Highlights of Charleston Guided Walking 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 Highlights of Charleston Guided Walking Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 91 out of 100, which we label "90+ Club". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 2,307 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Charleston, and how flexible the cancellation terms are. Scoring 90 or above puts it in the Outty 90+ Club, the top tier of everything we rank.
Can I cancel or reschedule Highlights of Charleston Guided Walking 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 Highlights of Charleston Guided Walking 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 Highlights of Charleston Guided Walking Tour?
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Around 807 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 Highlights of Charleston Guided Walking 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 Highlights of Charleston Guided Walking Tour?
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Included: Tour Guide. Not included: Not included in your ticket price are any parking fees if you choose to drive to your tour. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Highlights of Charleston Guided Walking Tour?
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We'll meet on the East Bay Street staircase of the U.S. Customs House, at East Bay Street and South Market street, directly across East Bay Street from the City Market. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Highlights of Charleston Guided Walking Tour offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Highlights of Charleston Guided Walking 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 Highlights of Charleston Guided Walking Tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Highlights of Charleston Guided Walking 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 Highlights of Charleston Guided Walking Tour?
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Across 2,307 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
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