Historic Charleston Walking Tour: History & Landmarks
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 41 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Historic Charleston Walking Tour: History & Landmarks worth booking?
Historic Charleston Walking Tour: History & Landmarks is a 2-hour experience in Charleston, United States, from $39 per person. It scores 74 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 41 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 74 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (41)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $39 per person
Step into Charleston’s past on a small-group walking tour led by a local Charleston guide. Explore cobblestone streets and hidden alleyways while hearing stories spanning the city’s colonial era, the Civil War, and its o
What you get
About this experience
Step into Charleston’s past on a small-group walking tour led by a local Charleston guide. Explore cobblestone streets and hidden alleyways while hearing stories spanning the city’s colonial era, the Civil War, and its ongoing preservation efforts. Discover Charleston’s iconic landmarks, elegant mansions, historic churches, colorful homes, and atmospheric graveyards. Depending on availability, your tour may include entry to 1–3 historic sites, including churches and theaters that remain active and in use by their congregations and communities. See landmarks such as Rainbow Row, The Battery, Washington Square, the Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon, and Dock Street Theatre while gaining a deeper understanding of the people, events, and architecture that shaped Charleston. What makes this experience special is the combination of local insight, engaging storytelling, historic architecture, and the opportunity to experience the interiors of select historic sites when available.
What's included
Included
- 2-hour guided walking tour of Charleston’s Historic District
- Small-group experience
- Professional local historian and tour guide
- Entry to 1–3 historic sites, subject to availability
Not included
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Washington Square
Explore Washington Square, a peaceful historic park shaded by beautiful live oaks in the heart of Charleston. Discover the statues, monuments, and stories that reflect the city’s rich and complex history.
10 minutes here
Fort Sumter National Monument
See Fort Sumter from Charleston’s waterfront and learn about its pivotal role in American history as the site where the first shots of the Civil War were fired. The tour views the fort from afar; guests can visit independently.
5 minutes here
Discover Charleston’s famous Four Corners of Law, where four historic buildings represent local, state, federal, and church authority. Learn how this unique intersection reflects Charleston’s history and the city’s distinctive character.
5 minutes here
Rainbow Row
Admire Charleston’s iconic Rainbow Row, a collection of colorful historic homes and one of the city’s most photographed streets. Learn about the history and architecture behind these distinctive pastel-colored buildings.
5 minutes here
Discover St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, one of Charleston’s most historic places of worship. Learn about its role in the city’s religious and cultural history and admire its distinctive architecture.
5 minutes here
French Huguenot Church
Discover the French Huguenot Church, a historic Charleston landmark and one of the oldest Huguenot congregations in the United States. Learn about the French Protestant community and its important place in Charleston’s history.
5 minutes here
Dock Street Theater
Discover the historic Dock Street Theatre, widely recognized as the site of America’s first purpose-built theater. Learn about Charleston’s rich theatrical traditions and the building’s role in the city’s cultural history.
10 minutes here
Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon
Step into Charleston’s history at the Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon, one of the city’s most important historic landmarks. Learn about its role in the American Revolution, Charleston’s colonial past, and the stories connected to this remarkable building.
5 minutes here
Charleston Waterfront Park
Enjoy beautiful views of Charleston Harbor at Waterfront Park, a peaceful green space in the heart of the historic district. Take in the waterfront scenery while learning about the area’s history and its connection to Charleston’s past.
5 minutes here
Old Slave Mart Museum
Learn about Charleston’s history and the legacy of slavery at the Old Slave Mart Museum. Explore an important and difficult chapter of the city’s past and gain a deeper understanding of the experiences and resilience of enslaved people.
5 minutes here
Walk along Charleston’s historic Battery, a scenic waterfront promenade offering views of Charleston Harbor, historic artillery, and grand mansions. Learn about the area’s strategic importance and its role in the city’s history.
10 minutes here
French Quarter Art walk charleston sc
Explore Charleston’s historic French Quarter, known for its charming cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, historic churches, and centuries of fascinating history. Learn how this vibrant district helped shape the story of Charleston.
5 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Charleston
Tour meets INSIDE Washington Square Park (98 Meeting Street) (map) Look for your guide next to the statue of George Washington. There are many other tour companies operating in the area, so be sure to look for Eric inside the park!
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Tour meets INSIDE Washington Square Park (98 Meeting Street) (map) Look for your guide next to the statue of George Washington. There are many other tour companies operating in the area, so be sure to look for Eric inside the park!
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
- Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Charleston by Foot
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 26 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
26 verified traveler reviews for Historic Charleston Walking Tour: History & Landmarks. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
A really good way to kick off our visit
We did the Charleston walking tour with Eric from Free Tours by Foot early in our visit, and it turned out to be a really great way to start our time in the city. Eric was knowledgeable and easy to listen to, and the tour felt well paced and thoughtfully put together. We came away with a much better understanding of Charleston and its history, plus useful local context that shaped the rest of our trip. I’d happily recommend this tour to family and friends.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your thoughtful review! We're delighted to hear that Eric helped make your Charleston visit off to such a great start. It's wonderful to know the tour gave you a deeper understanding of the city's history and provided helpful local insights for the rest of your trip. Your recommendation means a great deal to everyone at Free Tours by Foot, and we hope to welcome you on another tour in the future!
via Tripadvisor
Excellent walking tour
Erik provided an excellent tour of historic Charleston. He is very knowledgeable and was great with questions. It was a small group and we were able to see specific places of interest to us. Highly recommend!
Response from the operator: Thank you for your wonderful review! We're so glad you enjoyed exploring historic Charleston with Erik. His knowledge, engaging style, and willingness to tailor the experience to guests' interests help make every tour memorable. We truly appreciate your recommendation and thank you for choosing Free Tours by Foot. We hope to welcome you back for another tour in the future!
via Tripadvisor
Eric Wright was a great walking tour guide!
Our guide, Eric Wright, asked our group where we were from and other questions. He tailored our tour to how we responded. We had an amazing tour with so much information. After the tour, Eric also gave us recommendations for restaurants and other places to see. We were greatly impressed!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear you had such an amazing tour with Eric. He loves getting to know his guests and tailoring each tour to make it as engaging and memorable as possible. We're also glad his local recommendations helped you make the most of your time in Charleston. Thank you for choosing Free Tours by Foot, and we hope to welcome you back on another tour in the future!
via Tripadvisor
Great experience
Great tour guide. Interesting information. Even in the rain it was worth it. Highly recommended. Bring good walking shoes.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your wonderful review! We're so glad you enjoyed the tour and found it interesting, even with the rainy weather. It's great to hear it was still well worth the walk! Thank you for your recommendation and for the helpful tip about comfortable walking shoes. We appreciate you choosing Free Tours by Foot and hope to welcome you back on another tour in the future!
via Viator
Great tour!!
Eric was very knowledgeable. We learned so much from him. He was very friendly, answered all our questions and tied historical events together.
Response from the operator: Thanks for sharing! Glad Eric made the tour informative and enjoyable for you.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 14
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 74
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Historic Charleston Walking Tour: History & Landmarks: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Charleston.
How much does Historic Charleston Walking Tour: History & Landmarks cost?
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Prices start at $39 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 Historic Charleston Walking Tour: History & Landmarks 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 Historic Charleston Walking Tour: History & Landmarks worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 74 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 41 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 Historic Charleston Walking Tour: History & Landmarks?
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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 Historic Charleston Walking Tour: History & Landmarks 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 Historic Charleston Walking Tour: History & Landmarks?
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Around 14 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 Historic Charleston Walking Tour: History & Landmarks 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 Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour, Charleston historical walking tour with a Professor of History at The Citadel, Charleston Eco Boat Cruise with stop at Morris Island Lighthouse. 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.
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