Add dates

Charleston Architecture

Our most recommended Charleston Architecture

Charleston: Historical Downtown Tour by Horse-drawn Carriage

1. Charleston: Historical Downtown Tour by Horse-drawn Carriage

Ride in a traditional horse-drawn carriage through historic downtown Charleston on a guided tour. Listen to live commentary about the city as you pass by the Charleston Harbor, Rainbow Row, King Street, White Point Gardens, and Charleston Battery. Begin the tour at the activity provider's stables. Board a beautiful custom-built carriage and depart from the barn. Ride toward the city gate, located in the Old City Market. Learn about the city's rich history from a professional guide while traveling aboard a unique vehicle. Gaze at vibrant neighborhoods and elegant buildings from your seat. Experience the highlights of the historic downtown area, such as Charleston Harbor, Rainbow Row, 4 Corners of Law, King Street, White Point Gardens, and the Charleston Battery. Take in informative and entertaining commentary from your guide, before arriving back at the stables.

Charleston: Historic City Highlights Guided Bus Tour

2. Charleston: Historic City Highlights Guided Bus Tour

The bus tour departs from Charleston Visitor’s Center where you’ll hop on board a deluxe, climate-controlled shuttle for a 90-minute tour of the city’s historical highlights. Accompanied by a knowledgeable, local guide, pass by 100 of Charleston’s most iconic sights of the past and present whilst listening to amazing tales and anecdotes about the city. On your tour, travel through some of the city’s most historic parts. Visit Charleston’s Historic Homes, The Battery Sea Wall, the Four Corners of Law, and Rainbow Row to name but a few. Other highlights of the tour include several historic churches, old markets, and picturesque neighborhoods.

Charleston: 1-Hour Carriage Tour of the Historic District

3. Charleston: 1-Hour Carriage Tour of the Historic District

Explore Charleston's historic district on a horse or mule-drawn carriage tour. Listen to your guide tell you local stories and anecdotes as you go past iconic landmarks, buildings, churches, and more. Begin your tour at the Big Red Barn in downtown Charleston and meet your local driver/guide. Then, settle into a carriage drawn by either horses or mules for your guided tour. Follow a route that takes in some of the historic downtown district’s most elegant mansions and gardens, learning about the architecture of each place as you drive along. Catch the scent of jasmine flowers from deep, shady porches, and pass by rows of bristling palmetto trees. Get an overview of Charleston’s dramatic history, from long-ago pirate raids to plantations, Revolutionary battles, the Civil War, and Reconstruction. The city was founded in 1670, and Charleston's historic buildings have been meticulously preserved and restored. Conclude your tour with drop-off at the Big Red Barn.

Charleston: Boone Hall & Historic City Tour Combo

4. Charleston: Boone Hall & Historic City Tour Combo

Hop aboard a comfortable coach have and uncover local history with a tour of Boone Hall Plantation. Afterwards travel through over 100 of Charleston’s most iconic sights and get up close to the past with some stops along the way. Meet your guide in Charleston and depart for Boone Hall in a deluxe on a climate-controlled coach. Upon arrival, enjoy a 30-minute guided tour of the main house. Have free time at the plantation to enjoy tours of the house or garden, or listen to presentations on history or culture. Choose to take the house tour and begin on the front porch with a guide in historical dress. Be introduced to the history of Boone Hall Plantation and its evolution through several owners since 1681. Select the garden tour to see antique varieties of roses that are over 100. Travel back in time if you select the 'Slave Street and History' presentation. Look at the living quarters, historic relics, and hear about what life was like for the enslaved people that lived and worked at Boone Hall. Immerse yourself in local culture if you choose to participate in the 'Exploring The Gullah Culture' presentation. Boone Hall Plantation is the only plantation in the state's Lowcountry to present a live presentation of this unique culture adapted by African slaves. Drive back to the city for a guided 90-minute tour of the city’s historical highlights. Listening to amazing tales and anecdotes about the city as you ride through some of the most historic parts of the city. Visit Charleston’s Historic Homes, The Battery Sea Wall, the Four Corners of Law, and Rainbow Row to name but a few. Other highlights of the tour include a number of historic churches, old markets, and picturesque neighborhoods.

Charleston: 3-Hour Secret Food Tour

5. Charleston: 3-Hour Secret Food Tour

On this secret food tour, you'll get to sample grits, fried oysters, fried green tomatoes and so much more. Charlestonians are extremely passionate about their local food, city, and its history. You'll get to learn all about the best southern foods and the unique culture behind them. By booking this tour, you'll get to try delicious food all around the beautiful historic district of Charleston. Plus, you'll also be able to discover the best shops and restaurants, and learn many other great local tips to make your experience truly memorable.

Charleston Harbor 2-Hour Speedboat Adventure

6. Charleston Harbor 2-Hour Speedboat Adventure

Take the wheel and become the captain of your very own speed boat with this one-of-a-kind adventure tour. Experience driving your own boat while taking in the views from the Charleston harbor. This fully narrated tour takes you 13 miles through the world-famous Charleston Harbor. See everything while listening to a highly trained and professional guide through a two-way communication system.   You will have a once-in-a-lifetime view of the Battery, USS Yorktown Aircraft Carrier, Arthur Ravenel Jr Bridge, the downtown Charleston skyline, Waterfront Park, South Carolina Aquarium, the cruise ship terminal and all the wildlife that call Charleston Harbor home.  This is a great adventure for all ages.

Charleston: Historic City and Southern Mansion Combo Tour

7. Charleston: Historic City and Southern Mansion Combo Tour

Take a journey through Charleston's 300 years of living history with passionate licensed tour guides. Experience the Old Market area and the historic homes and churches where generations of Charlestonians worked, lived, and worshipped. Step out of the air-conditioned minibus onto the famous Battery Seawall to admire the wonderful views. See and hear about Fort Sumter, the Harbor of History, and the Aircraft Carrier Yorktown at Patriots Point. Enjoy a tour through the elegant interior of a fully-restored historic home - Joseph Manigault House. Come and enjoy the beauty and hospitality of one of America's most historic cities.

Charleston: Private Carriage Ride

8. Charleston: Private Carriage Ride

Experience Charleston on a private carriage ride. See the “Holy City” in a more intimate setting with your own personal tour guide, who will tell you all about the historical buildings, parks and plazas of the city. You'll get to see more than 25 blocks of this historic town.  For a truly memorable experience, choose the evening option to see the sun set over the city and the city lights coming on.  You will be travelling in a Palmetto vis a vis carriage, where two benches face each other, offering a wonderful experience for a small group or family.

Charleston: City Tour and Museum Combo

9. Charleston: City Tour and Museum Combo

Feel the past come alive on this combination tour in Charleston. Ride in comfort on a climate-controlled coach and discover Charleston's 300 years of living history with passionate licensed tour guides. Follow your bus tour with a visit to the Charleston Museum, one of the oldest museums in the United States. On your bus tour, experience the Old Market area and admire the historic homes and churches where generations of Charlestonians worked, lived, and worshipped. See and hear about Fort Sumter, the Harbor of History, and the Aircraft Carrier Yorktown at Patriots Point. Make sure to take your camera as you will have the opportunity to stop at the famous Battery Seawall and enjoy the spectacular views. Keep your camera handy when you pass by the colorful houses on Rainbow Row, too. Finally, dive into the history of the Holy City at the Charleston Museum, which was opened to the public nearly 200 years ago. Explore the exhibitions that cover the American Civil War, the natural history in the area, and much, much more.

Charleston: French Quarter Guided Walk

10. Charleston: French Quarter Guided Walk

The tour highlights include the imposing 4 corners of Law and its four nationally historic registered buildings of St. Michael’s Church (ca.1752), where President George Washington, General Charles Pinckney, and Marquis de Lafayette worshiped, Charleston's Federal building (ca. 1896), Charleston County Courthouse (ca.1790) designed by John Hoban who designed The White House in D.C., and Gabriel Manigault's City Hall (ca. 1800). The tour swings back down Charleston's longest cobblestone road to see a glimpse of the Dock Street Theater (ca.1735), the oldest French Huguenot Church (ca.1681), St. Phillip's Church (congregation's history dating back to 1680), the Bermuda stone-built Pink House (ca.1688-1712),  historic baracoon / slave hotel, Unity Alley, and ends with the breathtaking view of the harbor castle, forts, islands, and Atlantic Ocean. Two Hour Option: Spend an enjoyable 2 hours walking along the old walled city perimeter with its cobblestone roads and alleys in the steps of Charleston's French merchants and other European forefathers. Your native storyteller/guide will show you some of America's earliest architecture and national historic landmarks. Visit the oldest burial grounds to see the final resting place of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution, and take in the remains of a 17th-century drawbridge. Admire beautiful parks with historic monuments, and expansive views of Charleston's great harbor with its castles and forts that shaped much of America's maritime and military history. Charleston's French Quarter is home to many fine historic buildings, including: • the Pink House (c. 1688-1712) • the Old Slave Mart baracoon where slaves were confined in the 1850s • many of America's first churches dating back to the 1600s • Dock Street Theater, where the first theatrical performances were held in the U.S. • the imposing 4 Corners of Law with its 1752 St. Michael’s Church attended by George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette • the headquarters of General Robert E. Lee • the Old Exchange Building • and many more!

23 activities found
Sort by:
Page 1 of 2

Frequently asked questions about Charleston

Other Sightseeing Options in Charleston

Want to discover all there is to do in Charleston? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Charleston

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 59 reviews

Bus driver/Tour guide was very knowledgeable. Provided a very through rendering of Charleston history.

Recommending a great time! Last row don’t hear the guide that well if you’re into details.

The tour was excellent. Lots of information was shared during the tour and well planned.

We loved our guide and everything ran on time. We will definitely be back.

Very informative and interesting. Well worth the time.