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The Best of Charleston: Private Half-Day Highlights Walking Tour

Charleston, United States of America
4 hours
Art & Culture
|
Family Friendly
|
Walking Tours
|
Attractions and Museums
|
Romantic
Date
Wednesday
May 14, 2025
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Time
9:00 am
12:30 pm
Options
Child
Ages: 0-11 years old
0
Adult
Ages: 12-99 years old
2
Checking availability

What You Will Do

Charleston offers an enchanting mix of incredible history (dating back to its founding in the 1600s), stunning architecture, exceptional cuisine, and authentic Southern hospitality. The city's walkable historic district features centuries-old homes, churches and public buildings alongside beautiful gardens and cobblestone streets. Our private half-day walking tour is a great way to step into the heart of Charleston, designed for travellers who seek a deeper understanding of the Holy City’s past and present, showing off its most important buildings and giving you a feel for its vibrant culture.

On your private walking tour, you will:  

  • Get a thorough introduction to Charleston as you make your way through the historic district and beyond;
  • See the Charleston County Courthouse, one of the oldest still in use in the US;
  • Pass by the Heyward-Washington House, where George Washington himself stayed on his presidential tour of the South;
  • Walk down to the Battery and hear about the role it played in Charleston’s defence during the Civil War;
  • Explore the White Point Garden and enjoy its stunning waterfront views, grand oak trees and Civil War cannons;
  • Learn about Charleston’s historic architecture as you stroll past the colourful Rainbow Row;
  • Admire the distinctive French Huguenot Church and find out about how the different congregations settled in Charleston;
  • Stroll around the charming French Quarter;
  • Discover important Charleston landmarks like the Pink House and Dock Street Theatre;
  • Stop by the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon and find out its many different purposes across the centuries;
  • Finish your tour at the Historic Charleston City Market;

Your tour kicks off in the historic Washington Square, where you will get acquainted with your guide, a passionate local expert guide who will take you on a journey through the quaint streets of the Historic District, lined with centuries-old landmarks, each with its own tale to tell. As you pass the Charleston County Courthouse, one of the oldest still in use in the United States, your guide will recount stories of law and order from the city’s colonial era to today. Nearby, you’ll spot the stately St. Michael’s Church, with its towering steeple standing as a beacon of Charleston’s religious heritage and the Heyward-Washington House. Now a museum, this elegant Georgian-style home offers a glimpse into the life of Thomas Heyward Jr., a signer of the Declaration of Independence. It is also where President George Washington stayed on his visit to Charleston during his Southern tour of 1791, a significant presidential journey that helped solidify the newly formed nation.

From here, you will stroll down to White Point Garden, a scenic waterfront park full of grand Live Oaks that occupy the spots that once held Charleston’s Civil War defences. As you make your way along the iconic Battery promenade, you will take in breathtaking views of Charleston Harbor, and your guide can explain the pivotal role played by this former defensive seawall and the harbor itself during the Civil War, and other military engagements. Later, you’ll continue past the gorgeous pastel facades of Rainbow Row, a stunning example of Charleston’s signature architectural charm before venturing into the atmospheric French Quarter.

Your guide will take you on a carefully curated route around the quaint, centuries-old buildings, including the distinctive pink-hued French Huguenot Church, an elegant Gothic Revival building, that tells the story of Charleston’s diverse religious history, the eye-catching Pink House and the Dock Street Theatre, America’s first playhouse. You’ll also have the chance to see the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon, where pirates, rebels and revolutionaries, were once held captive beneath one of Charleston’s most important buildings. Last but certainly not least, your tour will conclude in the bustling Charleston City Market, a cultural hub where local artisans continue traditions dating back generations.

This private tour allows you to explore the key sights of Charleston at a leisurely pace, with your guide sharing fascinating insights tailored to your interests. This ensures you’ll have an excellent introduction to one of America’s most historically significant cities.


What's Included?

  • A friendly, professional English Speaking tour guide for your own private group
  • Plenty of time to take photos of your favourite places

What's Not Included?

  • Gratuities
  • Food and drink
  • Hotel pick up/drop off

Cancellation Policy

Free cancellation up to 4 days before tour start. Non refundable if cancelled within 4 days of tour start.

Itinerary

Meeting Point

Your guide will meet you at the George Washington Statue in Washington Square that can be reached from 96-98 Meeting St., Charleston, SC 29401, USA

1

Rainbow Row

One of the most photographed streets in Charleston, Rainbow Row consists of thirteen brightly painted Georgian homes.

Show 7 more stops

Additional Information

This activity is operated by Travel Curious
  • Weather notes: In the event of unforeseen circumstances such as extreme weather, natural disasters, riots, strikes, etc. and the tour cannot operate as published, we will endeavour to reschedule your tour date/time or we will provide a full refund.
  • Know before you go: - Your guide will be happy to customise the itinerary on the day for you if you wish to spend more or less time at attractions/areas stated on your tour itinerary - It’s highly recommended to wear comfortable walking shoes. - Please bring any medication you may require during the tour. - In summer, please remember to bring a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water.
  • Accesibility: Charleston’s historic centre features uneven sidewalks, cobblestone streets, and historic sites with limited accessibility, which may not be suitable for wheelchair users or those with reduced mobility. If you have mobility impairments or require any assistance, please let us know in advance so we can plan your tour accordingly to ensure a great experience.

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