Your guide brings history to life during this Charleston walking tour of the city's historical downtown. See notable buildings including the Nathaniel Russell House, the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon, and the Old Slave Mart Museum. As you walk over the flat and easy terrain with your guide, discover the history that occurred right under your feet and around every corner from Rainbow Row to the Battery.
Historic Charleston walking tour
See historic buildings like Dock Street Theater and City Hall
Learn about Charleston history from a licensed guide
Ideal for first-time and returning visitors alike
What To Expect
Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon
Our starting point is one of the most historical buildings in South Carolina, c. 1771. The Declaration of Independence was read here in 1776, it was used a British prison for roughy two years during the American Revolution, US Constitution ratified in SC in 1788, George Washington was entertained during week-long visit in May 1791, plus many more events.
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
Rainbow Row
See the longest row of attached Georgian row houses in the country. These were mariner’s stores in the 18th & 19th centuries. Restored in the 1930’s during Charleston’s preservation efforts to a bright Caribbean color scheme.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Old Slave Mart Museum
Known as Ryan’s Slave Mart in the 1850’s, this building was an auction site of the interstate slave trade. We will speak about Charleston’s role in the slave trade. The City of Charleston operates the museum and tours are available on site. We do not enter the building.
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
French Huguenot Church
A beautiful Gothic Revival building from 1845 houses one of the only practicing Huguenot (French Protestant) in the country.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Dock Street Theater
Entrance depending on availabilty. Built on the site of the first theater in the British colonies, The Dock Street Theatre, c. 1937 was restored from the old Planter’s Hotel, c. 1809. The Charleston Stage company operates as the largest professional theater company in South Carolina. Roughly 120 performances take place every year.
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Charleston City Hall
This building sets on one the “Four Corners of Law”, named by Robert Ripley (Ripley’s Believe it or Not). Built in 1801 as a bank, City Hall has been as such since 1818 and is one of the oldest continuously run city hall’s in the country. During the weekdays, visitors can enter the council chamber and see their collection, complimentary.
2 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
St. Michael’s Church
Entrance depending on availability. Oldest house of worship in the city, c.1761. We speak about Charleston’s religious history of the past and present. The building has much of the original woodwork and beautiful Tiffany stained glass windows. John Rutledge and Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, US Constitution signers, are buried in the churchyard.
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Nathaniel Russell House
We enter the garden of this beautiful Federal style townhouse built in 1808 and owned by Nathaniel Russell. Reigning from Rhode Island, he was a wealthy merchant involved in shipping.
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
Edmondston-Alston House
We walk up on the High Battery wall to take a look at the waterfront mansions and discuss the beginning of the Civil War. Ft Sumter is in view. The Edmonston Alston House has been in the family since 1838 and was a site where Gen. Beauregard watched the bombardment of Ft. Sumter with other onlookers.
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
Highlight
Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
Include
Tour guide