33 Best Tours In Charleston SC in 2025

ByShaun Hammond
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Welcome to the charming city of Charleston, South Carolina which I have made my home since 2007. Living here as long as I have, I have had the opportunity to take a lot of tours of The Holy City. I have compiled a list of the best tours in Charleston SC to help you find the perfect one.

Charleston is renowned for its rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning architecture, making it the perfect destination for an unforgettable tour experience.

From ghostly excursions through haunted alleyways to strolls along picturesque houses, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in this captivating city.

With so many tours to choose from, you’ll have the opportunity to delve into the fascinating history of this coastal city and uncover hidden gems that will leave you in awe. Whether you’re a visitor exploring Charleston for the first time or a local looking for new adventures, you’re in for a treat.

So, grab your walking shoes, bring your sense of adventure, and get ready to embark on an unforgettable journey through the heart and soul of Charleston, South Carolina.

Best Tours In Charleston SC: Quick Picks

Are you in a hurry? Here is a quick list of some of the best tours in Charleston SC to get you started.

Walking Tour-The Best Of Charleston: History, Culture, and Architecture Tour

Ghost Tour –Charleston Ghost & Graveyard Night-Time Guided Walking Tour

Food Tour – Charleston Food Tour

Carriage Tour – Daytime Horse-Drawn Carriage Sightseeing Tour of Historic Charleston

Outer Banks Netflix Show – Outer Banks Film Locations Tour

Best Walking Tours In Charleston SC

House on the left with a large sidewalk in the middle next to the water for best tours in Charleston SC

I have found that Charleston is an amazing city to walk around and explore. The historic downtown area is not too big and you can easily walk around and see everything you want. Because the peninsula is small and walkable, it makes it perfect for amazing walking tours.

There are many different walking tours to take in Charleston. Most tours, that are walking tours, will be history-based since Charleston has a rich history. So please put on your comfortable shoes and take in everything that made Charleston what it is today and enjoy these best walking tours in Charleston SC.

1. The Best of Charleston: History, Culture & Architecture Tour

Your guide will meet you at The Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon and take you on a journey through the history of Charleston. You will pass by and learn about historic buildings like Dock Street and the Old Slave Mart.

2. Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour

This 2-hour walking tour will take you around historic Charleston, teaching you about amazing events that happened right under your feet. You will see many of Charleston’s historic sites along with a view of Ft. Sumter in Charleston Harbor.

3. Hidden Alleyways and Historic Sites Small-Group Walking Tour

This is a small-group walking tour that makes this a more personalized experience. Enjoy while you walk through some of the most historic locations in Charleston while being led through some locations that are off the beaten path.

4. Charleston Historical Walking Tour With A Professor Of History At The Citadel

Enjoy a tour by a Ph.D. in History who teaches at Charleston’s own Citadel. This is a small-group tour that stops at about a dozen locations to give you a unique learning experience from someone who has spent his life learning about the history of Charleston.

Best Ghost Tours In Charleston SC

Old stone building on the road with a lot of windows for best tours in Charleston SC

I have found in my time in Charleston that almost everyone loves ghost tours. Usually, I am asked by nearly everybody, “Which ghost tour should I take”?

I completely get it too. Charleston is one of the most haunted cities in The United States. There are many different tours to choose from. The majority of the ghost tours are walking tours and will take you all around the historic downtown area.

Ghost tours are some of my favorite tours in Charleston. Here are the ones that I recommend that you should try for the best ghost tours in Charleston SC.

1. Charleston Ghost & Graveyard Night-Time Guided Walking Tour

Learn all about the dark, grisly history of Charleston in this tour as you stroll through graveyards, historic locations, and spooky corridors in the historic district of Charleston. Learn about the ghosts that haunt these locations and their stories for why they are still here.

2. Ghosts Of Charleston Night-Time Walking Tour With Unitarian Church Graveyard

Listen to tales of dark deeds from your tour guide as they take you through the heart of the historic district. With this great ghost tour, you will get exclusive after-hours access to the haunted graveyard of the Unitarian Church.

3. Real Hauntings of Charleston! (Small Group Ghost Tour)

This ghost tour focuses on a small group setting that keeps your group to about 10 people. Enjoy this 90-minute walk as you pass through haunted locations around Charleston. You will hear stories about murders, pirates, executions, duels, and so much more! Learn all about the spirits that still walk the streets of Charleston.

4. Charleston Pirates And Ghosts Tour

A little spin on the traditional ghost tour. Charleston has a rich history of pirates and it blends so well with the haunts and horrors of the haunted Holy City. Learn about ghosts and pirates in this 2-for-1 tour and visit the famous Old City Jail.

5. Charleston’s Pleasing Terrors Night-Time Walking Ghost Tour

Enjoy this great ghost tour by the popular Pleasing Terrors Podcast host, Mike Brown. This tour will take you throughout the historic district and have you learn about all the ghostly stories that make Charleston one of the most haunted cities in the country.

Best Food Tours In Charleston SC

Bowl of shrimp and grits on a table
Photo Courtesy of Virginia’s On King

Charleston is one of the best culinary hot spots in the country. There are many award-winning chefs in The Holy City’s restaurant scene. Visitors come from all over the world just to enjoy the food scene that Charleston offers.

With so many choices out there of places to go and restaurants to try, food tours are the best way to get an idea of what Charleston has. Come hungry and come ready to taste some of the best food that Charleston gives you. Enjoy the savory selections with these best food tours in Charleston SC.

1. Charleston Food Tour

This amazing food tour takes you around to some of the best restaurants in the historic district. Skip the lines at many of these places to sample the best Southern cuisine in Charleston. Between stops, you will learn more about the city of Charleston as you pass by famous landmarks.

2. Downtown Charleston Food Tour

Enjoy this great food tour as you go to 4 different restaurants taking the amazing flavors that Charleston has to offer. This is a smaller group tour making it more intimate. Taste the food from the French Quarter and Market areas. Bring that sweet tooth because the last stop is to get dessert.

3. Savor The Flavors Of Charleston Walking Food Tour

This small-group food tour is hosted by Bulldog Tours, one of Charleston’s best tour companies. They will take you around the historic district giving you a true sampling of Lowcountry food delights. Enjoy staples of Charleston like South Carolina BBQ to stone-ground grits.

4. Charleston Farm-To-Table Food Tour And Chef’s Challenge

Enjoy this food tour with a local chef who uses seasonal produce to create some of the best-tasting food that you will have. Take your time to enjoy this farm-to-table experience with a 5+ course meal to leave you happy and fulfilled.

5. Dessert With Death In Charleston

A mixture of two great ideas: dessert and ghosts. Have a blast hearing amazing Charleston ghost stories as you indulge with a 5-course dessert. Make sure to bring your own alcoholic drinks to make the evening even better with this unique food tour.

6. Sip History In A Secret Speakeasy Cocktail Class

Now one for all you drink lovers out there. During this tour, you will learn about the history of prohibition in Charleston from Tommy “Alchemy” Paul. You will learn how to make prohibition-style classic cocktails and at the end, get to enjoy drinking them as well.

Best Carriage Tours In Charleston SC

Horse with a carriage with people in it with water in the background

When you visit Charleston, you will see one of the more iconic ways to take a tour of the city, by horse and carriage. While walking or driving around the historic district, you will notice a lot of carriage tours happening.

To me, hearing the sound of the hooves, with the “click-clat” sound, just takes my mind back to what it was like during the colonial days. The horses, the historic homes, and hearing the stories. It puts it all together for me.

This is one of the most popular ways to tour Charleston. You can sit back and have a tour guide teach you all about the historic locations in these best carriage tours in Charleston SC.

1. Daytime Horse-Drawn Carriage Sightseeing Tour Of Historic Charleston

Meet up at the Big Red Barn to get your journey started. You will enjoy a great tour that takes you around the historic district of Charleston. Learn about the history, architecture, and stories that shaped Charleston into what it is today.

2. Charleston’s Old South Carriage Historic Horse & Carriage Tour

Enjoy this carriage tour as it takes you through the history of Charleston. You will learn about famous mansions, churches, and historic locations on this 30-block tour. Take in everything Charleston from colonial life to Charleston in The Civil War.

3. Private Historic Horse & Carriage Tour Of Charleston

Don’t want to deal with a larger group as you learn about Charleston? Take this private carriage tour. This tour is for 1-4 people as you get a private tour of Charleston to learn about all the historic locations and houses.

4. Haunted Evening Horse And Carriage Tour Of Charleston

Take a carriage tour with a spin on it. Enjoy a great tour after the sun goes down and learn the stories that still haunt The Holy City. See and hear about the most haunted locations in Charleston. This tour will take you to graveyards, churches, and even learn about The Provost Dungeon.

Best Historic House Tours In Charleston SC

Large yellow house on a corner with palmetto trees in front of it and balconies for best tours in Charleston SC

Charleston has many amazing historic houses to tour. Many of them are from Charleston’s Gilded Age. You will enjoy touring houses from the styles of Victorian and Antebellum eras. Be in awe of the history of Charleston as you see how the families lived in these amazing historic houses.

Many of these houses will take about 30 minutes to tour through. The best way to see the all is by purchasing a Charleston Tour Pass to save money. Learn all about these unique houses with these best historic house tours in Charleston SC.

Best Boat Tours In Charleston SC

A great way to see Charleston is by boat while on the water. There is just something about the wind in the hair and the salt in the air. Being on the water is one of my favorite things to do in Charleston.

You can see many historic landmarks and houses while you take an amazing trip around Charleston Harbor and the surrounding rivers. If you are lucky, you will get to see dolphins as you do your tours. Get some sun and feel the salt air with the best boat tours in Charleston SC.

1. Charleston Harbor History Day-Time Or Sunset Boat Cruise

Enjoy this boat tour during the day or at sunset as you tour the Cooper River and Charleston Harbor learning about Charleston’s history. You will board and begin your tour at the Charleston Maritime Center. Sit back and enjoy the views from your boat as you learn about Charleston.

2. Private Luxury Sailing Charters, BYOB & Dolphins

This tour is made for a more intimate, smaller group. Take in Charleston as you sail around the harbor in a sailboat. Bring drinks and a picnic to make it a complete experience. You will leave from The City Marina and head out to get some of the best views of Charleston.

3. Charleston Marsh Eco Boat Cruise With Stop At Morris Island Lighthouse

Take a boat tour that is off the beaten path from the rest. This tour takes you around the beautiful marsh areas of Charleston and starts on Bowens Island. See some of the awe-inspiring views that make The Lowcountry unique. You will stop at the famous Morris Island Lighthouse and see dolphins on this amazing small-group tour.

4. 2-Hour Guided Kayak Eco Tour In Charleston

Take a completely different style of a boat tour, do it by kayak. Slow down and take in the tidal salt marshes that help make Charleston beautiful. You will get a great chance to get to see many different animals like dolphins and Loggerhead turtles. You will depart from Bowens Island to start your tour. Get your cameras ready to take some amazing photos.

Best Bus Tours In Charleston SC

White mini bus on a road with trees behind it for best tours in Charleston SC

Charleston is a very walkable city, but if you are not able to walk too far, there are great options to tour the city by bus. Besides a lot of walking, it can also be really hot and humid in the summer months in Charleston. So what better way to tour the city than by an air-conditioned bus?

You will be able to sit back and relax as you are driven around the city taking in all the views and learning from a great tour guide. Take in everything Charleston as you relax with these best bus tours in Charleston SC.

1. Charleston City Sightseeing Bus Tour

Take a great tour in a minibus as you check out some of Charleston’s best sites. Learn about Charleston’s great locations from Rainbow Row to The Battery. Get out of the heat and enjoy a great air-conditioned tour.

2. City Bus Tour With Charleston Museum Admission

Enjoy this great tour that takes you around many great locations like Colonial Lake and Whitepoint Gardens. You will learn all about Charleston’s history and what made Charleston so important in America’s history. With this tour, you will also get an admission ticket to the Charleston Museum.

3. 90-Minute Charleston City Sightseeing Bus Tour

Enjoy this tour as it takes you around to see a plethora of landmarks that makes Charleston unique. See many locations such as Rainbow Row, the Old Exchange Building, White Point Garden, and The Battery. There is also a great upgrade feature to tour the Joseph Manigault House.

Best Plantation Tours In Charleston SC

Two rows of trees on grass with a path in the middle for best tours in Charleston SC

Every great trip to Charleston should include a visit to one of the many amazing plantations. With Charleston being in the South, there is a strong history that involves slavery and plantations. Charleston has hit this head-on and displays it very respectfully and educationally.

Enjoy learning about the history of these plantations and the people who worked the land. From house tours to garden tours, every plantation has something for everyone. Come with an open mind to learn as much as can with any of these best plantation tours in Charleston SC.

1. Magnolia Plantation Admission & Tour With Transportation From Charleston

This tour is great for those staying in downtown Charleston as it provides transportation. Enjoy a walking tour of the gardens, a narrated drive to the plantation, a tour of the grounds on a tram, and a great house tour. This plantation has the best gardens. Learn more about Magnolia Plantation HERE.

2. Boone Hall Plantation Admission & Tour With Transportation From Charleston

Rated at the #1 Plantation in the Charleston area. Take a tractor tour of the grounds at this still-working plantation or tour the house. There are 9 original cabins that slaves lived in that present the history of African Americans in the South. Make sure to enjoy the Gullah Culture Presentation. Learn more about Boone Hall Plantation HERE.

3. Middleton Place Admission With Self Guided Tour And Lunch

Enjoy a great tour of Middleton Place, one of the most popular plantations in Charleston. With this tour, you will receive a 3-course lunch at the Middleton Place Restaurant. Get your camera and camera phones ready for picture-perfect photos in the oldest landscaped gardens in America. Learn more about Middleton Place HERE.

Best Unique Tours In Charleston SC

If you are looking to do a tour that is different from “the norm”, try one of these. From seeing one of your favorite show’s locations to some fun day drinking, take one of these best unique tours in Charleston SC.

1. Outer Banks Film Locations Tour

Outer Banks is one of Netflix’s biggest TV shows. Did you know that the majority of it is shot in Charleston? Take this tour to see some of your favorite spots from the show. This is a must if you love Outer Banks.

2. Paranormal Investigation: YOU Are The Ghost Hunter

This is a great spin on the classic ghost tours. With this tour, you are hooked up with and taught how to use the equipment to investigate ghost sightings and hauntings. Head out to some of the most haunted locations and see if you can find any paranormal activity.

3. Create Your Very Own Custom Perfume Or Cologne In Charleston – Mix And Match

Looking for something really unique to do? You and a small group can get together and make your perfume or cologne in this class. Keep the perfume you make and a certificate of completion as you find the fragrance you have been searching for.

4. Day Drinking Tour

Day drinking… enough said. It is so much fun to get away with the normal rules when on vacation. Like taking a day drinking tour and sampling great drinks. Enjoy 3 different brewery stops with 4 pours at each stop.

Get Your Charleston Tour Pass And Save Money

If you are planning on being in Charleston for multiple days and looking to do a lot of tours, take a look at the tours included in the Charleston Tour Pass. I have found that you can save money if you are planning on taking the tours provided.

Charleston Tour Pass has over 45 tours in its package with multi-day options. Save some money and purchase your Charleston Tour Pass.

Charleston Tour Pass

Get Your Charleston Tour Pass And Save Money On All Your Tours

How To Get Around Charleston SC

Charleston is an easy city to get around. There are plenty of options for you in The Holy City.

  • Walking – Charleston is a very walkable city, especially the entire downtown area. The peninsula is not too large, so walking is easy.
  • Rideshare – Rideshare is a major part of Charleston with lots of rides available.
  • Taxis – Charleston has plenty of taxi options available including Charleston Green Taxi.
  • Rickshaw – Downtown Charleston will have a lot of rickshaws available to use. They will get you to just about everywhere in the downtown Charleston area.
  • Bikes – The city of Charleston also has invested in bikes that you can rent around the city. It is a great way to get around.

Where To Stay in Charleston SC

Charleston has many great hotel options to stay in while visiting. There are many areas where you can find the perfect hotel for your stay.

You can find great hotels from boutiques to ones with amazing dining options. You will find the perfect room for all that you need.

To find the perfect hotel for you and your location, check out my post below.

Get Charleston Bag Valet

Don’t want to haul your luggage all around Charleston while waiting for your flight to leave or for your hotel to be ready? Good News! Charleston Bag Valet will help you out with that. As they say, you explore, they store.

Charleston Bag Valet will pick up your bags curbside anywhere in Charleston and secure each item with a customizable tamper-proof lock. They will store your bags in an insured and secured climate-controlled environment while you explore. When you are ready, they will deliver your bags to you where you want them and when you want them. You can even have them delivered to the airport for your ease.

Get Your Charleston Bag Valet Here And Enjoy Your Time Without Your Bags

Group of people with bags on a sidewalk

Best Tours In Charleston SC: Conclusion

I am sure you will find as I have while living in Charleston, that it is a great city to explore. Charleston truly offers some of the best tours that you can experience.

I have always loved strolling through the historic streets, feeling the stories come to life as you learn about Charleston’s fascinating past. Or picturing yourself surrounded by the beauty of a plantation, imagining what life was like for those who lived there.

One of my favorites is, feeling the excitement as you hear chilling ghost tales and explore haunted locations. And don’t forget to let the gentle waves carry you away on a boat tour, taking in the breathtaking views of Charleston’s coastline. Or sampling some of Charleston’s best flavors in their award-winning restaurants.

So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to embark on an unforgettable adventure in Charleston. Book your tours and get ready to make memories that will last a lifetime. Don’t miss out on the best tours in Charleston SC – start planning your trip today!

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Shaun Hammond is the owner and author of The Traveling Drifter, a travel blog that has a focus on Charleston, South Carolina, Cruising, and Hiking/Backpacking. Shaun is a has lived in Charleston since 2007 and is an expert about the city. He has spent much of his time exploring and discovering Charleston to help travelers and locals get the most out of their Charleston experience.