self guided driving tour of charleston sc

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Charleston Self-Guided History Tour

Charleston’s history dates back to 1670 when it was founded by English colonists. Luckily, it has retained much of its culture, monuments, and original architecture over the years. Walking down the streets of Charleston, you feel as though you’re walking back in time.

This free self-guided walking tour of Charleston details the city’s history from its conception to modern-day Charlestonian life.

Learn about some of Charleston’s most historically important sites, such as the Charleston Market, Fort Sumter and Patriots Point, Rainbow Row, and the Old Slave Market in this Charleston self-guided history tour.

Based on our popular Charleston history tour, this self-guided walk will take you past many of the city’s most popular sites. If you’re interested in learning more about Lowcountry history, check out our full list of tours .

Yet, if you’d rather explore the city on your own, the stops on this self-guided tour are a great place to start.

Tour Stop 1: Charleston Market

You can’t visit Charleston without stopping at its historic market .

The market’s history dates back to 1788 when famous Charlestonian Charles Cotesworth Pickney gave up a plot of land to the City of Charleston for use of a public market. The market was finally built between 1804 and the 1830s. Today it’s one of the best spots in Charleston for shopping. Visitors can browse the stalls, get a quick bite to eat, and check out the market’s most famous wares — handmade sweetgrass baskets.

Walk east on Market St., and take a right on Concord St; you’ll hit the Waterfront Park in a few blocks. Walk until you see the Pineapple Fountain.

Tour Stop 2: Waterfront Park/ Fort Sumter

The second stop on our Charleston self-guided history tour is the Waterfront Park. Charleston’s Waterfront Park offers one of the best viewpoints in the city — and some of the best photo opportunities. The park runs half a mile down the Cooper River. The focal point of the park is the famous Pineapple Fountain, which was built in 1990 and symbolizes the Charlestonian love of hospitality.

From here, you can see the Ravenel Bridge, Patriots Point, and Fort Sumter — the location where the Civil War began.

Walk two blocks east of the park, and take a right on Church St. St. Philip’s Church is located between Cumberland and Queen sts.

Tour Stop 3: St. Philip’s Church

St. Philip’s Church is where you can find the oldest congregation in Charleston — and South Carolina. Established in 1680, this church is the mother church of the Diocese of South Carolina. The current structure was built in 1838, and the tower served as a lighthouse for Charleston’s harbor. Several notable Charlestonians are buried in its cemetery, including Charles Pickney and Edward Rutledge.

Head south on Church St., and stop outside the French Huguenot Church at Church and Queen Sts.

Charleston Tour Stop 4: French Huguenot Church

The French Huguenot Church was built in 1845 — and is the third church to stand on this site.

It’s just one of Charleston’s many churches that lend the city its moniker, The Holy City. Its nickname is the “Church of Tides”, thanks to its original service schedule that revolved around the tide schedule as most attendees arrived by boat. Today services are held in French.

Tour Stop 5: Dock Street Theatre

Across the street from the French Huguenot Church is the Dock Street Theatre, which is the fifth stop on our Charleston self-guided history tour.

Opened in 1736, this theater was the first that was built solely for theatrical performances. The first performance was The Recruiting Officer, and the first opera, Flora, was the first-ever performed in America. The Dock Street Theatre is a public building, and visitors can enter the lobby and public areas during the day.

Head south on Church St., and take left on Chalmers St. The Pink House is on the south side of the street.

Indoor stops such as this are a must if you’re visiting Charleston in January or February, as weather during South Carolina winters can be unpredictable!

Tour Stop 6: The Pink House

Though no longer a gallery open to the public, the Pink House is still delightful to see from the outside. Historians believe it is the second oldest structure in Charleston — built in 1712. It has lived many lives and seen many decades of Charleston’s history. In the 1700s, it was a tavern and a brothel. It has also housed a publishing house and law office before becoming a gallery. It is now a private residence.

Tour Stop 7: Old Slave Mart Museum

A few doors down from The Pink House sits the Old Slave Mart Museum. Once an antebellum slave auction gallery, the Old Slave Mart is now a museum dedicated to teaching the history of the slave triangle, slave boat conditions, and the path of the enslaved once they reached the market and plantations.

Head east down Chalmers St., and take a right on State St. Take a left on Broad St. The Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon are just across East Bay St.

Tour Stop 8: Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon

By the late 1700s, enslaved African Americans made up half of Charlestons’ population, though the city wasn’t usually their final destination. Many were here only long enough to be sold to owners in other areas of the American colonies. The Old Exchange is where many of the slave auctions took place.

The Provost Dungeon was where American soldiers were held prisoner by the British in the American Revolutionary War.

Although the Old Exchange Building is easy to find on your own, you can learn more about this famous Charleston site on our guided history tour . In addition to learning about the history of the Exchange Building, you can learn about most of the sites on this list from our knowledgeable tour guides.

Head south one block on E. Bay St., and take a left on E. Elliot St.

Tour Stop 9: Coates’ Row

The buildings at 114-120 East Bay St. are known as Coate’s Row and were built between 1788 and 1806. Originally owned by Thomas Coates, the structures were once commercial buildings, homes, a tavern, and a coffee house. 120 East Bay St. was once a meeting place of the Jacobin Club.

Head south on E. Bay St. to N. Adgers Warf.

Tour Stop 10: Rainbow Row

Possibly one of the most famous and picturesque rows of homes in Charleston, Rainbow Row shows off the Caribbean influence on Lowcountry homes.

This is one of the prettiest streets in Charleston ! Built in the 1740s, these brightly colored homes were once owned by elite Charleston merchants. Though the rainbow colors have made these homes famous, historians can’t seem to agree on why these exact colors were chosen.

Head north on E. Bay St., and take a left on Broad St. City Hall is at Broad and Meeting St.

Tour Stop 11: Charleston City Hall

The building that became Charleston’s City Hall was built from 1800 to 1804 and is a great example of the Adamesque style. Originally the Bank of the United States, the building was transformed into City Hall in 1818. Visitors can head into the building for a free tour.

Head west on Broad St., and take a left on Legare.

Tour Stop 12: Legare Street

Many of the buildings that sit on Legare St. are of historic significance, including the Robert Trail Chisolm house at 23 Legare. This house survived an earthquake and was once owned by George A. Trenholm, who is considered by some to be the “real” Rhett Butler.

You can discover the history of many Legare Street homes like this on our Charleston’s Alleys and Hidden Passages tour , where you’ll see everything you would on our regular History of Charleston guided tour — just with a little “extra.”

Head south on Legare, and take a left at S. Battery. You’ll see White Point Gardens a block down the street.

Tour Stop 13: White Point Gardens (The Battery)

The last stop on our Charleston self-guided history tour is White Point Gardens. First built as a public garden in 1837, White Point Gardens was converted into a battery during the Civil War. We highly recommend strolling along the boardwalk at The Battery – from here, you can get spectacular views of the Ashely and Cooper Rivers, Fort Sumter, and Charleston Harbor.

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Charleston History Tour

Discover the essentials of historic Charleston on this leisurely walking tour with our knowledgeable tour guides.

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Private Tours

Take a private tour of Charleston to gain a deeper understanding of the Holy City. Allow us to create the perfect tour for your group!

The Southeastern Spine Institute

A Driving Tour of Charleston, SC A Driving Tour of Charleston, SC

More than seven million people visit Charleston, South Carolina at its historic locale in a given year. There are many things that make this small city so beloved by travelers. Its lovingly preserved architecture and lush waterfronts often draw vacationers, but the city’s adaptability to personal needs is what keeps people coming back.

No matter what brings you to Charleston, there are going to be days when you prefer to see the sights from the comfort of a vehicle. Tour Charleston in the comfort of your car, whether you’re:

• Waiting for a procedure at the Southeastern Spine Institute and Ambulatory Surgery Center (SSI)
• Recovering from an outpatient surgery
• Concerned about social distancing
• Worried about inclement weather

Bus Tours of Charleston

It’s a breeze to tour Charleston without having to put undue stress on your spine, expose yourself to unwanted germs or visit the sites without having to walk for miles. Find something catered to your specific tastes in sightseeing or look to go with the flow of a more general downtown excursion. Charleston’s bus tour offerings can help you craft a perfect, personalized visit for you and your guests. You can find something special even if you want to head out in the company of others.

There is something for everyone and tours for all tastes. Bus tour options in Charleston include:

• Charleston Harbor Tours offers a variety of motorized sightseeing options designed for groups big and small. Explore Charleston’s most awe-inspiring locations on the 1.5-hour “See It All City Tour.” This bus trip not only drives by some of the city’s oldest preserved architecture, but it also takes you through The Old City Market, the historic Charleston promenade, The Battery and many stunning attractions. Charleston has sights you won’t find anywhere else.
• Crafted Travel Charleston  is the luxury traveler’s way to get a taste of the Holy City. This tour company offers chauffeured driving tours led by certified guides who are lifelong Charlestonians. With their assortment of brewery, winery and restaurant tours, your spirit and stomach will be satisfied after you tour Charleston in style.

Self-Guided Tours of Charleston

A self-guided tour is the ideal way to see the city’s breathtaking sights at your own pace. The freedom of your own vehicle lets you tour Charleston the way you want without having to worry about exhaustion, awkward tour group interactions or pesky weather issues. Do some research ahead of time and then design a basic itinerary to take away any pre-trip anxieties and streamline your day.

The Historic Charleston Foundation  has designed their own app for the tourist like you who wants to see the city on your own terms. With a focus on storytelling through architectural preservation, the City Guide app has more than 300 text stops and 30 audio stops designed to paint the picture of past and present Charleston.

While a self-guided tour might seem daunting at first, the ability to edit your schedule, be spontaneous and let the history of the city envelope you has its benefits. The expansive guide provided by the app helps you tour Charleston while being able to choose on the fly which destinations you want to see by car. Have fun!

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Historic Charleston | A Self-Guided Tour

This self-guided tour takes you through a section of the city with a large density of 18th-century sites, including those open to the public for free and some that that charge admission.  

• Self-Guided Tour
• Audio Tour Option
• A Brief History of Charleston
• Nearby Attractions
• Walking Tours of Charleston

SELF-GUIDED TOUR

As an alternative to using the below self-guided tour, you can now use one of our affordable AUDIO TOURS ! 

We have partnered with Atlantis Audio Tours to provide you with a convenient way to experience our tours.

Of course, you can always join our pay-what-you-wish walking tours of Charleston .

But our audio tours of Charleston give you the chance to be led by an experienced tour guide at a time of your choosing.

The tour is also available with an off-line option to view the map and hear the audio of each stop so that you don't need to have GPS maps running with the app.

Here a sample of the tour.  "The Dock Street Theater".

This self-guided tour starts at the red marker on the map at the intersection of East Bay Street and Broad Street.

With houses and buildings that have remained intact since before the American Revolution, Charleston allows your imagination to travel back in time to the when stately horse-drawn carriages rode down quaint cobblestone streets.

It also is a reminder of America's darker past when slavery was legal and Charleston was one of the biggest hubs of the slave trade. 

This tour was designed to show you both sides of the city.

(1)  The Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon , East Bay Street at Broad Street

By the 1770s Charleston’s population was around 12,000 people, half of whom were slaves. In one year, over 7,000 black Africans were channeled through the city to other parts of the colonies.

The city’s commercial center was Bay Street, anchored by the Custom’s House (Exchange Building) where public slave auctions were held outside and along the adjacent factors’ wharves.

Other enterprises included brokers’ offices and a large number of merchants who catered to the maritime trade. Rope, tar, lumber, canvas, and nails were kept in good supply.

Great sailing ships arrived with bulk cargo from Europe, while smaller boats and canoes arrived via the local waterways loaded with animal skins, corn, and other goods.

Walk west on Broad Street, turn right on State Street, walk one block north and then  left on Chalmers Street, one of the few remaining cobblestone streets in Charleston.

(2)  The Old Slave Mart 6 Chalmers Street

The building at this site, which now houses the Old Slave Mart Museum , is the only surviving building in South Carolina that had been used as a slave auction gallery.

In the antebellum period, the era leading up to the Civil War, Charleston was a commercial center for the plantation economy. Where there were plantations, there were slaves.

The Old Slave Mart was built in 1859 as a result of a city regulation that prohibited public sales of slaves.

The Old Slave Mart made it possible for the slave trade to continue in Charleston now that it had been moved to an indoor private location.   It only operated for four years, closing its doors in 1863 in the idle years of the Civil War. 

Two years later, slavery would be abolished in all the United States. After 1865, the building’s ownership and use changed many times. Between 1878 and 1937 the building was a tenement for African-Americans. 

In 1938, Miriam B. Wilson purchased the building, called locally the Old Slave Mart. Wilson established a museum featuring African and African-American arts and crafts.  

In 1964, Judith Wragg Chase and Louise Wragg Graves took over the Old Slave Mart Museum and got the Old Slave Mart building placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973, and operated it until 1987.

The City of Charleston bought the property in 1988, having recognized its importance in the history of the slave trade in Charleston.

(3) The Old Slave Mart Museum  located inside the Old Slave Mart

The museum displays accounts, many firsthand, of the slave trade from freed slaves told through photos and writings on display.  There are very few objects or interactive exhibits so children may be bored.

If you don’t know much about the history of the slave trade, you will find the museum interesting. It will take under an hour to go through the museum.  

Hours and Admission: Open Monday-Saturday. $7 (adults 17 and up);  $5 (ages 5-17 and seniors 60 and older); children under 5 free.

Continue on Chalmers Street one block.

(4)  The Pink House   17 Chalmers Street

Built around 1712, the Pink House is believed to be the second oldest remaining structure in Charleston. It never was a house; rather it was a tavern and rumored to have housed a brothel on the upper floor.

The Pink House was just one of the structures along cobble-stoned  “Chalmers Alley” part of the bawdy, rollicking tavern and bordello district that lay adjacent to the wharves. It remained a tavern through the 1700s when the neighborhood became more residential.

Since then it has been a publishing house, a law office and is now an art gallery. Some say that the Pink House has, from time to time, “visitors” long since departed from this earthly world.

Turn right on Church Street and walk about half a block.

(5)  The Douxsaint-Macauley House 132 Church Street

In 1726, a house was erected by a French Huguenot Paul Douxsaint. This is noted on the historic marker next to the front door.

The first house burned down in the massively destructive fire of June 13-14, 1796.  (Because of the close proximity of the houses in this area, the fire spread rapidly. It has been estimated that at least 300 families had lost their homes in the blaze).

The current house here was built after the fire and remains a fine example of early Federal period homes with its beaded weatherboarding on the exterior, 9-over-9 windows, and a roof with dormers. 

In the 19th century Daniel Macaulay, a member of one of Charleston’s leading Scottish merchant families, owned and occupied the dwelling.

Walk about 200 feet further along Church Street until you are standing in front of a very small graveyard. 

(6)  The French Huguenot (Protestant) Church   140 Church Street

The graveyard belongs to the pink neo-gothic building, the French Huguenot Church. Three church buildings have stood on this site, the current one was built in 1845.  

The first church building was completed in 1687, but during the great fire of 1796 was deliberately blown up to create a “firebreak” (a strip of cleared land made to prevent the spread of a fire).

The second church was built in 1800 but closed in 1823 as the congregation membership dwindled. Huguenot descendants revitalized the congregation in 1844 and the second church was razed and the current church was built.

The church came to be known as the C hurch of the Tides because Sunday services were held based on the tidal schedule as most in attendance came to town on boats from their up-river homes.

Throughout the 1900s, the church was used periodically by the Huguenot Society of South Carolina for special events. Today's congregation was reestablished in 1983 and is the only French Calvinist congregation in the United States today.

Across the street from the Church and graveyard, you will see an eye-catching two-story building with a balcony.

(7)  The Dock Street Theatre 135 Church Street

This ornate building with its intricate wrought-iron balcony is now home to the Charleston Stage Company, South Carolina's largest professional theater production company. However, it was built as a hotel around 1809.

Named The Planter’s Hotel, it is Charleston's last surviving hotel from the antebellum period. At that time the hotel’s guests were mainly planters from around the state who came to Charleston for the horse-racing season.

The hotel was well-known for its good food and delicious alcoholic drinks. Some believe that the South's famous Planter's Punch may have been created here. 

The building itself has had several additions to it over the years, as is evident from the different differences in brick coloration.  The prior building from 1730 is believed to have been the first building constructed specifically for theatrical performances in America.  

In 1736, the grand opening of the theatre featured a production of The Recruiting Officer by Irish playwright George Farquhar. Having left acting after accidentally stabbing a fellow actor on stage, Farquhar later served in the army as a recruiter and drew from those experiences in writing his play.

During the building’s days as the Planter’s Hotel, actors performing in nearby theaters routinely stayed at the hotel. Among the guests was Junius Brutus Booth, the father of John Wilkes Booth, Abraham Lincoln’s assassin.

Cross Queen Street and walk straight ahead one block.

(8)  St. Phillips Episcopal Church  146 Church Street

The congregation who built the current church grew out of colonial congregation who built a small wooden church in 1681. That wooden church was the first Anglican church south of Virginia.

As such, St. Phillips is home to the oldest congregation in South Carolina. In the early 18th century, a brick church was built on this site but which burned down in 1835.

The church you know see was constructed from 1835 to 1838 by architect Joseph Hyde. Many notable people from the colonial era and post-Revolutionary War years are buried in the graveyard.  Several colonial governors are interned there, including Rawlins Lowndes, the governor during the Revolutionary War.

Prominent early Americans are also buried there such as Christopher Gadsden, a general in the Continental Army, Daniel Huger, a member of the Continental Congress, Edward Rutledge, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and Charles Pinckney, a signer of the U.S. Constitution.

Note:  The building and graveyard are open to the public Monday-Friday, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

Turn left on Cumberland Street.

(9)   The Old Powder Magazine   79 Cumberland Street 

This building is so old that when it was built the word magazine had only one meaning – it was an arsenal of gunpowder from 1713 until 1748.

At that time, the colony was young and was afraid of attacks by Native Americans, and French or Spanish forces also staking a claim in the New World.

The city was so fortified that the colonists built a wall around it, making Charleston one of only three fortified cities on the entire eastern seaboard of British Colonial America. The magazine is also the oldest public building in the state of South Carolina. 

By the 1740s the colony was fully protected by the British Crown and the local government felt the magazine was no longer necessary.

Although it was used as an arsenal again during the Revolutionary War, after that the building served as a stable, a print shop and a carriage house.

In 1902, the National Society of Colonial Dames of America in The State of South Carolina   bought the building to ensure its preservation as a historical landmark. They converted the magazine into a museum and it has remained one ever since.

The museum is just one small room, as you can see from the size of the building. For history buffs and guns, powder and cannon enthusiasts, a visit might be worth your while.

Many people enjoy the thrill of being inside a building over 300 years old. The staff is enthusiastic and very knowledgeable and there is a diorama of the city when it was walled. Who doesn’t love dioramas!  

Hours: Monday to Saturday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm and Sunday 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm. Admission is $5 for adults and $2 for children.

Walk half a block north on Cumberland to Meeting Street. Turn left on Meeting Street and about halfway down the block you will see the church and a gated path that enters the graveyard of the church.

(10) The Circular Congregational Church 150 Meeting Street

In 1681, Charles Town settlers including English Congregationalists, Scottish Presbyterians, and French Huguenots built a wooden meeting house in the northwest corner of the walled city.

As non-followers of the Anglican Church, these settlers were considered dissenters and as such was not allowed by law to call their place of worship a ‘church'.

They were allowed to call it a meeting house, and the street that led to the wooden building was called "Meeting House Street” later shortened to Meeting Street.

The current church building stands on the exact site of the wooden house. A century after its construction, the wooden meeting house was replaced with a circular brick building designed by esteemed architect Robert Mills.

That church was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1861.  In 1890 the present-day church was constructed. The church is striking due to its Romanesque style that stands out among the surrounding buildings.

The graveyard is the city’s oldest burial ground with monuments dating from 1695. Among the gravestones, 50 slate stone markers were imported from New England and constitute the largest cluster of that region’s carvers in the Southeast. 

If you are not easily spooked, take our  Charleston Ghost Tour and learn more about the "residents" of the Circular Church's graveyard .

Follow the path in the graveyard and you will exit onto Meeting Street.

(11) Meeting Street

  In 1861, a devastating fire ripped through the city and Meeting Street (between Cumberland Street and Church Street) was one of many streets whose buildings were burned to the ground, including the second Circular Church.  

The fire started from an unknown source on the night of December 11, 1861, and burned a trail through the city until 5 am on December 12. The blaze covered 540 acres and over 500 hundred buildings were burned to the ground.

More than a third of the city was gone. At the time, the damages were estimated to be $7 million dollars. This fire caused more damage to Charleston than did the damage caused by the events of the Civil War.

The image on the right shows the scope of devastation along Meeting Street (image from Library of Congress).

At 108 Meeting Street, you will find a Visitor Center housed in a former Esso gas station. This is a great place for a pit-stop for restrooms, cold drinks, and sweets. There are exhibits on local history and special events are dynamic and informative.

The gift shop features a fully-stocked book store, loaded with works on history, architecture and public figures. Better still, purchases are tax exempt!  

Hours: Monday- Saturday 9am-6pm, Sunday 12pm- 5pm.

Continue south one block until Broad Street. The intersection of Broad and Meeting Streets is known today as the "Four Corners of the Law" since the four buildings situated here represent four arms of law -- city, state, federal and clerical.

(12) City Hall 80 Broad Street

This hub of municipal government was constructed between 1800 and 1804 on the site of the city’s meat market from 1739 until it was destroyed by fire in 1796.

Free tours are offered and feature portraits of key Revolutionary War figures, including an odd portrait of General George Washington.  There are public restrooms and a rest area, as well as an early town archaeological exhibit on the first floor. 

Note: This is a secured public building, and visitors to the upper floors must pass through metal detector screening before getting on the elevator.

Look across the street to the northwest corner of the Four Corners of Law.

(13) Charleston County Courthouse   84 Broad Street

The Charleston County Courthouse is one of the most significant buildings in South Carolina as it served at the provincial capital for the state when it was still a British colony.

The first building was in 1753 and it was here in 1776 that the first public reading in the colony of the Declaration of Independence took place on the second story balcony overlooking Meeting Street. 

The first building was destroyed by a fire that occurred towards the end of the Revolutionary War and a new building was erected in 1792.

The building took another hit as it was badly damaged by Hurricane Hugo in 1989. It has since been restored to its 18th-century splendor.

Note : Before entering you must inquire at the entrance whether the building is open to the public because sometimes private events are happening. If it is open, you will have to pass through security screening by guards at the door.

Look across the street to the southwest corner of the Four Corners of Law.

(14) Post Office and Federal District Court  83 Broad Street

Built in 1896 in the Renaissance Revival style, this attractive building is the federal element on the Four Corners of the Law .

The post office is on the first level and above are the courtrooms.  You can walk in during normal business hours and you should. It’s simply sumptuous.

The interior is palatial with balustrade balconies, carved mahogany woodwork, a marble staircase, brass and ironwork, and stone columns. Who knew that buying a stamp could make you feel like royalty.

Cross over to the southeast corner for our next stop.

(15)  St. Michael’s Episcopal Church   71 Broad Street/80 Meeting Street

Here is the ecclesiastical corner of the Four Corners and it is the oldest and the oldest church in Charleston.  The church was built between 1752 and 1761.

St. Michael’s congregation grew out of  St. Philip's Episcopal Church a few blocks away. In fact, the first St. Philip's church stood at this site from approximately 1681 to 1727.

Then in 1751, the congregation split and St. Michael's was built. St. Michael's was the city’s focal point of Colonial resistance to the British. The church steeple was an easy target for British ship gunners.

At one point, the congregation had the steeple painted black hoping to decrease its visibility. The reverse effect occurred and it was even more visible against the blue sky.

Incredibly, St Michael’s has survived hurricanes, wars, fires, earthquakes and even a cyclone with little damage.

The interior of the church has a typical 18th-century English design, with native cedar box-pews. Pew Number 43 was used by George Washington in 1791 and later, in 1861, General Robert E. Lee sat in the same pew. 

The church and graveyard are open to the public Monday-Friday 8:45 am to 4:45 pm and Saturday mornings.

Continue south on Meeting Street for one block until Tradd Street. Turn left and enjoy one of Charleston’s most picturesque and historic streets, with at least 10 homes with landmark status.  After two blocks you will reach East Bay Street. Make a left and walk half-way up the block.

(16)  Rainbow Row  79-107 East Bay Street

Just one look and you know how this stretch of houses along East Bay Street acquired its name. This series of row houses, painted in bright colors, dates back to about 1740.

As it is near what was the waterfront district of the city back in the 18th century, the houses were owned to well-off merchants who had stores on the ground floor and lived on the upper floors.

You can read in-depth information on these festive houses in our post  What is Rainbow Row?

Continue north on East Bay Street and at 112-114 you will find the next and last stop on the tour.

(17)  Coates' Row   114-120 East Bay Street

This small simple brick and stone cluster of businesses and dwellings was built between 1710-1841.

A historic marker by the door of No. 120 says that "recently discovered documents and maps found in Scotland and the Netherlands" indicate that a seafarer's tavern was on this site as early as 1686, which would make this the oldest intact building in Charleston.  

The entire strip of buildings came into the possession of Captain Thomas Coates & his wife Catherine around 1775. It has been known as Coates’ Row ever since.  

Mrs. Coates took over Harris' Tavern, (which before that was The Tavern on the Bluffs) and renamed it "Mrs. Coates's Tavern on the Bay."

Regardless of the name, the taverns on that site were a happy site for thirsty sailors pulling into port and seeking grog, rum, and flavored beer. 

Be sure to ask the storekeeper at the liquor store about the secret tunnels that run from under the row.

Just north of Coates' Row is Old Exchange Building, where your journey through historic Charleston began.

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HISTORY OF CHARLES TOWN

In 1670 English settlers pulled into port on the west banks of the Ashley River. They named their settlement Charles Town in honor of King Charles II of England.

Charles Town (renamed Charleston in 1783) was the political, social, and economic heart of the center of South Carolina during the colonial and antebellum (pre-Civil War) eras and was the state capital until 1790.

Plantation life and high merchant activity made Charleston one of the busiest ports along the East Coast of the British colonies.

During the Revolutionary War, the soon-to-be American forces defeated the British fleet in the attack of Charleston in June 1776.  Another victory against the British Army was when a palmetto tree log fort (later named Fort Moultrie) on Sullivan's Island withstood an intense barrage of British cannonballs.

Today the South Carolina flag features a palmetto tree. Charleston's place in American history will never be forgotten because of its role in the Civil War.

In April 1861,   Fort Sumter  a federal stronghold was fired upon by Confederate forces signaling the start of the Civil War.

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS

• When you are finished touring, be sure to visit Ft. Moultrie on Sullivan’s Island north of the city. 
• Charleston Museum , directly across from the Visitors Center on Meeting Street, has an outstanding display of colonial-era dishes, furniture, fabric, art, and militaria. 
•  The Charleston City Day Market , which is over 200 years old. It is open from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily and features several hundred artists, craftspeople, and entrepreneurs.

Be sure to check out our pay-what-you-wish walking tours of Charleston and make the most of your time and money in this beautiful city.

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Welcome to the charleston tour.

This self-guided walking tour of Charleston, SC, offers a taste of the authentic antebellum American South. Explore historic districts packed with lovely shops and beautiful architecture as you learn about the city’s founding, its growth into a major metropolis, and how the Revolutionary War and Civil War changed it forever. This tour offers a comprehensive view of this fascinating city and its past.

About the Tour

Your Walking Tour of Charleston begins at the intersection of Market Street and King Street. From there, you’ll stroll through historic Charleston and hear about its founding. At the historic Circular Congregational Church, you’ll get the story of a patriot who recruited hundreds to fight against the British during the Revolution. Then it’s on to Hibernian Hall, site of the chaotic 1860 Democratic National Convention.

After that, you’ll visit the famous Four Corners of Law, home to some of the city’s most storied institutions. Next, pass a collection of beautifully preserved historic homes while you learn about Charleston’s role in the American Revolution.

At the gorgeous White Point Garden, you’ll find out why South Carolina decided to secede from the Union at the outset of the Civil War. Plus, get a look at Fort Sumter across the water and hear about the battle that kicked off the war!

Then, you’ll stop by another pair of historic homes, the Palmer Home and the Edmondston-Alston House, before learning about the Great Charleston Fire and the Union attack on Charleston’s harbor.

Stop by the picture-perfect Longitude Lane next, before continuing on to Rainbow Row, a series of pastel-painted historic homes. Then pay a visit to the Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon, which the British once used to house American prisoners of war.

Later, you’ll see a couple of sites where enslaved people were once bought and sold, and where you’ll hear about an attempted rebellion that predated the Civil War by a few decades.

Finally, you’ll reach the Charleston Historic City Market, where you can find just about any kind of food or souvenir you might be looking for. Your tour concludes here.

Starting Point: 152 Market St,  Charleston , SC 29401, USA

How does it work?

• Once you book a tour, you’ll get a text/email with instructions.
• Download the app (while in good wifi/signal) and use your unique password to access your tours. If there are multiple versions or entrances for your tour, be sure to download all audio guides.
• To begin touring, go to the starting point and launch the app.
• The audio starts automatically once you reach the starting point. Stick to the tour route and speed limit for the best experience.
• Please note that no one will meet you at the starting point.

What You'll See

Welcome to Charleston, dig into the fascinating stories of South Carolina’s biggest city.

King Street

Explore the vibrant streets with restaurants and shops, and learn about Charleston's journey from Native land to a beautiful city.

Native Nations

Discover the Native Cusabo people's role in Charleston's early history and their alliances with British colonists and other tribes.

The Cherokee War

Learn about the conflict between settlers and the Cherokee, and how it shaped the nation's expansion to the west.

Marion Square

Explore Marion Square named after General Francis Marion, the "Swamp Fox," and his guerrilla tactics during the Revolution.

Charleston’s Tea Parties

Uncover the lesser-known tea party in Charleston that took place in protest against British taxes.

Siege of Charleston

Relive the intense battle where Charleston fell to British forces during the Revolutionary War.

Reclaiming Charleston

Learn how the colonists reclaimed Charleston after the British evacuated, marking a day of deliverance and independence.

Liberty Square

Understand the significance of this wharf, where the British evacuated and where the slave trade thrived afterward.

Grimke Sisters' Home

Visit the Blake-Grimke House, home of abolitionists Sarah and Angelina Grimke, who fought for the cause in the North.

Cotton & Slavery

Explore Charleston's economic boom built on the cotton industry and the harsh realities of slavery.

Historic Charleston City Market

See the market, once owned by Founding Father Charles Pinckney, relying on enslaved labor.

Sweetgrass Basket Weaving

Discover the art of sweetgrass basket weaving, passed down from West African ancestors.

William Lloyd Garrison

Learn about the abolitionist's efforts to fight slavery, even in the face of Charlestonian resistance.

Old Charleston Jail

Once held America's first known female serial killer, Lavinia Fisher.

Nathaniel Russell House

A glimpse into Charleston's complex past and the world of slavery.

Washington Square Park

Home to a statue of Confederate General Pierre Beauregard.

Edmondston-Alston House

Witnessed the first battle of the Civil War.

Aiken-Rhett House Museum

Offers a look into Charleston's two separate worlds of slave owners and the enslaved.

The Charleston Museum

Oldest museum in the nation, filled with South Carolinian artifacts.

Joseph Manigault House

Once owned by a wealthy rice farming family, built on the backs of over 200 enslaved people.

South Carolina Aquarium

Home to a variety of aquatic life and unexpected animals like a barn owl and bald eagle.

Preview The Tour

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Walk Charleston’s Historic French Quarter: Self-Guided Tour

• Post last modified: February 13, 2022
• Post author: Nicole

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Did you know Charleston is one of the oldest settlements in the U.S.? The city is full of unique old-world architecture, and of course, Southern charm. There’s no better way to see this historic city than just walking it. This 1.5-mile self-guided walk of Charleston’s historic French Quarter winds its way through the city’s most famous 17th, 18th, and 19th century buildings. It takes around 30 minutes to walk, but of course you’ll want to stop for lots of photos.

If it’s your first trip to Charleston, you may want to also check out our other posts on the area.

• What To Do on a First Visit to Charleston
• 10 Things Charleston is Known For

Start Your Walking Tour at Rainbow Row

Technically, this little spot on East Bay Street is just outside Charleston’s French Quarter, but it’s worth adding to the walk.

Built by merchants around 1740, these thirteen colorful houses, known as Rainbow Row, were originally on the waterfront before the land was filled in.

The story goes, after the Civil War, this area of the city became a slum. However, around 1931, Dorothy Haskell Porcher Legge bought a few of the houses and started renovating them. She painted them pink, which really brightened up the area. Then, other homeowners started painting their houses in bright Caribbean colors. It’s been a tradition ever since.

Quick Stop at the Tavern at Rainbow Row

Almost directly across from Rainbow Row, at the intersection of East Bay and Exchange, is the oldest liquor store in the country .

Serving Charleston since 1686, it’s a fun place to pop in and do a few tastings. They pride themselves on rare finds. Plus, if you’ve been after some South Carolina Moonshine, this is your place to get it.

Learn Some History at the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon

Next door to the Tavern is the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon .

Over the centuries, this building was once an exchange, a military headquarters, a customs house, and even a post office. Today, visitors can tour the creepy dungeons where the British kept prisoners of war.

After touring the dungeon, visitors are welcome to go upstairs to learn about the building’s political significance and role in the slave trade.

Take a Peek Down Gillon Street

Before heading down Broad Street, it’s worth taking a moment to go next door to Gillon Street.

One of only eight cobblestone streets left in Charleston, it’s a picture-perfect spot full of old-world charm. 

Admire the Intersection of Meeting and Broad Street

Arguably one of the prettiest intersections in Charleston is at Meeting and Broad Street, also known as The Four Corners of Law .

On the southeast corner, Saint Michael’s bright white spire stretches to the heavens. Built between 1752 and 1761, it is the oldest church building in the City of Charleston.

Across the street, on the northeast corner, Charleston City Hall exemplifies an elegant Adamesque style of architecture. Built between 1800 and 1804, the building was originally only one of eight branches of The First Bank of the United States.

The magnificent gray brick and granite building on the southwest corner is the U.S. Post Office and Courthouse built in 1896. With a square tower and balustraded balconies its design is meant to resemble an Italian Renaissance palace.

Finally, on the northwest corner, is the Charleston County Courthouse , first built in 1753 and then reconstructed in 1792. Look carefully, does it look familiar? The architect, James Hoban, also designed the White House. His original design was very similar to the courthouse. However, on George Washington’s guidance, he amended the design into a two-story house with eleven windows across.

Hibernian Hall

From the intersection of Meeting and Broad, take a stroll through the peaceful Washington Park, before walking down Meeting Street to Hibernian Hall .

With the look of a Greek Temple, it’s quite an unusual find. Built in 1840, the “temple” is an historic meeting hall and social venue. It’s mostly used for weddings today.

In 1860, the Democratic Party held the Charleston Convention here and failed to agree on a presidential candidate. The lack of agreement in the party most famously led to the election of Abraham Lincoln and the anti-slavery Republican party.

Chalmers to Church

Next, walk down another of Charleston’s tree-lined cobblestone streets, Chalmers Street.

A little past the intersection with Church St., at 17 Chalmers St., is one of the oldest buildings in South Carolina, and the second oldest residence in Charleston. Built between 1694 and 1712, Pink House is now a private residence, but it’s worth seeing while you’re in the area.

Next, follow Church St. north. You’ll spot the tall spire of St. Philip’s straight away. Founded in 1680, it is the oldest congregation south of Virginia. It’s often considered the “Westminster Abbey of South Carolina,” as many founding fathers are buried here.

Before you reach St. Philip’s, you’ll pass the historic French Huguenot Church . The current building is from 1845, but the original building stood on this spot in 1687.

Historic Charleston City Market

Continue north on Church St. to S Market St. Then follow the shop-lined street west for one block, to the intersection of Meeting and Market. 

At the head of the Historic Charleston City Market is a replica of the Temple of the Wingless Victory in Athens, Greece. Built in 1841, the building was originally a Masonic Hall. Today, it sits above the entrance to the popular city market and serves as a Confederate Museum .

The city market’s covered buildings run for four blocks and include over 300 vendors. It’s one of the most popular attractions in the city and worth a browse.

U.S. Custom House

At the end of the market, on S Market Street, is the US Custom House . In our opinion, it’s one of the grandest buildings in the city. Construction started on the federal building in 1852. However, in 1859, construction halted due to the concern of South Carolina’s possible secession.

Construction didn’t restart until 1870, and finally finished in 1879. 

Joe Riley Waterfront Park

End your tour of Charleston’s historic French Quarter with a walk along the harbor at Joe Riley Waterfront Park .

In front of the park is the Waterfront Park Pier , which is great for views of the Arthur Ravenel Jr Bridge . We always tell folks to keep a lookout for dolphins here, they are a common sight.

The elaborate Pineapple Fountain in the center of the park is a local and visitor favorite. You’ll actually notice pineapples all over the city and decorating many of the souvenirs. Over the years, it has become a symbol of Charleston’s welcoming Southern hospitality.

Looking for more on the South Carolina coast? Here are a few other posts you may be interested in.

• Could Mount Pleasant be an Alternative to Charleston?
• Weekend in Mount Pleasant
• Weekend in Murrells Inlet
• Day Trip to Brookgreen Gardens

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Charleston Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour

TICKET PRICES STARTING FROM

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Get a taste of the authentic antebellum American south with this self-guided walking tour of Charleston, SC. Explore historic districts packed with lovely shops and beautiful architecture as you learn about the city’s founding, its growth into a major metropolis, and how the Revolutionary War and Civil War changed it forever. This tour offers a comprehensive view of this fascinating city and its past. After booking, you can check your email before downloading the Tour Guide App by Action, enter your unique password, and access your tour. The preceding steps require good internet/wifi access. Simply follow the audio instructions and the route from there. This is not an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit. New, extra validity — now, it’s yours for an entire year! Use multiple times over multiple trips!

Ticket Options

1 Option Available

Charleston Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $14.99

Ticket Information

• Mobile or paper ticket accepted
• One per traveler

What's Included

• Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
• Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!
• Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
• Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
• Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!
• Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!
• Learn more: dive deeper into any story you enjoyed with extra stories.
• Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!

What's not Included

• Attraction passes, entry tickets, or reservations

Cancellation Policy

• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Additional Info

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• How to access: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a confirmation email and an instructions email. Follow the instructions right away: • Download the app • Enter the password • Download the tour • MUST DO while in strong wifi/cellular
• How to start the tour: Once onsite, open the Action's Tour Guide App: • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If there are multiple tour versions, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction. • Go to the starting point. (Note: no one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided). • The audio will begin automatically at the starting point. If you face audio issues, visit the FAQ. • Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
• Amazing savings: Walking Tours: While each person typically needs their tour, couples or small groups can share one using split headphones.
• Flexibility and Convenience: • Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. There's no expiration, making it perfect for revisiting on future trips. • Start and pause the tour at your leisure, accommodating breaks and side excursions without the pressure of keeping up with a group.
• Comprehensive Tour Experience: • The app provides a full itinerary, travel tips, narrated audio stories, scripts, images, videos, and recommendations for additional activities. • Enjoy a private experience without the crowds, ideal for personalized stops and photo opportunities.
• Ease of Use and Accessibility: • The app is hands-free and activates stories via GPS, offering support through call, chat, or email. • There is no need for a continuous cell or Wi-Fi connection as the GPS map works offline.
• Memorable Keepsakes: • Utilize the app’s images to create a photo book or share on social media, ensuring you have high-quality, crowd-free memories from your trip.
• Preparation: • After booking, download the app and the tour using a strong Wi-Fi connection. • Review the tour at home before your trip for a better experience.
• Starting the Tour: • Open the app upon arrival at your destination. • Select the appropriate tour based on your starting point. • Head to the starting location; the audio will begin automatically. • Follow the suggested route and adhere to the speed limit for an optimal experience. • By following these instructions and taking advantage of the app's features, users can enjoy a personalized, flexible, and in-depth exploration of their destination at their own pace and convenience.

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Charleston Walking Tour: Self-Guided Tour of the Holy City

Charleston is full of history and culture. You might not be able to see the entire city during your visit, but we’ll be darned if we let you miss out on some of our most famous sites. Whether or not you have a car, you’ll be able to trace the history of Charleston — from the original settlers to contemporary residents — on our self-guided Charleston walking tour.

Charleston Walking Tour Stop #1: Historic Downtown

Most visitors head straight to our historic neighborhoods when their planes land in Charleston. We can’t blame them, either. Our downtown has some of the most beautiful buildings and informative museums in the South.

Visitors also love the fact that they can get around Downtown without a car. It’s easy to get to some of Charleston’s most famous sites in under a 30-minute walk.

Charleston Walking Tour Stop #2: Charleston’s Churches

Charleston’s nickname is the Holy City, so it probably comes as no surprise that there are dozens of churches here. You could spend your entire vacation visiting these structures and enjoying their architecture — and never see all of them!

If you want to check out a few of the most stunning and historically important churches, check out our guide to the churches of the Holy City .

Charleston Walking Tour Stop #3: King Street Shopping

Even if you don’t plan on leaving Downtown, you can still plan on doing some shopping. King Street is one of the most famous shopping districts in Charleston. Here, you’ll find locally owned boutiques, designer shops and chain stores.

Since Charleston’s weather is fair all year long, you can also enjoy the sunshine while you shop — no malls for Charleston, thank you very much.

Charleston Walking Tour Stop #4: French Quarter

Charleston’s French Quarter might not be as popular as the one in New Orleans, but it’s just as beautiful. You could spend an entire day wandering the streets, visiting the museums and browsing the shops here. It’s probably one of the most famous tourist destinations in the historic downtown area.

Some of our favorite French Quarter attractions are right here on this list, including Rainbow Row, the Historic Charleston Market and the Old Slave Mart.

Charleston Walking Tour Stop #5: Rainbow Row

Rainbow Row is one of the most stunning sights in the city. It consists of an entire street of candy-colored houses that have been beautifully restored.

There are a lot of rumors going around about the history of these pastel homes. Spoiler alert: they weren’t painted these colors until the 1920s! Even though the colors aren’t historically accurate, you’ll still want to swing by. They make for great photo opportunities.

Charleston Walking Tour Stop #6: Historic Charleston Market

The Historic Charleston Market is one of the most popular spots for lunch, a light snack — and souvenir shopping! It takes about an hour to wander through all of the stalls here, and it ranks at No. 1 on Charleston’s ‘most visited attractions’ list.

You can find all types of hand-crafted gifts here, including sweetgrass baskets and kids’ clothes. On Fridays and Saturdays during the spring, summer and fall, the market also hosts a nighttime version of its popular day market. Open until 10:30 p.m., you can check out all your favorite vendors by the light of the moon.

Charleston Walking Tour Stop #7: Old Slave Mart Museum and Provost Dungeon

The Old Slave Mart was once where African-American slaves were bought and sold before the end of slavery in 1865. This museum does a great job of explaining the Transatlantic Slave Triangle, the conditions on slave ships and the gravity of the life of an enslaved person in America.

Across the street is the Old Provost Dungeon. This dungeon was used by the British during the Revolutionary War and is now owned by the Daughters of the American Revolution. Head here to learn about Charleston’s Revolutionary history.

Charleston Walking Tour Stop #8: Waterfront Park

This park runs along the eastern coast of Charleston’s downtown neighborhood. You can get great views of the harbor here — and awesome photos of our famous Pineapple Fountain.

Charleston Walking Tour Stop #9: The Battery

The Battery is one of the most picturesque spots in Charleston. Right on the tip of the downtown peninsula, this park has great views of the harbor, Mount Pleasant and Fort Sumter. The name ‘Battery’ comes from an old battery that was built to defend the Charleston Harbor.

Charleston Walking Tour Stop #10: Alleyways and Passages

While you’re on your Charleston walking tour, you might want to pause at a few alleyways and passages that aren’t quite as famous as our Pineapple Fountain. Our alleyways and passages aren’t world famous (although they should be!) but offer insight into the lives of Charleston’s most famous residents.

If you love traveling off the beaten path, you’ll want to pass through a few of these hidden gems. If you need a little help finding them, our Hidden Alleyways and Passages tour will show you some of our favorites!

Charleston Walking Tour Stop #11: Mount Pleasant and Beyond

If you happen to have some extra time, rent a bike and head out to Mount Pleasant. This residential area will make you forget that city life is merely a bridge away. There’s plenty of shopping and restaurants out here — and some of the best beaches in South Carolina are accessible by this neighborhood.

You might also want to take a tour of Fort Sumter (where the first shots of the Civil War were fired); boats to the island leave from here every day, year-round.

Food and Drink on Your Self-Guided Tour

Charleston is known for its famous lowcountry cuisine. Our food is probably the biggest tourist attraction in the city (but don’t tell that to the Historic Charleston Market!). Here, you’ll find all your favorite southern dishes, including fried chicken, grits, shrimp, oysters, Frogmore stew and much more.

If you want to grab a light bite to eat and a cocktail, we recommend heading to the Planters Inn , where Planter’s punch was invented.

Or, if you’re craving something a little more substantial, you might want to head to the High Cotton Restaurant or the Lowcountry Bistro for some quintessential Charleston cuisine. Hungry for more? Check out our self-guided food tour or take a guided food tour of the city.

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Charleston’s Hidden Alleyways and Passages

Charleston’s alleys occupy spaces that blur the line between public and private areas and offer remarkable insight into the city’s history.

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Charleston Private Walking Tours

Interested in booking a private tour with one of our talented guides? We are happy to accommodate private groups and can assist you in organizing a memorable event.

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See Charleston in a Whole New Way

The Historic Charleston Foundation’s revolutionary new app highlights more than 300 of the Holy City’s hidden stories

By Caroline Sanders Clements

October 18, 2018

Photo: Courtesy of Historic Charleston Foundation

How do you get new people interested in old—sometimes really old—places? It’s a challenge Lauren Northup, director of museums for the Historic Charleston Foundation , faces every day. Although the South Carolina city is one of the nation’s best-preserved, attendance at its historic sites hasn’t kept pace with the boom in tourism. “There are seven million people who visit Charleston each year, and we’re only reaching about 150,000 of them,” Northup says. “So clearly there’s a lot of room for growth.”

One way the HCF hopes to achieve it is with a new free app that anyone—visitor or resident—can download to their mobile device. The interface features an interactive map view of the city, allowing users to walk from site to site on a self-guided tour. “We’re adapting to a new generation,” Northup says. “They’re used to having the world on their phones and self-guiding their own experiences. It’s our job to provide it for them.”

The Aiken-Rhett House.

The app includes thirty audio stops and three hundred more sites told through text and photos. In addition, it contains forty-five minute updated audio guides to both of the HCF house museums, Nathaniel-Russell and the Aiken-Rhett Houses. Whether illustrated through writing, photos, or oral histories, each story is told in the slightly irreverent and entertaining tone HCF championed on its popular Instagram account .

  View this post on Instagram   Ah yes, a crisp autumnal Saturday on the Battery. The rustle of falling leaves. Cozy sweaters. A high of 85. Wait. Oh right, it’s Charleston — instead of fall we get second spring! #hcfbatteryviews A post shared by Historic Charleston Foundation (@historiccharlestonfoundation) on Sep 22, 2018 at 6:36am PDT

The app leads users to such notable Holy City destinations as the Battery and Rainbow Row, of course, but it also focuses on lesser-known sites of Charleston’s history, like the Cigar Factory, a nineteenth century manufacturing plant on East Bay Street once used to produce cotton, then cigars, and now home to retail, restaurant, and office space (including G&G ’s headquarters).

“We intentionally targeted sites with overlooked stories—African American, working class, women, LGBTQ stories,” Northup says. “Charleston has an incredible Civil Rights history. The strike at the Cigar Factory was the first time the song ‘We Shall Overcome’ was used in the Civil Rights Movement. Septima Clark was called ‘grandmother of the Civil Rights Movement’ by Martin Luther King, Jr.” Like the Cigar Factory, Clark’s house near Hampton Park, her childhood home off Meeting Street, and the expressway named after her are all entries in the app’s database.

The Cigar Factory.

Similarly, the app tells the story behind the city’s restoration itself. “It happened because generations of preservationists dedicated themselves to preserving the city,” Northup says. “It’s a tale of triumph.” And with this app, Northup and her team hope to share that victory with all who wish to hear it.

Download the Historic Charleston Foundation’s app here .

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Enter OWC25 to get $3.50/person for Old Walled City Walking Tour and CGT25  for Charleston Ghost Tour

Charleston History Tour

Welcome to Old Walled City Tours , where we offer a blend of exploration options to suit every adventurer. Experience the charm of Charleston, SC, with our comprehensive driving tour. This unique adventure allows you to cover more ground while savoring the city’s rich history and picturesque sights.

For those who prefer a more leisurely pace, our Charleston historic walking tour offers an intimate exploration of the city’s cobblestone streets and hidden gems. Our expert guides breathe life into the past, narrating the captivating stories that have shaped Charleston into its vibrant city today.

With our driving tours in Charleston, you can see the city’s beauty from a new perspective. Whether you stroll through history or cruise through the streets, Old Walled City Tours promises an unforgettable adventure. Book your tour today, and let us be your gateway to the heart of Charleston.

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Availabilities: Daily

Duration: 2 Hours

Inclusions: Driving tour, water, and snacks

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We pick you up at your home or hotel within 5 miles of Downtown Charleston. Exact meeting location details will be provided immediately upon purchase of tickets.

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Greater Charleston Area driving tour? - Charleston Forum

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Of course, I will also be doing a walking tour of Historic Charleston.

Thanks for your help

Welcome to the Lowcountry. As such, there are no "vistas" - we do not have views of the ocean unless you are at the beach or very near (no rocky coastlines with highways perched over the water). The plantations are usually set far off the main road, in the center of tens of acres of land, so they are not visible from the road. About the only driving tour you could take would be a tour through Charleston's peninsula - but why drive when you can walk!

A drive in the opposite direction would be out Maybank Highway toward Rockville and the Cherry Point Boat Landing. You'd see a more rural side of the Lowcountry, beautiful marsh scenes, huge oaks dripping w/moss, stop for a few minutes to see the Angel Oak. If you have the time, the Tea Plantation and Irvin Vineyards Winery are also out that direction. Plenty of good restaurants along the way.

There are some tour guide services that take tours out to the plantations and other places of interest. Your hotel or the Visitors Center can make those arrangements for you.

If you get to Old Mt Pleasant drive out to the end of Pitt St. It's what we call the old bridge-used to be the bridge from Mt P to Sullivans. It's now a nice walking park with beautiful views of the harbor and the islands.

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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