Best History Tours in Charleston: 15 Worth Booking

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10,023 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $50Our pick

Board at Old South Carriage Company on Anson Street for a one-hour narrated ride through Charleston’s historic district. A certified Palmetto Guild guide, such as Wendy, Ro, or Carol, shares stories of mansions, churches, gardens, and the city’s Civil War era. The route is assigned by the city, so sights vary. Carriages hold up to 16 people.

“You would truly enjoy the experience, and everyone was so nice and professional. The tour guides are very friendly and informative. Great overall experience 😊”

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2.Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6,216 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $30

Start at Charleston City Hall and walk with a licensed local guide through the French Quarter, past the Dock Street Theatre, churches, Rainbow Row, and the Battery. Guides such as Al, Dennis, Duggar, and Evans bring strong storytelling and local detail. Expect a flat, moderate walk, outdoor stops, and a group of up to 20.

“Learned a ton about the city. AL, our tour guide, was enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the architecture and culture as well as the overall history. Great start to a first time visit as we got a ton of recos for how to plan rest of stay. 10/10 in my opinion.”

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3.Charleston Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour: Explore Historic Charleston

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,561 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $49

Ride through historic Charleston for about an hour in a covered, open-sided carriage pulled by a gentle horse. Certified guides such as Jim, Luke, Jenny, and Jason Looney share stories about pirates, war, architecture, and local life. Routes vary by city lottery, so landmarks are not guaranteed.

“Brianna was excellent and the staff was friendly and professional. Brianna was knowledgeable on the history of Downtown and her delivery was great. Multiple tours are required to see it all. Highly recommended.”

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4.Charleston Harbor History Day-Time or Sunset Boat Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,788 reviews · from $44

Board the 80-foot Carolina Belle at Charleston Maritime Center for a 90-minute narrated cruise along the Cooper River. You’ll pass Fort Sumter, USS Yorktown, Fort Moultrie, Fort Johnson, the Battery, Waterfront Park, and the Ravenel Bridge. Choose a morning, afternoon, or sunset departure. Drinks and snacks cost extra.

“I want to start by saying that the staff was great and narration was enjoyable. It was a Saturday night so maybe fuller than other reviewers experienced. I was disappointed that there is maybe 20-30 seats on the top deck and at least 150+ people on the boat. You can stand on the top deck at the railings but can hardly walk around because it is so packed. I also doubt the people who did get seats had a great view with people standing on either side of the boat. The downstairs portion is musty and outdated and has multiple blind spots so you can’t really see what they are…”

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,335 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $34

Walk Charleston’s South of Broad and French Quarter areas with a licensed local guide such as Dennis, Duggar, Evans, or Al. Over two hours, you’ll explore four to six alleys, see Rainbow Row and St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, and hear stories from the colonial era through the Civil War. The group is capped at 13 people.

“Interesting inside view of old Charleston, the private gardens and alleys. The historic explanations however were very whitewashed. There was no mention of native people that would have been there when the British arrived. No mention of slavery but an emphasis on confederate history.”

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6.Daytime or Sunset Historic Harbor Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,352 reviews · 1h 30m · from $49

Spend 90 minutes aboard a replica 1920s Bay-Steamer-style yacht, cruising 20 miles past more than 75 Charleston landmarks. Your English-speaking captain, often Captain Ron, Lance, or Matt, narrates the harbor’s Civil War, Revolutionary War, and maritime history. Choose indoor seating or the partly covered upper deck, and buy snacks and drinks onboard.

“We enjoyed the running commentary about the area. It was very informative and presented in an enjoyable way! We will be back.”

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7.Charleston historical walking tour with a Professor of History at The Citadel

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,284 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $40

Spend about three hours walking historic Charleston with Eric Lager, Ph.D., a history professor at The Citadel. In a group capped at 12, you’ll connect colonial Charleston, the Revolution, slavery, religion, architecture, and the Civil War while visiting the French Quarter, St. Michael’s Church, the Old Exchange, and the Battery.

“We loved the small group experience. Eric was amazing. His knowledge of Charleston’s history and his ability to make it interesting made the tour a wonderful experience.”

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8.Historical Downtown Tour by Horse-drawn Carriage

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,009 reviews · 1 hour · from $50

Ride through downtown Charleston for one hour in a covered, custom-built carriage with a licensed English-speaking guide. Hear stories about 350 years of local history while passing Rainbow Row, King Street, White Point Gardens, Charleston Harbor, the Battery, and the 4 Corners of Law. Your exact route is assigned through Charleston’s carriage system.

“Michael H was a great guide and we were led by the greatest horse ever - Jesse. Lots of interesting info from Michael and two votes for Jesse for Equine of the Month.”

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9.Undiscovered Charleston: Half Day Food, Wine & History Tour with Cooking Class

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 948 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

Chef Forrest Parker leads a 90-minute Charleston history walk focused on the food, crops, and people that shaped Lowcountry cooking. You’ll visit Waterfront Park, Rainbow Row, and lesser-known historic sites before watching him prepare three recipes at Bistro Au Vin. Lunch, wine pairings, recipes, and a small group make this a hands-on half-day experience.

“Great historical info and fabulous food!! Would highly recommend for all visitors. Chef was very entertaining!”

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10.Historic City Highlights Guided Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 719 reviews · 1h 30m · from $35

Ride through Charleston with Gray Line Charleston on a 90-minute English-language tour led by a local guide. You’ll pass the Battery Sea Wall, Rainbow Row, Four Corners of Law, historic homes, churches, markets, and old neighborhoods while hearing stories about the city’s past. The climate-controlled shuttle is a practical choice in heat or rain.

“The bus tour was very informative. Our guide was very knowledgeable and we learned a lot about historic Charleston. The bus was cool, clean, and comfortable. Highly recommend.”

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11.Old Walled City Historical Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 705 reviews · 2 hours · from $30

Spend two hours walking Charleston’s old walled city with an English-speaking guide, often a longtime local such as Al, Bruce, Eric, or Alfie. See the French Quarter, Dock Street Theatre, Old Exchange, Waterfront Park, Rainbow Row, historic homes, and St. Michael’s Episcopal Church while hearing stories about piracy, rice planters, disasters, architecture, and daily life.

“The tour was amazing! A lot of interesting stories and facts. Thank you!”

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12.Historic Charleston Walking Tour: Rainbow Row, Churches, and More

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 691 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $40

Spend about two hours walking Charleston’s old district with guides such as Gordon, Diane, Keith, or Graham. Expect Rainbow Row, antebellum mansions, churches, graveyards, courtyards, the Waterfront Battery, Fort Sumter views, and admission to the Powder Magazine. The pace is leisurely, but comfortable shoes and weather-ready clothing are essential.

“You will be standing and walking for 2 hours. The guide was very knowledgeable and informative about Charleston. It is a worthwhile tour. I am so glad we did it.”

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13.Charleston’s Historic Residential Horse and Carriage Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 668 reviews · from $50

Meet the horses at 20 Anson Street, then ride two to three miles through Charleston’s residential Historic District in a custom carriage. A city-licensed guide shares stories of the city, while departures every 30 minutes make this one-hour tour easy to fit into your day. Groups are capped at 10 passengers.

“Our tour guide was amazing! Very entertaining and very knowledgeable. We’re all enjoyed the experience!”

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14.Charleston Horse & Carriage Historic Sightseeing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 460 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $45

Begin and end at Charleston’s Historic City Market on a one-hour carriage ride through Charleston’s old district. Your route is assigned by a City of Charleston official, so sights vary. Expect a guide-led history lesson, stately homes, churches, gardens, and a chance to meet and photograph the horse.

“Our guide was very knowledgeable and made the experience fun. Helped us find additional places to visit.”

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15.Charleston’s Best Highlights: History, Culture & Architecture

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 422 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Spend about two hours walking Charleston with guides Brian or Fin, both praised for lively history lessons and personal storytelling. See the Old Exchange, Rainbow Row, the Old Slave Mart, Dock Street Theater, City Hall, St. Michael’s Church, and the Battery. Some interiors require availability or separate admission, so expect a strong outdoor overview rather than a museum tour.

“Great pick! Brian is one off the most informed historians we've had on any tour, anywhere. He has a delightful personality and shares his knowledge of Charleston with detailed enthusiasm. We didn't want the tour to end!”

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