Summary
- Historic Harbor Cruise
- Private Charleston Harbor Boat Tour
- Historic Charleston Small Group Walking Tour
- 3-Hour Secret Food Tour
- Sightseeing Tour by Horse and Carriage
- Small Group Food Tour – Savor the Flavors
- Chilling Charleston Ghost Tour
- Dark Side of Charleston 1.5-Hour Walking Tour
- Charleston’s French Quarter Guided Walking Tour
- Charleston Mystery Walking Tour
- Charleston Harbor 2-Hour Speedboat Adventure
- Charleston Chefs’ Kitchen Tour
- High Ropes Adventure Park in Charleston
- Evening Carriage Tour of Downtown Charleston
- 90-Minute Ghost and Dungeon Tour
Charleston Harbor is situated along the United States coastline, granting access to Charleston and several other significant historic towns. The area possesses a rich tapestry of colonial, revolutionary, and civil war history, appealing to those with an affinity for America’s past. Additionally, the region serves as an excellent venue for experiencing Southern culture and cuisine, with South Carolina renowned as the quintessential Southern state. This, paired with the coastal beauty and diverse wildlife, establishes the area as an exceptional destination for visitors. Engaging with a local guide or participating in guided experiences presents a wonderful opportunity to explore this locale. Below are 15 premier tours available in Charleston Harbor.
1. Historic Harbor Cruise
Experience the stunning sights of Charleston Harbor elegantly with a cruise aboard a historic vessel. The Carolina Belle, a replica of a bay-steamer ship from the 1920s, immerses you in the area’s rich history. During the journey, you can explore numerous noteworthy landmarks, including Fort Sumter, the site where the first shots of the Civil War were fired. Also, you may have the chance to participate in dolphin and whale watching, and refreshments are available on board.
2. Private Charleston Harbor Boat Tour
For a more customized experience, consider this private boat tour of Charleston Harbor. You have the ability to create your own itinerary, selecting the prominent sights you wish to explore from the comfort of your private vessel. Your local guide will be well-versed in the region’s history, offering insights into the significance of each landmark. As an added bonus, a complimentary bottle of champagne is included for enjoyment during your trip, and you are welcome to bring your own snacks.
3. Historic Charleston Small Group Walking Tour
This walking tour showcases all the significant historical landmarks in Charleston, with a limited group size to provide a more personalized and fulfilling experience. You will journey back to the colonial era and then to the Civil War period, highlighting where major battles took place. The leisurely two-hour tour allows ample time to absorb the information shared and engage with the various sites visited.
4. 3-Hour Secret Food Tour
This three-hour tour enables you to savor some of the finest cuisine Charleston has to offer. Rather than visiting the most celebrated restaurants, this experience is structured to showcase the hidden gems cherished by locals throughout the city. Group sizes are kept small to foster a more interactive experience, with local guides providing insights into Southern culinary traditions. The guide, who is also a local chef, will share culinary secrets that contribute to the delightful flavors found in Southern cuisine.
5. Sightseeing Tour by Horse and Carriage
For a more traditional experience, this tour takes you around significant sites via horse and carriage. This distinctive approach embraces Charleston’s historic ambiance, allowing you not only to learn about its history and culture but also to experience it firsthand. The one-hour tour is narrated by a local guide and traverses the entire historic district, permitting you to visit some antebellum-style mansions still inhabited today.
6. Small Group Food Tour – Savor the Flavors
This food tour emphasizes the historic center of Charleston, guiding a small group through several prominent restaurants in the area. The two-and-a-half-hour experience allows you to sample exceptional Southern cuisine, ranging from grits to pralines. A local guide will elucidate over 300 years of culinary history in South Carolina and unveil the secrets behind the rich flavors characteristic of Southern dishes.
7. Chilling Charleston Ghost Tour
Like many American cities, Charleston is rich in ghost stories and reputedly haunted locales. This tour will unveil the macabre side of Charleston, leaving you with a sense of intrigue. Conducted under gaslight for ninety minutes, the tour enhances the eerie atmosphere and transports you back to an earlier period of the city’s history. Follow the paths once trod by some of the city’s most infamous specters.
8. Dark Side of Charleston 1.5-Hour Walking Tour
For a distinctive perspective on Charleston’s darker aspects, this tour delves into the more sordid elements of the city’s culture. Discover accounts of crime and corruption, alongside the history of brothels in Charleston and notable scandals. This tour is ideal for travelers seeking to explore the grittier side of town or those interested in stirring tales from the past.
9. Charleston’s French Quarter Guided Walking Tour
Charleston is home to the largest French Quarter in the United States, also known as the Walled City. This area boasts French colonial architecture and deeply rooted traditions. The local guide possesses extensive knowledge of the quarter, allowing you to explore historic buildings while learning about the unique culture of this part of town. The tour lasts 90 minutes, with an option for a more extensive two-hour experience for deeper exploration.
10. Charleston Mystery Walking Tour
This engaging tour offers an intriguing angle on Charleston’s darker history, combined with a whodunit quest. Participants are tasked with unraveling the truth behind a historical murder in the city. Your local guide provides clues through historical facts about Charleston, which your group utilizes to piece together the solution to the mystery. This interactive experience will captivate you from beginning to end.
11. Charleston Harbor 2-Hour Speedboat Adventure
Experience an exhilarating adventure with this two-hour tour of Charleston Harbor aboard a speedboat. Participants will have the opportunity to operate the speedboat themselves while a local guide narrates the significant sights within the harbor. This dynamic tour allows you to absorb the harbor’s historical context while observing native wildlife. All necessary safety equipment is provided, and your guide is fully licensed to take over if needed.
12. Charleston Chefs’ Kitchen Tour
Delve into the heart of Charleston’s vibrant culinary scene with real chefs from the city. Guided by Hoon Calhoun, one of Charleston’s prominent chefs, you will meet the culinary artists behind the food and learn about their preparation methods. The tour includes tastings, allowing you to gain a deeper appreciation for the culinary efforts involved. Spanning three hours, the tour visits five of the most renowned restaurants in Charleston.
13. High Ropes Adventure Park in Charleston
High Ropes Adventure Park offers a fantastic opportunity for families to partake in an active outdoor experience centrally located in Charleston. Featuring 72 distinct obstacles suspended by ropes and wires, participants, both young and old, can face their fears and embark on a high-flying adventure. With four levels of difficulty, this attraction is suitable for beginners and experienced adventurers alike. Adults can also savor a local craft beer while participating.
14. Evening Carriage Tour of Downtown Charleston
If time is of the essence yet you wish to experience a carriage tour, this tour navigates the major sights of Charleston’s Historic District in just 35 minutes. Conducted in the evening, this well-paced tour is ideal for those visiting for a short period who wish to familiarize themselves with the prominent landmarks and cultural sites. The tour also traverses the French Quarter, showcasing the unique architecture in the area.
15. 90-Minute Ghost and Dungeon Tour
This remarkable tour caters to those intrigued by ghost stories and additionally takes you deep into the city’s dungeons. Over the course of the 90-minute experience, participants will explore the most haunted graveyards within the Historic District while discovering well-known ghost tales passed down through generations of locals. During the visit to the Provost Dungeons, you will learn about Charleston’s pirate history and key oral narratives from that era.
