Top South Carolina Half-day Tours

Pickup and drop-off from downtown Charleston, South Carolina make it easy to tour Magnolia Plantation, one of the oldest plantations in the South. This 4-in-1 tour includes a narrated drive out to the plantation, a walking tour of the garden, tram tour through the property, and tour of the house itself, providing incredible value.

Visit Boone Hall Plantation and Gardens on this 4.5-hour tour from Charleston, South Carolina. One of the oldest working plantations in the United States, Boone Hall was founded in 1681 and still grows crops. During your tour led by a guide in period costume, you'll see the plantation's slave quarters and learn about its history and modern-day use. Select a morning or afternoon departure time when booking. Enjoy a personalized experience on this small-group tour of just 15 people.

Remote Daufuskie Island is accessible only by boat and remains largely undeveloped, despite its fame as the setting of Pat Conroy’s novel “The Water is Wide.” A guided tour makes the trip a cinch—this package includes round-trip ferry tickets, plus transportation between island attractions such as the First African Baptist Church and Mary Fields School, all visited with the benefit of commentary from your guide.

Middleton Place is one of the most popular plantations in the Charleston area, but getting there can be tricky without a private car. This tour makes it easy by including transportation from downtown Charleston aboard a comfortable, air-conditioned van, plus a guided tour of the house upon arrival. A 3-course lunch is also included for a taste of Lowcountry cuisine.

See the Charleston Harbor by boat with a leisurely sightseeing tour along the Cooper River to Fort Sumter National Monument. This fully-narrated tour focuses on Charleston, South Carolina history from Civil War sites to antebellum houses and landmarks, passes under Cooper River bridges, and explores a waterfront that’s home to bottlenose dolphins and pelicans.

Ride a horse-drawn carriage through the heart of historic Charleston on a guided tour through the heart of the city. Soak up the old fashioned charm of cobblestone streets lined with antebellum houses, lush gardens, and landmark churches as you listen to stories about Charleston history, architecture, and culture.

Travel back in time to discover one of America’s most historic cities—Charleston, South Carolina—on this guided sightseeing tour. Visit a plethora landmarks including Rainbow Row, the longest cluster of Georgian row houses in the United States; the Old Exchange Building, South Carolina's most historic building; White Point Garden, in the heart of Charleston’s historic district, with a spectacular view of Fort Sumter and many more. Upgrade option available to include a tour of the famous Joseph Manigault House, one of Charleston's most exquisite antebellum structures or the Charleston Museum.

Cruise through Lowcountry tidal creeks and marshes en route to the uninhabited Morris Island on this boat cruise from the Charleston area. A private boat company launches from Bowens Island for the scenic ride through an estuary rich in biodiversity before a soft landing on Morris Island. Spend free time to taking photos of the historic Morris Island Lighthouse, combing for seashells, and looking out for birds, sea turtles, and dolphins before your return.

Charleston's colonial history, laid-back vibe, and beautiful sites continue to steal the hearts of visitors to the Holy City. See the highlights of the peninsula in comfort on this 90-minute guided tour on a climate-controlled minibus with a maximum of 15 passengers. This narrated tour keeps you cool as you ride past must-see Charleston sights such as the Battery, the Citadel, Old City Market, and Hampton Park as well as enjoy spectacular views of Fort Sumter, Castle Pinckney, and the Sullivan Island Lighthouse at a distance. Bonus: Admission to Charleston Powder Museum is also included with the price of your tour.

An air-conditioned sightseeing bus offers a refreshing Charleston Sightseeing Tour for summertime visitors trying to escape the heat or those with limited mobility. Roll by popular "Holy City" sights like Rainbow Row, the Battery, White Point Gardens, Nathaniel Russell House, and St. Michael's Church from wide viewing windows while your guide informs and entertains with stories from Charleston's rich past.

See Charleston from the water, and enjoy a luxurious way to admire the sights, with this private sailing charter. This flexible experience is tailored to your preferences: pick your own departure time, bring aboard a picnic and drinks (or upgrade for gourmet catering), and request a photographer if you want to capture the moment. As you go, circle the Charleston Harbor, see landmarks like Fort Sumter, and enjoy a relaxing ambiance.

Travel back in time to discover one of America’s most historic cities—Charleston, South Carolina—on this guided walking tour. Visit points of interest including Charleston City Hall; the Dock Street Theatre, America’s first theatre; the Old Exchange Building, South Carolina's most historic building; White Point Garden, in the heart of Charleston’s historic district with a spectacular view of Fort Sumter, and many more.

This walking tour and interactive lunch combo provides a two-in-one experience in Charleston. With a celebrated local chef, Forrest Parker, you'll start with a 1.5-hour historical walking tour about the influences of Lowcountry food in the city of Charleston. Then watch a cooking demonstration from Parker before enjoying lunch paired with wine.

This 3-hour tour showcases the seasonal bounty of the Lowcountry and the creative prowess of a local chef. - Handpick local seasonal produce at a neighborhood market alongside a Charleston chef. - Explore the historic Cannonborough-Elliotborough neighborhood with a city-certified guide. - Enjoy a one-of-a-kind farm-to-table experience at a local restaurant with a 5+ course feast, created from your seasonal Market selections. This is a great way to explore a beloved local produce shop and historic neighborhood, meet a Charleston chef (or two!), and see their creativity in action. Come enjoy a true Charleston farm-to-table experience, that's unique, local, and not-to-be-missed.

If you’re looking for a unique night out that doesn’t involve a messy-drunk pub crawl, this Charleston Historic Pubs, Taverns, and Taprooms Tour is for you. This Charleston pub tour mixes drinks with historical stories of the city. Follow a guide to three local pubs as they tell you tales of pirates, politics, and more. Plus, enjoy an included drink and shared appetizer at each stop, with other drinks available for purchase.

Go behind the scenes of the Netflix series Outer Banks with a film locations tour in Charleston. Meet your guide, who was an extra during season one, for a private half-day tour. Hear stories about the cast and crew of Outer Banks as you visit locations seen in the series. Learn about the history, culture, and architecture of Charleston during the tour as well.

Skip the hassle of renting a car and explore the islands near Beaufort from the comfort of an air-conditioned coach during this sightseeing tour. See the Gullah plantation house, cemetery, and church ruins, and visit the praise house, which still hosts meetings for families on the island. Learn about Gullah heritage with commentary from your guide and experience island life in the South Carolina Lowcountry.

Charleston is such a relaxed city that it’s hard to believe that it’s much busier than the towns along the coast. Take an opportunity to leave the city streets for the shoreline during this private guided tour. You’ll visit the islands of the Charleston peninsula, first stopping at Folly Beach then visiting Sullivan’s Island. Throughout the tour, you’ll stop for photos at two lighthouses, a popular tourist beach, and a historic fort.

Spend the day outside of Charleston and discover the trees, tea, and wines of Wadmalaw Island. Travel by luxury minivan and admire the island’s majestic trees at Angel Oak Park before enjoying a trolley tour and unlimited tea at Charleston Tea Garden. Finally, explore the vineyards and enjoy wine tasting at Deep Water Vineyard.

Sip your way through the Lowcountry as we travel to Wadmalaw Island in limo party buses while being escorted by your personal chauffeur and guide.  Explore a unique scenic drinking experience with the combination of a visit to the Angel Oak Tree (believed to be over 500 years old), Deepwater Vineyard for a wine tasting, time for sightseeing, and a local brewery stop where the first round is on us!

The Middleton Place tour is an all-inclusive tour experience of one of Charleston's most beloved historic sites. Chicora Tours prides itself on being the only tour operator in Charleston to offer this tour. Our Middleton Place tour has smaller groups sizes, transportation in a luxurious Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van with licensed tour guides to answer your questions. The tour begins with a guided tour of the Middleton Place gardens. It is proceeded by a historic house tour and then a delicious and authentic Lowcountry styled lunch. Guests will also have time to see the wildlife on site, learn about the enslaved people of Middleton Place and shop at the Museum shop and Garden Market. Guests will be picked up from the Charleston Visitors Center. Let Chicora Tours show you this beautiful plantation in the most upscale and enjoyable way!

Experience Charleston like a local with your own Private Guide Come explore one of the oldest cities in America with its historic homes, French Quarter, and beautiful waterfront. Then let us take you out to discover another historic site, the charming Old Village in Mt. Pleasant. Let us do the driving and show you the best Charleston has to offer - both inside and outside downtown!

Discover local food and learn about the city and its history from a local Charlestonian on this private guided tour. Learn about Southern foods such as grits, fried oysters, and fried green tomatoes and the culture behind them, including how the African slave trade introduced ingredients to the local diet. This private tour provides a more intimate, personalized experience.