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.

See multiple points of interest, including Rainbow Row and Colonial Lake
Take in great views of Charleston Harbor, Fort Sumter, and Patriots Point
Learn about the city’s pivotal role in America's history from your professional guide
Upgrade option available to include a tour of the famous Joseph Manigault House or Charleston Museum

What's Included

90-minute Narrated Historic Mini-Coach Tour of Charleston
Professional Driver/Guide
See over 100 Points of Interest including Rainbow Row, Old Exchange Building and Whitepoint Gardens
Optional upgrade to include Admission to Joseph Manigault House
Optional upgrade to include Admission to Charleston Museum

Gratuities
Hotel pickup and drop-off

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

375 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29403, USA
Tour departs from Charleston Visitor's Center

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

This guided educational tour of historic Charleston, South Carolina begins with a look at the city’s former walls—and a stop at the Battery, a landmark defensive sea wall and promenade. It was named for an American Civil War coastal defense artillery battery at the site. Take in spectacular views of Charleston Harbor, an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean; Fort Sumter, which is noted for two battles of the Civil War and Patriots Point on Charleston Harbor, home of the USS Yorktown, a World War II aircraft carrier.

Learn about Charleston’s pivotal role in American history along the way, from the American Revolution to the Civil War and beyond. Pass by Rainbow Row, the longest cluster of Georgian row houses in the United States; historic Colonial Lake; the Old Exchange Building, South Carolina's most historic building, and White Point Garden, at the end of the Battery in the heart of Charleston’s historic district.

Also, see St. Phillips Episcopal Church, a National Historic Landmark; Historic Charleston City Market, a 200-year-old city market that covers four downtown blocks plus more than 100 other points of interest.

An optional upgrade is available to include a guided tour of the famous Joseph Manigault House, a historic house museum and one of Charleston's most exquisite antebellum structures or the Charleston Museum.

Gray Line of Charleston

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Joseph Manigault House

Admission Ticket Included

The Charleston Museum

Admission Ticket Included

St. Philip's Church (Pass By)

Charleston City Market (Pass By)

Four Corners of Law (Pass By)

Rainbow Row (Pass By)

Battery & White Point Gardens (Pass By)

Colonial Lake (Pass By)

Aiken-Rhett House (Pass By)

Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon (Pass By)

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed

Infants must sit on laps
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 25 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.5

820 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

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Showing 1-10 of 820 reviews

DO NOT MISS THIS TOUR!!

jay_w, Apr 2024

I highly recommend this tour and the tour guide. She was extremely knowledgeable and pointed out everything we needed to see. If we hadn’t taken this tour we would’ve missed out on the most important part of a trip to Charleston - it’s history. DO NOT miss this tour! Highly recommended!

Great summary tour

Shirley_L, Apr 2024

Guide was very knowledgeable. 1hour and 30 minutes was perfect amount of time. A good overview of Charleston.

Ho hum

Jennifer_G, Apr 2024

The bus was warm and the driver not that personable. When we checked in, he seemed bothered by us. I think the tour could have been better if he had been more engaging, a little friendlier, and had paused for questions now and then.

Not ADA friendly at all.

Richard_L, Apr 2024

Not getting any help from customer service when we contacted them. Unable to explain to me where to bring my disabled wife since she can’t walk from parking lots which were also all full so no idea where we would have needed to park. It would be helpful if people on the phone knew the area. I asked for suggestions and they had none. They acted like I was unimportant to them. Don’t take this particular tour unless you’re from and very familiar with the area.

Fun and fascinating

Denise_C, Apr 2024

Our tour guide was wonderful and so funny! Glad we took this tour Highly recommended others do too. Thanks Charleston

It was just okay

Michelle_S, Apr 2024

Seeing the city was great however the tour guide shared too many personal beliefs and experiences…just wanted to hear about the city. The bus was extremely cold

Charleston highlights and history

RICHARD_A, Apr 2024

Narration by the bus driver (Bonnie) was excellent. She was very informative and give us a good understanding of Charleston’s history and key events.

Great intro to Charleston tour

Joscelyn_D, Apr 2024

The driver/narrator was very knowledgeable and entertaining. The museum was also a surprise add-on. Would love to be able to get off at more than one spot for pictures.

Great Tour!

Alison_W, Apr 2024

Very pleasant and knowledgeable guide. Learned a lot about the city’s history, architecture and people.

Superstar tour guide

Mark_G, Apr 2024

When the tour guide started speaking. She was knowledgeable and provided tremendous amount of information

Great trip

Deborah_Z, Apr 2024

The driver was very professional and knowledgeable. Where he took us was great. The van was comfortable and roomy

The driver was very...

Alan_C, Apr 2024

The driver was very friendly and knowledgeable and that made the tour that much better. Charleston is a small and charming town. The tour helped us to see how easy to navigate this town really is. He pointed out the City Market during the tour and we had not planned to visit there until he pointed it out to us. We visited it the next morning and it was a delight.

Great and knowledgeable experience

LaTonya_O, Apr 2024

Learned a lot about Charleston, and saw a lot of great home, church’s, etc. our tour guide was the absolute best ever!!!!

Awesome

Katrina_W, Apr 2024

The driver was hilarious. She had a great personality and really entertained me the history and funny stories. At some point I was more impressed with her than the actual sites of Charleston.

Excellent tour with a knowledgeable guide.

jay_f, Apr 2024

A very knowledgeable guide with a pleasant personality. A fun and friendly environment for tourists.

Sweet City Tour

L_B, Apr 2024

Easy to get to Leaves from the visitor center. 90 minute narrated tour definitely a must on a hot day - Nice way to see the whole city and hear its history - Friendly and informative driver. Add the Joseph Manigault House to your tour- it is a great piece of American history.to see and hear about. We highly recommend this sweet tour.

Rained out

Helen_F, Apr 2024

Was canceled due to weather. We left the next. Day so we. Couldn’t reschedule Can’t really rate it because we didn’t go but the tour company was very accommodating.

Great tour!

Norma_C, Apr 2024

Our tour guide was very helpful with all her insightful stories and history of the areas we covered.

Hit all of the things I wanted to see

jack_w, Apr 2024

Loved hearing historical background. Bus driver spoke clearly and you felt it was a fresh talk not like he had already said the same thing a hundred times before

Great overview

Alan_M, Apr 2024

Michael was very good. at guiding us through historic Charleston. The bus was a comfortable way to see a lot!

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