Charleston City Sightseeing: Historical Bus Tour

Step back in time and explore the rich history of Charleston on this engaging bus tour. Visit iconic landmarks, learn about the city’s role in American history, and upgrade to include a visit to a historic plantation home or the Charleston Museum.

Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Gray Line of Charleston - Enjoy a guided tour of Charleston by mini-coach and learn about the city’s significant history. With your professional guide, explore the former city walls; visit the famous Battery Waterfront district; and stop at Charleston’s picturesque Battery Sea Wall for closer views of Charleston Harbor, Fort Sumter and Patriots Point.

This tour will entertain you with more than 300 years of Charleston’s rich history, from the American Revolution to the Civil War and beyond. Learn from your guide about the city’s pivotal role in America’s history with visits to famous sites such as Rainbow Row, Colonial Lake, the Old Exchange Building and Whitepoint Gardens.

You’ll also see St Phillips Episcopal Church, the Public Market and more than 100 other points of interest. It’s a great comprehensive overview of this charming historical city!

Upgrade: Charleston Tour with a visit to the Joseph Manigault House:Upgrade your tour to include a visit to the restored Joseph Manigault House, a historic Charleston home constructed in 1803. Designed by architect Gabriel Manigault for his brother, Joseph, this 3-story, Federal-style brick townhouse reflects the lifestyle of the wealthy 19th-century rice-planting family and slaves who lived there. Explore this National Historic Landmark with your guide and discover why it’s considered one of the city’s most elegant and historically significant buildings in the city.

What's Included
  • 90-minute narrated historic mini-coach tour
  • Professional driver/guide
  • View over 100 points of interest
  • See Rainbow Row, Old Exchange Building, and Whitepoint Gardens
  • Optional museum upgrades available
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
Additional Information

Embark on this informative tour of Charleston’s history, where your guide will bring to life the enchanting allure of one of the nation’s oldest cities. Discover Charleston’s essential part in the narrative of the U.S., visiting over 100 landmarks including Rainbow Row, Colonial Lake, the Old Exchange Building, and Whitepoint Gardens. You also have the option to enhance your experience with a tour of the restored Joseph Manigault House, a plantation home from the early 1800s, or the Charleston Museum.

Location
375 Meeting St
Meeting Street
Tour departs from Charleston Visitor's Center
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.5
(981 Ratings)
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Teresa_r
Sep 6, 2024
Educational and great experience - Our tour guide was knowledgeable and had a great since of humor. The tour was a great experience and the historical knowledge we gained is priceless! Such a beautiful city and you air conditioned bus was the best way to see Charleston!
Review provided by Viator
Brenda_m
Sep 4, 2024
Learning a lot about Charleston SC - Seeing Mother Emmanuel Church. Also seeing the building where slaves were brought and sold. I loved the single family homes ghat are only built in Charleston with the side balconies.
Review provided by Viator
Kevin_g
Sep 4, 2024
Friendly informative Charleston tour - Very informative and air-conditioned tour of most of Charleston with John. When crowds are lighter they can also customize your tour a bit to your preferences. Another nice thing is that these tours are not limited to specific routes of the historic district which means you get to see just about everything.
Review provided by Viator
Melanie_b
Sep 1, 2024
Well worth the trip. - Our guide was very informative and friendly. She also gave us suggestions for other places to check out.
Review provided by Viator
Norma_h
Aug 28, 2024
Aviator as a third party is not good - The tour itself was superb. I would not use Aviator again. They charged us $10.00 more per person and did not apply a senior discount that is offered by Gray Lines. Our third person got sick and could not find a phone to be credited.
Review provided by Viator
Carmel_p
Aug 26, 2024
Wonderfull and comfortable experience! Driver was very knowledgeable. - Learning the history of the Charleston area and visiting different neighborhoods was a great way to spend 90 minutes.
Review provided by Viator
Tammy
Aug 25, 2024
Tour of Charleston - The tour operator was great! She was funny and informative. The bus was comfortable and cool. Great for a hot day! I would recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Shelia_j
Aug 23, 2024
Ms. Bonnie was an... - Ms. Bonnie was an excellent guide, knowledgeable, and willing to answer any questions. She also recommended local restaurants, other historical and interesting sites of Charleston. I could not locate the tip box???
Review provided by Viator
Margaux_k
Aug 26, 2024
Decent tour if crunched on time - Clean vehicle, really nice tour guide. If you have little time in Charleston would recommend this as a great introduction. However, note that there are no real picture moments (where you get out of the vehicle) and the tour is 90 minutes of going by all churches as well as the tour guide talking for those full 90 minutes. Would recommend a more comprehensive tour with a bit more picture moments and more time to ask questions.
Review provided by Viator
Ethiopia2006
Sep 6, 2024
Avoid this tour! - Really bad tour. They say it is a historic tour but half of the tour has nothing to do with history. The guide/driver did not seem knowledgeable at all. It felt as if he had learnt his lines by heart. No room for questions or additional comments. The bus has tinted windows so it is not easy to take good pictures either. I would not recommend at all!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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1 Adult
September 2024
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