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Charleston Tour: Exploring History, Culture & Architecture
5.0
297 Ratings
Charleston
Discover the captivating history, vibrant culture, and stunning architecture of Charleston on our engaging and personalized tour. Uncover the secrets of this special city and experience a fun-filled exploration like no other!
Duration:
2 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon - Our starting point is one of the most historical buildings in South Carolina, c. 1771. The Declaration of Independence was read here in 1776, it was used a British prison for roughy two years during the American Revolution, US Constitution ratified in SC in 1788, George Washington was entertained during week-long visit in May 1791, plus many more events.
- Rainbow Row - See the longest row of attached Georgian row houses in the country. These were mariner’s stores in the 18th & 19th centuries. Restored in the 1930’s during Charleston’s preservation efforts to a bright Caribbean color scheme.
- Old Slave Mart Museum - Known as Ryan’s Slave Mart in the 1850’s, this building was an auction site of the interstate slave trade. We will speak about Charleston’s role in the slave trade. The City of Charleston operates the museum and tours are available on site. We do not enter the building.
- French Huguenot Church - A beautiful Gothic Revival building from 1845 houses one of the only practicing Huguenot (French Protestant) in the country.
- Dock Street Theater - Entrance depending on availabilty. Built on the site of the first theater in the British colonies, The Dock Street Theatre, c. 1937 was restored from the old Planter’s Hotel, c. 1809. The Charleston Stage company operates as the largest professional theater company in South Carolina. Roughly 120 performances take place every year.
- Charleston City Hall - This building sets on one the “Four Corners of Law”, named by Robert Ripley (Ripley’s Believe it or Not). Built in 1801 as a bank, City Hall has been as such since 1818 and is one of the oldest continuously run city hall’s in the country. During the weekdays, visitors can enter the council chamber and see their collection, complimentary.
- St. Michael’s Church - Entrance depending on availability. Oldest house of worship in the city, c.1761. We speak about Charleston’s religious history of the past and present. The building has much of the original woodwork and beautiful Tiffany stained glass windows. John Rutledge and Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, US Constitution signers, are buried in the churchyard.
- Nathaniel Russell House - We enter the garden of this beautiful Federal style townhouse built in 1808 and owned by Nathaniel Russell. Reigning from Rhode Island, he was a wealthy merchant involved in shipping.
- Edmondston-Alston House - We walk up on the High Battery wall to take a look at the waterfront mansions and discuss the beginning of the Civil War. Ft Sumter is in view. The Edmonston Alston House has been in the family since 1838 and was a site where Gen. Beauregard watched the bombardment of Ft. Sumter with other onlookers.
What's Included
- Expert local tour guide
Additional Information
We take great delight in trawling through the city’s history and tales connected with its inhabitants. We strive to customize tours to align with the visitors’ preferences and draw ties to enhance the understanding of Charleston’s legacy, ensuring it’s entertaining and not just another dull historical walkthrough! Join us in exploring the unique charm that makes Charleston a must-visit destination. Whether it’s your introductory visit or the twentieth, the city never ceases to amaze and enlighten you. Our learning journey continues too!
Location
122 E Bay St
East Bay Street
We meet on the north side of the building. There is a tree and two park benches next to a Gillon Street (cobblestone).
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(297 Ratings)
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Kimberly_t
Jul 25, 2024
Amazing walking tour! - Wonderful tour with Brian that gave us so much history about Charleston as well as stories about individuals who helped shape the history of the city. We also loved the small group setting. We would highly recommend this tour!
Review provided by Viator
S9194wnericd
Jul 3, 2024
BEST WALKING TOUR OF CHARLESTON - Brian from Charleston Sole Walking Tours was simply amazing. He was a wealth of knowledge which kept us captivated for the entire 2+ hrs tour of Charleston. He was funny, charming and took the time to answer every single question. His own long family history in the Holy City gave him a perspective that no other tour guides could. He showed us all the most important sites in the city and much more. I would 100% book him again. Thank you so much Brian.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bill_l
Jun 22, 2024
Greater than great! - Fin was a great pleasure and a real pro at his job. Thanks! Fin! The questions asked and answered! Comments accepted off the cuff! A great 2 1/2 hours!
Review provided by Viator
91ashleya
Jun 20, 2024
A perfect way to spend a Charleston morning - Fin was the very best guide. He was engaging, informative and an incredible communicator and story teller. The tour itself was interesting and informative but Fin gave it a whole personality. The time flew by. I would highly recommend this walking tour to anyone visiting or living in Charleston.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ashley_a
Jun 18, 2024
A perfect morning in Charleston - Fin was the very best guide. He was engaging, informative and an incredible communicator and story teller. The tour itself was interesting and informative but Fin gave it a whole personality. The time flew by.
I would highly recommend this walking tour to anyone visiting or living in Charleston.
Review provided by Viator
Geena_r
Jun 18, 2024
Fin for the Win - Our guide, Fin, was an absolute joy to spend the day with. He was very knowledgeable and engaging and allowed my group to truly appreciate the city of Charleston. He has a real talent for conveying the history of Charleston in an anecdotal style that engaged both the history buffs and the laypeople in our group. Many people in our group had questions and Fin was able to answer them all and add a humorous spin as well. Fin is clearly well loved in the community and local business owners would allow us into their spaces and say hello to our guide, which really speaks to his personal passion and investment into his city. Highly recommend this tour to all.
Review provided by Viator
Patricia_w
Jun 17, 2024
Great tour! - We LOVED our tour guide! He was fun and interesting and took time to answer to our questions. Highly recommended!!
Review provided by Viator
Barbara_o
Jun 14, 2024
Informative tour with great guide - Fin was exceptionally knowledgeable and full of anecdotal stories. Loved everything about him! He hit all of the things we wanted to learn -history, culture and architecture. Allowed us to ask questions and answered all of them.
Review provided by Viator
Maps01152105282
Jun 12, 2024
Don’t pass this one up! Brian was the best! - Brian was one of the best guides we have experienced in all my travels , not just Charleston. He was a wealth of information about past and present Charleston. Easy going, easy to get along with and made us feel like an old friend. Many guides know their stuff but not all seem to genuinely care about what and why you on a tour. He called before the trip to let us know we were the only ones signed up for the time slot and we would have a private tour, let us start early and extended the time. He personalized the tour to what our interests were and worked it out to end at our next scheduled stop.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Matthew_k
Jun 10, 2024
Great if you have already been but not for first timers - Great tour and tour guide but didn’t see any major sites and as a first timer I wanted to see the main attractions
Review provided by Viator