Charleston Signature History Walking Tour: Explore the Past

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2 hours (approx.)

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Overview

Discover Charleston's rich history on a captivating 2-hour walking tour through its historic streets and hidden alleys. Beginning at the Shepheards Tavern marker, this journey takes you from the city's 17th-century founding through pivotal events that shaped its identity. Your knowledgeable guide will share engaging stories, encouraging questions and interaction to enrich your understanding of Charleston's complex past. Ideal for first-time visitors, seasoned travelers, and local residents alike, this tour offers an intimate look at the city's heritage while fostering a personal connection with each guest.

- Walk through the Old and Historic District, uncovering Charleston’s storied past
- Tour lasts approximately 2 hours, ending near the iconic Rainbow Row
- Perfect for history enthusiasts, newcomers, and locals wanting to learn more
- Departure from Shepheards Tavern marker at 46 Broad Street, 15 minutes early arrival recommended

What's Included

2 hr history walking tour where the guide listens to the guests and adjusts based on their interests
Strolls through the picturesque historic streets of Charleston
A $0.50 tour tax is included in each ticket price.
Stops and learning about historical places with the guide focused on the best experience
City Licensed and Certified Guide

Gratuity

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Meeting Location

Meeting point

Broad Street
Charleston, SC 29401, USA

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

East Bay Street
Charleston, SC 29401, USA

This tour lasts about 2 hours and our walk will end you at the postcard picture perfect Rainbow Row!

What To Expect

46 Broad St

This tour will at 46 Broad Street, an intersection that includes the Shepheards Tavern Marker, Plenge the Hat Man, and one of Charleston's first banks which saw a very odd attempt to rob it by underground tunnels. We will walk down Church Street along the original grid streets of the 1670's Grand Modelle design before exploring Stoll's Alley and its collection beautiful Philip Simmons ironworks.

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

East Bay Street

Emerging from the relatively hidden entrance to Stoll's Alley, we will walk along the Sea Wall on East Bay Street and learn about the original Walled City, view the Charleston Harbor and its historic fortifications, and learn more about the beautiful architecture and stories of the large antebellum homes that line the waterfront.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Battery & White Point Gardens

No walking tour is complete without a stop at the historic White Point Gardens and Battery. Filled with the canopies of aged live oaks, and lined with cannons that saw history in the making during the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, this part of Charleston also bears a marker to end of the pirate age in Charleston. We may also see a wedding taking place at the historic gazebo.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

South of Broad

We will stroll from White Point Gardens back up the storied streets such as Meeting, King, or Legare. Sharing more fascinating stories and busting some myths about some houses too. We listen to your interests all throughout the tour and adjust as needed to make sure you all leave us having learned all you could. From a house that is still owned by descendants of signers of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, to remnants of the horrible institution of slavery, we will have you captivated along the entire way.

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Four Corners of Law

The intersection of Broad and Meeting Street once was the general location of the drawbridge to enter the walled city of Charleston. Today it is believed to be the only place in the world where you have all forms of law represented in once place. We will also move through Washington Park here and learn about its fascinating history.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

French Quarter

A walk down Chalmers Street, with its beautiful cobblestones, will be balanced with the harsh reality that it also contains one of the last slave auction locations in Charleston. Here we will also see what is believed to be the oldest house in Charleston, from the late 17th Century.

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon

We will walk by the Old Exchange and learn about its history as the site of the first Revolutionary Tea Party as well as site of many other events through history.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Rainbow Row

We will end our tour near Rainbow Row, but not before we learn about its history and how it became such a beautiful street (with a few myth busters in there too).

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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Additional Info

Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby

Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers

Frequently Asked Questions

(7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Charleston Signature History Walking Tour: Explore the Past?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EDT). Read more Apr 2025