Highlights of Charleston Guided Walking Tour
Overview
Available languages
2 hours
Mobile ticket
Our two hour Highlights of Charleston walking tour guides guests through the historic French Quarter and South of Broad neighborhoods of downtown Charleston. Along the way, your guide will describe the long history, unique culture, architecture, and geography of Charleston and the greater lowcountry area, painting a detailed picture of how Charleston's tumultuous past formed the city now beloved by travelers the world over. You'll view some of the city's oldest houses of worship, burial sites, theaters, the forts of Charleston harbor, and the antebellum mansions that look out across the waters of the Cooper and Ashley rivers, among many other historic and picturesque sites. Our guides also offer their expert advice on other activities, restaurants, and bars for guests to explore once they've finished their tour.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Guests are responsible for bringing their own sun protection (sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, parasols) and rain gear
We HIGHLY recommend guests bring bottled water. It is not always available for purchase on the route
We ask guests to check in at the meeting location 5-10 mins prior to tour time. We cannot hold for latecomers.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
St. Philip's Church
View the historic church of the longest-meeting congregation in Charleston.
French Huguenot Church
View the only church of its denomination in North America
What‘s Included
Tour Guide
Not included in your ticket price are any parking fees if you choose to drive to your tour. Gratuity is optional, but gratefully accepted.
Options
Highlights tour
Reviews
2,205 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Best walking tour ever
Bruce S,,Jan 26, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Bill is a charismatic, knowledgeable, opinionated, and friendly guide. This was the most entertaining walking tour we’ve ever been on, and we’ve been on a lot. You’ll learn a lot about Charleston and a lot about Bill, which we found equally fascinating. Highly recommended.
Very knowledgeable tour guide
SALSCS,,Jan 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Bill, our tour guide, is extremely knowledgeable. The in-depth details he shared with us about the history of Charleston were amazing. I don’t think there was a question asked that he couldn’t answer. We highly recommend this tour and Bill as your guide.
Charleston walking tour
Corita C,,Jan 18, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Very informative. Docent was very knowledgeable and passionate about American history. Highly recommend Bill
So worth the time and money!
kategQ395PU,,Jan 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Bill did a terrific job. You can tell how passionate he is about his job. He did a great job of explaining the in depth history of Charleston and the surrounding area. I learned more in 2 hours than I did in my entire AP History class in high school. All 7 of us in our group were absolutely captivated by the tour. Thanks so much, Bill!
No Tour
546jimc,,Jan 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00Very Disappointing. Tour guide cancelled 1.5 hours before the tour was to begin. Left early to get there in time and no tour. He did say that he was thrown a surprise birthday party and couldn’t make it. Have never had this happen before.
Learning About Charleston SC
Cynthia C,,Jan 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Tour guide is very knowledgeable about Charleston's history and shared some things I had never been aware of.
Thorough and informative
markkI9168PW,,Jan 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very good historical perspective and timeline of city growth + architecture data, very informative. Time went by quickly!
Absolutely Fantastic Experience. Don't Walk, Run!
Howard B,,Jan 3, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Where should I begin. First of all, Bill needs his own TikTok. This guy was amazing! My family and I thought this was going to be your run-of-the-mill walking tour with sightseeing and random facts. We almost canceled it cause we did a trolly tour the previous day. We were so glad we didn't. Bill, a professional historian, gave us the option of doing a nonsense tour or really digging into the history of the city and we all picked the deep dive option. He gave us a brief history of the city, the state of the colonies, country, and the world that lead to the dark history of Charleston. Then we went around the city to several curated locations, each with a very important part of the story. We would have toured around for hours with Bill if he let us. This tour is a diamond in the rough. To find such a unique experience that exceeds your expectations is so rare. I'm so glad we did it and I'm offically encouraging Bill to start a TikTok or YouTube. He was so funny and knowledgeable. 10/10
Very knowledgeable guide!
Paradise524998,,Jan 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an absolutely outstanding experience with this tour guide. His depth of historical knowledge was unlike anything we have ever encountered—truly exceptional, even compared to guides we’ve had all over the world. What made the tour even more special was the time he took to thoughtfully answer our questions and naturally steer the conversation toward topics we were personally interested in. It never felt scripted or rushed; instead, it felt like an engaging, intelligent conversation brought to life by remarkable expertise. This was history presented with passion, insight, and genuine care for the guests’ curiosity. An unforgettable experience and a guide we would recommend without hesitation.
Engaging tour!
KVA1231,,Jan 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Bill was an excellent guide: very passionate and knowledgeable about Charleston SC. An engaging and enjoyable walking tour
From US$23.00
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