Private Tour
Jewish History Private Driving Tour of Charleston
Overview
Available languages
2 hours
Mobile ticket
Charleston History. Jewish Soul.
Charleston was home to the largest Jewish community in the U.S. until the 1820s — even surpassing New York!
This private tour blends iconic landmarks with hidden gems, weaving Jewish heritage into the broader story of Charleston.
We’ll visit sites both famous and often overlooked — including “Little Jerusalem” and two of America’s oldest synagogues: one, the oldest in continuous use and birthplace of Reform Judaism; the other, the nation’s oldest active Orthodox Ashkenazi congregation. You'll also see the first Jewish-owned pharmacy in America, a brothel once run by a Jewish woman, and homes and civic spaces tied to merchants, leaders, and reformers.
Along the way, we honor the contributions of African Americans and reflect on Jewish involvement in Charleston’s slave economy and the Civil War.
Each tour is private, unhurried, and carefully curated — complete with refreshments and storytelling that make the experience both meaningful and memorable.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim
Learn about the Sephardic roots of Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim, the oldest synagogue in continuous use in the U.S. and birthplace of American Reform Judaism.
Hear the story behind Grace Peixotto, daughter of a religious leader, and the brothel she owned and operated here.
What‘s Included
Private transportation
Bottled water
Snacks
Air-conditioned vehicle
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Jewish History Private Driving Tour of Charleston
Reviews
8 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great tour, highly recommend
sharonsM9766ZE,Mar 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Ronnie did an amazing job putting together an informative and fun tour for my mom and her two sisters. All three women are in their 80s so some modifications were necessary to accommodate them and the rainy weather. Nonetheless, they all came back absolutely thrilled with the tour. They said Ronnie was extremely knowledgeable and made sure that they saw many interesting sites and learned quite a bit in the process. They thoroughly enjoyed the day and would highly recommend this tour to others.
Informative and...
nancy b,Mar 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Informative and enjoyable. Pleasant and leisurely paced would recommend for future tours. That’s all.
Wonderful tour
margaretbO8570QX,Mar 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our friends and we had a wonderful time on the tour. Ronnie is very knowledgeable about the Jewish history in Charleston - he had to field many questions from us and always had the information.
A terrific way to tour Charleston
Q2146LQcharless,Jan 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00You don't have to be Jewish to enjoy this great tour, which provides fascinating insights into the history of Charleston, going back to colonial times. Ronnie is a terrific guide, with a deep knowledge of the history of the city and the important role its Jewish community played in its growth. He points out important architectural and historical sites you might not see on other tours, like the home of Charleston's most famous madam, Bertha Hyman, who cared for many of Charleston’s poorest residents. Highly recommended.
Amazing Jewish Tour of Charleston, SC.
VFJeff,Nov 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00WOW! Just came back from visiting Charleston and the highlight of our visit was the Jewish Tour. My wife and I loved Ronnie. He was so full of information, wonderful stories and a complete mastery of the subject. Who knew how rich the Jewish History was in Charleston, SC. Highly recommend this absolutely amazing tour of the Jewish Heritage of a fascination city. Thanks Ronnie.
Fascinating Jewish History in Charleston
997suzannet,Nov 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We took a private driving tour that included a tour of Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim, the oldest continuous synagogue in the US and then a driving tour highlighting other Jewish history connected with Charleston. We stopped several places and the highlight was the synagogue cemetery. It included graves of revolutionary war, War of 1812 and confederate veterans, along with many famous Charleston Jewish families. Highly recommend!!
The Perfect Day, An amazing tour.
ilisai,Oct 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My husband and I did a private driving/walking full day tour. Ronnie picked us up at our hotel and also dropped us off at the end of our tour, what could be easier ! For us, this tour was perfect, really couldn’t have been any better. The weather was beautiful, the combination of walking and driving was exactly what we wanted. It was obvious how much Ronnie loves doing this tour. He certainly knows the Jewish history of Charleston. He had easy access to 2 synagogues. One Reformed and 1 Orthodox. (one which he is a member). We loved seeing both and hearing about their intriguing histories, which Ronnie knew very well. We also visited a very old Jewish Cemetery, where Ronnie told such interesting stories. We were all over the city,, learning about its history and Jewish history. We even stopped at a neighborhood cafe for sandwiches and smoothies. It was delicious. Ronnie understood exactly what we wanted from this tour. He put it together so well. It was obvious how much research and studying he has done to make this tour so interesting and fun. He was so genuinely warm, and friendly. We could have spent more time listening to his stories, we loved every minute.
Highly recommend!
M264QZjessicap,Jul 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Ronnie was our guide for the private walking tour, and my friend and I had a blast! We had no idea how much Jewish history there was in the city, and Ronnie did a great job of bringing the stories to life. Really felt like one of those “off-the-beaten path” Charleston experiences. Even though it was hot, Ronnie found shady spots and always made sure we were taken care of. I would definitely take his tour again! 10/10
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Operated by Charleston Jewish Tours