from 30 $
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The Best of Charleston: History, Culture & Architecture Tour

122 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
Duration

2 hours (approx.)

Tour Type

Daily Tour

Group Size

10 people

Languages

English

Overview

Your guide brings history to life during this Charleston walking tour of the city's historical downtown. See notable buildings including the Nathaniel Russell House, the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon, and the Old Slave Mart Museum. As you walk over the flat and easy terrain with your guide, discover the history that occurred right under your feet and around every corner from Rainbow Row to the Battery.

  • Historic Charleston walking tour
  • See historic buildings like Dock Street Theater and City Hall
  • Learn about Charleston history from a licensed guide
  • Ideal for first-time and returning visitors alike

What To Expect

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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.

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

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.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

French Huguenot Church



A beautiful Gothic Revival building from 1845 houses one of the only practicing Huguenot (French Protestant) in the country.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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.

2 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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.

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

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.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Highlights

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Near public transportation
  • Not recommended for travelers with back problems
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers

Included/Excluded

  • Tour guide

Durations

2 hours (approx.)

Tour's Location

122 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
from 30 $

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