Charleston History and Architecture Tour

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. Explore the historic Charleston City Market, the bustling 19th-century heart of the city. Admire its classic architecture and discover traditional Lowcountry culture, including beautiful handwoven sweetgrass baskets, as your guide shares the market's fascinating history.

   10 min

2. Discover the quiet charm of Philadelphia Alley, a hidden, brick-lined pathway that was once known as "Dueler's Alley." Stroll through this picturesque passage as your guide shares fascinating stories of its origins and the historic 18th-century duels that took place right where you are standing.

   15 min

3. Discover the beautiful French Huguenot Church, a true masterpiece of Gothic Revival architecture. Learn about the early French settlers who sought refuge in Charleston and admire the stunning exterior details of this historic landmark as your guide shares its centuries-old legacy.

   10 min

4. Admire the elegant exterior of the historic Dock Street Theater, the site of America's first purpose-built theater. Learn about its fascinating origins, tragic fires, and beautiful Depression-era reconstruction as you explore the heart of Charleston's picturesque French Quarter.

   10 min

5. Walk past the iconic Four Corners of Law, a unique Charleston intersection where four beautiful historic buildings represent federal, state, city, and religious law. Take in the impressive architecture of these towering landmarks as your guide shares the fascinating story behind this famous moniker.

   15 min

6. Walk past the world-famous Rainbow Row to admire thirteen beautifully preserved, pastel-colored historic townhouses. Take in the vibrant beauty of this iconic 18th-century streetscape as your guide shares the story behind its colorful restoration.

   15 min

7. Visit the iconic Pineapple Fountain nestled in the beautiful Waterfront Park. Snap a photo in front of this famous symbol of Southern hospitality while your guide shares the history behind the city's welcoming pineapple motif, all while enjoying gorgeous views of the Charleston harbor.

   15 min

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

Ratings come from 7 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Know before you go

How it compares in Charleston

• Its from-price is 47% below the median of the 319 experiences we list in Charleston.
• Its length is typical for the group.
• By number of reviews it ranks 178 of 319.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Charleston

Charleston is a South Carolina port city of pastel row houses, cobbled lanes, church steeples, Gullah culture and Lowcountry cooking.

Charleston was settled in 1670 and grew on a peninsula between the Ashley and Cooper rivers, and it is one of the best-preserved colonial-era cities in the United States. Rainbow Row, thirteen pastel Georgian houses on East Bay Street, is the best-known sight. The Battery, a seafront promenade with old cannon and oak-shaded White Point Garden, looks out to Fort Sumter, where the first shots of the Civil War were fired in 1861. The city is nicknamed the Holy City for its many church steeples.

Top-ranked sights in Charleston: Charleston City Market, Rainbow Row, Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon.

See all 319 experiences in Charleston