The Best of Charleston: History, Culture & Architecture Tour

based on 288 reviews

Duration:2 hours (approx.)
Location: Charleston, South Carolina

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We pride ourselves on researched history and anecdotes of the city and its people. We try to tailor the tour to our guests' interests and make connections to further explain Charleston's history and make it fun.....not just another boring history lesson! Come see what makes Charleston such special place to visit. Whether being your first visit or your twentieth, Charleston always has more to see and learn! We keep learning as well!

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. French Huguenot Church
A beautiful Gothic Revival building from 1845 houses one of the only practicing Huguenot (French Protestant) in the country.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.

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Posted By : S9194WNericd
Brian from Charleston Sole Walking Tours was simply amazing. He was a wealth of knowledge which kept us captivated for the entire 2+ hrs tour of Charleston. He was funny, charming and took the time to answer every single question. His own long family history in the Holy City gave him a perspective that no other tour guides could. He showed us all the most important sites in the city and much more. I would 100% book him again. Thank you so much Brian.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-07-03 09:35:04

Posted By : Bill_L
Fin was a great pleasure and a real pro at his job. Thanks! Fin! The questions asked and answered! Comments accepted off the cuff! A great 2 1/2 hours!

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Posted On : 2024-06-22 16:14:31

Posted By : 91ashleya
Fin was the very best guide. He was engaging, informative and an incredible communicator and story teller. The tour itself was interesting and informative but Fin gave it a whole personality. The time flew by. I would highly recommend this walking tour to anyone visiting or living in Charleston.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-20 16:34:41

Posted By : Ashley_A
Fin was the very best guide. He was engaging, informative and an incredible communicator and story teller. The tour itself was interesting and informative but Fin gave it a whole personality. The time flew by.
I would highly recommend this walking tour to anyone visiting or living in Charleston.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-18 12:50:08

Posted By : Geena_R
Our guide, Fin, was an absolute joy to spend the day with. He was very knowledgeable and engaging and allowed my group to truly appreciate the city of Charleston. He has a real talent for conveying the history of Charleston in an anecdotal style that engaged both the history buffs and the laypeople in our group. Many people in our group had questions and Fin was able to answer them all and add a humorous spin as well. Fin is clearly well loved in the community and local business owners would allow us into their spaces and say hello to our guide, which really speaks to his personal passion and investment into his city. Highly recommend this tour to all.
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Posted On : 2024-06-18 10:10:25

Posted By : Patricia_W
We LOVED our tour guide! He was fun and interesting and took time to answer to our questions. Highly recommended!!
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Posted On : 2024-06-17 22:09:28

Posted By : Barbara_O
Fin was exceptionally knowledgeable and full of anecdotal stories. Loved everything about him! He hit all of the things we wanted to learn -history, culture and architecture. Allowed us to ask questions and answered all of them.
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Posted On : 2024-06-14 13:01:36

Posted By : Maps01152105282
Brian was one of the best guides we have experienced in all my travels , not just Charleston. He was a wealth of information about past and present Charleston. Easy going, easy to get along with and made us feel like an old friend. Many guides know their stuff but not all seem to genuinely care about what and why you on a tour. He called before the trip to let us know we were the only ones signed up for the time slot and we would have a private tour, let us start early and extended the time. He personalized the tour to what our interests were and worked it out to end at our next scheduled stop.
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Posted On : 2024-06-12 20:34:37

Posted By : Matthew_K
Great tour and tour guide but didn’t see any major sites and as a first timer I wanted to see the main attractions
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Posted On : 2024-06-10 13:06:19

Posted By : Elaine_W
Our guide Fin made for a memorable tour of Charleston in all his expertise on the local history.
Thoroughly enjoyed and will highly recommend
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Posted On : 2024-06-08 14:15:39