Charleston's Best Highlights: History, Culture & Architecture
Charleston Sole Walking Tours
5.0
Dianne P
7 days ago
Had an amazing two-hour walking tour guided by Fin. As a former history teacher, he was extremely knowledgeable about Charleston’s story spanning more than 300 years with fascinating facts and intriguing insights. Highly recommend! (And go Celtics!)
Our walk is a journey through time starting in the historic French Quarter where we stroll down enchanting alleyways and cobblestone streets. The architecture of houses of worship and public buildings are discussed as we point out interesting features and tell unique stories about Charleston’s fabled past. We continue to the South of Broad area where beautiful 18th & 19th century houses abound. We enter the Nathaniel Russell House garden to get a glimpse of Charleston off the beaten path. The waterfront Battery is a perfect place to take in the sights of Charleston Harbor and imagining the opening volley of the American Civil War at Fort Sumter located just a few miles in the distance. This is not just another boring history lesson, but a walk back in time culminating the life of Charlestonians and visitors alike. Come see what makes Charleston such special place to visit. Whether being your first time or your twentieth, Charleston always has more to see and learn!
Departure Point
- We meet on the north side of the building. There is a tree and two park benches next to a Gillon Street (cobblestone).
- We meet on the north side of the building. There is a tree and two park benches next to a Gillon Street (cobblestone).
- Human tour guide - English
Points of Interest
Stop At: Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon122 E Bay St, , Charleston, South CarolinaOur 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. Duration: 15 minutesStop At: Rainbow Row83-107 E Bay St # 107, , Charleston, South CarolinaSee 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.Duration: 5 minutesStop At: Old Slave Mart Museum6 Chalmers St, , Charleston, South CarolinaKnown 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.Duration: 10 minutesStop At: French Huguenot Church136 Church St, At the corner of Church and Queen sts., Charleston, South CarolinaA beautiful Gothic Revival building from 1845 houses one of the only practicing Huguenot (French Protestant) in the country.Duration: 5 minutesStop At: Dock Street Theater135 Church St, , Charleston, South CarolinaEntrance 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.Duration: 10 minutesStop At: Charleston City Hall80 Broad St, , Charleston, South CarolinaThis 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. Duration: 2 minutesStop At: St. Michael's Church71 Broad St, Charleston, South CarolinaEntrance 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.Duration: 15 minutesStop At: Nathaniel Russell House51 Meeting St, , Charleston, South CarolinaWe 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. Duration: 10 minutesStop At: Edmondston-Alston House21 E Battery St, Charleston, South CarolinaWe 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. Duration: 10 minutesAdditional Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Tour guide
Our walk is a journey through time starting in the historic French Quarter where we stroll down enchanting alleyways and cobblestone streets. The architecture of houses of worship and public buildings are discussed as we point out interesting features and tell unique stories about Charleston’s fabled past. We continue to the South of Broad area where beautiful 18th & 19th century houses abound. We enter the Nathaniel Russell House garden to get a glimpse of Charleston off the beaten path. The waterfront Battery is a perfect place to take in the sights of Charleston Harbor and imagining the opening volley of the American Civil War at Fort Sumter located just a few miles in the distance. This is not just another boring history lesson, but a walk back in time culminating the life of Charlestonians and visitors alike. Come see what makes Charleston such special place to visit. Whether being your first time or your twentieth, Charleston always has more to see and learn!
Departure Point
- We meet on the north side of the building. There is a tree and two park benches next to a Gillon Street (cobblestone).
- We meet on the north side of the building. There is a tree and two park benches next to a Gillon Street (cobblestone).
- Human tour guide - English
Points of Interest
Stop At: Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon122 E Bay St, , Charleston, South CarolinaOur 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. Duration: 15 minutesStop At: Rainbow Row83-107 E Bay St # 107, , Charleston, South CarolinaSee 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.Duration: 5 minutesStop At: Old Slave Mart Museum6 Chalmers St, , Charleston, South CarolinaKnown 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.Duration: 10 minutesStop At: French Huguenot Church136 Church St, At the corner of Church and Queen sts., Charleston, South CarolinaA beautiful Gothic Revival building from 1845 houses one of the only practicing Huguenot (French Protestant) in the country.Duration: 5 minutesStop At: Dock Street Theater135 Church St, , Charleston, South CarolinaEntrance 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.Duration: 10 minutesStop At: Charleston City Hall80 Broad St, , Charleston, South CarolinaThis 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. Duration: 2 minutesStop At: St. Michael's Church71 Broad St, Charleston, South CarolinaEntrance 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.Duration: 15 minutesStop At: Nathaniel Russell House51 Meeting St, , Charleston, South CarolinaWe 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. Duration: 10 minutesStop At: Edmondston-Alston House21 E Battery St, Charleston, South CarolinaWe 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. Duration: 10 minutesAdditional Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Tour guide
Need To Know Info
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
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5.0
based on Groupon 390 reviews
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Dianne P
Had an amazing two-hour walking tour guided by Fin. As a former history teacher, he was extremely knowledgeable about Charleston’s story spanning more than 300 years with fascinating facts and intriguing insights. Highly recommend! (And go Celtics!)
Leslie_W
Very knowledgeable guide and great tour. Have much better understanding of Charleston and its origins. Appreciated the break in between.
Alexander_W
90 minute walking tour all around downtown Charleston. Our guide was Brian & he was PHENOMENAL!! Extremely knowledgeable, professional, funny, kind & courteous to make sure we stayed safe & other pedestrians were accommodated to get around our group. His wealth of knowledge incredible. Well worth your time & money. We left with a much greater understanding & appreciation of the Charleston history.