Explore North America's only English walled city - Charleston. Accompanied by an expert guide, stroll though quaint cobblestone streets while learning about the city's fascinating, turbulent past and its unique place in the history of the United States.

About this activity

Free cancellation: Cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund
Duration 2 hours: Check availability to see starting times.
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Live tour guide: English

Highlights

Visit the historical walled city of Charleston on an enlightening 2-hour walking tour
Visit key sites such as churches and colonial homes
Hear tales of pirates, patriots, belles and balls from a 7th generation Charlestonian and expert storyteller

Full description

An exciting walking tour of the only English walled city in North America - Charleston! Once the leading seaport of the thirteen colonies and later the United States, historical Charleston is waiting to be discovered. On this 2-hour walking tour, you will learn about the intriguing history of Charleston from veteran guide Al Ray. See pre-and-post colonial homes, storefronts, churches and public buildings while Ray recounts the rich tales and legends of Charleston's proud and turbulent past. Learn the meanings of the ancient symbols on the tombstones, the city's history of rapid growth and rampant piracy, and the rise of the rice planters. Listen to your charismatic guide describe the numerous disasters, such as seven major fires, numerous hurricanes, epidemics, sieges and bombardments, plus a major earthquake, that have struck the city over its long and colourful history.

Includes

Live tour guide

Meeting point

Tour meets at Historic Charleston Foundation Gift Shop at 108 Meeting Street

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Important information

Know before you go

This is a walking tour, be sure to wear comfortable shoes, In warm weather, don't forget the sunscreen and bottled water!

Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.9 /5

based on 397 reviews

Review summary

Guide
4.8/5
Value for money
4.9/5
Service
4.9/5
Organization
5/5

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Our historic tour led by Eric Lager was beyond our expectations. We has a small group of only 6 participants which created an atmosphere of camaraderie. Eric is an amazing guide, his knowledge of the area and it’s history was unsurpassed. He created an environment that allowed for questions and comments in an unhurried manner. We loved our experience.

June 13, 2022

Eric was our guide and we could not have asked for anyone more knowledgeable or enthusiastic about the city of Charleston. His passion for history and sharing it with others made for one of the best experiences that we have ever had on a vacation. We are incredibly grateful and would recommend him whole heartedly.

June 9, 2022

We took several tours through all of the cities that we visited and I have to say that this was the best. Our guide was a young man with an advanced degree in history and he was very good at what he did. He knew the history very well and was pleasant and easy to understand. He did not mind questions and he presented the facts in a very interesting way. I am sure he is a great teacher.

May 19, 2022

Charleston: Historical Walking Tour

Charleston: Historical Walking Tour

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