Top Charleston Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises

See the Charleston Harbor by boat with a leisurely sightseeing tour along the Cooper River to Fort Sumter National Monument. This fully-narrated tour focuses on Charleston history from Civil War sites to antebellum houses and landmarks, passes under Cooper River bridges, and explores a waterfront that’s home to bottlenose dolphins and pelicans.

Ride a horse-drawn carriage through the heart of historic Charleston on a guided tour through the heart of the city. Soak up the old fashioned charm of cobblestone streets lined with antebellum houses, lush gardens, and landmark churches as you listen to stories about Charleston history, architecture, and culture.

An air-conditioned sightseeing bus offers a refreshing Charleston Sightseeing Tour for summertime visitors trying to escape the heat or those with limited mobility. Roll by popular "Holy City" sights like Rainbow Row, the Battery, White Point Gardens, Nathaniel Russell House, and St. Michael's Church from wide viewing windows while your guide informs and entertains with stories from Charleston's rich past.

Charleston's colonial history, laid-back vibe, and beautiful sites continue to steal the hearts of visitors to the Holy City. See the highlights of the peninsula in comfort on this 90-minute guided tour on a climate-controlled minibus with a maximum of 15 passengers. This narrated tour keeps you cool as you ride past must-see Charleston sights such as the Battery, the Citadel, Old City Market, and Hampton Park as well as enjoy spectacular views of Fort Sumter, Castle Pinckney, and the Sullivan Island Lighthouse at a distance. Bonus: Admission to Charleston Powder Museum is also included with the price of your tour.

Watch the sun set above Charleston, South Carolina with a 2-hour sunset harbor cruise aboard a 45-foot motorized catamaran. Find a comfortable seat on deck, spot the landmarks of downtown Charleston and the waterfront, and watch for the dolphins and sea birds that thrive along the South Carolina shoreline. Enjoy a relaxing break from the city while spending a romantic evening on the water.

Charleston’s historic alleyways and pocket gardens can’t be reached by car or carriage, making this Charleston walking tour an excellent option for visiting the Holy City’s enticing nooks and crannies. Follow a guide through the French Quarter, down to the Battery, and right past Rainbow Row as you learn about the city’s 350-year history from a licensed tour guide.

This private sightseeing tour of Charleston offers a local perspective on the most charming city in the South. Beat the crowds of bus tours and go where carriage rides can’t as your licensed guide drives you around the peninsula in the comfort of a private vehicle. As you drive past top sights like Waterfront Park and the Battery, hear stories of Charleston history and culture in the Holy City.

Travel back in time to discover one of America’s most historic cities—Charleston, South Carolina—on this guided small-group walking tour. Explore some of the city’s most enchanting alleys and hidden passages. Visit the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon, a colonial building with a 300-year history; Rainbow Row, the longest cluster of Georgian row houses in the United States; plus historic Philadelphia Alley, and many more.

Discover Charleston's colonial roots on this evening carriage tour within the city of Charles Towne's original boundaries. Travel with a horse and buggy, just as the colonists did, on an evening tour that spares you from the midday heat as you learn about Charleston history between 1680-1770, including a visit to the oldest building in Charleston, the Four Corners of Law, Waterfront Park, and more.

Get out on the waters of Charleston Harbor during this cruise aboard an 84-foot-tall (25-meter) classic tall ship. As the crew hoists the sails of the schooner, you'll glide past some of the city's historical sights and watch for dolphins in the water. Drinks are available for purchase on board. Select a departure time when booking.

Middleton Place is one of the most popular plantations in the Charleston area, but getting there can be tricky without a private car. This tour makes it easy by including transportation from downtown Charleston aboard a comfortable, air-conditioned van, plus a guided tour of the house upon arrival. A 3-course lunch is also included for a taste of Lowcountry cuisine.

This one-hour tour tells the tales of Charleston's most pivotal moments and will have travelers falling in love with the unique culture and beautiful landscapes of this southern city. Your experience begins in the stable opposite Market Street, where you'll interact with horses before riding along in a custom carriage through the landmarks and attractions of this coastal town. The 16-passenger carriages are lighter and more comfortable that most, making them as enjoyable for the horses are they are for travelers!

Travel back in time to discover one of America’s most historic cities—Charleston, South Carolina—on this guided sightseeing tour. Visit a plethora landmarks including Rainbow Row, the longest cluster of Georgian row houses in the United States; the Old Exchange Building, South Carolina's most historic building; White Point Garden, in the heart of Charleston’s historic district, with a spectacular view of Fort Sumter and many more. Upgrade option available to include a tour of the famous Joseph Manigault House, one of Charleston's most exquisite antebellum structures.

Pickup and drop-off from downtown Charleston make it easy to tour Magnolia Plantation, one of the oldest plantations in the South. This 4-in-1 tour includes a narrated drive out to the plantation, a walking tour of the garden, tram tour through the property, and tour of the house itself, providing incredible value.

Cruise through Lowcountry tidal creeks and marshes en route to the uninhabited Morris Island on this boat cruise from the Charleston area. A private boat company launches from Bowens Island for the scenic ride through an estuary rich in biodiversity before a soft landing on Morris Island. Spend free time to taking photos of the historic Morris Island Lighthouse, combing for seashells, and looking out for birds, sea turtles, and dolphins before your return.

Watch the sunset from the water on a 2-hour evening cruise aboard an 84-foot (25-meter) classic tall ship. As the crew hoists the sails of the schooner, you'll glide through Charleston Harbor to enjoy the glow of twilight over one of the oldest cities in the U.S. Drinks are available for purchase on board.

See Charleston from the water during a dinner cruise that includes a barbecue buffet and live entertainment. Watch the sky change color as the sun sets, and take in sweeping views of Charleston. Choose from classic dishes such as pulled pork, smoked chicken, mac and cheese, and coleslaw, and have the option to purchase drinks from the bar.

Explore Charleston in an intimate horse-drawn carriage during this private tour. Get personalized attention from your guide while riding through the historic streets of the old walled town.

Discover downtown Charleston on a Southern-style carriage ride that passes through the Commercial District and Waterfront Park. Learn about the history, architecture, and people of this old South Carolina city throughout the tour.

Get all the thrills of a Charleston ghost tour without any walking on this haunted horse and carriage ride. A horse and carriage takes you down twisting side streets and cobbled alleyways with ease as your guide shares spooky stories from Charleston’s past. Make your way past the Mills House, the Circular Congregational Graveyard, and and Provost Dungeon in the heart of the Holy City.

Travel back to Colonial times aboard a horse-drawn carriage and discover more than 300 years of history on this guided, 1-hour tour of Charleston. See the many mansions, churches and gardens of yesteryear on this narrated tour around historic Charleston. Enjoy the romantic clip-clop sound as this educational adventure winds through the streets and learn about this ‘Holy City’ and its rich history and role in Civil War times. See the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon, one of the most historic buildings in America, and much more.

Without a guided walking tour, you might miss some of the eclectic history and hidden nooks and crannies around Charleston that make this city such a gem. This walking tour takes you through the French Quarter and South of Broad neighborhoods to top sights such as the Rainbow Row, the Old Slave Mart Museum, and the Old Exchange, all while your guide shares stories from Charleston history and lore.

On this historical Charleston tour, journey back in time as your guide reveals the beauty and charm of one of America's most historic cities. Learn about the history of Charleston and discover its pivotal role in American history with visits to more than 100 points of interest including Rainbow Row, Colonial Lake, the Old Exchange Building and Whitepoint Gardens. This tour combines a 90 minute Historic City Tour with a 90 minute narrated, non-stop Harbor Tour. The harbor tour may be taken in conjunction with the city tour or you may choose to split them up and take them on separate days.