Tour guide in Charleston Al R.

Charleston, United States

English

205

Tours Delivered,
Since Feb 21, 2019

43.0

Hours, Avg. response time

I'm Al R., your private tour guide in Charleston

Guide #31519

Welcome to Charleston! Charleston is a city of ancient memory and traditions. As a small child I devoured the tales of my ancestors related to me by my elders. I have always felt that this is not my first life in the City by the Sea. I have been a Certified Charleston Tour Guide since 1981, starting out as a stable hand and then a carriage driver. Later I moved on to bus tours. Today I do walking tours and private passenger driving tours of my lovely old home town My talent lies in creating a story line that is both entertaining and educational. Having spent numerous years in Health Care outreach, I attended many seminars that taught me strategies that convey information in a manner that is compelling , interesting and relatable. After all , you dont come for a college lecture, you come for the fun! I am a student of history, not just Charleston history, but national and international history as well. Charleston history did not happen in a bubble; I expose it in relation to the events that created it. My goal is that when we part ways, that you will have a better context on the city and that you will share my love of Charleston, SC , "America's Most Historic City"! Licensed Charleston Tour Guide 1981 - current Vice President , Charleston Tour Association 2009 -2011 President, Charleston Tour Association 2011-2015 No restrictions

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Traveller reviews

4.9

Leslie M.United States
June 2026
Al Ray gave us colorful descriptions of Charleston history using sites, homes, scenic views, public buildings, and a plaque showing the original walled city. We mostly rode in an air conditioned SUV with large clear sunroof, but also walked in lovely shaded streets and alleyways to see Phillip gate, original 17th century buildings , view of Fort Sumter and revitalized...
Karen B.United States
April 2026
Al was an informative and entertaining guide. His knowledge of Charleston is extensive, and he covered the history well. Make sure you discuss the size of the vehicle for transportation with Al before the tour. We were a group of five, and the SUV we were in was too small for our group, resulting in an uncomfortable time for the three of us in the third row.
Richard L.United States
March 2026
Very knowledgeable and engaging. Driver and guide were in sync throughout the tour. Well worth the experience.
Ann M.United States
January 2026
We toured Charleston by car with Al on a rainy day after disembarking from our cruise ship, and it turned out to be a wonderful experience. Al followed the itinerary outlined in his tour description closely, and every stop was interesting and well-planned. I had visited Charleston years ago and remembered touring some of the historic homes, but I hadn’t appreciated the...
Replied from the guide, Al R.
January 2026
Ann, thank you for the A1 review! Coming from a seasoned traveler like yourself it means a lot. I'm so glad I could brighten up and otherwise dreary afternoon and surely wasrainy; wasn't it? Send your friends!