Where cobblestones meet canopies of moss-draped oaks, Charleston invites you into a living postcard of Southern charm and layered history. A private Charleston tour lets you walk the same streets as patriots, pirates, poets, and preservationists—at your pace, in your style.

From pastel townhouses and steepled skylines to Lowcountry flavours and sea breezes, Charleston moves with grace and speaks with a drawl. This is a city of stories, and your tour is your front-row seat.
 
<h3>Top 10 Must-See Attractions in Charleston</h3>
Charleston’s iconic sites blend architectural beauty, historical depth, and coastal elegance. These are the must-stops that bring the city’s character to life.

Historic Charleston City Market
 A working market since the 1800s, lined with vendors selling sweetgrass baskets, local art, and Southern specialties.

Rainbow Row
 A stretch of 13 pastel-painted Georgian townhouses that define the city’s visual identity. Timeless, vibrant, and perfect for a slow stroll.

Battery and White Point Garden
 Where antebellum mansions face the harbor and cannons still point toward Fort Sumter. Stately, shaded, and steeped in Civil War history.

Nathaniel Russell House
 A Federal-style home with a free-flying spiral staircase and impeccably restored interiors that reflect Charleston’s early elite.

Charleston Waterfront Park
 Famous for its pineapple fountain and pier swings, this breezy spot is perfect for harbor views and morning sun.

King Street Historic District
 Lined with independent shops, antiques, and Gullah-inspired cuisine, this stretch blends commerce with charm.

Old Slave Mart Museum
 Housed in a former auction building, this sobering site explores Charleston’s central role in the transatlantic slave trade.

St. Michael’s Church
 Charleston’s oldest surviving religious structure, with a clock tower that’s chimed over centuries of city life.

Aiken-Rhett House
 Preserved rather than restored, this site gives a raw, real look at urban slavery and antebellum life behind grand façades.

Charleston Harbor
 Hop on a ferry or admire it from the shore—the harbor offers views of Fort Sumter, dolphins, and sailboats cutting across the horizon.

 <h3>Explore Charleston Off the Beaten Path</h3>
Beyond the well-trodden historic core, Charleston’s quieter corners offer stories whispered instead of shouted—subtle, soulful, and full of place.

Hampton Park
 Once a racetrack, now a tranquil green space lined with magnolias and walking paths. Local joggers and wedding portraits are common here.

Cannonborough-Elliotborough
 A blend of revival and grit, filled with indie coffee shops, murals, and shotgun houses undergoing slow transformation.

Unitarian Church Graveyard
 A wildly overgrown cemetery that feels more enchanted forest than burial ground—where nature is allowed to take the lead.

The Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art
 Tucked inside the College of Charleston campus, this gallery highlights bold, often Southern artists pushing boundaries.

Morris Island Lighthouse Viewpoint
 Accessible by foot or kayak at low tide, this offshore lighthouse stands ghostly and strong—a sentinel in salt and silence.

Avondale
 A locals' enclave across the Ashley River, known for its art crawl events, retro bars, and slow weekend brunches.

Gadsden’s Wharf Site
 The planned future home of the International African American Museum, this waterfront site once received more enslaved Africans than anywhere in North America.

Chalmers Street Cobblestones
 One of the few streets still paved with original ballast stones. Uneven, beautiful, and full of history underfoot.

 <h3>Day Trip Ideas from Charleston</h3>
Just beyond Charleston’s steepled skyline, a short drive takes you to plantations, beaches, and barrier islands—each with its own rich sense of place.

<a href="https://www.toursbylocals.com/tours/united-states/boone-hall?utm_source=internallinks&utm_medium=marketingblock&utm_campaign=charleston" target="_blank">Boone Hall Plantation</a>
 An iconic oak-lined driveway leads to this preserved estate, known for its Gullah culture exhibits and original slave cabins.

<a href="https://www.toursbylocals.com/tours/united-states/kiawah-island?utm_source=internallinks&utm_medium=marketingblock&utm_campaign=charleston" target="_blank">Kiawah Island</a>
 Wild beaches, golf resorts, and bike-friendly boardwalks make this barrier island an easy coastal escape.

<a href="https://www.toursbylocals.com/tours/united-states/beaufort?utm_source=internallinks&utm_medium=marketingblock&utm_campaign=charleston" target="_blank">Beaufort</a>
 A southern gem of antebellum homes, waterfront parks, and quiet streets lined with mossy oaks. Slower-paced and cinematic.

<a href="https://www.toursbylocals.com/tours/united-states/savannah?utm_source=internallinks&utm_medium=marketingblock&utm_campaign=charleston" target="_blank">Savannah</a>
 A two-hour drive transports you to Georgia’s Spanish moss-draped sister city, where garden squares and Gothic charm await.

 <h3>Travel Tips for Your Visit</h3>
Charleston is equal parts hospitality and heat. A few local insights help you soak it in, not sweat it out.

Best Time to Visit
 Spring and fall bring the best balance—azaleas bloom in March, and October skies glow golden. Summer is lush but humid.

Getting Around
 Charleston is a walking city. For longer distances or trips to the islands, private cars or ferries keep things easy.

What to Wear
 Light, breathable fabrics and comfortable shoes for cobbled streets. Carry a water bottle and a sunhat in warmer months.

 <h3>Explore Charleston Your Way</h3>
Charleston is layered—colonial foundations, Civil War scars, Gullah traditions, and a modern pulse. A private tour lets you uncover those layers without the crowds, with the space to reflect, taste, and connect deeply.
With expert-vetted guides, flexible cancellation, and 5-star ratings from travellers who love substance over spectacle, every Charleston private tour delivers a thoughtful, meaningful, and personal experience of the Holy City.


Charleston

Explore the hidden alleys and see hidden gems of this 2 and 1/2 hour walking tour

Alleys of Charleston Walking Tour

Got a couple of hours? Discover Charleston

Historic Charleston Express Walking Tour

Charleston Historic District Orientation Tour

St Michael's Church Photo by: Library of Congress

Historic buildings Photo by: Frank Buchalski

Explore the number one best city in the United States with a native Charlestonian!

Experience three hundred and fifty years of history over three hours !

Historic Charleston Three Hour Walkabout

Beauty & Tragedy: Charleston's History - Private Walking Tour

Visit the past and hear the story of Charleston as you explore the city's sites.

Lovely ironwork adorns many homes in Charleston

Gate made by famous blacksmith Philip Simmons.

The beautiful and historic City Hall building.

The Pink House is one of Charleston's oldest buildings.

The Fireproof Building once housed important documents for the city.

St. Michael's is the oldest church in the city.

This guide is a member of Charleston's Palmetto Guild, a designation of local tour guides who have been recognized by the city as committed to historical accuracy, continuing education and providing an engaging experience for visitors.

Let a 5th-generation Charlestonian walk you through the city's history, architecture and culture!

Charleston 101

Explore the history of Charleston from the founding in 1670 to present day

History of Charleston Walking Tour

• Admission to the Middleton Place Plantation 
• Admission to the museum house 

One of the few original plantatiion homes open to the public

Middleton Place - the first designed garden in the US

Middleton Place Plantation Tour

Half Day Charleston Plantations Tour

Get to know Charleston city and country life!

Charleston Historic District/Middleton Place Excursion

Hidden alleys! Come explore Charleston with someone born and raised here!

Exploring the oldest areas of Charleston

Orientational History of Charleston Tour

The history of Charleston through the ages

The Charleston Saga - Half Day

Charleston's Charm and Grace Express Tour

Discover the beauty and history of Charleston on a 2 hour driving tour

Charleston's Charm and Grace Express Tour 

Half Day motorized Charleston Downtown History Tour

The Federal Courthouse at the Four Corners of Law

Discover Historic Charleston with private transportation!

Join me in exploring the "Gone With the Wind" plantation on this tour using private transportation!

Boone Hall Plantation Express Tour

Haunted Charleston: Hidden History Walking Tour

The Mills House (known as the most haunted hotel in Charleston)

The Historic Hauntings of the Dock Street Theatre

The Pineapple Fountain at Water Front Park

Charles towne village tours

Explore 45 tours

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$ 311 (USD)

Includes all fees

$ 336 (USD)

Includes all fees

$ 543 (USD)

Includes all fees

$ 466 (USD)

Includes all fees

$ 311 (USD)

Includes all fees

$ 409 (USD)

Includes all fees

Meet your local guides in Charles towne village

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Contact the Guide

Contact the Guide

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