Private tour in Charleston Joyce W

Magnolia Plantation Tour and Historic Charleston Tour, 4 hours

4.8

(5) reviews

-
Hours icon 4 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-4 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 4 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-4 people
Your party size

1

View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later

Joyce W.

4.9

Guide rating

159

Reviews

Tours delivered

40 hrs

Avg. response time

Upon arrival I fell in love with Charleston. It was as if a magnet drew me to come and live in this gorgeous city and explore every corner of it. 

Now I've been a Certified tour guide here since 2005.
 During my college studies I traveled to Europe and decided I wanted to live overseas, which I did for two years. I am a seasoned traveler and love communicating with people from all over the world. This is also why I understand travelers. I know what it is to be in a new City or Country where you might not speak the language nor know much about the customs. And I know sometimes you want to see as much as possible, but sometimes you can be tired, sometimes you want to learn as much as possible about a place and sometimes you just need to get the feel of it. When I travel I don't want to feel like a tourist but rather like a traveler and I want to interact with the locals and get in touch with their world. 

One of the things I love the most of being a guide is to see people's smile and hear the "WOW" they say when see or understand something new in Charleston. 

I have a lot of passion for history, architecture, preservations and photography. I have knowledge of good restaurants of all kinds in Charleston and I will be happy to give recommendations. I keep myself very up to date about what's going on in the city, markets, concerts, celebrations, art opening, shows etc. 

I'd love to share my history and share interesting insights of the Charleston I live in with my guests. I like to use the word guests instead of clients, because I want you to feel like a guest in the city going with a local instead of feeling like a tourist…

Why should you come on a private tour with me? Let me tell you!

I have built up a great deal of knowledge about this vibrant city which I am proud to call my home. 
I am an independent and certified tour guide and a member of the Charleston Tour Guide Association. 
I'll show you things that you won't see on the tour bus. My tours are personal. 
I love to guide combining a mixture of entertainment, making history come alive, interesting facts about the present society as well as fun anecdotes about everyday life. 
The tour can be tailored to suit your particular interests. I will suggest an itinerary to match your interests and timeframe. 

I try to adapt my tour to the interests of my guests and make it personal that's why I get recommendations. I am specialized in tours for small groups, couples and families. My guests say I'm very knowledgeable, fun, charismatic and professional. Thank you for reading this! Please don't hesitate to ask me any questions you may have. Welcome to Charleston! Registered Charleston SC tour guide, badge #31662

Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Joyce W.

Overview of your Charleston tour

Welcome to Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. Magnolia has been selected as one of "America's Most Beautiful Gardens" (Travel + Leisure Magazine), and is the only garden honored with this distinction in the State of South Carolina! Founded in 1676 by the Drayton family, Magnolia Plantation has survived the centuries and witnessed the history of our nation unfold before it from the American Revolution through the Civil War and beyond. It is the oldest public tourist site in the Low country, and the oldest public gardens in America, opening its doors to visitors in 1870 to view the thousands of beautiful flowers and plants in its famous gardens. So join me to experience the beauty of its gardens and its rich history today.

Recent Reviews

Sandra W.
April 2025

Joyce was wonderful. She is a wealth of knowledge. I don’t know how she remembers all the events, names and dates. She knows Charleston’s history exceptionally well. We learned many things and she took us to places we would have never known or found on our own. She is very pleasant and a joy to be with.

Dave M.United States
October 2024

Joyce was an awesome guide. She was extremely knowledgeable on the history of Charleston and had some very interesting insights on much of the city - both now and in its past. I would highly recommend her and would not hesitate to use her again if we were to return to Charleston. And thanks, Joyce, for the great restaurant recommendation for lunch.

Donna G.United States
October 2021

Joyce picked up promptly at our hotel, we headed down to the waterfront first and she gave us a wonderful historical account of the area. We then headed to Magnolia Plantation, and Joyce shared very detailed highlights of the rich history of the plantation as well as Charleston. All four of us enjoyed our time with Joyce and recommend this tour if you are in the Charleston area

Diana N.United States
September 2021

Joyce is a bubbly, personable and highly knowledgeable guide. We very much enjoyed our tour with her to Magnolia Plantation. I took one star off as she is a smoker and we are highly sensitive to cigarette smoke. Her vehicle smelled strongly of smoke and she smoked on the tour but not in the vehicle with us. If it had been disclosed that she was a smoker we would of used a different guide. We will ask that question in the future.

Your Charleston tour itinerary

You will be picked up at your Charleston hotel or a convenient location of your choice. We will take the 30-minute drive to Magnolia. Along the route, I will share with you the founding of Charleston, known as the "Holy City. " We will discuss its culture, its traditions, its agriculture, its preservation, and the families that grew it into the #1 income producing colony on British Colonial America. I will lead you on a 45-minute walk through the gardens. If you choose, we will visit: - The Plantation House There is a Petting Zoo, the Conservatory, The Peacock Cafe, and the Old African American Cabin. Upon return to Charleston, we travel down streets with: - the magnificent mansions - Rainbow Row - The Exchange Building - South of Broad You will be dropped off at a convenient location of your choice.

Want to customize this tour?

Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.

Transport details
Type: Private Transportation / Category: Suv

We will take a 4 passenger Dodge Caravan and also do some walking.

What's included
Private Guide
Private Transportation
What's not included
Food Drinks Snacks
Meeting location

Charleston, South Carolina, United States

Charleston, SC

  • You can request a specific meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout.
Other details
Tour categories
Layover
City Highlights
History
Tour reference number
249664
Languages
English
Activity level
Minimal
Accessibility
Kid Friendly
Wheelchair Accessible

Traveller reviews

4.8

FAQs

Who is this private tour in Charleston best suited for?

This private tour in Charleston is perfect for travellers who want to explore the rich history and beautiful gardens of Magnolia Plantation. It's ideal for those interested in American history, culture, and nature. The tour is also suitable for families, as it is kid-friendly and wheelchair accessible, making it a great choice for seniors or travellers with mobility concerns.

Where does the tour start and end?

Is transportation included?

How much walking is involved, and is it suitable for kids, seniors, or travellers with mobility concerns?

What languages is this tour offered in?

What's included in this private tour, and what should I budget for separately?

AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide

-
Hours icon 4 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-4 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 4 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-4 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
More tours in Charleston by Joyce W.
Similar tours in Charleston
Explore more of Charleston
Charleston Historic District Orientation TourBeauty & Tragedy: Charleston's History - Private Walking TourCharleston 101Magical History Tour of CharlestonHistory of Charleston Walking TourMotorized Charleston History Tour, 3 hoursAlleys of Charleston Walking TourCharleston Architecture and History TourCharleston Plantations and City Tour - Half DayCharleston Highlights Driving TourBoone Hall Plantation Express TourCharleston's Charm and Grace Express Tour History and Highlights of CharlestonBest of Charleston and Boone Hall Plantation Private TourHistoric Charleston Three Hour WalkaboutOrientational History of Charleston TourArchitectural & Historical Overview of Charleston - Private Walking TourHaunted Charleston: Hidden History Walking TourMagnolia Plantation Tour and Historic Charleston Tour, 4 hoursMiddleton Place Plantation and Charleston Highlights Tour, 4 hoursCharleston Historic District Shore Excursion TourCharleston American Revolution Tour - Half DayMiddleton Place and Drayton Hall Full Day TourCity Tour and Boone Hall PlantationWalking Tour of HIstoric Charleston with Jewish HistoryExpress Historical Walking Tour, 2 hoursThe Grimké Sisters of Charleston: See 2 of Charleston's best plantations in one tourBoone Hall Plantation & Historic Charleston Tour, 4 hoursExtended History Tour of Historic CharlestonBoone Hall Planation Express Private TourJewish History Walking Tour: 300+ Years of Sephardic + Ashkenazi HeritageHaunted Charleston Ghost Walking TourThe Outer Banks Season 5 FinaleCharleston Gardens and Architecture Walking TourStep on Guide for City Tour Historic Charleston Walking Tour, 3 hoursCharleston Ironwork tour - Half DayColonial Charleston and the Revolutionary WarGarden Glimpses