Best Walking Tours in Charleston, SC + Self Guided Route

As one of the most charming and historic cities in America, Charleston is filled with picturesque architecture and a storied past. It is best explored on foot with a local guide to soak up the beauty and history. In this post, I am sharing all about the best walking tours in Charleston, SC! As a local to Charleston, I’ve taken several over the years and there are a couple companies that truly stand out to me.

When choosing a walking tour, you want an authentic experience from a trusted historian! Make sure to choose a company that offers certified tour guides to make sure you get the real story. These guides have passed a rigorous test to earn this designation.

In this post, I have you covered on the best of the best walking tours in Charleston so you can be sure to choose one of the best options.

I will also be sharing a recommended route so you can do a self guided walking tour seeing some of the most iconic sights (plus a few hidden gems)!

1. Bulldog Tours Historic Charleston Walking Tour

Bulldog Tours is one of the premier companies offering walking tours in the Charleston area. They offer all types of options depending on your interests like culinary tours, ghost tours, history tours, and even private group tours where you can tailor it to meet your specific interests.

Their guides are all licensed by the city of Charleston’s rigorous testing and have a passion for their storytelling craft. You’ll get a consistently great tour every single time.

Each tour is capped at 20 people so groups are intimate and you are able to hear and ask questions.

This is the 2 hour walking tour that I have taken several times with my own clients. I can’t recommend it enough for the knowledgable guides and iconic sites you will see. This walking tour will take you to The Battery, Rainbow Row, churches, hidden gardens and more! The 2 hours allows you plenty of time to stop for photos along the way!

Bulldog Tours is dedicated to sustainable tourism and gives back to the many attractions and sights included on their tours. You can feel good about supporting this local business!

✅ >>Get tickets here starting at $40/person.

You will love taking this tour with Tyler because it will feel like you are being showed around Charleston by a friend! Her history tours focus on the characters of Charleston and their lively stories. You’ll get to know many of the historic figures that made Charleston what it is – with a little gossip!

I went on this tour and just adored her and learned so many interesting stories that I had not heard before even as a local myself.

She also offers several unique tours like an LGBTQ+ tour that offers a more complete history of our area called the Real Rainbow Row Tour. Plus, she has a fun tour that will take your to all the PINK spots in Charleston.

This would be a particularly great option for a girls group or bachelorette weekend in Charleston!

>>Get tickets in advance here because this is another popular one! Prices start at $40/adults.

Undiscovered Charleston is led by local Chef Forrest Parker. It includes a culinary-focused history walking tour of the area and ends with a cooking demo and of course, lunch paired with wine! This is such a unique and fun tour perfect for any travelers interested in the history of Charleston’s culinary scene.

It is a 4 hour tour so you’ll need to be prepared to spend half your day. However, it includes a 1.5 hour historic walking tour followed by a cooking demonstration and lunch. It will fly by!

✅ >>Get tickets in advance because this tour has limited capacity and will book early! Tickets start at $250/person including a full lunch with alcoholic beverages.

Here’s a sampling of what we had on the tour:

Linda Wohlfeil at Exclusively Charleston knows everything about Charleston. I learned so much listening to her stories! She’s a native of Charleston and has been giving tours for much of her life. Linda is excellent at storytelling and will keep you so engaged.

Exclusively Charleston offers small group private walking tours in Charleston. If you want a private guide, this is the best tour option for you!

✅ >>Learn more about Exclusively Charleston here.

5. Charleston Ghost & Graveyard Night-Time Guided Walking Tour

If you are looking for a fun evening activity, a ghost tour is a great choice! I’ve done many ghost tours in Charleston and they are always a fun time. Whether a couple, friends or with children, your group will definitely enjoy hearing about the haunted side of Charleston, South Carolina.

I recommend this 90 minute Charleston ghost tour because the certified tour guides will take you through downtown Charleston including the oldest graveyard at the Circular Congregational Church.

Prices are $40 per adult and $30 per child (above 3 years old). They run at 7:30pm or 9:30pm which is so ideal in the summer time when it can get a bit hot for a daytime walking tour!

✅ Learn more about this Ghost and Graveyard Walking Tour here!

Here is my recommendation for the best route to follow if wandering around on your own walking tour in Charleston. You won’t get to hear all of the history, but will see all of the picturesque spots. Simply seeing the scenery around the area is one of the best things to do in Charleston!

Charleston Self-Guided Walking Tour:

• Begin at The Joe Riley Waterfront Park. This a beautiful park with waterfront views of Charleston Harbor and there is the iconic Pineapple Fountain.
• Continue down East Bay Street passing the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon (open for tours).
• Head south where you will pass Rainbow Row (great photo op)
• Turn right on Tradd Street to admire these historic houses and window boxes.
• A left on Church Street then another left onto Longitude Lane for a stroll down this charming alleyway
• Continue down East Bay where you will pass some of the historic mansions like the Edmondston-Alston House (tours available), Roper House, and the Palmer Home.
• Then, you will reach the Battery and White Point Gardens. A great spot to relax and take in the scenery.

• After, head down Meeting Street passing the Nathaniel Russell House – a great house museum to tour!
• Then, you will approach St. Michael’s Church which has a massive church steeple! It’s truly stunning.
• You will then be standing at the Four Corners of Law. You’ve got the church, city hall, a county courthouse, and US Post office. Each one used by federal, state, local, and religious institutions.
• Head South on Broad Street where you’ll pass Washington Square (named for George Washington), left on Church Street where you will pass the beautiful cobblestoned Chalmer’s Street – pop down to see the Pink House!
• And continue on Church to see the Dock Street Theater and a stunning view of St. Philip’s. You can visit or walk through the cemetery if you would like.
• Finally, you will end at the city market for some shopping. It is quite touristy, but you have to see it as a first timer. Stop at one of the many restaurants or hotels for a bite and drink! I love the Spectator bar, The Loutrel, Frannie & the Fox, Callie’s Biscuits, or head over to the Charleston Place Hotel. Market Pavilion Hotel also has a popular rooftop.