The Best History Tours In Charleston SC

Charleston is a place where history is on every corner. Whether it’s related to slavery, the Civil War or the American Revolution, the city is packed with important historical landmarks. Culture Trip have chosen the best tours that will take you through places such as the Old Slave Mart and Charleston Harbor.

Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.

Charleston Footprints

The former local TV host on Carolina Camera, Michael Trouche, has written two books on Charleston. His lineage in Charleston goes back for more than 200 years. Now leading the Charleston Footprints history tour, his knowledge and passion for the architecture, gardens, graveyards, Civil War and Revolutionary War sites is palpable as he leads you from street to street.

For those who prefer not to walk, the harbor cruise offers a completely different perspective of the city. From the deck of the Carolina Belle you get a live narrated historical tour as you pass the famous sites. The captain brings the tour to life with his hilarious humour and sometimes, if you are extremely lucky, you may even spot some dolphins in the water.

McCleod Plantation Historic

Touring this 1851 building is a stark awakening on the conditions that slaves had to endure living on the McLeod Plantation. As a Gullah Geechee heritage site it has a mission to tell the history and share its cultural identity. You will hear of slavery, sea island cotton and the wealth accumulated by plantation owners. You will hear of daily life, the relationships before and after the emancipation of slaves and how these relationships evolved and changed. It’s a significant, eye opening experience.

The Edmondston-Alston House tour

Charleston has many distinguished house museums filled with great riches. The Edmonston-Alston House, constructed in 1825, has fine art, resplendent furniture, silver and fascinating objects which make up the collection on display here. On this one-hour tour you get to see it all as you delve deep into the house’s history and architecture. It is the only fine house museum in Charleston in which you get tremendous views of the harbor – a true insight into colonial city life.

Lost Stories of Black Charleston Walking Tour

Damon Foredom has uncovered the lost stories of African Americans from paper clippings and learned the folktales from local Charleston residents that go back generations. This entertaining two-hour walking tour takes you to the famous sites such as the Old Slave Mart but tells the stories that have been left out of the history books. Mr. Foredom uses all his skills as a published writer, historian, educator and musician to illuminate and entertain you. It’s a real expert’s take on Charleston from an African-American perspective.

Aiken-Rhett House Tour

This house is a time capsule to peak into the lives of a wealthy Southern family and the enslaved Africans who were trapped there. The building was constructed by politician, slaveholder and industrialist John Robinson in the mid 19th century. His former status is reflected in the grandeur of his once-home. No longer in his families possesion, it was purchased by the Charleston Museum and opened as an exhibition in 1975.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.