May is a great month to visit Charleston, as the weather is still warm and enjoyable before the humid summer heat sets in. The Holy City is alive with lots of festivals and events that the whole family can enjoy! If you’re visiting at the beginning of the month, be sure to check out our post on April.
Charleston in April is at the peak of spring flowers! Plan for warm days and cool nights with a lot of sunshine. There are numerous springtime festivals happening all over the city during the month of April so hopefully you can add one to your visit! If you’re visiting at the beginning of the month, be sure to check out our post on March.
This post is our guide to things to do in Charleston, with tips on free things to do, suggested nighttime activities, things to do with kids, top attractions and other points of interest. We also include links to our posts on things to do by month or season. Also be sure to check out our pay-what-you-wish walking tours.
Free Things to Do
Things to Do at Night
Things to Do with Kids
Types of Tours
Top Attractions + Museums
Seasonal and by Month
This post lists the top ten March activities as well as family-friendly events, things to do at night, and lots of free activities. Also, if you’re visiting before the start of the month, be sure to check out our post on things to do in Charleston in February and one for April.
Top 10 Things to Do
Nighttime Activities
Free Things to Do
Family-Friendly
Free Tours by Foot
This post lists the top ten February activities as well as family-friendly events, things to do at night, and lots of free activities. Also, if you’re visiting before the start or end of the month, be sure to check out our posts on things to do in January and things to do in March.
Top 10 Things to Do
Nighttime Activities
Free Things to Do
Family-Friendly
Free Tours by Foot
This post lists the top ten February activities as well as family-friendly events, things to do at night, and lots of free activities. Also, if you’re visiting before the start of the month, be sure to check out our posts on Charleston for Christmas & the Holidays.
Top 10 Things to Do
Nighttime Activities
Free Things to Do
Family-Friendly
Free Tours by Foot
This post reviews and compares the various bus tour options available to you in Charleston. Though we love walking tours in Charleston, they’re not for everyone. Bus tours are a great way to see the most sites in the least amount of time, as well as visit historic plantations and sites found outside of the city. However, with so many to choose from, it can be difficult to decide which is the best option. This post aims to make the decision process a little easier so that you can finally choose… which Charleston bus tour is the best?
There are 6 companies offering bus tours of Charleston and the surrounding area. Adventure Sightseeing, Gray Line, Southern Accent Tours, and Charms of Charleston offer similar Historic City Tours of Charleston. Prices range from $20-$23 per person and each last approximately 90 minutes. In addition, each company also offers trips to nearby plantations such as Magnolia Plantation and Boone Hall Plantation.
Gullah Tours and Sites & Insights Tours of Charleston specialize in tours highlighting Charleston’s Gullah culture and African American history. These tours are also slightly less expensive than those listed above, though not by a huge margin. Both Gullah Tours and Sites & Insights Tours feature charistmatic guides who share a personal connection with Charleston’s unique Gullah culture, and do an excellent job of sharing their enthusiasm with visitors!
GRAY LINE
Gray Line Tours offer 3 daily tours, in addition to several other combo tours. Their Historic City Tour is a 1.5 hour bus tour that covers important sites such as Charleston’s Historic Homes, Battery Sea Wall, Old Market Area, Rainbow Row, and many others. Additionally, they also offer tours to Magnolia Plantation and Boone Hall Plantation, each of which last approximately 4-4.5 hours. Overall, Gray Line is very similar to companies like Adventure Sightseeing in terms of length, price, and itinerary.
Reviews of Gray Line
Gray Line receives mostly positive reviews for their informative and convenient tours around Charleston and the surrounding area (read the reviews). Many note that this is a great alternative to a carriage tour in the winter, as the Gray Line buses are warm and enclosed. Their combination tours are especially popular, so be sure to review them if you want to see as much as possible in one day! TripAdvisor Rating: 4 stars.
ADVENTURE SIGHTSEEING
Adventure Sightseeing is a family-run tour company that has been operating since 1984. They offer a wide range of popular tours including the “See It All” City Tour, Magnolia Plantation Tour, Boone Hall Plantation Tour, and a range of combination tours. Most run multiple times a day, though spaces tend to fill up during high season. At $23 for the city tour and approximately $50 for the half day tours to nearby plantations, these provide excellent value for the price. Adventure Sightseeing can drop off guests at most hotels in the city after the tour. 
Reviews of Adventure Sightseeing
Adventure Sightseeing is the highest rated bus tour company in Charleston. Though some guests found their buses to be too warm and stuffy, those complaints are few and far between. A majority of guests were very happy with their experience, writing that the guides were informative and personable. Additionally, most praise the excellent value that this company ensures. TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5 stars.
GULLAH TOURS
Gullah Tours specialize in Charleston’s African American history and Gullah heritage. As their website states, Gullah is “the language spoken by the Lowcountry’s first black inhabitants.” Gullah Tours aim to share that language and culture with visitors to Charleston by bringing you to important historic sites such as Denmark Vesey’s home, catfish Row, the Old Slave Mart and the Market, the Aiken-Rhett House slave quarters, and many more. All tours are led by Alphonso Brown, a passionate historian and licensed tour guide who speaks Gullah fluently. Gullah Tours are very unique in their approach to Charleston’s history, and so we highly recommend them to those interested in learning more about Gullah’s role and influence in the city.
Reviews of Gullah Tours
Gullah Tours is a very popular company that receives excellent reviews. Alphonso Brown is especially highly regarded by many visitors who describe him as both charming and funny, but also hugely knowledgeable. Some visitors wished that there was even more Gullah history included in the tour. However, compared to any of the other companies featured here, this one definitely dedicates the most time to sharing Gullah culture and discussing African American history. TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5 stars.
SOUTHERN ACCENT TOURS
Like Gray Line and Adventure Sightseeing, Southern Accent Tours offer a similar 1.5 hour Historic City Tour. At $22 per adult, this is a slightly cheaper option, though only by a $1 margin. The real value of this company is in their diverse selection of plantation tours. In addition to offering tours of Magnolia and Boone Hall Plantation like most of the other companies, they also offer trips to McLeod Plantation, Drayton Hall Plantation, and Middleton Place, as well as a Winery, Distillery, and Tea Plantation Tour. However, these are tours are not led by a Southern Accent Tours guide, and instead just include transportation and the entrance fee. Free hotel pick-up is available 30 minutes prior to any of their tours.
Reviews of Southern Accent Tours
Though reviews from a few years ago were critical of the company’s lack of organization, more recent reviews suggest that they’ve since improved tremendously as most praise Southern Accent Tours for being so punctual. Additionally, many compliment the guides for being knowledgeable and entertaining, all the while providing good ol’ southern hospitality! TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5 stars.
CHARMS OF CHARLESTON
Charms of Charleston is a small and relatively new tour company that offers a Historic City Tour of Charleston with the option of adding on a visit to the Aiken-Rhett House as well. The latter is a nice follow up to the city tour as it brings to life some of the history that was shared throughout the tour. Free pick-up from any hotels located downtown is also provided. As a younger company, Charms of Charleston doesn’t attract quite as many visitors as some of the others. However, this is perfect if you’re looking for a more intimate experience as they often cater to fewer than 10 guests!
Reviews of Charms of Charleston
Despite being the smallest tour company of this list, Charms of Charleston maintains the highest rating on TripAdvisor with 5 stars. Guests write that “this was the best tour I’ve ever been on” and “worth every dollar”. The guides also receive lots of praise for being so knowledgeable and well organized. In fact, as of Spring 2017, this company has only ever received 4 or 5 star reviews. TripAdvisor Rating: 5 stars.
SITES AND INSIGHTS TOURS OF CHARLESTON
Sites and Insights Tours of Charleston is another smaller company that also specializes in African American history, like Gullah Tours. Their most popular tour is the Black History / Porgy & Bess Tour, which can be done in 1 or 2 hours, depending on if you would like to visit the Hanging Tree Site as well. This is the most affordable bus tour on the list, costing only $13 per adult for the 1 hour option or $18 per adult for 2 hours. Additionally, Sites and Insights Tours of Charleston also offer a Sea Island Tour, which is a 2 hour motorized tour that visits both James and Johns Islands. Stops include the Angel Oak Tree on Johns Island, Ft. Lamar Civil War Battleground, and Burn Churchyard Memorial, as well as a drive past McLeod Plantation.
Reviews of Sites and Insights Tours of Charleston
Reviews for this company are generally very positive. Their guides are especially well regarded and described as “personable, engaging, and funny,” as well as extremely knowledgeable. Many guests write that one of the guides, Al, tends to break into beautiful song! The buses themselves are also praised for being very clean and comfortable. There are a few less than stellar reviews, but these are uncommon and usually due to extenuating circumstances. TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5 stars.
Though there are no traditional hop-on, hop-off bus tours in Charleston, they do have a free city trolley called the CARTA DASH Trolley. These travel through the historic part of Charleston, allowing you to to see much of what you would on the other guided tours, though without any commentary. However, if you use our Self-Guided Tour of Historic Charleston during your ride, you’ll never know the difference!
There are 3 different routes that the trolley takes:
Each of these routes meet at the Visitors Center, Marion Park and Charleston Museum. Maps are available at each of these locations. Learn more about the CARTA DASH Trolley.
Combo Bus Tours are a great way to maximize your time in the city and save the most on tours. Gray Line offers the largest number of package tours, though each must be combined with their Historic City Tour. Adventure Sightseeing is a close runner-up, though they have different packages such as the Combo: Boone Hall & Charleston Harbor Tour and the Combo: Harbor Tour & Ghost Tour.
Sights and Insights of Charleston Tours offers the fewest options with just one package tour that combines an abbreviated city tour with a visit to John and James Islands. However, at just $23 for 2.5 hours, this package perhaps guarantees the best value as most companies charge just that amount for a 1.5 hour city tour alone. Southern Accent Tours offers the most extensive package, which blends together their Historic City Tour, Fort Sumter Tour, and a visit to any plantation!
ADVENTURE SIGHTSEEING
Adventure Sightseeing offers a wide selection of package tours, which allow you to combine 2 different attractions at a discounted rate! In addition to combo options featuring their Historic City Tour with a visit to Boone Hall Plantation, Magnolia Plantation, or Southern Mansion, they also offer package tours of Charleston Harbor. Additionally, a Combo: Ghost Tour & Harbor Tour is available during certain times of the year. By purchasing a package rather than 2 individual tours, you can save a lot of cash — especially if traveling as a family!
Reviews of Adventure Sightseeing
Their combo packages seem to be just as popular as their standard Historic City Tour and Plantation Tours, as many guests write positive reviews about their experiences. Those who opted for a package option emphasize the added value of purchasing 2 tours together, in addition to complimenting the company for being so well organized and the guides for being so informative. TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5 stars.
GRAY LINE
Gray Line offers the largest number of package tour options, each of which is combined with their standard Historic City Tour. In addition to tours of Magnolia Plantation and Boone Hall Plantation, Gray Line’s Historic City Tour can also be combined with a trip to Fort Sumter, a Charleston Harbor Cruise, a visit to the Charleston Museum, and tickets to the S.C. aquarium, among a few others. Like Adventure Sightseeing’s package tours, these are a very budget friendly way to maximize your time in Charleston!
Reviews of Gray Line
Though reviews for Gray Line are generally very positive, their combo packages are especially well reviewed. Many seem very appreciative of how easy Gray Line made it for them to visit the sites they were most interested in seeing. The Historic City Tour and Fort Sumter package is an especially popular option! TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5 stars.
SOUTHERN ACCENT TOURS
Southern Accent Tours is the only company to offer a full day tour package that incorporates their Historic City Tour, Fort Sumter Tour, and a trip to any plantation. At $89 per person, this is a very budget friendly way to see as much as possible in just 1 day. Keep in mind that the trip can be a bit exhausting. However, if you only have one day to spare, this tour will allow you to make the most of it! Additionally, they also offer $10 offer the listed price of any of their plantation tours if combined with their Historic City Tour.
Reviews of Southern Accent Tours
Though there is only one review that specifically refers to the Ultimate Combo, it is very positive and describes the experience as “outstanding” and “nicely priced.” Reviews of their other tours are all highly rated, so any combination of them will likely be excellent. TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5 stars.
SITES AND INSIGHTS TOURS OF CHARLESTON
Sites and Insights Tours of Charleston offer 1 package tour that incorporates an abbreviated tour of Charleston with a visit to John and James Islands to see the Burn Churchyard Cemetery and the Angel Oak Tree. This 2.5 hour package tour is their best seller, and at just $23 per adult, it is an extremely cheap way to do both trips.
Reviews of Sites and Insights Tours of Charleston
Guests who have attended this package tour describe their experience as an “amazing, historical day” that features the very best of Charleston. Though there aren’t many reviews, those who have written about it are all very complimentary. TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5 stars.
This post compares and reviews all of the different Charleston carriage tour companies operating throughout this beautiful city. Carriage tours are a relaxing way for visitors to learn more about the city’s rich history — all from the comfort of a beautiful horse-drawn carriage! There are many companies leading both group and private carriage tours of the area, as well as night tours and the occasional haunted carriage tour. We hope that this post encourages you to visit and helps you decide which carriage company to use! Don’t forget that you could also explore Charleston’s Historic District on one of our pay-what-you-wish walking tours.
There are several different tour companies offering daytime carriage tours of the city. In order to avoid overcrowding of certain areas, the City of Charleston randomly awards one of four routes to each carriage operating in the historic district of Charleston. This means that the route that each tour takes is predetermined and selected by City officials, rather than the individual companies. In this sense, all of the carriage tour companies in Charleston are very similar. However, what distinguishes one company from another is the quality of their guides and the types of tours they offer. For example, in addition to their daytime tours, Palmetto Carriage Works and Old South Carriage Company also offer night tours of the historic district. Additionally, Classic Carriage Works is the only company to also offer a Civil War Tour and Slavery to Freedom Tour. For those planning on visiting other tourist attractions, consider buying your carriage tour ticket as part of a combo deal. Carolina Polo & Carriage and Old South Carriage Company both offer special discounts on combo packages. Finally, Old South Carriage Company also runs a Haunted Carriage Tour for those hoping to learn more about Charleston’s darker history.
Palmetto Carriage Works is the oldest carriage tour company in Charleston. During their 60 minute tour, you will visit 25-30 blocks in Charleston’s historic downtown district. Tours run continuously 9 am – 5 pm (17:00), typically departing every 15 minutes. As Palmetto Carriage Works offers several different tour routes which are assigned by lottery upon arrival, guests have the option of doing multiple tours with this company. All tours are family friendly and feature guides who are reputed for artfully blending humor with history. In addition to their day tours, this company also offers private tours and night tours. TIP: Get $2 off with promo code FreeByFoot.
Reviews of Palmetto Carriage Works
Reviews for this company are extremely positive, with an average of 4.5 of 5 stars on TripAdvisor (read some of the reviews), with most guests raving about the merit of the guides. As guests can choose from multiple routes, many are return customers happy to explore another part of Charleston – which in itself speaks volumes about the quality of these tours. The carriages themselves also receive excellent reviews for being very comfortable and clean. A handful of guests report being disappointed with their guide, however reviews such as these are uncommon.
All Carolina Polo & Carriage’s public tours begin in the Historic City Market. Like Palmetto Carriage Works, this company also offers several different tour routes covering a wide range of sites. Each is approximately 1 hour and fully narrated by licensed guides who bring guests through the quaint and charming streets of Charleston. Tours depart every 30 minutes between 9:30 am – 5 pm (March – Nov) and 9:30 am-4 pm (Nov – Feb). Additionally, they also offer private tours and special combo deals.
Reviews of Carolina and Polo Carriage
Carolina Polo & Carriage also receives extremely positive reviews from most guests, averaging 4.5 of 5 stars on TripAdvisor. Several report that their experience was fun, interesting, and relaxing, thanks in large part to the wonderful guides who work for this company. The only common complaint comes from guests who did not enjoy their tour route. However, all carriage tour companies must adhere to whatever tour route the City of Charleston doles out to them, so it is not a fault of the company.
Like the other companies, Classic Carriage Works also offers 1-hour narrated history tours of Charleston’s historic district. Their guides are especially highly reputed as each averages more than 10 years experience. Though Classic Carriage Works is one of the smallest carriage tour companies, they are the only one to offer both a Charleston History Tour as well as a Civil War Tour and Slavery to Freedom Tour. Tours depart every 30 minutes from 9 am – 5 pm. Additionally, they offer Adults-only and No Young Children (NYC) for those seeking a more relaxed atmosphere. Private tours are also available.
Reviews of Classic Carriage Works
Classic Carriage Works also comes highly rated on TripAdvisor, average 4.5 of 5 stars, with many guests describing it as “amazing”, “entertaining”, and “a must-do.” Their most recent reviews are especially positive, which suggests that the company has worked out any kinks that were plaguing it. Though their Charleston History Tour is more popular, the Civil War and Slavery to Freedom Tours also come highly recommended.
Perhaps the most well known of all the carriage tour companies, Old South Carriage Company offers a Historic Residential Tour which reveals 300 years of Charleston’s history in just 1 hour. Guests travel through 2.5 miles and 30 blocks of historic Charleston, learning about the city’s most significant sites. There are no booking fees and guests are required to arrive at least 10 minutes before departure. This company also offers night tours and combo deals.
(save $2/Adult and $1.25/child through Trusted Tours)
Reviews of Old South Carriage
Like the other companies, Old South Carriage Company also boasts very positive reviews for their tours, averaging 4.5 of 5 stars on TripAdvisor. Guests describe their experience as “fun” and “very informative.” History lovers seem especially impressed with the quality of their guides. Negative reviews are fairly rare, which suggests that any issues reported by guests were not reoccurring.
Evening tours are virtually the same as any of the daytime tours, however they have much more limited availability and typically only run for 30 minutes rather than a full hour. Many guests prefer night tours over day tours due to Charleston’s warm weather, especially during the summer months. Evening tours also prove to be popular with those hoping to explore the city as the sun is setting.
In addition to their daytime tours, Palmetto Carriage Works also offers at an Evening Tour of the Commercial District, which departs everyday at 5:45 pm and 6 pm. These tours typically sell out, so it’s best to book a spot well in advance. The tours visits many historic sites in the old Walled City, including the Old Exchange Building, Four Corners of Law, and the Waterfront Park on the Cooper River. Unlike their daytime tour, the evening tour is only 35 minutes long.
Old South Carriage Company
The Old South Carriage Company also runs 30 minute tours through the Walled City. Evening tours start from 5:30 pm and are subject to availability. Like Palmetto Carriage Works’s Evening Tour of the Commercial District, this company’s night tours tend to sell out in advance so be sure to book ahead. They also offer a Haunted Charleston Tour which runs in the evenings and is featured in the ghost tours section.
There are many ghost tours running in Charleston. However, only one company offers a Haunted Carriage Tour of the city. Be sure to read our post comparing the various ghost tours in Charleston.
Old South Carriage Company
Old South Carriage Company’s ghost tour shares the darker history of Charleston. Tours last approximately 40 minutes and are available seasonally. All guides are licensed and eager to regale guests with eerie tales as they take you by haunted alleys, graveyards, churches, hotels, and even a dungeon!
Reviews of the Haunted Carriage Tour
Like their regular tours, the Haunted Carriage Tour offered by Old South Carriage Company also comes highly rated, averaging 4.5 of 5 stars on TripAdvisor. Though their TripAdvisor Rating covers all the tours they offer, reviews written specifically about their ghost tour is almost unanimously positive. Guests describe their experience as “fun” and “spooky.” This is a great option for families.
All of the companies listed above also offer private carriage tours around Charleston. Prices vary depending on the length of the tour and whether the guest requests a customized pick up location, but they typically start from approximately $135 – $150. Private tours are subject to guide availability and must adhere to the regulations imposed by the City of Charleston. Contact each individual company to learn more or we could create a package for you that would include our pay-what-you-wish tours.
Several different cruise companies offer combo packages featuring other popular tourist attractions. Guests hoping to take a carriage tour of historic Charleston, as well as enjoy a cruise around Charleston Harbor, for example, should consider buying the two as a package to save money and avoid the extra hassle. Palmetto Carriage Works and Carolina Polo & Carriage both promote a wide range of package tour deals.
Carolina Polo & Carriage
Carolina Polo & Carriage has partnered with Walks of Charleston to offer a combo deal that saves guests $10 by buying the 2 together. The History Walking Tour is approximately 2 hours and begins from just outside City Hall. Sites featured during the tour include St Michael’s Church, the French Quarter, St Philip’s Church,Hayward Washington House, and the famous Battery. Guests can choose to take both tours on the same day or split them into 2 different days.
Palmetto Carriage Works
Palmetto Carriage Works offers 2 different combo packages. In addition to their standard carriage tour of Charleston, each also features either a boat tour of Charleston Harbor or a plantation tour of Middleton Place. The Charleston Harbor Tour takes place aboard the 80-foot Carolina Belle, where guests are told local stories and ensured to see more than 75 landmarks. The Middleton Place Plantation Tour allows visitors to explore the 65 acre plantation and follow a complimentary walking tour of the garden.
Old South Carriage Company
Old South Carriage Company offers 2 different package tour deals. The first combines their carriage tour with a tour of Charleston Harbor with SpiritLine Cruise, entertaining guests on both land and sea. The second package deal also takes guests on the water as it combines a ticket to visit Fort Sumter with their standard carriage tour. You are advised to first schedule your carriage tour, and then arrange your trip to Fort Sumter.
This post compares and reviews all of the different cruise companies operating around Charleston Harbor. Boat tours offer guests a unique perspective of the city, as well as give visitors the chance to learn more about the famous sites dotting Charleston Harbor. There are many companies leading both group and private cruises of the area. We hope that this post encourages you to visit and helps you decide which cruise company to use!
Charleston Harbor Tours/Sightseeing Cruises
The very first shots of the Civil War were fired on Fort Sumter by Confederate forces who were outraged by Abraham Lincoln’s successful candidacy. After a long night of carnage, Union soliders were forced to abandon their post the very next day, thus beginning the bloodiest war in American history. Today, guests can visit Fort Sumter to learn more about the incredible history of this tiny island.
Read our post on Fort Sumter to learn more.
Though most cruises and boat tours pass by Fort Sumter, there is only one company to actually dock at the island. Fort Sumter Tours, which is an authorized National Park Service concessioner, offers 7 daily departures and 1 evening departure. Guests enjoy a 30 minute boat ride out to the island, during which time a pre-recorded voice discusses various points of interest, including the history of Fort Sumter and Charleston harbor. Upon arrival, a National Park Ranger greets all guests and offers a 10 minute overview of the island. Then, guests are allowed 45-60 minutes to explore the fort and the museum on their own. Guests who opt for the Sunset at Fort Sumter Tour also get to enjoy tasty southern BBQ cuisine during the ride back. Though there is no guided tour around the fort, there are several signs labelling various points of interest. Additionally, those who would prefer a guided tour of the museum can request one through Fort Sumter Tours for no additional cost. Those who want to learn even more about Fort Sumter’s history should consider taking our Charleston Civil War Tour.
Fort Sumter Tour (departs 7 times daily)
Sunset at Fort Sumter (departs daily at 5pm)
Fort Sumter Tours also sells Combo Packages, which combine a ticket to Fort Sumter with another popular attraction or activity. Check out the Combos section of this page to learn more.
Reviews: History lovers all agree that this is a very worth while tour with beautiful views and lots of interesting commentary. The occasional negative review usually comes from a guest who either does not like history or who experienced poor weather. However, for the most part, guests write that they were very impressed with their experience with Fort Sumter Tours. TripAdvsior Rating: 4.5 stars.
Though there are several different companies offering sightseeing cruises of Charleston Harbor, the 3 biggest are Charleston Harbor Tours, SpiritLine Cruises, and Adventure Harbor Tours. Two of these companies, Charleston Harbor Tours and SpiritLine Cruises, offer standard tours of Charleston Harbor departing several times daily. Charleston Harbor Tours is most well known for their packages, as they are partnered with several other tourist attractions and therefore can offer great combo deals. SpiritLine Cruises, on the other hand, offers a very highly reputed Dinner Cruise. The third company, Adventure Harbor Tours, is the most highly rated outdoor activity on TripAdvisor and allows guests to bring their own booze on board, which attracts younger visitors.
Charleston Harbor Tours offers a daily tour of the harbor and surrounding area on their Carolina Belle. The tour is 90 minutes long and features guided commentary by a professional USCG licensed captain. Depending on the time of year, tours run 2-4 times per day. Sites include Fort Sumter, St. Michael’s Church, stately homes on the Battery, and the occasional dolphin, among other things!
Charleston Harbor Tours also sells Combo Packages, which combine a ticket to their Charleston Harbor Tour with another popular attraction or activity. Check out the Combos section of this page to learn more.
Reviews of Charleston Harbor Tours
Charleston Harbor Tours is an extremely popular company with many positive reviews, averaging 4.5 of 5 stars on TripAdvisor (read some of the reviews). Guests write that their experience was “well worth the time and money” and “a fun time on the water.” Several reviewers are especially impressed with the staff, who are praised for being personable and well organized. The only common complaint seems to be in regards to the food on board. However, this issue can be easily avoided by eating before or after the cruise.
Though Adventure Harbor Cruise specializes in private tours, they also offer a handful of public tours that run on the weekends. The Morris Island Boat Tour is a 3 hour adventure that brings guests to an island that is “unspoiled, undeveloped and undeniably the ecological jewel of Charleston Harbor.” The entire tour lasts 3 hours, including 90 minutes on the island itself. Alternatively, guests can choose one of the “Mild” or “Wild” Sunset Cocktail Cruises. These 2 tours were originally one and the same, but when the company began allowing guests to bring personal coolers of adult beverages, the atmosphere on the cruise dramatically changed. To help keep a balance between family friendliness and fun, Adventure Harbor Cruise created the Mild and Wild Sunset Cocktail Cruises. The first caters primarily to families and does not allow guests to bring their own booze, while the second is BYOB friendly and entertains younger crowds (including many bachelorette parties!). Children are welcomed on both, though the Mild Sunset Cocktail Cruise is typically much more popular with families.
Morris Island Boat Tour (departs Fri-Sun at 9:30am)
“Wild” Sunset Cocktail Cruise (departs Thurs-Sun at 6pm)
“Mild” Sunset Cocktail Cruise (departs Fri & Sat at 6pm)
Reviews: Adventure Harbor Tours receives excellent reviews and maintains an impressive 5 out of 5 stars rating on TripAdvisor. In fact, of their nearly 1,000 reviews, less than 10 rate the company at 3 or less stars. Some even describe the tour as “the best thing ever” and “absolutely outstanding.” Thanks to the diversity of options, this company appeals to a wide range of audiences, which is reflected in the reviews themselves. Definitely a top option for those looking for a Charleston Harbor tour.
Though most of the other tour companies feature recorded commentary or guided narration by the captain, SpiritLine Cruises is the only company to offer guests live narration by a licensed city tour guide. This means that guests receive very detailed information about the surrounding areas and visible attractions. Included in these are “notable American landmarks, such as Fort Sumter, the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown, The Battery, the Ravenel Bridge, Castle Pinckney,” as well as several other sites. Tour depart 3-5 times daily, depending on the season. No tours run from December – February.
Reviews: Though not quite as highly rated as their Dinner Cruise, the Charleston Harbor Tour by SpiritLine also receives positive reviews, averaging 4 of 5 stars on TripAdvisor. Most guests praise the interesting commentary and beautiful sites, though some write that they found the narration to be dry. However, these comments are infrequent, indicating that this is not opinion of most visitors.
Additional Charleston Harbor Tours
Sandlapper – Sandlapper is another company offering tours around Charleston Harbor. Though their schedule is fairly limited, they do run a History Tour, Nature Tour, Cocktail Cruise, and Haunted Harbor Ghost Tour seasonally. Check their website for more details.
Looking to enjoy beautiful views of Charleston from the water, but not interested in the guided commentary and price tag that comes with a traditional boat tour? Why not take advantage of Charleston’s Water Taxi! The Water Taxi service 4 different locations: Aquarium Wharf/Maritime Center, Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum, Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina, and Waterfront Park/Market St/Historic District. Guests simply pay a flat fee of $12, which gives you an all day pass to travel from any departure point as many times as you wish. In addition to easy transportation to each of these amazing sites, as well as beautiful views of the city, the Water Taxi also promises guests the possibility of seeing dolphins along the way! Keep in mind, there is not guided commentary available with these rides. The seasonal schedule is as follows:
Those looking for a more luxurious experience should consider taking a dinner cruise of Charleston Harbor. Currently, SpiritLine Cruises is the only company offering this service.
SpiritLine Cruises (GrayLine)
In addition to their standard Charleston Harbor Tours, SpiritLine Cruises also offers a daily dinner cruise. Included in the price of a ticket is a 3 or 4 course dinner, live nightly music, and a 2.5 hour cruise with spectacular views of Charleston. Guests can choose between Captain Seating, which is the normal arrangement with 4-6 people per table, or a private table, which seats 2. There is also a full service bar and additional amenities (such as flowers or sparkling wine), all of which is available for purchase.
Reviews: SpiritLine’s Dinner Cruise is especially highly regarded, with a 4.5 star rating on TripAdvisor. Guests describe the experience as “amazing”, “wonderful”, and “romantic.” The food also receives high marks, which is certainly not always the case with most dinner cruises. Some guests write that they were unhappy with the lack of guided narration on board. However, SpirtLine’s Dinner Cruise is not a tour, per se, and so guests who would prefer on board commentary should opt for the company’s day tour of Charleston Harbor instead. TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5 stars.
If a traditional boat cruise around Charleston Harbor doesn’t strike your fancy, you can opt to take a sailing tour instead. There are a handful of companies offering sailing tours of the area, ranging from 90 minute public tours to multi-day private and fully customized trips. The public tours tend to be upwards of $50 per person, making them slightly more expensive than other boat cruises but not astronomical. Private sailing tours, on the other hand, typically cost several hundred dollars, if not more.
Several different cruise companies offer combo packages featuring other popular tourist attractions. Guests hoping to go on cruise of Charleston Harbor, as well as visit the South Caroline Aquarium, for example, should consider buying the two as a package to save money and avoid the extra hassle. Fort Sumter Tours and Charleston Harbor Tour both promote a wide range of package tour deals.
Fort Sumter Tours (GrayLine)
Fort Sumter Tours offers 4 different combo packages. In addition to their standard cruise to Fort Sumter, each also features an Old South Carriage Tour, USS Yorktown Tour, Gray Line Tour, or a visit to the South Carolina Aquarium. The first is a 60 minute tour that brings guests to all of the most famous sites in Charleston via carriage. Similarly, the Gray Line Tour also takes guests around historic Charleston, though this tour is in a bus and 90 minutes long. Combo packages to USS Yorktown and the South Carolina Aquarium include, as expected, entrance tickets to either attraction.
Charleston Harbor Tours
Though Charleston Harbor Tours only runs 1 type of tour, they offer many different combination packages. Like Fort Sumter Tours, they sell packages that feature Old South Carriage Tour and South Carolina Aquarium. Additionally, they also offer a combo Plantation Tour and Haunted Jail/Ghosts & Graveyards Tour, in addition to a very popular tri-combo tour that features Charleston Harbor Tours, Old South Carriage, and the Plantation Tour.
This post reviews and compares the various Charleston culinary tours to help you decide which one is best for you. Recently rated as one of the top 10 foodie cities in the country, Charleston, SC is a mecca of delicious Lowcountry cuisine and experimental flavors. Visitors can choose from a wide selection of food tours, including traditional food tours and dessert tours to increasingly popular pub crawls and chef’s kitchen tours – the latter of which introduces guests to the chef’s behind some of the best cuisine in Charleston! Food tours are a great way to learn more about a city’s history and culture while also enjoying several delicious samples along the way!
There are several different companies that offer food tours in Charleston. Below, we’ve broken down the various types of food tours available in Charleston, and compared each by price and availability so that you can decide… which is the best food tour in Charleston?
Food tours are a fun and informative way to learn more about a city. There are 3 different companies offering general culinary tours in Charleston. Each runs for 2-3 hours and includes stops at 3-6 popular restaurants. At each stop, guests are given samples of Lowcountry specialities and local favorites. Every tour is priced at approximately $60 per person, so guests must base their decision according to which food tour menu most piques their interest.
As noted below, Bulldog Tours, Charleston Culinary Tours, and Chow-Down Charleston each offer food tours of downtown Charleston, while the former two also offer food tours of Upper King Street as well. Guests hoping to take a food tour during their time in Charleston are really spoiled for choice, as all of these companies come very highly rated. Be advised that guests should bring extra cash with them in case they wish to purchase additional samples. Additionally, those foodies who want to make the most out of their time in Charleston should consider taking a food tour at the very start of their trip so that they will have the opportunity to go back to some of the restaurants that were visited.
Bulldog Tours – Savor the Flavors of Charleston / Savor the Flavors of Upper King Street
Bulldog Tours offer 2 different types of traditional food tours: Savor the Flavors of Charleston Tour and Savor the Flavors of Upper King Street Tour. Both tours introduce guests to classic Lowcountry dishes such as grits, southern pralines, sweet tea, and collard greens. As Bulldog Tours really make an effort to promote local South Carolina culture, these tour are ideal for anyone interested in learning more about the city’s culinary history.
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Reviews of Bulldog Tours:
Bulldog Tours is a very popular tour company that offers several different types of tours. They have a 4 star rating on TripAdvisor. Though the reviews cover all of their tours on offer, their culinary tours are particularly highly rated. Guests refer to it as “absolutely fantastic” and “excellent”. Some guests complain that all of the samples were made with relatively cheap ingredients such as a rice and beans, however that’s largely the beauty of Lowcountry cooking – delicious food made with affordable ingredients!
Charleston Culinary Tours – Downtown Charleston / Upper King Street
Charleston Culinary Tours is a local tour company that exclusively offers food and drink tours around Charleston. Similar to Bulldog Tours, they have 2 standard food tours: Downtown Charleston and Upper King Street. Each visits 3-4 restaurants and promises enough samples to satisfy most appetites.
Reviews of Charleston Culinary Tours:
Charleston Culinary Tours has an excellent reputation with a 5 star rating on TripAdvisor. Guests praise the guides for their passion and knowledge, particularly Hoon who is a bit of a local celebrity. The food itself is also highly recommended, and many commentators suggest that future guests do this tour on their first day in Charleston so that they will have the opportunity to return to some of the featured restaurants.
Chow-Down Charleston – Downtown’s Local Flavors
Chow-Down Charleston is a small food tour company that offer 1 standard culinary tour in the city. Their Downtown’s Local Flavors Tour specializes in Lowcountry cuisine and visits 6 different locations. This company does a particularly good job of introducing guests to a wide range of flavors. Additionally, a guide shares interesting details about the history and culture of Charleston.
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Reviews of Chow-Down Charleston:
Though this is a relatively new company, Chow-Down Charleston has already garnered a highly respected reputation. It boasts an impressive 5 star ranking on TripAdvisor. In fact, the company has no 1 or 2 star reviews, only one 3 star review, and the rest are all 4 or 5 star reviews. Guests describe the tour as “perfect” and a “wonderful experience”.
Aimed at serious foodies, chef’s kitchen tours are a popular alternative to traditional food tours. These introduce guests to the culinary masterminds running the kitchens at some of the most reputable restaurants in Charleston. Guests will have the opportunity to ask the chefs about their cooking methods, as well as about the history of their restaurant.
Bulldog Tours and Charleston Culinary Tours both regularly offer chef’s kitchen tours for $60 per person. Additionally, Charleston Culinary Tours also run their Chef’s Farm-to-Table Challenge, which is a seasonal tour in which a chef accompanies guests and a tour guide to the Charleston Market, and helps them select fresh ingredients before making everyone a delicious meal with them. Guests seem particularly impressed with the chefs featured on these types of tours, as they welcome several questions and provide lots of insider information.
Bulldog Tours – Chef’s Kitchen
In addition to their general culinary tours, Bulldog Tours also offer Chef’s Kitchen Tour which is equally highly rated. This tour introduces guests to some of the best restaurants and chefs in Charleston. At each stop, chefs will share more about the history of the restaurants and how each he or she has developed their menu. Though guests are told to not expect any food on this tour, samples are often given at the various restaurants. This tour is ideal for people hoping to improve their culinary skills and get cooking tips from professional chefs.
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Reviews of Bulldog Tours:
As stated above, Bulldog Tours maintain an overall good rating of 4 stars on TripAdvisor. Though the reviews cover all of their tours on offer, their Chef’s Kitchen Tours are particularly highly rated. Several guests refer to this tour as the highlight of their time in Charleston and an absolute must for any foodie. If you are genuinely interested in improving your cooking skills, then this is the ideal food tour to take!
Charleston Culinary Tours – Chef’s Kitchen Tour
In addition to their standard food tours, Charleston Culinary Tours also offer 2 chef’s kitchen tours: Chef’s Farm-to-Table Challenge and Chef’s Kitchen Tour. The Chef’s Farm-to-Table Challenge is a unique experience in which guests explore the Charleston Market with their guide and chef, buying their favorite fresh ingredients from the different stalls. After their selection, the guests are then taken for a tour around the market with their guide while the chef prepares a unique and delicious meal for everyone to eat at the end of the tour. The Chef’s Kitchen Tour, on the other hand, is a more traditional Chef’s Tour as guests are brought to several restaurants, introduced to local chefs, and told about their professional cooking techniques.
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Reviews:
Like their other tours, both of their chef’s table tours are also highly rated with a 5 star TripAdvisor rating. Guests seem particularly impressed with Coon, the company’s most popular tour guide. Many reviewers also praise the chefs, whom they guests are encouraged to question and engage. Highly recommended!
Similar to traditional food tours, dessert tours are a sweet way to see the city and learn more about the area’s culinary culture. Guests visit several restaurants and shops around Charleston, sampling a selection of treats. As past visitors note, be sure to eat at least a small lunch before the tour as all the sweets on an empty stomach can certainly give you a sugar rush. However, overall several reviewers offer high praise for the informative and delicious dessert tour. Currently, Bulldog Tours is the only company regularly offering a dessert tour in Charleston.
Bulldog Tours
This Dessert Tour brings guests to some of the best dessert places that are frequented by Charleston locals. The tour includes samples of Huguenot tort, lemon bar, coconut cake, Southern pralines, chocolate truffles, and petit fours.
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Reviews of Bulldog Tours:
Like all of their tours, the Bulldog Tours’ dessert tour is also highly recommended. The company maintains an overall good rating of 4 stars. This is a relatively new tour and so there are fewer reviews of it, but commenters on their dessert tour call it amazing.
Additionally, pub crawls and mixology tours are a great way for visitors to have a bit of grown-up fun while exploring the area. Though some pub crawls strictly aim to entertain and provide a wild night out, the tour listed below cater to people of all ages who are hoping to learn about the history and culture of an area by sampling 3 different craft cocktails from some of the nicest bars in the city.
Currently, Charleston Culinary Tours is the only company offering a mixology tour of Charleston. The tour runs every Friday and Saturday evening, and at $40 per person, it is actually much more affordable than any of the other food tours.
Charleston Culinary Tours – Mixology Tour
In addition to their several food tours, Charleston Culinary Tours also offer a mixology tour, which they refer to as a “mobile cocktail party in beautiful Charleston”. The tour is 1.5 hours and visits 3 different popular watering holes in the city. Guests learn about the methodology behind each mixologist’s favorite craft cocktail, and then sample their creation.
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Reviews of Charleston Culinary Tours:
Like all their other tours, the Mixology Tour offered by Charleston Culinary Tours is very highly rated. The company has an overall 5 star reputation on TripAdvisor. Some guests describe this tour as the highlight of their time in Charleston, saying it was “perfect” and a “must do”.
Bulldog Tours — Upper King Street Pub Tour
In addition to their general culinary tours, Bulldog Tours also offer a pub crawl of Upper King Street. Guests will learn about prohibition laws, tales of piracy and the rum trade, and all about speakeasies and bootleggers. Furthermore, a cocktail will be included at each stop so that visitors can really have a taste of what Charleston’s finest taverns have to offer.
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Reviews of Bulldog Tours:
Bulldog Tours maintain an overall good rating of 4 stars on TripAdvisor. Though the reviews cover all of their tours on offer, theirBulldog Tours maintain an overall good rating of 4 stars on TripAdvisor. Previous guests have referred to the pub crawl tour as Guests refer to it as “absolutely fantastic” and “excellent”.
Charleston is highly regarded for its incredible food culture and Lowcountry cuisine. There are several different dishes unique to Charleston that true foodies should seek to experience before leaving.
Below is a list of several blog posts or articles that cover some of the best dishes to try, recipes to replicate, and places to eat.
Lowcountry Foods to Try in Charleston
Everything You Need to Eat in Charleston
Top 10 Must-Try Restaurants in Charleston