Highlights of Charleston Guided Walking Tour

Overview

Our two hour Highlights of Charleston walking tour guides guests through the historic French Quarter and South of Broad neighborhoods of downtown Charleston. Along the way, your guide will describe the long history, unique culture, architecture, and geography of Charleston and the greater lowcountry area, painting a detailed picture of how Charleston's tumultuous past formed the city now beloved by travelers the world over. You'll view some of the city's oldest houses of worship, burial sites, theaters, the forts of Charleston harbor, and the antebellum mansions that look out across the waters of the Cooper and Ashley rivers, among many other historic and picturesque sites. Our guides also offer their expert advice on other activities, restaurants, and bars for guests to explore once they've finished their tour.

City: Charleston

Tue 24 Sep

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $23.00

Make a reservation

Tue 24 Sep

Starting at $23.00

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Tour Guide

Additional Info

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Guests are responsible for bringing their own sun protection (sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, parasols) and rain gear
We HIGHLY recommend guests bring bottled water. It is not always available for purchase on the route
We ask guests to check in at the meeting location 5-10 mins prior to tour time. We cannot hold for latecomers.

What To Expect

St. Philip's Church

View the historic church of the longest-meeting congregation in Charleston.

French Huguenot Church

View the only church of its denomination in North America

Pink House Gallery

View the oldest private residence in Charleston

Old Slave Mart Museum

View the only museum dedicated to the history of the enslaved in Charleston

Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon

View the pre-Revolutionary heart of economic Charleston

Rainbow Row

View the most photographed sight in Charleston

Show 3 more stops

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (1000)

Steven H

Sep 2017

My family took the 2 hour walking tour over the weekend with Oyster Point. Having been to Charleston multiple times, I considered myself decently familiar with the history and stories of the Holy City. But Palmer brought SO much in depth, impactful knowledge to the tour. She had tons of energy and humor and really painted a great picture of the historical context/importance of each stop along the walk. Can't recommend enough!

Laura M

Sep 2017

I was skeptical of going on a walking tour and our guide Bill proved me entirely wrong. A historian by trade, Bill is passionate and well informed about the history of the city, civil war, and colonization of the US. I had an amazing time in Charleston but this was by far my favorite part and left me thinking about many things. Will definitely be buying some history books when I get home!

Yvonne K

Aug 2017

There are several walking-tour companies in Charleston that will give you the ‘history’ of the city. Unfortunately, most of these tours that will give you a sugarcoated version of history (to meet your fantasy or not to offend you sensibilities). If you are looking for an unvarnished view of the city’s founding and how the major drivers of the time created an environment and culture that is still impacting the city today, then Oyster Point Historic Walking Tours is tour is for you. Bill, our guide for the tour (and also the owner of Oyster Point Historic Walking Tours) brought the history of Charleston to life. This tour was not simply walking around the city and having the major structures pointed out with names and dates. In our case, context is key and Bill set the stage early by providing an in-depth description of the profit motive as the primary driver for establishing the initial beachhead in what was then Charles Town. Prior to the Civil War (now is that an oxymoron or what?) economic success was based on the production of rice and cotton, and the importing, selling, and buying of human beings. Bill walked us through the growth and evolution of the city as a result of expanding volume of business and the persistent need for free labor to continue the expansion. The Charleston that you see today is a result of the profits earned on the backs of this free labor. Bill drove his lessons home with impassioned stories of the past (like who really invented the cotton gin) to his own personal stories in trying to strip away the whitewashed version of history we all have been taught in school. This was the first really honest city tour I’ve been on. If you can’t handle the truth, this tour is not for you. However, if real history is your interest don’t dare miss this tour. I would give it more stars if I could.