Charleston Historical Walking Tour

Experience an exclusive small-group walking tour of Charleston with a Ph.D. historian. Discover the city’s rich history and enjoy a personalized, in-depth exploration unlike any other tour in town.

Duration: 2 hours, 45 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Mills House Charleston, Curio Collection by Hilton - The historic Mills House Hotel played an important role in the early part of the American Civil War.
  • Dock Street Theater - Learn about the first theatre built in North America and the infamous characters associated with it’s history.
  • Pink House Gallery - One of the oldest buildings in Charleston, circa 1712
  • Washington Square - Historic square in Charleston with multiple monuments.
  • Charleston City Hall - Learn about the evolution of this beautiful building that once served as a meat market and bank before becoming City Hall
  • Charleston County Courthouse - Learn about what was once the old South Carolina statehouse.
  • St. Michael’s Church - Learn about the fascinating history of Charleston’s oldest church edifice, completed in 1761.
  • Heyward-Washington House - See where George Washington stayed while visiting Charleston in 1791.
  • Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon - See the last public building built by the British in North America and where the Constitution was ratified in 1788.
  • French Huguenot Church - Learn about the rich history of French Huguenot’s in Charleston and the first church built in the Gothic Revival style.
  • French Quarter - Take in the beauty and charm of the French Quarter in Charleston.
  • Hibernian Hall - Learn about the building where the seeds of disunion were sown and hear about America’s connection to Greek Revival architecture.
  • Fort Sumter National Monument - See where the first shots of the Civil War were fired! We do not go out to the fort, we take a look at it from the Battery on Charleston Harbor.
What's Included
  • All applicable fees and taxes included
What's Not Included
  • Bottled water
  • Private transportation
Additional Information

Unlike many tour companies in town that allow up to 20 people in each group, my Charleston tour is guaranteed to have no more than 12. The most unique aspect of my tour is the high level of historical professionalism that I deliver to my guests. Earning a Ph.D. in history meant spending thousands of hours reading and researching primary sources in the South Carolina archives. I use the knowledge that I have obtained from that hard work and pass it off to you on the tour. Because I limit the number of guests to 12 and offer a tour that is 45 minutes longer than most in town, you will receive a degree of exclusivity and historical depth that is far greater than what is offered by the larger tour companies in Charleston.

Location
108 Meeting St
Meeting Street
This is the Historic Charleston Foundation gift shop. We meet in front of the building. The front reads “Shop Historic Charleston”
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
5.0
(825 Ratings)
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Kimberlyk748
Aug 23, 2024
Excellent tour. - We had a fantastic experience on a historical walking tour of Charleston, SC, led by a professor from The Citadel. The tour was refreshingly intimate, with a small group size that made it feel very personalized. The professor’s knowledge of Charleston’s history is truly impressive. His background in historical research really shines through, offering insights that you wouldn’t typically get on a standard tour. The extra time spent on this tour was well worth it, as it allowed for a more in-depth exploration of the city’s rich history. If you’re looking for a unique and informative tour of Charleston, we highly recommend this one. It’s perfect for anyone who wants to dig deeper into the history of this fascinating city.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sightseer59011645489
Aug 23, 2024
Comprehensive Historical Tour - Eric was a knowledgeable tour guide who provided an interesting, fun, and comprehensive historical tour of the oldest parts of the city of Charleston.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Joanh465
Aug 10, 2024
You Won't Be Disappointed! - Eric's historical walking tour was recommended to us by a relative who told us, "You WON'T be disappointed!" Boy, she was right!! Eric genuinely loves history, as well as Charleston…and he enjoys sharing these with visitors to the area. This is plain to see as he eagerly shares his extensive knowledge in thoughtful and engaging ways. The content of Eric's tour was interesting, meaningful, and relevant. It gave us a rich introduction to Charleston's unique history, culture, and people, and made all of our other experiences in the area that much more meaningful. We appreciated having a smaller group size that allowed us to ask more questions and engage in conversation with Eric. We also appreciated his sensitive to the physical demands of the tour, giving us a well-timed break at Four Corners. The whole tour was so good, we were actually a little sad when it ended. Eric and his excellent tour were definitely a big hi-light of our trip!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Z9402jtjasonr
Jul 10, 2024
Must Do Tour of Charleston - My wife and I went to Charleston on an anniversary trip in June 2024. I had been many times in the past, but it was always for a wedding or something quick and I never had the chance to just walk the city and look around. We found this tour on Trip Advisor and thought it would be interesting. I have to say, I was blown away by how much we enjoyed it. First thing to note is that this is with a smaller group of people, so, it's more intimate and allows for questions. Eric is a very accomplished historian and has forgotten more than most people know. He is also very friendly and encourages questions from the group. Anybody can walk around Charleston and point and say look, there's x house or y building, but, going on Eric's trip, he really was able to link you to history of how things happened, what happened, and provide key insights to architecture, anecdotes, and point out key historical happenings and markers that most people are probably not aware of. I would consider this tour to be a "must do" if you are eager to learn about the city of Charleston.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Shasha00
Jul 5, 2024
Most knowledgeable tour guide if you're a history buff. - We didn't want to take our cruiseship's excursion so we booked this small group (12 people). You won't find a better tour guide than Eric, he knows his history being a history professor. We thoroughly enjoyed the tour and his narration. The meeting point was easy to find. I highly recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Pat_p
Jul 5, 2024
Excellent tour - Excellent! This is a long overdue review from our November tour. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable, engaging, and clearly cares -- even greeting people at sites along the way by name. Highly recommend this!
Review provided by Viator
Tjpom
Jul 2, 2024
Great tour of historical Charleston! - Eric was a wonderful, very knowledgeable tour guide. There were 12 people in our group, which was quite manageable. He clearly related so much history of the city, as well as some stories from his life which made for a more personal experience. We saw & learned about many of the usual attractions- buildings, churches, areas south of Broad St- while trying to stay in the shade as much as possible since it was 90+ degrees! In the beginning, each person in our group introduced themselves and said where they were from. Then, as we were walking on the tour, I was impressed because he remembered where people were from and talked individually with people about that.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Patty_k
Jun 24, 2024
Informative and most of all fun! - Was a great walking tour!! Gave interesting history and information about Charleston.. he would be the teacher I would want for history, makes you want to learn more! Thank you again.
Review provided by Viator
Mark
Jun 23, 2024
Eric was amazing! - Eric provided a wealth of information in an interesting and detailed tour that provided a very special understanding of Charleston and its history. His presentation along the way was insightful and entertaining. I would highly recommend Eric for this tour. Best tour we have ever taken!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Steven_m
Jun 21, 2024
Amazing historical tour — the real thing - Step into the vibrant past of Charleston with the Charleston History Walk, masterfully guided by Eric from The Citadel. This isn’t just any tour—it’s an unforgettable journey through time, led by a true expert in South Carolina history. Eric’s credentials are impressive, holding both a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in history, with a specialization in South Carolina history. His extensive knowledge spans beyond Charleston, making him an exceptional guide who brings history to life with passion and precision. Throughout our three-hour adventure, Eric delved into the rich tapestry of Charleston’s history, offering insights and stories that were both enlightening and engaging. His ability to weave together the historical significance of various sites with broader historical contexts made for an incredibly informative experience. What sets Eric apart is his commitment to maintaining an intimate tour group of no more than 12 people. This smaller size ensures a personalized experience, allowing ample opportunity to interact with Eric and ask questions. It’s a refreshing change from the usual 20-person tours and adds a special touch to the experience. Eric’s keen eye for detail revealed fascinating tidbits about Charleston’s houses, buildings, churches, and architectural designs that are often overlooked. His enthusiasm for history and dedication to his craft make this tour a standout. If you’re visiting Charleston, the Charleston History Walk with Eric is a must-do. It’s an engaging, educational, and thoroughly enjoyable way to explore the city’s storied past.
Review provided by Viator
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September 2024
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