Classic Carriage Tours

An old custom thrives in Charleston as you tour the city in a horse-drawn carriage. Classic Carriage Tours offers guided tours in carriages drawn by award-winning Percheron Draft Horses. Horse-drawn transportation is a tradition in Charleston that the owners of Classic Carriage Tours make every effort to maintain as authentically as possible. One-hour, private, group, wedding and other special occasion tours are offered.

Charleston Waterfront Park

Don't miss Charleston Waterfront Park, located in the center of downtown. Spanning over 1,000 feet along Charleston Harbor, this is a must-see for any walking tour of the city. Sit on one of several family-sized swings on the pavilion and watch ships come and go. Find an old-fashioned park bench in a shady spot and watch people stroll by as children romp on the large green and run along the palm tree-lined walkways. Two artfully designed enormous fountains invite children to splash and play.

Drayton Hall

Drayton Hall is a National Trust Historic site resting on 630 lovely acres. The building was completed in 1742; today it stands as a quality example of Georgian-Palladian architecture. Owned by the Drayton family for seven generations, the house remains close to its original condition. Drayton Hall regularly hosts school field trips. Admission: USD12 Adults; USD8 Youth ages 12-18; USD6 Children ages 6-11; children under age 6 are free. Grounds-only tickets are USD3. Military discount is USD2, AAA discount is USD1. Tours are on the hour beginning at 10am. Check the website for further details.

Gullah Tours

Climb aboard the 21-passenger air-conditioned bus and prepare to be educated and entertained. This tour offers a two-hour exploration of Charleston like no other. The owner and tour guide is fluent in the Gullah language and well versed in Gullah culture and history. Peppered with anecdotes and Gullah speak, tours are humorous and enlightening. The emphasis is on the influences and contributions of original black Charlestonians. A highlight: meeting Philip Simmons, blacksmith and Local National Treasure. Open from Monday to Friday from 11am and 1pm and from Saturday from 11am and 3pm.

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens

In existence since 1676, this plantation is a journey back through time. Walking along a numbered path, you will find many beautiful cypress and live oak trees along the river. The Barbados Tropical Garden, Biblical Garden, and Horticultural Maze offer a variety of landscaping styles. Don't forget to keep an eye out for wildlife. Several slave cabins and worker homes still stand on the property, and free talks are given at various times. Tickets are also available for purchase for entry..

Aiken-Rhett House

This is perhaps the most remarkable home on Charleston's downtown waterfront. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Aiken-Rhett House is a revealing architectural portrait of the antebellum South. Owned at one time by wealthy planter and former South Carolina governor William Aiken, the house is decorated with fine examples of classical art and sculpture. Around the home, the original servants quarters, sheds, kitchens, and stables reveal a fuller view of Charleston city...

Civil War Walk

South Carolina Aquarium

Just entering this museum is a delight; the structure itself extends out over Charleston Harbor and as guests draw near the entrance, they enter beneath a beautiful stained glass wall. Entering the Great Hall, the centerpiece is the breathtaking Carolina Seas Exhibit. Spend the day walking through a mountain ravine, exploring the rivers of the Piedmont region, visiting with swamp dwellers, and marveling at the 300,000-gallon Great Ocean Exhibit. Prices and hours vary; check the website for details.

Spirit of Carolina Dinner Cruise

Depart from Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum aboard the Spirit of Carolina for a magnificent three-hour dinner tour of Charleston Harbor. Look out at Rainbow Row during sunset as you enjoy the beautiful, climate-controlled dining salons and open observation decks of this well-equipped yacht. A three-course meal, cooked to order, live music, and dancing await you for an evening not soon to be forgotten. Prices: Sunday through Thursday USD46.38, Friday & Saturday USD51.38. Patrons board at 6:30p, leave the dock at 7:00p, and return at 10:00p. Check the website for further details.

Slavery & Freedom Walk

In the early 1800s, Charleston was named the Home of African Slavery, and while this was a dubious distinction to be sure, the history of how this came about is fascinating and enlightening. This two-hour, 1.5 mile walking tour explains why slavery evolved in Charleston the way it did, exploring Gullah folklore, slave uprisings and the role that free blacks played during this time in history. Interestingly enough, Charleston was home to free persons of color that owned slaves themselves.

Nathaniel Russell House

In the early 1800s, the Nathaniel Russell House, a neoclassic dwelling, was the home of Nathaniel and Sarah Russell. The marriage of the Russells resulted in the merging of two great merchant families who made a fortune peddling rice and indigo. The interior of the home can only be described as graceful; intricate plasterwork, uniquely designed rooms, and a breathtaking free-flying staircase are just a few of the architectural highlights. Much of the art displayed around the home is of Charleston origin, and each room is decorated in fine turn-of-the-century style. Admission prices are USD10.

Charleston's Pirates & Buccaneers

This excursion is presented by The Original Charleston Walks and takes you on a guided tour of The Walled City, Pirate Tavern, and more. In your imagination, you will travel back in time to 1718 when Charleston regularly battled the French, Spanish, and Native Americans. Now the city must face another terror from the sea. The tour departs daily at 1:30pm from 45 South Market Street (Market and State Streets) and includes admission into the Old Provost Dungeon. Reservations are required. Check the website for further information.

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