Rainbow Row Tours
4 Reviews
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This street of brightly colored homes in Charleston is easily the most photographed spot in the city, and it’s easy to see why. The 14 colorful Georgian row houses along East Bay Street date back to 1730, when they were built as merchant stores.
The Basics
Situated in near Waterfront Park in the heart of Charleston’s historic district, Rainbow Row features on just about every Charleston walking tour and carriage ride, along with other popular points of interest like the Dock Street Theatre, White Point Gardens, St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, and the Waterfront Battery. Once commercial buildings, the houses today have all been converted to private residences—meaning you can only gawk at them from the outside.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Rainbow Row is a must-see for architecture lovers and first-time visitors.
- Don’t forget your camera; Rainbow Row make for one of Charleston’s best photo ops.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes, especially if you’re visiting as part of a walking tour.
- Guided tours that stop at Rainbow Row last anywhere from 80 minutes to three hours, depending which you’ve chosen.
How to Get There
Rainbow Row is located on the stretch of East Bay Street between Tradd and Elliot streets in Charleston. It’s located a short walk from Waterfront Park, and it’s easily accessible on foot from just about anywhere in the historic district.
When to Get There
For the best light for your photo—and sparser crowds to interfere with shot—plan to visit early in the morning or around sunset. In summer, expect hot, humid weather with highs in the upper 80s.
Why the Pastel Colors?
No one’s sure just why the Rainbow Row houses got their signature sherbet-hued paint job. One theory posits that the houses were painted like this so drunken sailors returning from the port could easily find the right one. Another suggests the colors once indicated the type of goods sold within each house, making it easier to attract illiterate shoppers.
Address: 83 to 107 East Bay Street, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
24 Tours and Activities to Experience Rainbow Row
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Daytime Horse-Drawn Carriage Sightseeing Tour of Historic Charleston
1031
Ride a horse-drawn carriage through the heart of historic Charleston on a guided tour through the heart of the city. Soak up the old fashioned charm of cobblestone streets lined with antebellum houses, lush gardens, and landmark churches as you listen to stories about Charleston history, architecture, and culture.
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From
$35.00
From
$35.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
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Historic Charleston Walking Tour: Rainbow Row, Churches, and More
166
Experience the charm and beauty of Charleston on a morning or afternoon walking tour. With an entertaining guide, take a leisurely stroll through the city’s Historic District, passing antebellum mansions, hidden gardens, historic churches and graveyards, as well as famous sites like Fort Sumter, Rainbow Row, and the Waterfront Battery. Along the way, learn about Charleston’s rich history and contemporary culture.
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From
$32.00
From
$32.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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2-Hour Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour
754
Travel back in time to discover one of America’s most historic cities—Charleston, South Carolina—on this guided walking tour. Visit points of interest including Charleston City Hall; the Dock Street Theatre, America’s first theatre; the Old Exchange Building, South Carolina's most historic building; White Point Garden, in the heart of Charleston’s historic district with a spectacular view of Fort Sumter, and many more.
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From
$21.06
From
$21.06
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
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Charleston in a Nutshell Private Tours
70
This private sightseeing tour of Charleston offers a local perspective on the most charming city in the South. Beat the crowds of bus tours and go where carriage rides can’t as your licensed guide drives you around the peninsula in the comfort of a private vehicle. As you drive past top sights like Waterfront Park and the Battery, hear stories of Charleston history and culture in the Holy City.
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From
$76.93
From
$76.93
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
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Charleston's Alleys & Hidden Passages Guided Small-Group Walking Tour
498
Travel back in time to discover one of America’s most historic cities—Charleston, South Carolina—on this guided small-group walking tour. Explore some of the city’s most enchanting alleys and hidden passages. Visit the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon, a colonial building with a 300-year history; Rainbow Row, the longest cluster of Georgian row houses in the United States; plus historic Philadelphia Alley, and many more.
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From
$25.65
From
$25.65
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Guides required to regularly wash hands
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Highlights of Charleston Guided Walking Tour
1311
Without a guided walking tour, you might miss some of the eclectic history and hidden nooks and crannies around Charleston that make this city such a gem. This walking tour takes you through the French Quarter and South of Broad neighborhoods to top sights such as the Rainbow Row, the Old Slave Mart Museum, and the Old Exchange, all while your guide shares stories from Charleston history and lore.
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From
$21.80
From
$21.80

Private Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour of Historic Charleston
92
Explore Charleston in an intimate horse-drawn carriage during this private tour. Get personalized attention from your guide while riding through the historic streets of the old walled town.
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From
$225.00
per group
From
$225.00
per group
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Learn More

Charleston History Sightseeing Bus Tour with Joseph Manigault House
180
Travel back in time to discover one of America’s most historic cities—Charleston, South Carolina—on this guided sightseeing tour. Visit a plethora landmarks including Rainbow Row, the longest cluster of Georgian row houses in the United States; the Old Exchange Building, South Carolina's most historic building; White Point Garden, in the heart of Charleston’s historic district, with a spectacular view of Fort Sumter and many more. Upgrade option available to include a tour of the famous Joseph Manigault House, one of Charleston's most exquisite antebellum structures.
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From
$37.97
From
$37.97
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Gear/equipment sanitized between use
Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
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Charleston City Sightseeing Bus Tour
265
An air-conditioned sightseeing bus offers a refreshing Charleston Sightseeing Tour for summertime visitors trying to escape the heat or those with limited mobility. Roll by popular "Holy City" sights like Rainbow Row, the Battery, White Point Gardens, Nathaniel Russell House, and St. Michael's Church from wide viewing windows while your guide informs and entertains with stories from Charleston's rich past.
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From
$39.00
From
$39.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Learn More

High Society II: Combo Walking Tour with Art & Wine
8
This original Charleston walking tour is not offered anywhere else in town! You'll stroll the most beautiful streets and lanes learning of the artisans, artists, architects, and landowners who built the rich city of Charleston. Lead by Travel Writer and Licensed Tour Guide, Jill Paris, Owner of Eclectic Tours of Charleston, this unique tour experience ends with a special visit to one of Charleston's premiere Art Galleries where you'll learn about local artists connected to the city and sip sparkling wine. The building itself holds some mysterious aspects you won't want to miss!
Highlights
* Unique Historic Charleston walking tour PLUS a visit to an exceptional Art
Gallery and Wine Reception
* Subjects cover History, Art, Culture, Civil War, Flowers and Trees, and
unusual facts that make Charleston so charming
* Tour lead by Travel Writer and Licensed Tour Guide, Jill Paris
* Plenty of time to stop and take Instagram-worthy snaps
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From
$38.00
From
$38.00

Charleston's Most Beautiful Walk Guided Small-Group Walking Tour
44
Travel back in time to discover one of America’s most historic cities—Charleston, South Carolina—on this guided small-group walking tour. Explore some of the city’s most historic neighborhoods on Charleston’s most beautiful walk. Visit the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon, a colonial building with a 300-year history; Rainbow Row, the longest cluster of Georgian row houses in the United States; plus the private gardens along Tradd Street; White Point Garden at the tip of the peninsula; the mansions along East Battery Street; mysterious Stoll’s Alley and many more.
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From
$25.65
From
$25.65
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Guides required to regularly wash hands
Learn More

The Best of Charleston: History, Culture & Architecture Tour
27
Your guide brings history to life during this Charleston walking tour of the city's historical downtown. See notable buildings including the Nathaniel Russell House, the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon, and the Old Slave Mart Museum. As you walk over the flat and easy terrain with your guide, discover the history that occurred right under your feet and around every corner from Rainbow Row to the Battery.
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From
$27.25
From
$27.25
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Learn More

Historic Carriage Tour of Charleston
78
Travel back to Colonial times aboard a horse-drawn carriage and discover more than 300 years of history on this guided, 1-hour tour of Charleston. See the many mansions, churches and gardens of yesteryear on this narrated tour around historic Charleston. Enjoy the romantic clip-clop sound as this educational adventure winds through the streets and learn about this ‘Holy City’ and its rich history and role in Civil War times. See the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon, one of the most historic buildings in America, and much more.
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From
$30.00
From
$30.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
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French Quarter Historic Charleston Walk
20
This historical overview of Charleston's French Quarter highlights the Holy City's finest points of interest. Bring a camera to capture the beauty, and enjoy a breathtaking walk through colonial and early American architecture. Your native Charleston guide will show you unique landmarks with intriguing narratives of how these structures originated. The tour includes visits through cobblestone alleys and passages to admire the spectacular historic fabric of the district. The tour also includes an easy stroll along Charleston's majestic harbor with its castle and forts that shaped much of America's maritime and military history.
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From
$22.00
From
$22.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
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High Society: Combo Walking Tour & Gibbes Museum
5
I am the only licensed tour guide in Charleston that is also a docent at the Gibbes Museum of Art. Charleston may not have been the largest city in the colonies, but it certainly was the richest. Art is what made Charleston. This tour connects the stories around the city throughout the Historic District, covering all the iconic landmarks you need to see, followed by a private guided tour of a wonderful museum that showcases the foremost collection of American art that incorporates the story of Charleston.
You will be pleasantly surprised at how charming the Gibbes is!
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From
$40.00
From
$40.00

Historic Charleston Walking & Storytelling Tour
This tour is an exploration of Charleston that highlights the women and men who helped found Charleston and the United States.
Did you know, without the pirates and patriots of Charleston, the United States may not exist today?
We start our experience in front of the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon, one of Charleston’s oldest and most historical buildings. Learn about George Washington’s visit in 1791, and the dungeon’s prisoners who met their fate.
Next, we venture down East Bay Street, passing Rainbow Row. Behold gorgeous mansions, and witness breathtaking views of the Charleston Harbor and White Point Garden. Walk in the footsteps of pirates and their captors.
Next, we turn inward and walk through Charleston’s South of Broad neighborhood. Learn about the man George Washington and Thomas Jefferson said was the true father of America.
Last, we venture back to our starting point, passing by the Four Corners of the Law and the shops and residences on Broad Street.
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From
$29.49
From
$29.49
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More

Downtown Charleston Walking Tour with Certified Local Guide
17
Tour the city like a local! This 2-hour historic walking tour of historic downtown Charleston is the perfect introduction to the city. You will walk through the historic streets and scenic alleyways of the famous French Quarter and South of Broad neighborhoods, covering nearly 350 years of amazing history, architecture, culture, and geography! City-Certified Guide and member of Palmetto Guild.
ONLY OPERATING JUNE THROUGH AUGUST YEARLY.
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From
$20.52
From
$20.52

Charleston Chicora 2 Hours Walking Tour
48
This is a 2 hour walk through 350 years of the history of the beautiful city of Charleston. We tell an accurate, interesting, sad, tragic, uplifting, dramatic, sometimes funny, tale.
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From
$25.65
From
$25.65

Amazing Ladies of Charleston Walking Tour
11
This exclusive historic walking tour highlights the essential streets of downtown Charleston and highlights many trailblazing women worth remembering. While strolling down the charming streets and hidden alleys of the French Quarter and South of Broad with Travel Writer and Licensed Tour Guide, Jill Paris, you'll be privy to the secrets of local characters and learn about the southern culture through heartfelt tales, not lectures. You can almost hear the desperate plea of captured lady-pirate Anne Bonny pleading for her life; badass women abolitionists, writers, artists breaking down barriers; a young girl-spy's quick-thinking cool under pressure; a pioneering preservationist; a female ghost's sad story; and an African American leader worthy of her own national holiday. Let's face it. Girls rule.
Highlights
* Plenty of time to take Instagram-worthy snaps
* Tour covers History, Culture, Architecture, Plants & Flowers, and more
* Tour starts and ends next to convenient parking
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From
$35.00
From
$35.00

Best of Historic Charleston Walking Tour
7
This is the perfect walking tour for the first-time visitor or repeat guest. We’ll cover iconic landmarks such as St. Philip’s Church, the French Quarter, the Dock Street Theatre, Rainbow Row, The Battery, White Point Garden, Calhoun Mansion, and so much more. You’ll get a comprehensive view of Charleston’s architecture, churches, culture, history, people, and even the hidden alleys and lanes often overlooked on other tours. I’ll highlight historic downtown extensively at an easy pace with lots of photo stops and interesting facts you’ll always remember. More ground covered = more beauty experienced.
Charleston is the star.
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From
$35.00
From
$35.00

Lonely Planet Experiences: Private Walking Tour of Charming Charleston
One of America's oldest cities - and one of its wealthiest preceding the Civil War - a visit to Charleston is a walk through the pages of the country's history books.
With nearly four centuries of history, Charleston is jam-packed with stories waiting to be heard. Let yourself be transported into the romanticism of the painted houses and the beautiful waterfront. Enjoy the easy stroll the city - Charleston is a flat city, and perfect for anyone looking to enjoy a day at a leisurely pace.
On your private walking tour, your guide will discuss with you the first few centuries of the city - the way the slave-trade evolved over the years, and the way the system made Charleston the wealthiest city in the South; then hear how the Civil War dismantled and destroyed the city's infrastructure. To walk in Charleston is to grapple with the complexity of its past, while seeing the work it has done and continues to do to make its Southern hospitality inclusive and sincere to all.
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From
$220.00
Price varies by group size
From
$220.00
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More

Charleston Historical Walking Tour: Pirates, Patriots, and More
7
Discover the "Holy City" with a professional Guide on this comprehensive Walking Tour through the popular sites of Charleston, South Carolina. Follow your guide on a leisurely stroll down cobbled alleyways and boulevards lined with grand antebellum homes as you listen to a highlight reel of Charleston history. Stop long enough to snap photos at top landmarks like the Battery, Rainbow Row, Waterfront Park, Old Customs Exchange, Nathaniel Russell House, Whitepoint Garden, and St. Michael's Church.
Walk with us and learn about bawdy taverns & pirates, heroic patriots, the grandeur of antebellum architecture, the devastation of the Civil War, and much more! History will come alive as we stroll through the historic streets and gardens of the “Holy City.”
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From
$35.00
From
$35.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Learn More

Charleston City Walking Tour with Edmondston-Alston House Admission
1
This Charleston walking tour not only takes you to top sights around downtown Charleston such as the Battery and South of Broad Street, but also includes access to the Edmondston-Alston House, a gorgeous 19th century home with unobstructed views of the Charleston Harbor. After learning about Charleston history on a guided walking tour, visit the house for a peek inside the lives of Charleston’s elite class—and an unforgettable view.
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From
$50.00
From
$50.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Learn More

90-Minute Historic Walking Tour of Charleston
42
Charleston’s historic alleyways and pocket gardens can’t be reached by car or carriage, making this Charleston walking tour an excellent option for visiting the Holy City’s enticing nooks and crannies. Follow a guide through the French Quarter, down to the Battery, and right past Rainbow Row as you learn about the city’s 350-year history from a licensed tour guide.
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From
$25.00
From
$25.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More
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