Top Beaches in Charleston
The beach might not be the first thing that comes to mind when planning a trip to historic Charleston, but the shores of South Carolina’s Lowcountry are dotted with beautiful stretches of sand. Here are some of the best options for a day of sun, sand, and sea.
Kiawah Island
Situated about an hour outside of Charleston, Kiawah Island ranks among South Carolina’s top beach resorts. Visitors will find a public beach—considered one of the best in the country—at the southern end of this beautiful barrier island, as well as plenty of bike paths.
Folly Beach
Perhaps the most iconic beach in Lowcountry, Folly Beach has a little bit of everything: waves for surfing, lifeguards for safe swimming, a fishing pier, food vendors, and even a historic lighthouse (Morris Island) at the mouth of Charleston Harbor. Folly Beach is also a popular jumping off point for stand-up paddleboarding trips along the Carolina coast.
Sullivan’s Island
This largely residential barrier island north of downtown Charleston was once the stomping ground of poet Edgar Allan Poe. Today, visitors come for its broad beach where an offshore sandbar creates excellent conditions for swimming and kiteboarding.
Isle of Palms
Located just across an inlet from Sullivan’s Island, Isle of Palms attracts families with its lively beaches and collection of shops and oceanfront restaurants.Those with an interest in angling can head out to fish in the creeks of Charleston Harbor or out to sea to catch flounder and red fish trout.
155 Tours and Activities | All Charleston Tours
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Charleston’s Old South Carriage Historic Horse & Carriage Tour
2750
Experience more than 300 years of history on this guided carriage tour of Charleston. See the many mansions, churches, and gardens as your horse-drawn carriage tour covers more than 2.5 miles and 30 blocks of historic Charleston. Belgian and Percheron draft horses will you lead you through the streets while you learn about this “Holy City” and its role in the Civil War.
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$40.00
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$40.00
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Downtown Charleston Culinary Walking Food Tour
521
Combine Charleston’s history with unique food samplings on this small-group culinary walking tour. Explore Charleston’s Old and Historic District, discovering the local landmarks and cuisine of locally owned and operated restaurants. Enjoy enough local favorites to make a meal for most visitors. All food tastings are included on this fantastic introduction to the ‘Holy City.’
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$80.00
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$80.00
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Ghosts of Charleston Night-Time Walking Tour with Unitarian Church Graveyard
581
Uncover Charleston’s darkest secrets on an evening ghost and cemetery tour. Stroll through the atmospheric heart of the old city while an entertaining local guide regales you with tales of the dark deeds, restless spirits and supernatural phenomena that make Charleston one of the most haunted cities in America. Get exclusive after-hour access to the famous Unitarian Church Graveyard, where an overgrown southern garden surrounds historic plots said to be haunted by wandering ghosts.
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$30.00
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$30.00
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Charleston's Hidden Alleys & History Guided Small-Group Walking Tour
544
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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$25.65
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$25.65
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Guides required to regularly wash hands
Regular temperature checks for staff
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Charleston Harbor History Day-Time or Sunset Boat Cruise
1110
See the Charleston Harbor by boat with a leisurely sightseeing tour along the Cooper River to Fort Sumter National Monument. This fully-narrated tour focuses on Charleston history from Civil War sites to antebellum houses and landmarks, passes under Cooper River bridges, and explores a waterfront that’s home to bottlenose dolphins and pelicans.
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$34.72
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$34.72
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Charleston's Tidal Creeks Eco Boat Cruise with Stop at Morris Island Lighthouse
485
Cruise through Lowcountry tidal creeks and marshes en route to the uninhabited Morris Island on this boat cruise from the Charleston area. A private boat company launches from Bowens Island for the scenic ride through an estuary rich in biodiversity before a soft landing on Morris Island. Spend free time to taking photos of the historic Morris Island Lighthouse, combing for seashells, and looking out for birds, sea turtles, and dolphins before your return.
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$51.09
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$51.09
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Haunted Evening Horse and Carriage Tour of Charleston
443
Get all the thrills of a Charleston ghost tour without any walking on this haunted horse and carriage ride. A horse and carriage takes you down twisting side streets and cobbled alleyways with ease as your guide shares spooky stories from Charleston’s past. Make your way past the Mills House, the Circular Congregational Graveyard, and and Provost Dungeon in the heart of the Holy City.
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$40.00
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$40.00
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Undiscovered Charleston: Half Day Food, Wine & History Tour with Cooking Class
324
This walking tour and interactive lunch combo provides a two-in-one experience in Charleston. With a celebrated local chef, Forrest Parker, you'll start with a 1.5-hour historical walking tour about the influences of Lowcountry food in the city of Charleston. Then watch a cooking demonstration from Parker before enjoying lunch paired with wine.
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$153.85
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$153.85
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Charleston in a Nutshell Private Tours
77
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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$76.93
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$76.93
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2-Hour Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour
838
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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$21.06
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$21.06
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Guides required to regularly wash hands
Regular temperature checks for staff
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Middleton Place Tour & Lunch with Transportation from Charleston
97
Middleton Place is one of the most popular plantations in the Charleston area, but getting there can be tricky without a private car. This tour makes it easy by including transportation from downtown Charleston aboard a comfortable, air-conditioned van, plus a guided tour of the house upon arrival. A 3-course lunch is also included for a taste of Lowcountry cuisine.
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$120.90
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$120.90
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Daytime Horse-Drawn Carriage Sightseeing Tour of Historic Charleston
1122
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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$35.00
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$35.00
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Boone Hall Plantation Admission & Tour with Transportation from Charleston
107
Visit Boone Hall Plantation and Gardens on this 4.5-hour tour from Charleston. One of the oldest working plantations in the United States, Boone Hall was founded in 1681 and still grows crops. During your tour led by a guide in period costume, you'll see the plantation's slave quarters and learn about its history and modern-day use. Select a morning or afternoon departure time when booking. Enjoy a personalized experience on this small-group tour of just 15 people.
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$60.50
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$60.50
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Charleston City Sightseeing Bus Tour
289
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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$39.00
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$39.00
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Charleston Ghost & Graveyard Night-Time Guided Walking Tour
378
Peek into Charleston’s shadowy history with a chilling nighttime walking tour of the city’s most eerie sites! Wind through the dark corridors of the Historic District and hear spooky tales of graveyard hauntings, voodoo and botched burials from your local guide. Pass by infamous locations with grisly histories and wander through the Charleston’s oldest cemetery after hours.
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$36.00
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$36.00
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Savor the Flavors of Charleston Walking Food Tour
253
Discover the delights of the Charleston food scene on this walking tour. With a guide, you'll learn about the cuisine of the Lowcountry region as you explore this historic city and sample local food products such as stone-ground grits, pralines, collard greens, and South Carolina barbecue. Tour is limited to 12 people for a small-group experience.
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$79.00
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$79.00
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Charleston See-It-All Sightseeing Bus Tour
293
Charleston's colonial history, laid-back vibe, and beautiful sites continue to steal the hearts of visitors to the Holy City. See the highlights of the peninsula in comfort on this 90-minute guided tour on a climate-controlled minibus with a maximum of 15 passengers. This narrated tour keeps you cool as you ride past must-see Charleston sights such as the Battery, the Citadel, Old City Market, and Hampton Park as well as enjoy spectacular views of Fort Sumter, Castle Pinckney, and the Sullivan Island Lighthouse at a distance.
Bonus: Admission to Charleston Powder Museum is also included with the price of your tour.
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$32.00
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$32.00
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Highlights of Charleston Guided Walking Tour
1352
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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$21.80
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$21.80
Charleston's Pleasing Terrors Night-Time Walking Ghost Tour
612
Join Charleston native and host of the popular Pleasing Terrors Podcast, Mike Brown, on this 90-minute Pleasing Terrors Night-Time Walking Ghost Tour. Join Mike as he combines suspenseful storytelling with unparalleled knowledge of the hidden and often frightening stories lurking in Charleston's past and present.
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$20.52
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$20.52
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Charleston History Sightseeing Bus Tour with Joseph Manigault House
182
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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$37.97
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$37.97
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Gear/equipment sanitized between use
Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
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Historic Charleston Walking Tour: Rainbow Row, Churches, and More
177
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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$36.00
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$36.00
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Charleston's Upper King Street Culinary Tour
142
Get to know Charleston through its food on this walking tour of Upper King Street. Meet with culinary innovators and learn about their edgy and creative styles that have turned this once off-the-beaten-path area into a lively destination for food lovers. Along the way, sample dishes at local restaurants and eateries.
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$80.00
From
$80.00
Historic Colonial Charles Towne Evening Carriage Tour
35
Discover Charleston's colonial roots on this evening carriage tour within the city of Charles Towne's original boundaries. Travel with a horse and buggy, just as the colonists did, on an evening tour that spares you from the midday heat as you learn about Charleston history between 1680-1770, including a visit to the oldest building in Charleston, the Four Corners of Law, Waterfront Park, and more.
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$35.02
From
$35.02
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Face masks provided for travelers
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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Charleston's Savor the Flavors of Upper King Street Walking Food Tour
42
Go a bit off the beaten path while in Charleston with this guided walking and eating tour of Upper King Street, an area that is bursting with delicious food. Just make sure your stomach is empty. Sample some South Carolina staples and learn about the history of food in Charleston.
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From
$79.00
From
$79.00
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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