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10 Best Historic House Tours in Charleston

By Allston McCrady

Charleston's history is central to its experience, and the city's Historic Charleston Foundation, along with several other organizations, maintain several historic homes and properties that will give you a deep dive into the area's background. Here, our list of some of the most informative, professional, and enriching ones to check out.

Joseph Manigault House Arrow

Magnolia Plantation & Gardens Arrow

Heyward-Washington House Arrow

Nathaniel Russell House Arrow

Erinne Magee

Lindsey Tramuta

Alex Erdekian

CNT Editors

McLeod Plantation Historic Site Arrow

Aiken-Rhett House Arrow

Philip Simmons Foundation Arrow

This is certainly an unusual house museum in Charleston, but it is one absolutely worth visiting. Not only does it provide a pleasing contrast to the grand residences South of Broad, it also tells the story of those whose skills and determination formed the backbone of Charleston’s built environment.

Edmondston-Alston House Arrow

Drayton Hall Arrow

Middleton Place Arrow

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This Is My South

A travel guide to the Southern USA

6 Historic Homes in Charleston You Can Actually Visit

January 3, 2020 By Caroline Eubanks Leave a Comment

Many visitors to Charleston come to see the historic buildings that date back to the early days of the city’s founding. While the plantations along the Ashley River are popular, you can also get a look inside some of the lavish homes downtown.

While many are private residences, some are now house museums in Charleston, run by the Charleston Museum, Historic Charleston Foundation, or through independent trusts. Others are open during the seasonal tours of homes . Add these Charleston house museums to your next trip itinerary.

A Note On Plantations:  These homes have a dark history that shouldn’t be ignored. Only you can decide whether this is something you’re interested in doing. Read  this post  for more perspectives on both sides of the debate.

This post contains affiliate links.

Charleston House Tours and Tickets

Each of these homes has its own ticketing process, but you can also purchase combination tickets. For example, the Heyward-Washington and Joseph Manigault houses have combined tickets with the Charleston Museum .

You can also get entry during promotions for Charleston’s Museum Mile like Mile Month. The TourPass Charleston also provides entry into many of these homes at one price. And tours like Charleston’s Alleys and Hidden Passages give a glimpse into the streets behind the famous mansions.

Historic Charleston House Museums

Aiken-rhett house.

The Aiken-Rhett House was built in 1820 in what is now the Mazyck-Wraggborough neighborhood of Charleston for merchant John Robinson.

It was later acquired by William Aiken Sr., a railroad magnate, who passed it on to his son William Aiken, Jr., who was later the South Carolina governor.

Aiken Jr. and his wife expanded the home in the 1830s and it continued to pass down through his family for over 140 years. Around 1975, it was sold to the Charleston Museum and it subsequently opened as a museum. The Historic Charleston Foundation now oversees it.

The Aikens owned slaves and their stories are told on the tours. Among the outbuildings are a kitchen, the original slave quarters, and a carriage block. A number of the original furnishings also survive.

Tickets are $12 for adults and can be purchased in combination with tickets to the Nathaniel Russell House. Tours are self-guided and offered daily from 10 am to 5 pm. The Aiken-Rhett House is located at 48 Elizabeth Street, a short walk from the visitor’s center.

Calhoun Mansion

The Calhoun Mansion was built in 1873 for businessman George W. Williams in the Victorian style. It was constructed with over 30 rooms and a large ballroom.

After Williams’ death, it was inherited by his son-in-law Patrick Calhoun, the grandson of statesman John C. Calhoun. In 1914, it operated as a hotel and in 1932, portions of the property were subdivided. In 1976, it was purchased and restored.

In 2004, it began operating as a museum. It’s also been used in films like North and South and The Notebook . It is decorated in the Gilded Age style and contains artifacts from the period.

Tickets are $17 for adults while children under 11 are free. Tours are held from 11 am to 5 pm every half hour, lasting around 30 minutes. The Calhoun Mansion is located at 16 Meeting Street near The Battery.

Visit the home on the High Society of Charleston tour , which ends at the Calhoun Mansion.

Edmonston-Alston House

The Edmonston-Alston House was built in 1825 for Scottish immigrant Charles Edmondston on the ruins of a fort alongside a sea wall. The modified single house was purchased by rice planter Charles Alston in 1838 and the third story was added.

A number of the Alston family details still remain, including the family crest on the rooftop railing and the dining room table. There are brief mentions of the enslaved people that lived here but the focus is on the high society family.

On the brink of the Civil War, General P.G.T. Beauregard watched from the house as shots were fired from Fort Sumter. The home later passed to Alston’s daughter Susan, who then gave it to cousin Henry Augustus Middleton Smith in 1922. It became a museum in 1973, operated by Middleton Place Plantation. It was recently featured on Outer Banks .

Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for students and children and combination tickets are available with Middleton Place. Tours are held on Sunday and Monday from 1 to 4:30 pm and Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 4:30 pm and last 30 minutes. The Edmonston-Alston House is located at 21 East Battery.

Get your Edmondston-Alston House Admission before you go or book a spot on The Edmonston-Alston House Walking Tour .

Heyward-Washington House

The Heyward-Washington House was built in 1772 for Thomas Heyward, Jr., one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. George Washington was even hosted here during his 1791 tour.

Heyward and his family lived here until 1794 and his descendant, DuBose Heyward, wrote the novel Porgy that George Gershwin developed into Porgy and Bess .

He sold it to the Grimke family in 1794 and it became home to soldier John and his family, including daughters, and future suffragettes and abolitionists, Sarah and Angeline. The home was purchased by the Charleston Museum in 1929 and opened in 1930 as the city’s first historic house museum.

Among the pieces of Charleston-made furnishings in the house is the Holmes Bookcase, a fine example of colonial furniture. There’s also a 1740s kitchen building and formal gardens.

Tickets are $12 and combination tickets are available with the Charleston Museum and the Joseph Manigault House. Tours are offered Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday from 12 to 5 pm. The Heyward-Washington House is located at 87 Church Street, a block from the Nathaniel Russell House.

Visit this home on the Lost Stories of Black Charleston Walking Tour , but entry is not included.

Joseph Manigault House

The Joseph Manigault House was built in 1803 in the Adams style and designed by brother Gabriel Manigault. Joseph was a wealthy rice planter and French Huguenot who came to America to escape religious persecution. He inherited many plantations and hundreds of slaves from his grandfather, securing his wealth.

It contains intact outbuildings like the kitchen and slave quarters, stable, and privy as well as fine furniture from Europe and beyond. The dramatic staircase is another incredible feature.

After Manigault’s death, the home was sold in 1852 to George N. Reynolds Jr. before passing to John S. Riggs in 1864. By 1920, the home was slated for demolition, but a group of locals formed the Preservation Society of Charleston to save it. The Charleston Museum purchased it in 1933.

Tickets are $12 and combination tickets are available with the Charleston Museum and the Heyward-Washington House. Tours are offered Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday from 12 to 5 pm. The Joseph Manigault House is located at 350 Meeting Street alongside the Charleston Museum.

Visit on the Historic City and Southern Mansion Combo Tour .

Nathaniel Russell House

The Nathaniel Russell House was built in 1808 for slave trader and merchant Nathaniel Russell in Neoclassical design. The townhouse was home to Russell, his wife, two daughters, and likely eighteen slaves to run the household.

Russell wanted only the finest home and had a number of architectural details installed like elaborate plasterwork, heart pine floors, formal gardens, and a grand three-story cantilevered staircase.

In 1857, it was purchased by Robert Allston, governor of South Carolina, and he lived there until his death. From 1870 to 1905, it operated as a boarding school before again becoming a private residence.

In 1955, the Historic Charleston Foundation was created to save the property. It remains one of the best house museums in Charleston.

Tickets are $12 for adults and can be purchased in combination with tickets to the Aiken-Rhett House. Tours are offered daily from 10 am to 5 pm and are led by docents. The Nathaniel Russell House is located at 51 Meeting Street, around the corner from Rainbow Row.

Visit the home on the Badass Broads of Charleston tour , which ends at the house.

Looking for a place to stay during your trip to Charleston’s house museums? The Wentworth Mansion and the John Rutledge House Inn are both historic homes turned inns with modern amenities like daily breakfast and WiFi.

About Caroline Eubanks

Caroline Eubanks is the editor of this website, a Lowell Thomas award-winning travel writer, and the author of This Is My South: The Essential Travel Guide to the Southern States. Her stories from the South have appeared in National Geographic Traveler, Afar, Thrillist, Roads and Kingdoms, and BBC Travel.

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Home › Things To Do › Historic Houses

Charleston Historic Home Tours

Charleston has many dozens of historically-significant properties, the great majority of which are privately owned and occupied and not open to the public.

Several of the city’s most important historic homes, however, are operated as historic house museums, allowing a view into the lives of some of Charleston’s wealthiest residents – and the people they enslaved – in the late 18th and 19th centuries.

Most of the houses offer guided tours of around 30-40 minutes duration, usually discussing the history of the house, its occupants and architecture. If you expect to want to visit more than one historic house museum during your visit, look out for combination tickets, which offer admission to two or more properties at a discounted rate.

See also: – Museums in Charleston – Plantations near Charleston – Other things to do in Charleston – Things to do near Charleston – Charleston events and festivals by month: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December

Historic Charleston Foundation’s House Tours

Aiken-rhett house.

48 Elizabeth Street, 843-723-1159

The Aiken-Rhett House, constructed by William Aiken around 1820, remained in the hands of a single family and its descendants for a century and a half. Preserved rather than restored, the house offers an insight into the decline in fortunes of its owners in the years since the Civil War.

Unusually among Charleston’s historic house museums, the Aiken-Rhett House has retained its enslaved people’s quarters and other outbuildings, including stables and kitchens, portraying the other side of life in one of the city’s great antebellum houses.

Self-guided app-based audio tours of the house are made at your own pace, and will usually take around 45 minutes. Combination tickets including admission to the Nathaniel Russell House are available.

Open daily. Adults $15, children (6-16) $7. More details

Nathaniel Russell House

51 Meeting Street, 843-724-8481

The Nathaniel Russell House is considered to be one of the best Neoclassical townhouses in the country, constructed for a wealthy Rhode Island merchant who established himself in Charleston in the mid-18th century.

The house, with formal gardens, is restored to its appearance in 1808. It is furnished with objects of fine and decorative art from the 18th and 19th centuries, including several items owned by the family, and others created in Charleston.

Tours take around 30 minutes, and discuss the lives of family members and the people they enslaved as domestic staff, and the process of restoring the home. Combination tickets allowing admission to the Aiken-Rhett House as well are available for a discount.

Charleston Museum’s House Tours

Heyward-washington house.

87 Church Street, 843-722-2996

The Heyward-Washington House, built in 1772, is one of the oldest surviving residences in Charleston.

It is named for two of the house’s most distinguished occupants: Thomas Heyward, Jr, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and George Washington, who rented the home during a week-long stay in the city as part of his 1791 tour of the South.

Beautiful antique Charleston-made furniture, formal gardens and an 18th-century kitchen building are among the highlights of tours of this historic house. Combination tickets offering discounted admission to the Charleston Museum and/or the Joseph Manigault House are also available.

Open daily. Adults $12, youth (13-17) $10, children (3-12) $5. More details

Joseph Manigault House

350 Meeting Street, 843-722-2996

The Joseph Manigault House, built in 1803, is an excellent example of the Federal style of architecture, formerly owned by one of Charleston’s wealthiest rice planting enslaving families, the Manigaults, descended from a group of French Huguenots who settled the city in the late 17th century.

The restored property features early-19th-century and other antique furniture from the collection of the Charleston Museum, with gardens too restored to the style of the period.

Tours of the house take around 30 minutes, and focus on the history of the family and architecture of the house, in the context of the social history of the period. Combination tickets to see the Heyward-Washington House and/or the Charleston Museum as well are available at a discount.

Charleston’s Other Historic Home Tours

Edmondston-alston house.

21 East Battery, 843-722-7171

The Edmondston-Alston House was built in 1825 by Scottish merchant Charles Edmondston. The house was one of the first of the grand houses to be erected along what is now the city’s East Battery, commanding fine views over the Charleston Harbor and Fort Sumter.

Edmondston lost the house in the panic of 1837, with some alterations to the Federal-style home undertaken by new owner Charles Alston. It remains to this day in the hands of his descendants.

30-minute tours visit the Edmondston-Alston House’s public rooms and piazzas. Combination tickets with the Middleton Plantation, who manage tours of the house, are available.

Open Monday-Saturday. Adults $15, children and students $10. More details

Williams Mansion

16 Meeting Street, 843-722-8205

The Williams Mansion (formerly known as the Calhoun Mansion) was built by George Williams in 1876, and is regarded as one of the finest postbellum houses on the East Coast. It is the largest historic private residence in Charleston.

The Williams Mansion is still occupied by its current owner, who has filled the house to the brim with an eclectic mixture of furnishings, paintings and objects from all periods and corners of the world.

The basic tour of the house takes about 25-35 minutes, seeing several of its rooms and discussing the history of the home and its antiques. An alternative longer tour visits the entire mansion and its cupola.

Open daily. Basic tour $17 per person, children under 12 free. More details

© Melanie K Jones 2024

Charleston Historic Homes: A Journey through Time and Architecture

History buffs will know Charleston, South Carolina, is a tapestry of American history. The past is woven through its streets and the very bricks and mortar of its buildings. As one of America's oldest cities, its array of architectural styles is the history storyteller. From the sturdy, practical designs of Colonial homes to ornamental Victorian mansions, the historic homes in Charleston, SC, are a journey through time and architecture. You’ll explore the history hiding behind the Georgian symmetry, Federalist elegance, Neoclassical grandeur, and the pointed arches of the Gothic Revival. For those who love the evolution of American architecture and the historical contexts that shaped it, Charleston is the place for you!

Visit Charleston to see the many well-preserved homes unique to this fascinating city. Let’s explore some of the best ways to see them and which ones should be on your list.

The Best Ways to See Charleston Historic Homes

Self-guided tours of historic homes in charleston, sc.

If you like to set your own pace or split up your sightseeing over multiple days, consider embarking on a self-guided tour. This approach allows you to explore and dive deep into the fabric of Charleston’s historical and architectural majesty at your leisure. You can map out your must-see spots or simply walk around downtown Charleston, traveling at your own pace and lingering at your favorite places.

Guided Historical Tours Led by an Expert

For those with an insatiable appetite for stories, a guided tour may be your perfect adventure. With expert guides, you will learn more than you would on your own, allowing you to ask questions about what you see and discover all the history behind each home.

If you are looking for a great overview of the city, the Historic Carriage Tour can take you through it with an enchanting ride on a horse-drawn carriage. This tour is a fantastic way to see the architecture throughout the city and hear notable stories about the historic homes, the people who owned them, and so much more. A tour can give you a good perspective of where you will want to visit again during your stay

The Charleston Festival is a great way to experience multiple historical homes in one event. From March 14 to April 14th, this festival opens doors to charming private houses, meticulously manicured gardens, and more by offering street tours, garden tours, and historical architectural tours. Check out our spring blog post for more seasonal activities.

Charleston's Historic Homes You Simply Can't Miss

The Aiken-Rhett House: A Preservation of Antebellum Life

The Aiken-Rhett House , unaltered since the 1850s, is a captivating snapshot of antebellum society. This historic home in Charleston, SC, invites visitors into the world of William Aiken Jr., a key figure in the city's history. Its preservation offers an authentic look at a bygone era, including intact slave quarters, stables, and carriage blocks, which are essential for understanding the full scope of Charleston's past. Architecturally, it harmonizes Federal and Greek Revival architectural styles, reflecting the prevailing tastes of its time. This house serves not only as a monument to the wealth and social prominence of its original owners but also as a poignant reminder of the complexities of pre-Civil War Southern life.

Ticket Pricing: $15.45 Hours: Mon-Sun: 10 am-5 pm Address: 48 Elizabeth St, Charleston, SC 29403

Want to learn more about its owners and history? Read our blog on Charleston's 19th-century Gem, The Aiken Rhett House.

Heyward-Washington House: Where the Revolutionary Era Comes Alive

Nestled within the heart of Charleston, the Heyward-Washington House stands as a testament to the city's deep revolutionary roots. This Georgian-style residence, which once welcomed George Washington during his 1791 tour, links directly to the nation's fight for independence. Thomas Heyward Jr., the site's namesake, signed the Declaration of Independence, giving this home a vital historical significance. Visitors stepping into this house are greeted by an impressive collection of Charleston-crafted furniture, highlighting the local craftsmanship of the era. The very walls of the Heyward-Washington House echo with stories of early American valor and vision, making it an essential stop for anyone seeking to immerse themselves in the authentic spirit of the Revolutionary Era. Ticket Pricing: $15.00 Hours: Mon-Sat: 10 am-5 pm Sun: 12 pm-5 pm Address: 87 Church St, Charleston, SC 29403

Nathaniel Russell House: A Masterpiece of Federal Architecture

The Nathaniel Russell House , completed in 1808, stands as a pinnacle of Federal and Neoclassical architecture, renowned for its iconic grand elliptical staircase that spirals through the heart of the home. This architectural gem reflects the opulence and refined taste of its original owner, Nathaniel Russell, a prominent merchant of his time. The home’s interior is carefully preserved, displaying beautiful ornamentation and a variety of period furniture that captures the essence of early American sophistication. Visitors can explore the elegant rooms, each telling a part of the Russell family’s story, while the surrounding garden offers a tranquil retreat, echoing the home's neoclassical elegance.

Ticket Pricing: $15.45 Hours: Mon-Sun: 10 am-5 pm Address: 51 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29401

Williams Mansion (Formerly Calhoun Mansion): The Largest Single-Family Residence in Charleston

The Williams Mansion , once known as the Calhoun Mansion, is a testament to the grandeur of Victorian architecture in Charleston. Constructed in 1876, this opulent home stands as the city's largest single-family residence, making it one of the most well-known Charleston, South Carolina historic homes. It showcases an elaborate exterior and an interior made of intricate woodwork, stained glass, and timeless furnishings. Its rooms are a gallery of the Gilded Age's luxury, each space lavishly decorated to reflect the wealth and tastes of the era. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the mansion has served multiple roles throughout its history, from a private residence to a public space that echoes the cultural and social complexities of post-Civil War Charleston. This historic home embodies the Victorian era's extravagance and is a highlight for those exploring the architectural diversity of Charleston.

Ticket Pricing: Prices will be released in Spring 2024 Hours: Reopening Spring 2024 Address: 16 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29401

Edmondston-Alston House: A View into Charleston's Maritime History

Overlooking the Charleston Harbor from its prestigious position on The Battery, the Edmondston-Alston House merges its architectural elegance with a storied maritime past. The house was erected in 1825, and enhancements were made in 1838 when Charles Alston purchased it. Inside, visitors are treated to a rich display of the family's original silver furnishings and artworks, encapsulating the lifestyle of Charleston's sea-linked aristocracy. The house serves as a historical landmark and a narrative vessel, charting the course of the city's naval heritage through its preserved interior and panoramic vistas. This residence is more than architecture, though—it stands as a silent witness to pivotal Civil War moments, notably General P.T. Beauregard's observation of Fort Sumter's bombardment in 1861 from its piazzas.

Ticket Pricing: $15.00 Hours: Mon: 1 pm-4 pm Tues-Sat: 10 am-4 pm Sun: Closed Address : 21 E Battery, Charleston, SC 29401

Drayton Hall: The Oldest Preserved Plantation House in the U.S.

Drayton Hall's construction dates back to the 1740s by John Drayton, a prominent rice planter. The home has been remarkably preserved and is now under the stewardship of the Drayton Hall Preservation Trust. The Trust's mission emphasizes the importance of understanding colonial America and the South's evolving narrative through meticulously guided tours of the estate. These tours encompass the main house, the historic African American cemetery, the Lenhardt Garden, and more. The main house itself presents a collection of original family pieces, decorative arts, and artifacts, offering a tangible connection to the past. Drayton Hall is also a hub for education, hosting a variety of programs, workshops, and special exhibitions. All of these efforts exist to spark dialogue and interest in the preservation of historic structures and artifacts, highlighting the ongoing efforts to conserve this integral piece of American history.

Ticket Pricing: $31.00 Hours: Wed-Mon: 9 am-5 pm Tues: Closed Address: 3380 Ashley River Rd, Charleston, SC 29414

Joseph Manigault House: A Reflection of Charleston's French Influence

Constructed in 1803, the Joseph Manigault House epitomizes the French influence permeating Charleston's architectural landscape. Designed for a wealthy rice planter of French Huguenot descent, this home showcases the Adam-style Federal architecture, marked by elegance and symmetry. Inside, the opulent decor and furnishings reflect the refined lifestyle of Charleston's early 19th-century elite. The Joseph Manigault House is a testament to the blend of French architectural heritage and Southern charm that defines Charleston.

Ticket Pricing : $15.00 Hours: Mon-Sat: 10 am-5 pm Sun: 12 pm-5 pm Address: 350 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29403

This unique city is bursting with history just waiting to be retold, so let Charleston's Historic Homes transport you into different eras as their architecture tells a story. Consider a guided tour if you want to learn even more about the historical events that took place within their walls!

Ready to find the best places to explore, dine, and more in Charleston? Our blog articles will help you create the perfect itinerary for your interests.

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Historic Walking Tours of Charleston, SC

Walks of Charleston offers the best behind-the-scenes cultural history tours. Our walking tours take you to the Holy City’s most intriguing destinations.

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From its well-preserved architecture to its rich history, vibrant culture and breathtaking views, you can’t help but fall in love with Charleston, South Carolina’s oldest city.

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Our walking tours feature some of the best tour guides in Charleston , and they can’t wait to share the stories that date back as far as the city’s 1670 birth. Our tours feature stops such as Rainbow Row, the French Quarter, and the Battery. We also delve a little deeper into the city’s history, divulging information you won’t find in many history books.

All of our tour guides at Walks of Charleston have taken the rigorous Charleston Tour Guide Exam and are licensed by the City of Charleston and are extremely passionate about the past. They’re experienced storytellers who make the lore ripe in your imagination. Our guides are one of the best sources you can find in the city for history — and the best in the city for a guided walking tour of the Lowcountry.

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"The historic tour of Charleston was an enjoyable, informative experience. The guide was very knowledgeable on the area and was able to show us some of the more quirky parts of Charleston. She also made a strong effort to ensure there was plenty of opportunity to ask questions and answered all of the questions asked. I would recommend this tour!"

"Our walk started at the beautiful city hall building. Amy, our tour guide, was adorably sweet, dressed in all shades of pink and beige from her hat to her boots. She's very very knowledgeable and friendly and answered all of our questions with grace and authority. You can tell she really loves her city and loves sharing it with visitors. My husband is so convinced that he now wants to move here. Great job Amy! Thank you for an amazingly insiteful tour."

"Second walking tour of Charleston and I would say amazing. Our guide, Evans, is a born and raised Charleston guy. He knows everything, I actually took notes so I could take my husband on the walk the next day. Good stories. Only one thing is 2 hours is enough by then everyone is brain dead. I would highly recommend this tour, plus he guided several of us to a restaurant with a fabulous lunch, Poogan’s porch."

"I have been on several tours of Charleston, but Amy walked us by and through places I had never been as well as a few of the places other tours include. After finding out where your members were from and their interests, she included information in her tour that touched on those. She also provided a list of favorite places both downtown and in nearby areas. Though we saw many places, I didn’t feel like I was rushed from one place to the next."

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A Historic Charleston Residence Rediscovers Its Youth—and, Yes, It Still Has Swag-and-Tail Curtains

Its cypress-paneled drawing room is considered one of the most distinguished 18th-century rooms in America.

Not every home jumps off the curb to embrace you. But the Branford-Horry House, with its sidewalk-hugging columns outstretched to the edge of Meeting Street in Charleston, South Carolina, has never been shy.

Since about 1751 she’s stood here, a Georgian beauty proudly face forward on a prominent corner, while many neighboring Charleston Single Houses demurely glance to the side. Her extroverted architecture—three stories of stuccoed brick with those columns supporting double piazzas (from an 1820s Regency-style addition)—projects a warm hospitality, or at least it did to Sarah Rose Johnson.

“I grew up in a house very much like this—a central hall with a pair of rooms flanking either side,” says Johnson, who was raised a few blocks away and was moving back to her hometown from New York City, now with her husband, James, and son, Henry, in tow. Like most locals she was familiar with this National Register property: Its prime location and hovering-over-the-sidewalk presence make it unique among Charleston’s beautiful old homes.

As a passerby “I’d always loved it,” she says, and as soon as she walked in with her real estate agent and “took maybe six steps from the front door to the stairwell, I knew, This is it,” before looking at the rest of the house. Thanks to Johnson’s passion for preservation and a previous internship with Jayne Design Studio in New York, her instincts were well honed.

Look Inside this Historic Charleston Home

The home’s generously proportioned rooms crowned with pristine period molding, original Delft tile fireplaces with handsome mantels, and standout cypress-paneled drawing room—considered “one of the most distinguished 18th-century rooms in America,” according to the home’s historical marker—all appealed to her classical tastes.

“I loved the Georgian pureness,” says Johnson. But she also wanted to temper the formality. As a child, “I was rarely allowed on my parents’ silk sofas,” she says. “That’s not going to work for us. We’ve got a dog and a six-year-old who loves dinosaurs. I want to host kids’ birthday parties and not worry.”

Which isn’t to say Johnson didn’t appreciate her parents’ sense of style. In fact, she turned to their decorator and her former boss, Thomas Jayne, and senior designer William Cullum to help her infuse this manse with youthful energy.

“I remember decorating Sarah’s childhood bedroom with orange geraniums on white chintz,” says Jayne, laughing. “She shares our firm’s reverence for history, yet we both also believe that tradition is now, that traditional aspects can be brought forward in a contemporary way.”

Sure, antiques are grand, but so is a custom Soane Britain rattan table topped with a splashy turquoise planter as the drawing room’s centerpiece. Draperies in that room echo period styles, but textile historian Natalie Larson crafted them out of sheer fabric “so we get that historic silhouette but plenty of sunlight,” says Cullum, who led the design process, drawing on his extensive local knowledge having studied historic preservation at the College of Charleston and interned with Historic Charleston Foundation.

“Sarah wanted a happy, relaxed house, where every room is used,” he says, noting that protective interior easements limited what could be altered. Plus there was his client’s stipulation: no ornate chandeliers.

Instead lanterns from Charleston’s Urban Electric Co. anchor the entry hall and kitchen, while in the two front rooms, gilt metal chandeliers commissioned from Howe London “have the implied geometry and volume of Victorian gasoliers but in contemporary form.”

Upstairs, a gem-colored rug indirectly inspired by 19th-century examples from much more informal spaces lends a kick-your-shoes-off feel to the noble drawing room, where Audubon prints add personality (and nod to the renowned painter who had deep connections here) and an antique dolphin-footed card table—an auction find—evokes one by the same maker in the nearby Aiken-Rhett House museum , which Cullum knew well from his childhood in South Carolina. These rare tables were crafted for the sophisticated Charleston market, he explains, “so bringing it home here is perfect.”

And then there’s the portrait above the mantel, overlooking this exquisite cypress time machine. “That’s Elizabeth Savage Branford,” says Johnson of her many-generations-removed relative who inherited the property from an uncle and built the home with her husband, William Branford.

Though the portrait had been in the family, “I had no idea of the connection until recently,” says Johnson. “Now she’s come home.”

As, indeed, has Johnson. Cullum grins. “It’s the most Charleston thing ever.”

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Historic City Tour

Quick Details

• Hour Glass Duration: 1.5 hours
• Map Marker Departure Location: 375 Meeting St. Charleston SC

Checkmark Easy Cancellations!

Discover Over 300 Years of City History

Take a journey through Charleston’s 300 years of living history with our licensed tour guides. Experience the Old Market area and the historic homes and churches where generations of Charlestonians worked, lived, and worshiped. Step out of the air-conditioned minibus onto the famous Battery Seawall.

• Charleston’s Historic Homes
• The Battery Sea Wall
• Historic Churches
• Old Market Area
• The Four Corners of Law
• Rainbow Row

Please Note

• Please confirm date and times before submitting reservation.
• Please note that booking times are exact and not an arrival window.
• Changes may be made on a space-available basis.
• Departs from the Visitors Center at 375 Meeting Street.
• Must cancel scheduled tour 24 hours prior to tour departure time in order to receive a full refund.
• Please note the City of Charleston does not allow hop-on-hop-off services.
• Daily tours begin at 10:00 a.m.
• We are committed to responsible tourism and traveler safety.

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Historic City Tour and Fort Sumter Tour

Tour Fort Sumter, “where the Civil War began,” plus visit historic areas around Charleston on this combo bus tour. Points of interest include Battery Seawall & more.

• Hour Glass 1.5 hours

Historic City Tour & Charleston Museum

Enjoy your tour of Charleston as your guide points out important sights, and visit the Charleston Museum to learn all about the South Carolina Lowcountry and natural history.

Historic City Tour & Southern Mansion Combo

See historic Charleston’s many points of interest and tour the interior of a fully restored southern mansion on this exciting combo tour with Gray Line.

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ARCHITECTURE, HISTORY, AND GARDENS

October 9 – november 2, 2024.

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Tickets on sale July 1

Each Saturday from 2 – 5 PM, guests have the opportunity to experience some of Charleston’s exceptional homes and gardens. Enjoy going from site to site at your leisure, where volunteer docents are stationed to interpret the history, architecture, and gardens. Each tour includes a unique set of 6-8 properties and features a variety of interiors and exteriors.

The Insider’s Architecture series takes guests inside some of Charleston’s finest buildings, seldom open to the public. These tours are led by noted professionals such as architects, contractors, or architectural historians, with interpretation focused on Charleston’s unique architectural styles, preservation ethic, and interior design. Each tour includes a unique set of 3-4 properties and lasts approximately 2 – 2.5 hours.

The Insider’s History series is designed for avid history buffs and are led by noted professionals such as historians, researchers, and scholars. These tours will explore various private homes of Charleston and will focus on the history of the site and neighborhood, as well as the stories and people behind the place. Each tour includes a unique set of 3-4 properties and lasts approximately 2 – 2.5 hours.

Insider’s Garden tours are designed for garden enthusiasts and are led by notable professionals such as landscape architects, garden designers, and horticulturalists. In addition to visiting some of the city’s most beautiful private gardens, guests will also learn about subjects ranging from the latest gardening trends to Charleston’s vast horticultural history, and its diverse flora and fauna. Each tour includes a unique set of 4-5 gardens and lasts approximately 2 – 2.5 hours.

Explore the streets of Charleston while learning more about the historical events, people, and cultures that have shaped our city. PSC walking tours are designed and led by professional, certified tour guides and scholars. Offerings change from day to day. Walking tours last approximately 2 – 2.5 hours.

Now in its 47th year, this year’s Fall Tours offerings are designed to maximize the educational experience for guests while minimizing impacts in the historic district. Join us as we venture into the city’s storied streets, landscapes, and buildings.

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Fall tours gold sponsor, fall tours silver sponsor.

THE 10 BEST Charleston Historical & Heritage Tours

Historical & heritage tours in charleston.

• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Sightseeing Tours
• Walking Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers

• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour

2. Magnolia Plantation Admission & Tour with Transportation from Charleston

3. Fort Sumter Admission and Self-Guided Tour with Roundtrip Ferry

4. 90-Minute Charleston City Sightseeing Bus Tour

5. Charleston Harbor History Day-Time or Sunset Boat Cruise

6. Boone Hall Plantation All-Access Admission Ticket

7. Charleston City Sightseeing Bus Tour

8. Hidden Alleyways and Historic Sites Small-Group Walking Tour

9. Manager's Special Early Bird Horse & Carriage Tour of Charleston

10. Charleston See-It-All Sightseeing Bus Tour

11. Charleston Pirates and Ghosts Tour

12. Charleston's Pleasing Terrors Night-Time Walking Ghost Tour

13. Boone Hall Plantation Admission & Tour with Transportation from Charleston

14. Middleton Place Guided Tour with Lunch and Transportation

15. Middleton Place Admission with Self Guided Tour and Lunch

16. Undiscovered Charleston: Half Day Food, Wine & History Tour with Cooking Class

17. Storied Charleston Walking Tour by Author Liz Duren

18. Daytime Horse-Drawn Carriage Sightseeing Tour of Historic Charleston

19. Charleston Haunted Booze and Boos Ghost Walking Tour

20. Highlights of Charleston Guided Walking Tour

21. Sip History in a Secret Speakeasy Cocktail Class

22. Day Trips to Charleston#7 See Ft Sumter,CarriageTour,Lunch & more

23. Charleston Ghost & Graveyard Night-Time Guided Walking Tour

24. Historic Charleston Walking Tour: Rainbow Row, Churches, and More

25. Get Out of Town! Lighthouses, Beaches and Forts Tour! Folly to Sullivan's Island

26. Half Day Private Tour throughout Charleston Historic Locations

27. The Death and Depravity Ghost Tour in Charleston

28. Lost Stories of Black Charleston Walking Tour

29. Paranormal Investigation: YOU are the Ghost Hunter

30. Middleton Place Plantation - 3 hour guided tour - hotel pickup

What travelers are saying.

• Fort Sumter Admission and Self-Guided Tour with Roundtrip Ferry
• Charleston’s Old South Carriage Historic Horse & Carriage Tour
• Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour
• 90-Minute Charleston City Sightseeing Bus Tour
• Real Hauntings of Charleston! (Small Group Ghost Tour)
• Charleston Historic Tours
• Harborview Charters
• Charleston Harbor Tours
• Spirit of South Carolina
• Pineapple Tour Group
• Charleston Pirate Tours
• Heart Of Charleston Walking Tours
• Oyster Point Historic Walking Tours
• Lowcountry Walking Tours
• Free Tours by Foot
• Charleston Sole Walking Tours

Historic Charleston Tours

Charleston's Premiere Tour Company

What We Offer

There are plenty of reasons why travelers gravitate towards Charleston — it’s a great place that allows you to enjoy a sunset sail and soak up the sun at neighboring beaches, admire the city’s colorful architecture, and sample the city’s finest southern fare. With centuries-old traditions and so much history, it’s important to choose the right tour guide to make your experience truly memorable.

Our licensed city guide, Mike Frederick, has lived in the old and historic district for over two decades. This allows him to give you a perspective that few others can. Mike will help you visit obscure pathways and learn 350-year-old traditions that are still exercised today. Anyone that meets our city guide will be able to witness how much he truly adores Charleston through the enthusiasm he brings to every tour he offers.

A few things you should know when choosing your guide. At one point it was illegal for an unlicensed person to give a tour in Charleston. That law was challenged and now anyone can give a tour. Also, you should know that tour guide companies are allowed to have tours with up to 20 people. We feel that’s too many both for the person taking the tour and for the neighborhood. Finally, the larger tour guide companies have wonderful guides, of course, but the turnover is high and you have no way to choose your guide. Our licensed city guide, Mike Frederick, has lived in the old and historic district for over two decades. This allows him to give you a perspective that few others can. Mike will help you visit obscure pathways and learn 350-year-old traditions that are still exercised today. Anyone that meets our city guide will be able to witness how much he truly adores Charleston through the enthusiasm he brings to every tour he offers. As one of Charleston’s best tour guide, Mike’s main priority is to ensure you truly familiarize yourself with the ins and outs of this beautiful city before the tour comes to an end.

-Mike Frederick

Pleasantly surprised! Tripadvisor review: Historic Charleston Tour, Civil War in Charleston Tour Mike was extremely friendly and well informed about the area we were in. His stories mixed with the history was great at showing the character and history of Charleston and some of its unknown facts. Was a nice and easy tour and you would never of known of so...

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Charleston House and Garden Tour

March 21 - march 23.

The Annual House Charleston House an Garden tour is 88 years in the making. Visitors can tour some of Charleston’s most beautiful private homes and gardens during the 2024 Springtime tour from March 21-23, 2024  Purchase your tickets online to the  2024 Annual House & Gardens Tours   to experience this annual event.

Proceeds for this event go toward the maintenance and upkeep of many of Charleston’s historic houses and gardens.  Purchase tickets online  in advance.

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Where you should go in charleston now.

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Charleston, South Carolina's historic French Quarter skyline.

If you amble down Legare (pronounced Luh-gree) Street, one of the prettiest streets in Charleston’s South of Broad, you pass filigree ironwork gates and secret gardens, antebellum mansions and live oaks. Then suddenly, in front of one of the mansions, there’s a large stone half circle on the street.

An example of the intricate iron gates in front of Charleston mansions and gardens

“Can you guess what that is,” asks Bill Harris, founder, co-owner and extremely knowledgeable private guide of Oyster Point Tours which specializes in detailed, authentic walking tours around the city. I ask whether it relates to the cotton or rice trade, the industries that led to the fortunes of many of the former residents of this street. A mark of a secret society? An industrial accident? “Think of a woman wearing a voluminous hoop skirt climbing into a carriage,” Harris says. “She can’t get into it from the street but she can if she stands on this stone, half of a grinding wheel.” In that moment, one image makes history come alive; it’s easy to imagine the personalities, the social life, the day to day activities of this street and with it, of this beguiling city.

The mansions of The Battery facing Charleston Harbor

Charleston has long been admired as the belle of the south, with street upon cobblestone street lined with those terraced, colorful mansions and flowering trees. The history, of course, is more complicated than that. When you stand on the Battery and look across Charleston harbor, you can see Fort Sumter, the attack on which started the Civil War. Looking out through the windows of the impressive International African American Museum which opened last year and describes the African diaspora in extensive detail, you see Gadsden’s Wharf where an estimated 40% of African captives entered this country as slaves. In 2018, the Charleston City Council passed a resolution acknowledging and apologizing for its slavery role.

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The colorful houses of Rainbow Row.

On a lighter note, even the city’s very proper image may not be as true as it seems. “Charleston is a drinking town with a history problem,” according to a guide I overheard walking his guests past the multicolored houses of Rainbow Row. It may not be as obvious about it as a well known party town like New Orleans, which it reportedly exceeds in alcohol consumption, but residents clearly like to have a good time and the lively bar and restaurant scene reflects it.

The Citrus Club terrace

Among the best of many options: The Citrus Club atop the Dewberry Hotel combines cocktails with rooftop views of the city; the subterranean Bar Vauté below Brasserie La Banque has more of a speakeasy feel; Proof , street level on King Street, specializes in high end craft cocktails with a large list for wines by the glass. Other popular bars also feature top notch food such as Xiao Bao Biscuit located in a former gas station with a pan-Asian menu and 39 Rue de Jean , a lively, brick walled brasserie.

A selection of dishes at Vern's

The restaurant scene is, as always, energetic with some familiar chefs back on the scene in new ventures. The Elliotborough neighborhood bistro Vern’s represents a return to town of Bethany and Dano Heinze, formerly behind the Charleston institution McCrady’s, and it’s a tough reservation to get. (There are, however, seats at the small bar for walk-ins.) The menu is American/Lowcountry/idiosyncratic with sizeable portions of really delicious options such as Jumbo Lump Crab Cake with Cherry Bomb Pepper, Cabbage and Smoked Hollandaise, Grilled Pork Loin with Lion’s Mane Mushrooms, Sweet Potato and Black Truffles, the scalloped pasta Campanelli with rabbit, black pepper and Vacche Rosse cheese (Parmigiano Reggiano taken to the next level) and Charred Sourdough with Allium Butter and Dill.

Crispy quail at Lowland

After 15 years and a James Beard Award at the ongoing culinary powerhouse FIG, Jason Stanhope opened Lowland alongside the Method Co. team last November in the former Lequeux-Williams House, a former private residence that dates to 1834 on George Street, now part of The Pinch hotel complex. Originally, the three dining rooms, each decorated with early Americana artifacts and wall coverings/murals featured a tavern menu downstairs and tasting menu upstairs but all three serve the tavern a la carte menu now and the flavors displayed are enticingly vivid. Among the appealing featured dishes: Chicken + Shrimp Skewers which deserve a better name because they’re a piquant/slightly sweet knob of lacquered chicken wrapped around the shrimp not pieces stacked alongside; Covington Sweet Potato Ravioli with brown butter, sage and amaretti; Rigatoni + Calabrian Pork Ragu; Crispy Quail and Pork Cutlet Parmigiana. Plus, for dessert, an irresistible version of a classic English dessert: Banoffee Pudding.

The Quinte Oyster Bar

Across the alley from Lowland and also part of The Pinch, The Quinte Oyster Bar originally opened in 2022 and reopened under Stanhope’s direction also in November. The curated menu includes a daily changing menu of local oysters, Tuna Crudo with Salsa Criolla and Horseradish, Seafood Chowder, Chilled Tarvin Shrimp with fancy Cognac sauce and soft serve vanilla ice cream with either aged balsamico and extra virgin olive oil or brown butter and pecans.

Roasted oysters with Creole butter and hushpuppy crumble at Delaney Oyster House

Naturally, in a city renowned for its seafood, it isn’t alone. James London, the chef of Chubby Fish , down the street from Vern’s, was recently named a 2024 James Beard Award semifinalist for his globetrotting creations such as Grilled Oysters with crab fat curry and cashews. A panoply of seafood, some with a distinctly Latin tilt and all of it sparkling fresh, fills the menu of Delaney Oyster House; dishes include Roasted Oysters with Creole Butter and Hushpuppy Crumble, Spanish Octopus and Royal Red Shrimp and Bucatini. Fleet Landing is a longstanding, reliable spot for Seafood Towers, Crab Cakes, Fried Seafood Platters, Blue Crab Dip and She-Crab Soup with waterfront views from the terrace overlooking the Cooper River. And smack in the middle of the historic district on East Bay Street, Amen Street Fish & Raw Bar is brimming with oyster varieties and dishes such as Sweet and Spicy Shrimp and Lowcountry Seafood Pirlou (Charleston’s version of Jambalaya.) It’s also across the street from Carmella’s Cafe and Dessert Bar with its large, rich, sweet and incredibly popular (order online to avoid waiting on line) chocolate peanut butter, carrot and cannoli cakes.

A bedroom at The Pinch

Where to Stay: With both Lowland and The Quinte Oyster Bar as part of the hotel, guests of The Pinch might not feel the need to have a kitchen but each of the 25 suites spread among three buildings here has one and a deluxe one at that with marble or black walnut countertops and top of the line appliances. The overall tone of the hotel is fresh and contemporary but with a mix of designs and furnishings from different eras giving it a more layered, nuanced depth. It’s also on the corner of George and King Streets, nirvana for shoppers given the lineup on King Street and for checking out other restaurant options. The only drawback: suites facing busy King Street directly may get some street noise; additional soundproofing would be useful.

Outdoor seating at Zero George

In contrast, the tenor of Zero George at the other end of George Street, could not be quieter and more relaxing; behind tall gates, it’s a complex of five 1800s-era buildings with historic residences and brick carriage houses surrounding a private garden courtyard with separate areas of chairs, couches and tables. Guests use them during the day for alfresco dining with the generous complimentary breakfasts, including flaky biscuits and a cooked kitchen option, the complimentary wine and charcuterie hour at 5:00 every day and for general hanging out in-between sightseeing and after dinner.

The whimsical presentations of the opening acts including foie gras and steak tartare of the ... [+] Restaurant at Zero George tasting menu.

The overall tone is cossetting and old fashioned in the best way: traditional, European-influenced décor in the 16 suites and one-to-three-bedroom residences and a staff that seemingly can’t do enough for guests. The property is also home to The Caviar Bar and the esteemed Restaurant at Zero George from chef Vinson Petrillo (who also recently opened the coastal Italian restaurant Costa in town) which draws locals and guests from other hotels in town for creative, whimsical tasting menus with courses that actually taste as good as they look. And positioned on the corner of East Bay Street, it’s an easy walk south from the hotel to the major historical sites. (Also since the restaurant doesn’t serve lunch, it’s an easy walk to Ted’s Butcherblock , a market and cafe around the corner to pick up a sandwich such as their bestselling Wagyu beef with caramelized onions, sauteed mushrooms and blue cheese aioli on a ciabatta roll.) If there weren’t so much else to see and try in town, though, it would be tempting for guests to not leave the grounds at all.

Filet Mignon topped with fried oysters, BBQ oysters and Skillet corn bread with honey butter at The ... [+] Independent.

While in Charleston: It’s easy to venture north or south for a sidetrip. About an hour north, the historic town of Georgetown is a fishing mecca with tournaments from January through April; kayaking tours are also available through tranquil coastal rivers. The town also has a new, design forward boutique hotel The George with a restaurant The Independent featuring spins on Southern dishes such as She-Crab Soup, BBQ Clams, Skillet Corn Bread with Honey Butter, Blackened Flounder with Lump Crab & Andouille Sausage Pileau and Hummingbird (spice) Cake with Brown Butter Cream Cheese Icing, Salted Caramel Sauce and Spiced Pecans that are so delicious they would justify a trip here on their own.

The Dunlin, Auberge Resorts Collection, set to open on Johns Island south of Charleston in August.

In the other direction, Kiawah Island Golf Resort , a well-known residential beach and golf destination, is an hour south of the city. Set to open in August on the banks of the Kiawah River on nearby Johns Island: The Dunlin, Auberge Resorts Collection will feature 72 rooms in breezy, Southern style of honey oak floors, mint green accents and rustic prints along with a classic Southern menu and activities utilizing the 20 miles of waterfront.

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