Waterfront Park: Our most recommended tours and activities

Charleston: Historical Downtown Tour by Horse-drawn Carriage

1. Charleston: Historical Downtown Tour by Horse-drawn Carriage

Ride in a traditional horse-drawn carriage through historic downtown Charleston on a guided tour. Listen to live commentary about the city as you pass by the Charleston Harbor, Rainbow Row, King Street, White Point Gardens, and Charleston Battery. Begin the tour at the activity provider's stables. Board a beautiful custom-built carriage and depart from the barn. Ride toward the city gate, located in the Old City Market. Learn about the city's rich history from a professional guide while traveling aboard a unique vehicle. Gaze at vibrant neighborhoods and elegant buildings from your seat. Experience the highlights of the historic downtown area, such as Charleston Harbor, Rainbow Row, 4 Corners of Law, King Street, White Point Gardens, and the Charleston Battery. Take in informative and entertaining commentary from your guide, before arriving back at the stables.

Charleston: Historic City Highlights Guided Bus Tour

2. Charleston: Historic City Highlights Guided Bus Tour

The bus tour departs from Charleston Visitor’s Center where you’ll hop on board a deluxe, climate-controlled shuttle for a 90-minute tour of the city’s historical highlights. Accompanied by a knowledgeable, local guide, pass by 100 of Charleston’s most iconic sights of the past and present whilst listening to amazing tales and anecdotes about the city. On your tour, travel through some of the city’s most historic parts. Visit Charleston’s Historic Homes, The Battery Sea Wall, the Four Corners of Law, and Rainbow Row to name but a few. Other highlights of the tour include several historic churches, old markets, and picturesque neighborhoods.

Charleston: 90-Minute Ghost and Dungeon Walking Tour

3. Charleston: 90-Minute Ghost and Dungeon Walking Tour

Test your nerve and explore the dark edges of Charleston's haunted historic district, deeply steeped in South Carolina's low country superstition on a guided walking tour. Venture through Charleston's haunted historic district, one of the oldest places in America, and learn about its terrifying history. Continue along the eerie back alleys and churches to find out why Charleston is known as "The Holy City." Visit the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon to learn about its harrowing past, confining enslaved people, American revolutionaries, and British soldiers.

Charleston: Experience Charleston's History on a Guided Walk

4. Charleston: Experience Charleston's History on a Guided Walk

Experience the chapters of Charleston's history on a guided walking tour and explore the cobblestone streets of the only English, walled city in North America. Glimpse into the city's complicated past, from its colonial roots to many natural disasters. Meet your guide, Al Ray, and set off on a sightseeing walk in the beautiful walled city of Charleston. Stroll along the cobblestone streets, lined with colorful pre- and post-colonial homes, storefronts, churches, and public buildings. Get swept up in Charleston's fascinating and turbulent history as Ray gives meaning to each stop with insider tales and legends. Read the ancient symbols on the tombstones and relive the phases of the city's history, from rapid growth and the age of piracy to the rise of the rice planters. Learn about the numerous disasters that have made their mark on Charleston, including seven major fires, hurricanes, epidemics, sieges, and bombardments, plus a devastating earthquake. Come away with a new understanding of Charleston and the people and events that shaped it.

Charleston: City Tour and Museum Combo

5. Charleston: City Tour and Museum Combo

Feel the past come alive on this combination tour in Charleston. Ride in comfort on a climate-controlled coach and discover Charleston's 300 years of living history with passionate licensed tour guides. Follow your bus tour with a visit to the Charleston Museum, one of the oldest museums in the United States. On your bus tour, experience the Old Market area and admire the historic homes and churches where generations of Charlestonians worked, lived, and worshipped. See and hear about Fort Sumter, the Harbor of History, and the Aircraft Carrier Yorktown at Patriots Point. Make sure to take your camera as you will have the opportunity to stop at the famous Battery Seawall and enjoy the spectacular views. Keep your camera handy when you pass by the colorful houses on Rainbow Row, too. Finally, dive into the history of the Holy City at the Charleston Museum, which was opened to the public nearly 200 years ago. Explore the exhibitions that cover the American Civil War, the natural history in the area, and much, much more.

Charleston Harbor 2-Hour Speedboat Adventure

6. Charleston Harbor 2-Hour Speedboat Adventure

Take the wheel and become the captain of your very own speed boat with this one-of-a-kind adventure tour. Experience driving your own boat while taking in the views from the Charleston harbor. This fully narrated tour takes you 13 miles through the world-famous Charleston Harbor. See everything while listening to a highly trained and professional guide through a two-way communication system.   You will have a once-in-a-lifetime view of the Battery, USS Yorktown Aircraft Carrier, Arthur Ravenel Jr Bridge, the downtown Charleston skyline, Waterfront Park, South Carolina Aquarium, the cruise ship terminal and all the wildlife that call Charleston Harbor home.  This is a great adventure for all ages.

Charleston: Historic Downtown Food Tour with Tastings

7. Charleston: Historic Downtown Food Tour with Tastings

Sample southern cuisine from several world-class restaurants located in the heart of Charleston’s Historic District, and learn a little history while you do it. Enjoy VIP access as you skip the line into some of Charleston’s top restaurants while skipping the line. Sample some Charleston's signature plates like: hushpuppies, carrot cake, she-crab soup, oysters, and shrimp and grits. Between restaurant stops, your guide will walk you through Charleston’s beautiful cobblestone streets, passing by iconic landmarks such as the Old Exchange building and the Pineapple fountain at Waterfront Park. Each stop is not a full meal, but by the end of our tour the samples should equal a full portion of food. Each stop at food establishments should be around 20 minutes total with the entirety of the tour coming in at about 2 hours long.

Charleston: Walking History and Bar Tour

8. Charleston: Walking History and Bar Tour

Sip your way through 300 years of local history on this guided tour of Downtown Charleston. Meet your guide at the first bar, where you will sample an appetizer and get the chance to purchase some of the area's finest local beers. As you savor your drink, listen to your guide's commentary of the historical roots of the city. From there, stroll through the charming alleyways and cobblestone streets of Charleston to several cultural sights including a dungeon, original city theater, and 300-year-old homes. Stop at a second bar and hear stories of the Prohibition era and its effects on the city's residents. Finish your tour at a local park near the waterfront for one last story.

Charleston: Self-Guided Audio History Walking Tour

9. Charleston: Self-Guided Audio History Walking Tour

Enjoy a journey of over 300 years of history in Charleston on a self-guided walking tour. Explore the French Quarter’s iconic sights, Old Customs House, and more at your own pace with the magic of an audio guide. You will receive the download instructions after booking. Download the app and start the tour with your mobile phone as your guide. Start your tour at the famous City Market and have a chance to grab a cup of coffee or a quick bite before stepping into a time machine to explore Charleston’s rich and fascinating past. Visit the scenic Pineapple Foundation in Waterfront Park, Old Exchange, and the Provost Building. Take a stroll down memory lane to visit some of the city’s oldest and best-preserved homes. Hear about the revolutionary Civil War and Charleston’s connection to the slave trade. Discover the facts about why George Washington stayed in the city for three days straight during his tour of the South. You will know the significance of the pineapple in the area. Walk through the beautiful lanes and hear the stories behind the famous buildings of Charleston. 

Charleston: Guided Pub Crawl and Haunted History Tour

10. Charleston: Guided Pub Crawl and Haunted History Tour

Embark on a guided pub crawl through the city of Charleston and hear the dark history lurking behind each turn. Learn about the colonists, pirates, and bootleggers that shaped the city over a few drinks. Visit Charleston's important sites, including Joe Riley Waterfront Park, The Pink House, the Old Exchange Provost Dungeon, and Powder Magazine. Follow in the footsteps of the pirates and bootleggers, and learn about the ghosts that linger in the dark corners of the city from your guide. Make stops along the route for a refreshing drink at The Griffon, Bar Vaute, Blind Tiger Pub, and Tommy Condon's Irish Pub. Trade stories over a few drinks and learn about local life and culture in Charleston.

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What people are saying about Waterfront Park

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 1,252 reviews

When planning the first, second, third, or twentith trip to Charleston, be sure to begin with a carriage ride. The information is different and just as informative with each driver. It is well worth the money to get information on newly discovered history and other areas of the city outside of the french quarters.

Linda was our guide for this excellent walking tour of Charleston. She was so knowledgeable of the history of Charleston and just a pleasure to spend 2 hours with. Highly recommend Linda

A must do to see Charleston historic district. Open air, in a delightful carriage. Learning history while seeing iconic architecture. A perfect experience for all ages.

We had a wonderful time on this tour. Our expert tour guide, Eric, was as knowledgeable as he was entertaining. This is a tour you won't want to miss!!

Beau was our tour guide. He was very nice and helpful. The tour was fun and interesting.