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Charleston Attractions and Tours

Enjoy all Charleston SC has to offer!
Enjoy all Charleston SC has to offer! © Audra L. Gibson

There are many reasons why Conde Naste Travel Magazine has named Charleson it's Top US City multiple years running. Charleston is home to superb shrimp and grits, she crab soup, historic homes, blooming gardens, world class women's tennis, glistening harbors and tidal creeks, warm sandy beaches, America's only tea plantation, Darius Rucker, and Bill Murray. The list goes on and on. It's easy to see why hundreds of thousands of people visit every year, and why some decide to pack up their homes and make Charleston a permanent residence.

 

There are quite a few attractions in Charleston that make the city, well, attractive. Below are some of our favorites. Whenever we can, we try to offer discounts, so look for our coupon links or discount booking codes associated with the tours and attractions featured. Click below or browse our Charleston Attractions section to find out more.

Book a discounted Charleston Carriage Tour of the downtown historic district.

Charleston Carriage Tour

Tour 25-30 blocks of one of the largest historic districts in the world by carriage tour. As you ride, a tour guide licensed with the city of Charleston will give you the history and background of what you are seeing. Get a glimpse of historic homes, gardens, and government buildings on one of Charleston's most popular tours with Palmetto Carriage Works. Discount code: travelingink

Learn more about Charleston carriage tours.    Book a carriage tour now.

 Book a Charleston Harbor Tour. Image provided by Charleston Harbor Tours. All Rights Reserved.

Charleston Harbor Tours

Spend 90 minutes seeing Charleston and Mt. Pleasant from the water while cruising the Charleston Harbor. The 80 foot Carolina Belle offers views from two decks, one open air, and one climate controlled. Dolphins are frequent visitors as guests get views of Waterfront Park, Fort Sumter, the Battery, the USS Yorktown, and the Ravenel Bridge as their guide gives them information as they pass. Discount code: travelingink

Learn more about Charleston carriage tour.    Book a harbor tour now.

 Enjoy a sailing trip on Charleston Harbor aboard the Schooner Pride. Image courtesy of Charleston Harbor Tours. All Rights Reserved.

Schooner Pride Sailing

Sail from the Aquarium Wharf aboard this 84 foot ship modeled after 18th century coastal trading ships that would have frequented the Carolinas. She sails with the tides and the wind so each trip aboard the Pride is slightly different. Afternoon dolphin sails and sunset sails are available daily. Discount code: travelingink

Learn more about sailing aboard the Schooner Pride.    Purchase sailing tickets with our online coupon code.

 

 Egrets build a nest in Magnolia Plantation's Audubon Swamp. © 2017 Audra L. Gibson. All Rights Reserved.

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens

Visit South Carolina's first tourism attraction and only romantic style garden! The garden is planted with rotating blooms so there is something blooming in every season. Guests can enjoy the historic gardens, petting zoo, the conservatory, orientation theatre, Peacock Cafe, and more! Print out a coupon or book below with our discount code: travelingink10

 

Learn more about Charleston carriage tour.    Book a discounted tour of Magnolia Plantation now.

 

 Boone Hall Plantation House from the garden. © 2017 Audra L. Gibson. All Rights Reserved.

Boone Hall Plantation

Established in 1681, Boone Hall Plantation sits on the Wampacheone Creek in modern day Mt. Pleasant. Tours opened to the public in the 1950s and include the plantation house tour, garden grounds, butterfly pavillion, slave history presentation and cabins, plantation coach tour, Gullah culture presentation, and the avenue of oaks. Morning and afternoon tours depart from the Charleston Visitors Bureau bus departure area daily giving guests 3 hours to explore the grounds and exhibits at Boone Hall. Discount code: travelingink10  

Learn more about Charleston carriage tour.    Book a discounted tour of Boone Hall Plantation now.

 

 Charleston City Bus Tour. See it all. © 2017 Audra L. Gibson. All Rights Reserved.

See It All City Bus Tour

Enjoy a fun, informative 1.5 hour tour of downtown Charleston as a knowledgeable tour guide shares 350 years of history while driving you through the streets of the Lowcountry. Highlights include views of the Citadel Military College, Hampton Park, the historic district including the residential area, Rainbow Row, a number of historic churches, the City Market, White Point Gardens and the Battery.

Learn more about Charleston city tours by bus.    Book a Charleston City Bus Tour.

 

 Charleston Culinary Tours table spread.

Charleston Culinary Tours

Charleston is a favorite for foodies and understandably so. Chose from a 2.5 to 3 hour tour where you go from one restaurant stop to the next to learn about the Charleston culinary scene and what is inspiring Lowcountry chefs. And, of course, there are samples at each stop along the way. You won't leave hungry! Discount code: travelingink4

Learn more about Charleston carriage tour.    Book a Charleston Culinary tour now.

 

 Charleston Mixology Tour

Charleston Mixology Tour

Guests will enjoy a 1.5 hour tour of three downtown Charleston watering holes. Sample a specialty cocktail at each of the stops following an overview from the mixologist behind the bar. As you travel from one stop to the next, your guide will fill you in on the skinny behind Charleston's cocktail culture. Discount code: travelingink3

Learn more about Charleston carriage tour.    Book a Charleston Mixology tour now.

 

 Fighter jet on the deck of the USS Yorktown, Charleston, SC. © 2016 Audra L. Gibson. All Rights Reserved.

Patriots Point and the USS Yorktown

Tours depart in the morning and give guests approximately 4 hours to explore the Medal of Honor Museum, Vietnam Experience, the USS Laffey Battleship, the Cold War Memorial, and the decks of the USS Yorktown. Tour prices include transportation from any downtown pick-up location to Patriots Point and back. Come experience military history. 

Learn more about Charleston carriage tour.    Book a trip to Patriots Point Military Museum now.

 

 Book a carriage tour, Powder Magazine tour and Charleston house museum tour in one.

Charleston Triple Tour - Three Tours in One

Enjoy three of Charleston's best attractions in one ticket price! Guests will start with a carriage tour of the downtown historic district, followed by a trip to the Powder Magazine Museum, and wrap up the day with a tour of one of downtown Charleston's historic house museums. Guests will be escorted from one attraction to the next by a knowledgeable Traveling Ink team member. Ticket price includes all three attractions. Price does not include lunch or gratuity.

Learn more about Charleston carriage tour.    Book three great tours in one with the Charleston Triple Tour.

 

 Historic Charleston Trivia Hunt © 2017 Audra L. Gibson. All Rights Reserved.

Historic Charleston Trivia Hunt

Looking for a fun way for your group to learn about Charleston at your own pace? Check out this interactive text-driven Charleston Trivia Hunt. This is a group activity and requires a minimum of 6 guests to book. 

Learn more about Charleston carriage tour.    Book a harbor tour now.

 Charleston Steeplechase Running Tour

Steeplechase Running Tour

Enjoy a light running pace as you traverse the historic district of Charleston with your Steeplechase tour guide. This 1.5 hour tour and low-key workout makes 10-12 stops along a 3.5 mile route enabling guests to enjoy historic homes, beautiful iron work, churches, gardens, parks, and public buildings. Discount code: traveling

Learn more about sailing aboard the Schooner Pride.    Purchase running tour tickets with our online coupon code.

 

 Charleston Surf Lessons. © 2014 Audra L. Gibson. All Rights Reserved.

Charleston Surf Lessons

Looking to improve your skills or want to check learning to surf off your bucket list? Gorgeous beaches and manageable waves make Folly Beach an excellent place to learn how to surf or hone your skills. Experienced instructors offer lessons from 8:30am-4:30pm daily and will provide all the equipment and instruction you need to get out on the water. Discount code: travelingink3 

Learn more about Charleston carriage tour.    Book a discounted Charleston surfing lesson.

 

 Kayaking Shem Creek with Coastal Expeditions

Coastal Expeditions Kayak Tours

Chose from one of three locations, Shem Creek, Isle of Palms, or Folly Creek, to embark on your kayak tour of Lowcountry waters. Birds of all kind including pelicans, egrets, and herons are frequent visitors as well as dolphins, and even the ocassional stingray or manatee. The tour guides are dedicated naturalists who are eager to share the natural beauty and wildlife of Lowcountry waterways for paddlers at most any level of experience. Discount code: traveling

Learn more about Charleston carriage tour.    Book a discounted Charleston kayak tour.



 **Traveling Ink does it's best to try to keep the attraction and tour pages up to date, but advises guests it is always a good idea to double check with the venue in regard to hours of operation or any holiday or weather closures. If a guest has any question about a tour, location, or event on the website, we welcome them to send us a message on our contact form. We will do our best to get back to you within 24 hours.

 

Last modified on Tuesday, 16 March 2021 23:15
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*Traveling Ink cares about the safety of our guests and affiliate partners. While the site will attempt to provide up to date, accurate information, please understand that Covid 19 may cause last minute cancellations or alternative service offerings. We trust our affilate partners to make good safety decisions for guests and team members and stand behind their efforts to make wise choices. Traveling Ink is a Charleston travel and event planning expert, not an infectious disease expert. So, when in doubt, consult the CDC, World Health Organization, or your trusted physician for advisement. Stay safe out there.

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