Charleston Footprints Walking Tour

3.9 (57 reviews) 2 hours – 2 h 15 min Free cancellation

out of 5

57 reviews

3.9

Water Street at High Battery — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

St Michael's Church bells have rung on the quarter hour since 1779 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Tour with us with confidence that you are touring with the best in the business. Our guides are licensed by the city and are Palmetto Guild Certified. Our guides are full time veterans with 90 years combined experience in the industry. We strive every time to provide our guests a tour experience that edifies, entertains and informs.

Since we are fluent in all topics related to Charleston, no two tours are alike, taking into consideration the interests of our guests, the weather, and physical disabilities. We can talk pirates to pyracanthas, Revolution to Regency style. Come along and learn Charleston's rich and complex story from engaging and knowledgeable guides with a passion for Charleston, America's Most Historic City!

Questions are encouraged!

Private and Luxury Cultural Tours Historical Tours Walking Tours Short term availability Weather Dependent - Low Agent Low Quality Product

At a glance

Duration: 2 hours – 2 h 15 min
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 20 people
People per booking: 1–15
Guide: English
Operated by: Charleston Footprints Tours

Ages: Infants (0–3 years) · Children (4–11 years) · Adults (12–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: All Fees and Taxes

Not included

Not included: Alcoholic beverages is strictly for 18 years old and above only
Not included: Lunch

Itinerary

Stop 1

7 min

The Old Exchange and Provost (1771)was built to collect tarriffs and fees at the port. A building of National importance, it was here that South Carolina declared independence in 1776. The British used it as a prison from 1780-1782, the Constitution was here ratified, ans Ptrdident George Washington was entertained in 1791.
Rainbow Row

5 min

This row of 18th century buildings in the Georgian and Jacobean styles looked out at wharves on the harbor. In the 1930s the dilapidated buildings were restored as residences and are perhaps the first successful venture in Charleston's early preservation movement.
St. Michael's Church

8 min

Charleston's oldest church (1761) is substantially intact to its 18th century design. Some windows feature stained glass by Louis Tiffany and Company. Two signers of the Constitution arelaid to rest in the graveyard. Notably, the church bells have crossed the Atlantic Ocean five times!
Dock Street Theater

10 min

in 1937, the Work Projects Administration created a play house in the style of the eighteenth century. Research had proven that the first dedicated theater space in British North America, also called the Dock Street Theater, was built on the very same ground in 1736.
St. Philip's Anglican Church

10 min

The oldest congregation, founded 1680. National figures, including a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and a signer of the Constitution, are laid to rest in the graveyard. St Philip's has worshiped at this sight since 1723.
Circular Congregational Church

15 min

This congregation has worshipped at the same site since 1681. The Church of the Colonial Townspeople has fine slate tombsones from the eighteenth century.
The Powder Magazine

5 min

Built to house gunpowder in 1713, it is the oldest public use structure between St Augustine and Williamsburg.
Nathaniel Russell House

10 min

We walk through the garden, the design of landscape architect Loutrell Briggs. The house is perhaps the finest Adams/Federal style house available to tour in the country.
Battery & White Point Gardens

15 min

We stop at Charleston'd historic waterfront to discuss the Battle of Fort Sumter (1861) and the Battle of Fort Sullivan (1776). We admire and discuss the grand waterfront homes built as party palaces for the winter season prior to the Civil War.
Gibbes Museum of Art

Passing by

The Gibbes has been procuring Southern Art since 1858, and has an exceptional collection of miniature and full length portraits from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
Pink House Gallery

5 min

Charleston's oldest surviving entertainment venue, it was originally a tavern. Some sources date it as early as 1686. Its name derives not from the pink paint job, but rather the boldly pink coral rock of which it is constructed.
The Powder Magazine

5 min

This unique building was built specifically for gunpowder storage. Walls are 35" thick of brick, but the vaulted ceilings are just 2 bricks thick in the top, designed to blow up and not out in case of exposure. This Colonial Military Museum has been operated by the Colonial Dames since 1905.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

We meet at the corner of Meeting Street and Chalmers Street, which is cobblestone. GPS 108 Meeting Street . There are nearby parking garages at 85 Queen Street and 95 Queen street.

End point

Depending on weather and group topics, the tour can end in a number of spots that are never more than a 15 minute walk back to the start point.

Using your ticket

Meet your guide at 108 Meeting Street. Please arrive 15 minutes early for check in.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.
The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.