French Quarter Historic Charleston Walk

5.0 (117 reviews) 2 hours Free cancellation

out of 5

117 reviews

5.0

Church Street in the French Quarter — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Philadelphia Alley — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

This historical overview of Charleston's French Quarter highlights the Holy City's finest points of interest. Bring a camera to capture the beauty, and enjoy a breathtaking walk through colonial and early American architecture. Your native Charleston guide will show you unique landmarks with intriguing narratives of how these structures originated. The tour includes visits through cobblestone alleys and passages to admire the spectacular historic fabric of the district. The tour also includes an easy stroll along Charleston's majestic harbor with its castle and forts that shaped much of America's maritime and military history

Private and Luxury Cultural Tours Historical Tours Walking Tours Seasonal Excellent Quality Zombie Weather Dependent - Moderate

At a glance

Duration: 2 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 20 people
People per booking: 1–20
Guide: English
Operated by: Walks in History

Ages: Infants (0–5 years) · Children (6–14 years) · Adults (15–66 years) · Seniors (67–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Historic look at the French Quarter
Included: Professional Guide

Not included

Not included: Gratuities

Itinerary

Charleston Waterfront Park

10 min

Walk through the historic Vendue Range of markets on low water land owned by the Prioleau family who arrived in Charles Town in 1687 as an escape from Catholic religious persecution in Pons, France. See the majestic harbor's Castle Pinckney, Fort Sumter, and beautiful marshy islands that create the passage to the Atlantic Ocean.
Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon

5 min Admission not included

One of the top three most historic buildings in the U.S., according to the National Historic Registry. Guide explains in detail all of the unique attributes that make this building one of America's true historic gems.
Rainbow Row

10 min

Colorful waterfront bay buildings constructed along wharves with Dutch influence (Amsterdam) during the Age of Lord Proprietors and original walled city.
Pink House Gallery

Passing by

Known to be the oldest private building remaining in the French Quarter (1694-1712). The handmade, asymmetrical house set on the longest cobblestone street is built of Bermuda stone and resembles a charming man-sized dollhouse.
Charleston City Hall

5 min Admission included

Gabrielle Manigault (French Huguenot architect) designed one of the finest examples of Adamesque architecture in 1800 as a development of the Civic Square of the original Grand Modell plan of the walled city.
Old Slave Mart Museum

Passing by

One of the last vestiges of a barracoon (slave jail) which is a converted German fire station made into a gallery for the sales of the enslaved. 80 percent of what census term as African-Americans living in North America have ancestral roots in Charleston, South Carolina as a result of the 12 million people imported through the Atlantic slave trade.
St. Michael's Church

10 min

The oldest remaining in-tact church building left in the Holy City was built in 1752.
South Carolina Historical Society Museum

Passing by

First Fireproof Building in America built by Robert Mills who also designed the Washington Monument in D.C. (probably wishes the monument has been built as earthquake proof).
The Powder Magazine

5 min Admission not included

Oldest public building (1713) in the original walled city was used as a northern fortification during the age of Lords Proprietors.
French Huguenot Church

10 min

Gothic Revival French protestant church is the centerpiece of the French Quarter. This active church is the oldest and most famous in the U.S. Twenty-three of forty-five U.S. Presidents have French Huguenot ancestry!
Dock Street Theater

15 min Admission included

National historic landmark is known as the first building to hold theatrical performances in the U.S. First show was in 1735, a black comedy depicting the social and sexual exploits of two recruiting officers in Ireland.
Circular Congregational Church

10 min

First official "Meeting House" built on the corner of the original walled city in a Romaneque Revival Style. Three significant churches were created from the original congregation (Unitarian, First Scots, and United Church). Churchyard is home to the oldest tombstones on the peninsula.
Philadelphia Alley

10 min

Iconic alley way holds many historic attributes and lore.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Tour meets outside on the Prioleau Street side of City Gallery at 34 Prioleau Street. There are benches, shade trees, as well as water and public restrooms nearby.

End point

Tour meets outside on the Prioleau Street side of City Gallery at 34 Prioleau Street. There are benches, shade trees, as well as water and public restrooms nearby.

Using your ticket

Walks in History LLC
Departure location: 34 Prioleau Street, Charleston, SC
Please arrive 10-minutes before the tour starts to check in with your guide.
Tour leaves on time. If you are having any issues the day of the tour, call (803) 669-3003 before the tour starts.