St. Philip's Church is one of the most historically significant churches in Charleston. The current building, located at 142 Church Street in the historic district, was completed in 1838 and represents the third structure to house the congregation. The church features stunning white columns and a striking steeple that rises 200 feet, making it a prominent part of Charleston's skyline. It was designed in the Greek Revival style that was popular in the early 19th century. The church was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1973.
One notable feature of the church is it cemetery which contains the graves of many prominent historical figures, including Edward Rutledge, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and John C. Calhoun, who served as Vice President of the United States. There is actually a second graveyard across the street established in 1824 when the church needed additional burial space, and these age-old burial grounds have sparked many legends and reported ghost sightings, leading many to consider them among Charleston’s most haunted spots.
With nearly four centuries of history, Charleston is one of America's oldest cities. It is also one of the most remarkably well-preserved. Its complex and fascinating story is deeply intertwined with the early colonisation of America, the development of the Southern economy, the American Revolution, the Civil War, and the Civil Rights Movement. Enjoy a journey through the pages of the country's history books and experience the highlights of charming Charleston on this walking tour through the Old and Historic District at the heart of the city.
On your private walking tour, you will:
Your tour will begin at George Washington Square in Downtown Charleston, nestled within the Old and Historic District, which has enjoyed protected status as far back as 1931. Your guide will take you back to the early days of Charleston, explaining the circumstances in which British settlers established the port city of Charles Towne in 1670. As you pass by the house where President George Washington stayed during his visit to Charleston in 1791, you will hear tales of his Southern tour and how Charleston played a significant role in early American politics and society.
Your route will continue through the picturesque streets of the historic district as your guide gives you an overview of Charleston’s unique architectural styles. As you admire Rainbow Row, a series of vibrant historic homes, you will discover why these houses have maintained their colourful facades through the years and become an emblem of Old Charleston. You will then uncover why Charleston became known as ‘the Holy City’, discover the diverse religious heritage that helped shape Charleston’s identity and visit the only still-practicing French Huguenot Church in the United States.
As your journey continues, you will find out more about other key landmarks around Charleston Harbor such as The Battery, a defensive seawall lined with historic mansions, and the distant Fort Sumter, where the first shots of the Civil War were fired. You will also delve deeper into Charleston’s complex and sometimes painful past, discussing the impact of the slave trade on both the city and the wider state of South Carolina. Your guide will explain Charleston’s role as one of the largest ports for the transatlantic slave trade and the lasting effects of this dark chapter on the city’s history and culture.
The tour will end at the lively Charleston City Market, a bustling hub of activity since the early 1800s. You will have the opportunity to wander through an eclectic range of stalls filled with local crafts, produce, and southern delicacies. From sweetgrass baskets made by Gullah artisans to South Carolina’s culinary delights, this market is a delectable showcase of Charleston’s cultural heritage. By the end of your time together, you will no doubt be enamoured by Charleston’s vibrant history and particular Southern charm. Your guide will be happy to offer recommendations on how to spend the rest of your time in Charleston, from must-try restaurants to hidden historical gems, ensuring your visit to the city is truly unforgettable.
Charleston is the oldest city in South Carolina, with hundreds of years of bloody battles, rebellions, pirates, plots and political intrigue woven into its history. As such, it’s no surprise that there are plenty of ghosts believed to haunt the Holy City. There is no better way to discover some of Charleston’s most spine-chilling tales than on a private walking tour with a local expert guide. On our eerie evening experience, you’ll wander the streets after sundown to uncover the city’s most notorious hauntings and learn about the lives and deaths of those whose restless spirits are said to remain to this day.
On your 2-hour ghost tour, you will:
As night falls over Charleston, step into the shadows and uncover the spectral side of the Holy City on this private ghost tour. Designed for those who seek a more intimate and immersive experience beyond the crowded large group tours, this two-hour adventure reveals some of the city’s most haunted sites in the company of an expert storyteller well-versed in Charleston’s most chilling legends.
You’ll begin your adventure after dark when the spirits of the past are said to stir. Whilst the exact route may vary according to your guide's expertise, you’ll hear about infamous figures whose ghosts are believed to remain, unable to find peace. At the Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon, you'll be transported back to a time of revolution, pirates, and prisoners, where the whispers of the past still echo through its stone walls. Outside Poogan’s Porch, one of Charleston’s most famous restaurants, your guide can share unsettling accounts of ghostly apparitions that have startled visitors and staff alike. At Powder Magazine, the city’s oldest public building, originally constructed to store gunpowder, you'll see if you can sense the lingering presence of those tasked with defending the city during the American Revolution.
Your path leads to St. Philip’s Church and Graveyard, the final resting place of many illustrious Charlestonians, where strange lights and shadowy figures have been reported for centuries. In Philadelphia Alley, hear the dramatic stories of deadly duels and lingering spirits, forever bound to the site of their untimely demise. You will also learn the tragic tale of Annabel Lee, immortalized in Edgar Allan Poe’s haunting poem, as you wander the streets of the city that may have inspired his final work. The tour concludes at the historic Charleston City Market, a centuries-old trading hub believed to be haunted by the spirits of merchants whose presence is still felt long after the market closes for the night.
This carefully curated private experience offers a deeper, more nuanced exploration of Charleston’s haunted history, taking you beyond the expected into the realm of the truly extraordinary. Whether you’re a sceptic or a believer, the Holy City’s ghosts will be sure to pique your interest.
Charleston offers an enchanting mix of incredible history (dating back to its founding in the 1600s), stunning architecture, exceptional cuisine, and authentic Southern hospitality. The city's walkable historic district features centuries-old homes, churches and public buildings alongside beautiful gardens and cobblestone streets. Our private half-day walking tour is a great way to step into the heart of Charleston, designed for travellers who seek a deeper understanding of the Holy City’s past and present, showing off its most important buildings and giving you a feel for its vibrant culture.
On your private walking tour, you will:
Your tour kicks off in the historic Washington Square, where you will get acquainted with your guide, a passionate local expert guide who will take you on a journey through the quaint streets of the Historic District, lined with centuries-old landmarks, each with its own tale to tell. As you pass the Charleston County Courthouse, one of the oldest still in use in the United States, your guide will recount stories of law and order from the city’s colonial era to today. Nearby, you’ll spot the stately St. Michael’s Church, with its towering steeple standing as a beacon of Charleston’s religious heritage and the Heyward-Washington House. Now a museum, this elegant Georgian-style home offers a glimpse into the life of Thomas Heyward Jr., a signer of the Declaration of Independence. It is also where President George Washington stayed on his visit to Charleston during his Southern tour of 1791, a significant presidential journey that helped solidify the newly formed nation.
From here, you will stroll down to White Point Garden, a scenic waterfront park full of grand Live Oaks that occupy the spots that once held Charleston’s Civil War defences. As you make your way along the iconic Battery promenade, you will take in breathtaking views of Charleston Harbor, and your guide can explain the pivotal role played by this former defensive seawall and the harbor itself during the Civil War, and other military engagements. Later, you’ll continue past the gorgeous pastel facades of Rainbow Row, a stunning example of Charleston’s signature architectural charm before venturing into the atmospheric French Quarter.
Your guide will take you on a carefully curated route around the quaint, centuries-old buildings, including the distinctive pink-hued French Huguenot Church, an elegant Gothic Revival building, that tells the story of Charleston’s diverse religious history, the eye-catching Pink House and the Dock Street Theatre, America’s first playhouse. You’ll also have the chance to see the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon, where pirates, rebels and revolutionaries, were once held captive beneath one of Charleston’s most important buildings. Last but certainly not least, your tour will conclude in the bustling Charleston City Market, a cultural hub where local artisans continue traditions dating back generations.
This private tour allows you to explore the key sights of Charleston at a leisurely pace, with your guide sharing fascinating insights tailored to your interests. This ensures you’ll have an excellent introduction to one of America’s most historically significant cities.
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