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The Museum recounts the story of Charleston’s role as an urban slave-trading center during the domestic slave trade. It also tells the stories of the African-Americans who passed through its gates and their contributions to American society and culture.
The original Dock Street Theatre opened in 1736 and was the first building designed for theatrical use in the Americas. The Theatre opened in Charleston on February 12, 1736 with the play “The Recruiting Officer.”
Charleston’s Premiere Walking Tour Company. Charleston Ghost and Dungeon Tour, The Dark Side of Charleston, The Haunted Jail Tour, Ghost & Graveyard Tour, & The Battery Walking Tour. Tours offered daily. Discounts honored. Reservations required. Open 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Call for details.
Charter a ride with this carriage company and customize your experience by choosing from a private guided tour of the city or a quiet ride in a horsedrawn carriage. Call ahead early for private carriage, Su-W 10am-7pm, Th-Sa 10am-10pm.
What better way to see Charleston in style with an hour long narrated horse drawn carriage tour of the historic Holy City. M-Su 9 am-5 pm.
A variety of tours: Charleston’s Pirates and Buccaneers, Civil War Walk, Lowcountry Ghosts Walk, the Patriots of Charleston, Historic Homes Walk, Slavery and Freedom, and of course, the Original Charleston Walks. Call for tour schedules and prices.
Carolina Polo and Carriage Company is the only carriage company in the city owned and operated by Charlestonians whose families have been here since the 1600's. Private tours, Group rates and wedding packages are available. $20 per adult $12 for children under 12. www.cpcc.com
Built in 1772, this home was the town-home of Thomas Heyward, Jr, Revolutionary patriot and signer of the Declaration of Independence. It was also George Washington’s temporary residence during his Southern Tour of 1791. Located in the original walled portion of the city, the neighborhood was used by Dubose Heyward as the setting for Porgy and Bess. Hours: Monday-Saturday 10-5, Sunday 1-5.
View special exhibitions and explore Charleston’s history through paintings, sculpture, photographs and miniatures from the museum’s collection of over 10,000 objects. $9 for adults, $7 for seniors, students and military, $5 for youth ages 6-12. Members and children under 5 are admitted free. Open Tuesday – Saturday 10a-5pm, Sunday 1-5pm.
Since 1898 The Daughters of the Confederacy have operated the museum, featuring Confederate memorabilia, weapons, flags and uniforms. www.csa-scla.org.
Explore an important yet often overlooked part of Charleston’s past. Guests of the tour will stroll through Charleston’s history and explore six of her historic churches. The tour goes into several of the churches, including some not regularly open for tours. Departs from the Meeting Street Inn. Mon- Fri at 10:30 a.m. Tours lasts 2 hours.
During the Revolutionary War, American patriots were held prisoner in the provost dungeon. This historic site also contains a portion of the Charles Towne Sea Wall, which was built to protect the colony from pirates in the 1600s. Adults $7, children 7-12 $3.50, six and under free, daily 9 am-5 pm.
Set amid spacious gardens, the Russell House is widely recognized as one of America’s most important Neoclassical dwellings. The graceful interior boasts elaborate plasterwork ornamentation, geometrically shaped rooms and a magnificent free-flying staircase. Adults $10, Youth (ages 6-16) $5, five and under, free. M-Sa 10:00 am-5:00 pm, Su 2-5:00 p.m., last tour 4:40 p.m.
Charles Cotesworth Pinckney ceded the land on which the Market is built to the City of Charleston in 1788. He stipulated that a public market be built on the site and that it remain in use as a public market into perpetuity. In the present day, the market is a shopping favorite of locals and tourists alike.
This home was one of the first dwellings built on Charleston’s High Battery in 1825. Built by a shipping merchant and later renovated by Charles Alston in the Greek Revival style, the Edmondston-Alston House allows visitors to tour the rooms where Gen. Robert E. Lee took refuge during the Civil War. 30 minute guided tour, $10 adults, $8 students Under 7 free, M-Sa 10 am-4:30 pm, Su 1:30 pm-4:30 pm.
Visit one of Charleston’s most fascinating homes. Tours 11 am on the hour and the half hour. Last tour at 3:30 pm. Admission $15 per person.
Tour Charleston’s harbor aboard our newest vessel, the Carolina Belle. Learn about the “Holy City,” the Forts that helped shape our history including Ft. Sumter; the exquisite Battery homes and other points of interest. Daily departures, mid-Feb. through Nov., from the Charleston Maritime Center, south of the SC Aquarium. 7 days a week, 11:30, 1:30, 3:30. A, MC, V, D. Private charters are available.
Located in the heart of the historic district, this park and its surrounding mansions provides a spectacular view of Charleston Harbor. It was first used as a public garden in 1837. With the outbreak of the Civil War, it became a fortification for the city.
The College of Charleston is a nationally recognized, public liberal arts and sciences university located in the heart of historic Charleston. Founded in 1770, the College is among the nation’s top universities for quality education, student life and affordability.www.cofc.edu.
The South Carolina Aquarium features thousands of amazing aquatic animals from river otters and sharks to loggerhead sea turtles – in more than 60 exhibits that represent the rich biodiversity of South Carolina. Open daily. Adults- $17, Seniors- $16, Children (2-11) $10.