Top Charleston activities
Top Charleston landmarks
Beyond Charleston
Charleston trip ideas

Beauty & Tragedy: The History of Charleston

6 Reviews 5.00 out of 5 stars Based on 6 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 100% of reviewers | Charleston, USA

Loading Options
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 26 (0) days in advance.

2 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Instant confirmation
Offered in: English

Overview

A walk-through Charleston is a visit into the past. What better way to experience the beauty and history of the Holy City than with a lifetime local. Licensed by city, and with over 25+ years of storytelling experience, our guides know Charleston inside & out. Hear the whole story, from the 1670 landing to the scourge of piracy, from the Revolutionary war to the Civil war, and everything in between. Ours is a city of tragedy and redemption, destruction and rebirth. Join us for a tour like no other in town.

What's Included

  • A personal storyteller that will guide you through the French Quarter and Historic Charleston.

    Meeting Location

    Meeting point

    Cumberland St & Church St
    Charleston, SC 29401, USA

    Show on Google Maps

    Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

    End point

    This activity ends back at the meeting point.

    What To Expect

    Book Online

    Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
    Read more

    Safe & secure • Easy breezy • Hassle-free

    The Powder Magazine

    The oldest public building in South Carolina, the Powder Magazine is home to some of the earliest colonial history in Charleston.
    Read more

    10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

    Old Slave Mart Museum

    The Old Slave Mart Museum is one of the most heartbreaking and important buildings in Historic Charleston. As we pass by, we will dive into some of the Holy City's darker history.
    Read more

    10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

    Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon

    The Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon has a fascinating & checkered history that includes everything from jailed pirates to a dancing George Washington. There's much to talk about here.
    Read more

    10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

    Rainbow Row

    One of the most talked about sections of Charleston, Rainbow Row is a must for any traveler to the Holy City. Restored in the 1930s & 1940s, these pastel homes have captured the eyes and hearts of many who visit.
    Read more

    10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

    Battery & White Point Gardens

    The Charleston Battery offers some of the most beautiful views of Fort Sumpter, the USS Yorktown, Castle Pinckney, and the Charleston harbor.
    Read more

    20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

    Historic Downtown Charleston

    Throughout our walk, we will visit many sites in Historic Charleston. From the French Quarter to Four Corners of law, we will visit parks and cobblestone streets while learning the beautiful and tragic history of the Holy City
    Read more

    1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

    Show 5 more stops

    Additional Info

    • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

    Frequently Asked Questions

    (6)

    Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Beauty & Tragedy: The History of Charleston?

    A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EDT). Read more Apr 2025

    Cancellation Policy

    You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

    Still have questions?

    We're here to help.
    Activity code: C-375110P4

    Reviews

    5.00
    6 reviews

    Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 6 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and partner sites such as Trustpilot, Viator, and TripAdvisor

    5 stars
    6
    4 stars
    0
    3 stars
    0
    2 stars
    0
    1 star
    0

    Loading Options
    Don't miss out!
    On average, this is booked 26 (0) days in advance.

    Similar Tours & Activities

    Charleston Ghost Tour
    1 hour
    1 hour
    4.0 (2)
    from
    $10

    Charleston's ONLY True Crimes Tour
    1 hour 30 minutes Free Cancellation
    1 hour 30 minutes • Free Cancellation
    5.0 (2)
    from
    $42

    Historic Bites And Southern Delights
    2 hours Free Cancellation
    2 hours • Free Cancellation
    5.0 (1)
    from
    $182.50

    Charleston Festival of Lights with Small Group Transportation
    3 hours 30 minutes Free Cancellation
    3 hours 30 minutes • Free Cancellation
    5.0 (4)
    from
    $41

    Travelers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought

    Charleston Eco Boat Cruise with stop at Morris Island Lighthouse
    Likely to Sell Out
    Likely to Sell Out
    2 hours 30 minutes Free Cancellation
    2 hours 30 minutes • Free Cancellation
    5.0 (2,303)
    $61
    $60

    Afternoon Schooner Sightseeing Dolphin Cruise on Charleston Harbor
    Likely to Sell Out
    Likely to Sell Out
    1 hour 30 minutes Free Cancellation
    1 hour 30 minutes • Free Cancellation
    4.6 (764)
    $61
    $60

    Charleston Harbor History Day-Time or Sunset Boat Cruise
    Special Offer
    Special Offer
    1 hour 30 minutes Free Cancellation
    1 hour 30 minutes • Free Cancellation
    4.6 (3,008)
    $46.50
    $45.50

    Charleston Water Taxi Cruise with Dolphin Sighting
    1 to 11 hours
    1 to 11 hours
    4.8 (983)
    from
    $19

    What's Included

    Activity name

    • A personal storyteller that will guide you through the French Quarter and Historic Charleston.

    Additional Info

    Activity name

    • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
    • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
    • Operated by a business

    Protecting you

    Activity name

    For your protection and stress-free bookings, use our secure platform to pay for bookings. 108 Elemental Tours

    Report Product Issue

    Activity name

    Language
    Currency

    Site Settings

    Activity name

    Currency

    Activity name

    Activity name

    Free Cancellation

    100% refund
    No refund

    You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

    • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
    • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
    • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
    • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EDT).

    Sorting, ranking, and search results

    Activity name

    Cool Destinations wants to make your searches as relevant as possible. That's why we offer many ways to help you find the right experiences for you.

    On some pages, you can select how to sort the results we display and also use filter options to see only those search results that meet your chosen preferences. You'll see explanations of what those sort options mean when you select them.

    If you see a Badge of Excellence label, the award is based on average review ratings, share of bookings with a review, and number of bookings through Cool Destinations over a 12-month period.

    The importance of any one factor over any other in a sort order varies, and the balance is constantly being reviewed and adjusted. We're always updating our systems and testing new ways to refine and improve your results to make them as relevant as possible to meet your needs.

    Choose an option

    Activity name

    or

    Cool Rewards Terms & Conditions

    Activity name

    Cool Rewards

    • Cool Rewards is a loyalty program operated by Cool Destinations. Rewards may be earned by any eligible person holding a Cool Destinations account, subject to the Cool Destinations customer Terms of Use.

    Earning rewards

    • Rewards can be earned by making bookings on the Cool Destinations website. You will be able to see the value of the rewards you can earn during the booking process.
    • Earned rewards will be issued in a pending state and will move to a confirmed state 24 hours after the start time of the experience.
    • Earned rewards will be available to redeem once they are no longer in a pending state.
    • For bookings that are moved to a different travel date, the rewards will be redeemable after the amended travel date.
    • If a booking where rewards were issued is canceled, the earned rewards will not be redeemable and will be moved to a canceled state.

    Redeeming rewards

    • To redeem rewards, you must be logged into your Cool Destinations account.
    • Any available rewards will be automatically applied the next time you make a booking, and their value will be deducted from your order at checkout, unless you choose not to apply them, which requires you to indicate this via the toggle switch. Bookings made using rewards are subject to the standard Cool Destinations Customer Terms of Use.
    • You will not be able to redeem only a portion of your available rewards at checkout. It is only possible to redeem all or none of your available rewards.
    • There is no minimum order value required to redeem your rewards. This means that you can pay for 100% of your order with rewards.
    • Rewards are non-transferable and cannot be redeemed for cash.
    • If rewards are redeemed against a booking that is canceled or refunded, the rewards will be reissued to your account.

    Miscellaneous

    • You can check your Cool Destinations account to see the rewards you have collected at any time. You are responsible for ensuring that your rewards balance is correct.
    • We reserve the right to modify these Cool Rewards Terms and Conditions at any time, with or without notice, including the rules for earning and redeeming rewards. Any changes will be reflected in the updated Terms and Conditions.
    • We reserve the right to terminate the Cool Rewards program and cease issuing any further rewards on future bookings. All pending and available rewards balances will be honored.
    • By earning and redeeming rewards, you agree to these Terms and Conditions, as well as any subsequent changes made to them.