Charleston Self Guided Audio Walking Tour of Historic Downtown

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

• 1
  Pineapple Fountain

  Stroll along the scenic harbor and snap a photo at the iconic Pineapple Fountain, a beloved local symbol of Southern hospitality. The surrounding park offers shaded walkways and cooling harbor breezes, making it a perfect starting point for your Charleston adventure.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 2
  Charleston City Market

  Wander through one of the nation's oldest public markets, where generations of local artisans have sold handcrafted goods since 1804. Keep an eye out for the renowned Gullah sweetgrass baskets, intricately woven from local marsh grass using techniques passed down for centuries.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 3
  Rainbow Row

  Admire the pastel-hued facades of this famous stretch of 13 historic homes, representing the longest continuous cluster of Georgian row houses in the United States. You'll uncover the fascinating history behind their distinct colors and the waterfront merchants who originally built them in the 18th century.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 4
  Battery & White Point Gardens

  Situated at the very tip of the peninsula, this serene waterfront park is shaded by magnificent ancient live oaks and lined with historic artillery. It offers sweeping views of Fort Sumter in the distance, providing a quiet place to reflect on the city's complex maritime and military history.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon (Pass by)

  Step inside one of colonial America's most important civic buildings, where the Declaration of Independence was first read to the people of South Carolina. Beneath the elegant assembly halls lies the notorious Provost Dungeon, where Revolutionary War prisoners and infamous pirates were once held captive.

  Admission ticket free
• Nathaniel Russell House (Pass by)

  Explore a masterpiece of neoclassical architecture known for its stunning, free-flying spiral staircase that seemingly floats up three floors without visible support. The beautifully restored interiors and formal gardens offer a revealing look into the opulent lifestyle of a wealthy Charleston merchant in the early 19th century.

  Admission ticket free
• Old Slave Mart Museum (Pass by)

  Located in the only remaining building of its kind in South Carolina, this sobering museum provides a crucial, unflinching look at the domestic slave trade. The thoughtfully curated exhibits highlight the resilience and immense cultural contributions of enslaved people in shaping Charleston's history and economy.

  Admission ticket free
• 5
  St. Philip's Church

  Look up to admire the towering stuccoed brick steeple of this historic Episcopal church, which has shaped the Holy City's skyline for over 150 years. The beautifully aged graveyard surrounding the sanctuary serves as the final resting place for signers of the Declaration of Independence and other prominent historical figures.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 6
  Four Corners of Law

  Stand at the historic intersection of Meeting and Broad streets, famously coined the Four Corners of Law by Robert Ripley. Each corner features a distinct architectural landmark representing federal, state, local, and ecclesiastical law, perfectly capturing the civic heart of the city.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• Heyward-Washington House (Pass by)

  Step into the 1772 brick townhouse originally owned by a signer of the Declaration of Independence and later rented by George Washington during his 1791 southern tour. The property features a remarkably preserved 18th-century kitchen building and a magnificent collection of historic Charleston-made furniture.

  Admission ticket free
• (Pass by)

  Delve into the darker side of Charleston's past at this formidable Romanesque Revival structure, which housed local criminals, pirates, and Civil War prisoners from 1802 until 1939. Known as one of the city's most haunted sites, its stark, unrestored corridors hold captivating stories of its most infamous former inmates.

  Admission ticket free
• Dock Street Theater (Pass by)

  Marvel at the beautiful wrought-iron balcony and intricate woodwork of America’s first building designed exclusively for theatrical performances. While the original 1736 structure was lost to fire, the stunning Depression-era reconstruction beautifully blends historic Planter's Hotel architecture with classic theatrical charm.

  Admission ticket free
• The Powder Magazine (Pass by)

  Discover South Carolina’s oldest surviving public building, a small but sturdy 1713 structure originally built to safely store the young walled city's gunpowder. Today, its three-foot-thick brick walls house fascinating interactive exhibits detailing Charleston's early colonial history and pirate sieges.

  Admission ticket free
• 7
  Circular Congregational Church

  Admire the unique, auditorium-style circular architecture of this historic church, a striking departure from traditional ecclesiastical design. The sprawling graveyard outside is the city's oldest, offering a peaceful walk among beautifully carved slate headstones that date back to the 1600s.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 8
  Philadelphia Alley

  Escape the bustling main streets by ducking into this hidden, moss-draped brick pathway that feels entirely frozen in time. Historically known to locals as Dueler’s Alley, this shaded passageway harbors quiet tales of 19th-century gentlemen settling their disputes with pistols at dawn.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• (Pass by)

  Pause outside one of the oldest standing buildings in Charleston, constructed in the early 1700s from distinctively pinkish Bermuda stone. Though it is a private residence today, its quaint cobblestone setting and history as a colonial-era tavern make it a must-see architectural gem.

  Admission ticket free
• (Pass by)

  Take a moment to view the imposing facade of this beautifully preserved 1769 mansion, widely considered one of the finest examples of Palladian architecture in America. Because of its sheer elegance, this private home was historically commandeered as a military headquarters by both British and Union generals during their respective occupations.

  Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Works entirely offline once downloaded—no cell service required
• GPS-triggered audio plays automatically based on your location
• Flexible - Buy once, use any day/time—access never expires
• Get the Drives & Detours app download the tour ahead of time

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