Quick Details
Charleston City & Harbor History Tour
Join Adventure Sightseeing and Charleston Harbor Tours for our See It All half-day city tour by minibus followed by a harbor history tour aboard the Carolina Belle. See the best of Charleston!
Our relaxing and informative 90-minute bus tour is the best way to be introduced (or re-introduced!) to the Holy City. Our professional and knowledgeable guides share 350 years of Charleston history with you while you cruise through the city’s historic district in cool, air-conditioned comfort.
Then climb aboard the Carolina Belle for a 90-minute live narrated tour of the harbor that covers over 75 points of interest!
One discounted ticket will guarantee you a spot on the the See It All city tour AND entitle you to a voucher for the Charleston Harbor Tour that can be used for any date and time!
IMPORTANT NOTE: When booking online, you are booking for your bus tour time only! You must call our offices at 843-762-0088 to confirm your harbor tour time. You may do tours back to back, or split them up over the course of a day or multiple days. Please call to confirm harbor tour times! Each tour on this combo is 90 minutes, but they are not necessarily back to back. The harbor tour schedule is 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. (with a 9:30 a.m. tour in the busy season). There is also a 6 p.m. tour mid-April – mid-October on Wednesday – Saturday (subject to availability). This ticket does not guarantee your time for a harbor tour. You can call to reserve a time with Charleston Harbor Tours.
This combo includes:
See It All Charleston City Bus Tour
- Select stories from 350 years of Charleston history
- Beautiful architecture in the historic district
- Drive through The Citadel, the South’s most famous military academy
- The Old City Market, lovely gardens, wrought iron art, and many of the city’s 210 churches
- Tour around the Battery and stop for a photo opportunity with Fort Sumter in the background
- Many other historic sights of Charleston!
Charleston Harbor Tour
Aboard the classic, 80-foot Carolina Belle, cruise the scenic Charleston Harbor while hearing fascinating local stories and seeing more than 75 landmarks, some critical to our nation’s history, including:
- Fort Sumter: One of Charleston’s most popular landmarks, where the first shots of the Civil War were fired
- Confederate and Union army forts Moultrie and Johnson
- USS Yorktown: The famous World War II “Fighting Lady”
- St. Michael’s Episcopal Church: A survivor of both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, whose steeple was painted black so as not to be an easy target
- Stately homes on the Battery: Symbols of Southern elegance and perseverance
- Cooper River bridges, including the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge: A state-of-the-art span that accommodates the largest ships in the world
- Dolphins skimming the surface of the water and pelicans diving for food
This family-friendly, relaxing, and insightful cruise is best way to discover the Holy City and its famous harbor!
Want more Charleston? Check out what is included with our tours FOR FREE!
The Powder Magazine – South Carolina’s oldest public building. Exhibits focus on South Carolina’s colonial military history!
-
Do I have to purchase tickets in advance?
Advance purchase is highly recommended and tours often sell out in advance. To maximize your chances of getting the day and time you prefer, please book well in advance. Tickets can be purchased with Visa, Mastercard, or American Express.
What’s not included?
Gratuities are not included, nor required, but always appreciated for a job well done!
How does the combination ticket work?
You booked a specific time and date for your bus tour. The Harbor Tour ticket can be used at your leisure. You will be given a boarding pass voucher and brochure with current harbor tour times when you check in for your bus tour. You must use the bus tour portion of this combination ticket first. You may call our offices directly at 843-762-0088 to reserve a Harbor Tour time and verify the current seasonal schedule.
What is the schedule for the Harbor Tour boat?
Although the City Tours are offered all year-round, the Harbor Tour aboard the Carolina Belle only runs from mid-February through November. Therefore, combo tickets for the Harbor Tour can only be purchased when the Harbor Tour is available. Please call for the current Harbor Tour schedule.
Is there a cancellation policy?
Once purchased, tickets cannot be refunded and cannot be rescheduled because your space is being guaranteed at the event.
What if it rains?
The tours run rain or shine, so please dress according to the day’s forecast. Please keep in mind that most of the tour takes place on our vehicle, so you will be out of the elements.
Are children allowed? What type of ticket should I buy?
Yes, and there is a reduced price for children’s tickets. While we welcome children of all ages on the tour, the tour is not recommended for small children. We have reduced price tickets for children ages 4 to 11. Children ages 3 and younger can come for free with an accompanying adult ticket and must sit on their parent’s lap.
Can I bring food or beverages on the bus?
Food and drinks are not allowed on the bus. However, there is a snack bar aboard the Carolina Belle that has bottled water and soda ($2-3), wine ($6), beer ($4-$5.5), mixed cocktails ($6-7), chips, hot dogs, burgers, candy bars, cookies, etc. The snack bar accepts cash or charge on board.
Are there any stops along the way?
We will stop at the Battery for a brief photo break.
Is the bus air conditioned?
Yes, the bus is air conditioned.
Is the tour narrated?
Yes, the tour is fully narrated by a licensed, professional tour guide.
Is there a restroom on the bus?
No, but restrooms are located at the meeting location. We highly recommend using the bathrooms at the starting location before the tour.
Do you run year-round?
Yes, we operate tours seven days a week year-round except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Seasonal hours apply so please check our calendar for the most up to date schedule information.
What kind of a vehicle will we be traveling in?
We operate a fleet of 25-passenger buses and 14-passenger vans. All are climate controlled.
Is there assigned seating on the bus?
Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are traveling with a large group, you may want to arrive 15 – 20 minutes prior to departure.
How should I dress for the tour?
Check the forecast. Buses are climate controlled, and you do stay on the bus for the duration of the tour.
Is the bus handicap accessible?
At present, we cannot accommodate wheelchairs, but the bus is accessible for those with limited mobility if they can be assisted by a companion.
Will locals enjoy the tour as well, or is it mostly for tourists?
Absolutely! Whether you are looking for a way to entertain out-of-town guests, planning a bachelor/bachelorette party, having a team-building exercise or just want to learn more about the wonderful city you live in, this is the tour for you! You’ll be surprised at how much you will learn on the tour from the comfort of our bus.
Will we be able to purchase souvenirs or shop during the tour?
Adventure Sightseeing T-shirts are available for purchase at our sister company, Charleston Harbor Tours. The kiosk is located at the Charleston Maritime Center at 10 Wharfside Street. There are various other Charleston souvenirs available for purchase.
Are pets allowed?
No. Service animals are allowed, however.
Does the tour start and end at the same place?
The tour starts and ends at the same location. There will be the option to get off the bus towards the end of the tour at the Market. Transportation is provided back to the meeting location if you choose to not get off at the Market.
Is there parking?
Yes, there is parking at the Visitor’s Center at the surface lot or in the parking garage next door. There is a fee of $2 per hour.
Is smoking allowed on the tour?
Smoking is not permitted during the tour.
Can I bring luggage on the bus/leave my belongings on the bus?
No. We do not have space on the bus for large items such as luggage, wheelchairs, or strollers.
Is the tour only offered in English?
Yes, the tour is only given in English.
Can I book a private tour?
Yes! We can accommodate a variety of special requests. Please contact our sales department at 843-722-1112 or email sales@adventuresightseeing.com