I freely admit to a severe case of wanderlust, and the compulsive desire to visit and experience new places that accompany it. I’m interested in exploring the unique architecture; seeing how the history of a place affects the contemporary civilization in terms of food, culture, social norms, mores and entertainment – the whole nine yards! So, whenever I have the opportunity to visit my brother in Charleston – a city renowned for its history, ambiance and food, I make an effort to immerse myself in what adds to Charleston’s renown.
My adventures in Charleston, though not at all exhaustive, have included walking tours, a bit of the nightlife and exposure to the cultural scene. Join me as I share my personal experiences; allude to the things I have yet to do, and peep at what other people – locals and travelers alike have to say about aspects of Charleston’s Charm.
Walking Tours I Thoroughly Enjoyed
On one trip (made mid-May), I determined to explore the city on my own while my brother was at work … and despite the heat, ambitiously booked two walking tours on one day. One with Lowcountry Walking Tours at 10a, and the other with their sister company Charleston Culinary Tours (CCTs) at 2p. Between tours, I bypassed the City Market and walked down to Waterfront Park (of Pineapple Fountain fame), where I got off my feet for a bit and had a relaxing lunch.
Lowcountry Walking Tours offers a variety of small group tours led by native Charlestonians and lifelong educators who are eager to share their unique stories and insights. I opted for the 2 hour Historic Downtown Charleston Tour (available MTRF @ 10a), which was both enlightening and fun – we covered the French Quarter and the area south of Broad Street, saw historic churches, horticulture, unique architecture and heard Charleston’s story from its beginning settlers to the friendly residents of today. (I learnt some stuff that my brother who’s lived in Charleston for over a decade wasn’t aware of).
Lowcountry Walking Tours also offers tours of Charleston’s Alleys and Hidden Passages, Charleston’s Most Beautiful Walk, and a customizable Private Tour Event.
Charleston Culinary Tours combines elements of historical tours with their many culinary adventures. I chose their most popular – the 2.5 hour Upper King Street Tour, (available Mon – Sat @ 3p) and was not disappointed. We met at HoM, and stopped at several of CCTs restaurant partners. Let’s just say, that by the end of tour, I was both full and happy!
Other palate satisfying excursions offered by Charleston Culinary Tours are the Downtown Charleston, Chef’s Kitchen, Mixology and the Farm-to-Table Experience.
Needless to say, It was a day well spent. I had a blast hanging out with other foodies; learned a lot about The Holy City, and ate delicious food from a variety of restaurants I otherwise might not have made it to.
A Few Other Walking Tours in Charleston
Bulldog Tours:
Based on my research, Bulldog Tours comes highly recommended. They offer several History, Ghost and Food Tours with the following Daily schedule:
- Charleston Strolls Historic Walking Tour – 10:00a
- Ghost & Dungeon Tour – 7:00p & 9:00p
- Dark Side of Charleston Tour – 8:00p & 10:00p
- Ghost & Graveyard Tour – 5p, 7:30p & 9:30p
- Haunted Jail Tour – 7:00p, 8:00p, 9:00p & 10:00p
- Food Tours – 10a & 2p
Chow Down Charleston
Chow Down Charleston offers a 3 hour food tasting and a 75 minute culinary history tour.
- Downtown’s Local Flavors (MWFS) at 11a
- Culinary History (TR) at 10:30a & 1p
Charleston Pirate Tours:
Pirates, anyone? Yup, in Charleston Pirates are a big deal … check out Charleston Pirate Tours! They offer straight ahead Pirate Tours, Pirate/Ghost Tours and Children’s Treasure Hunt Tours
Distillery & Brewery Tours
There are quite a few tour companies that conduct distillery and brewery tours in Charleston. Peruse the list compiled by the Charleston Visitor’s Bureau and take your pick!
About Revolve Conference
Revolve Conference is the flagship event for those either making or hoping to make an impact in the creative industry. The conference brings together extraordinary speakers and practitioners from around the country in user experience, design, marketing, business operations, digital project management and content strategy.
Bring your curiosity; appetite for Southern food; and your desire for a good time, because Revolve is more than ‘just another conference’.
