Charleston’s history in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars fascinates many visitors to the city, and if you have already taken an overview tour of its history and sights (or otherwise familiarized yourself with the same), a tour exploring this aspect of Charleston’s history is a great way to get to know the city better.
A handful of tours discuss Charleston’s role in the Revolutionary War and life in the city around the time of America’s transition from colony to republic. The bulk of military-themed tours, unsurprisingly, address the Civil War.
As both the birthplace of the Civil War and a port of considerable strategic significance, Charleston was the target of military action through much of the war period, with important Civil War sites throughout the peninsula and its surrounding islands.
Most military history tours are walking tours focused on the downtown area, but some tours (particularly more flexible private tours) offer the opportunity to travel beyond the Historic District and see some of Charleston’s more outlying Civil War sites.
Don’t Tread on Me: the Patriots’ Fight for Liberty in Charleston With Lee Ann Bain, Step Back Into History. Charleston in the American Revolution. Call 843-822-5248 for inquiries and reservations or contact online. More details
Civil War Tour, 2hrs With Jeff Zimmerman, Charleston in a Nutshell. Walking tour exploring northern and southern perspectives on the Civil War, and Charleston’s Civil War sights. Daily afternoon tours. Adults $23 (online discount available), children (8-12) $10. Call 843-697-6140 for reservations or book online. More details
Charleston, City at the Crossroads: A Civil War and Slavery Tour With Lee Ann Bain, Step Back Into History. Call 843-822-5248 for inquiries and reservations or contact online. More details
Civil War/Slavery Tour, 2hrs With Carol Ezell-Gilson, Broad Street Biz. Charleston’s history as a slave port and in the Civil War. $150 for up to 6 people, plus $25 each for additional adults and $15 each for additional children (8-18). Call 843-577-2947 for reservations or book online. More details
Civil War History, 2hrs With Linda Wohlfeil Jones, Exclusively Charleston. Private tour of Charleston’s Civil War history and sites. $125 per hour for 1-2 perople, $150 per hour for 3-6. Call 843-345-1130 for reservations or book online. More details
The Ladies Who Live Here, 2hrs With Sue Bennett, Walk Charleston. Walking tour exploring the history of Charleston’s women, including their role in the Confederate war effort. $22 per person. Call 843-343-6351 for reservations. More details
Classic Civil War Walk, 2hrs30 With Walk Charleston. Private Civil War history tour of downtown Charleston. $20 per person, $120 minimum tour fee. Call 843-345-9714 for reservations. More details
Civil War Pub Stroll (10 max), 3hrs With Walk Charleston. Tour some of Charleston’s pubs while hearing about its Civil War history. $25 per person. Call 843-345-9714 for reservations. More details
Charleston Civil War Tour, 2hrs With Free Tours By Foot. Pay-what-you-like tour of Charleston’s Civil War sights and history. A $3 booking fee is charged, and groups of more than 6 must pay $13 per person. Call 843-580-4019 for reservations or book online. More details