This private sightseeing tour of Charleston offers a local perspective on the most charming city in the South. Beat the crowds of bus tours and go where carriage rides can’t as your licensed guide drives you around the peninsula in the comfort of a private vehicle. As you drive past top sights like Waterfront Park and the Battery, hear stories of Charleston history and culture in the Holy City.

Private Charleston sightseeing tour
Tour the peninsula in a comfortable private vehicle
Ideal overview of Charleston for first-time visitors
All transportation included with hotel pickup and drop-off

What's Included

Private transportation

Meeting And Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

I offer complimentary pick-up and drop-off at downtown Charleston locations. I do not pick-up or drop-off at the Charleston International Airport, North Charleston, Summerville, Folly Beach, Isle of Palms, Sullivan's Island, Daniel Island, John's Island, Goose Creek, or Kiawah Island.

What To Expect

Joe Riley Waterfront Park (Pass By)

Dock Street Theater

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

The Citadel (Pass By)

Rainbow Row (Pass By)

Battery & White Point Gardens

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

St. Michael's Church (Pass By)

Charleston City Hall (Pass By)

Hampton Park (Pass By)

Charleston County Courthouse (Pass By)

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed

Near public transportation
Infants must sit on laps
Most travelers can participate
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

Cancellation Policy

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

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.0

280 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

Showing 1-10 of 280 reviews

Charleston in a. Nutshell

Michelle_C, Sep 2023

My friend and I really enjoyed our tour! Our tour guy was very professional and knowledgeable about downtown Charleston. Private tour was the way to go.

Response from Host, Sep 2023

Thank you for taking time to submit a review. Please come again!

Excellent and jam packed!

krislemieux, Sep 2023

This was the ideal way to see a LOT of this beautiful city in a limited amount of time. We saw way more than we ever would have on our own. Jeff is extremely knowledgeable and provided great insight to all aspects of history, architecture and anecdotes that are the make up of Charleston. I cannot recommend this tour enough!!!

Response from Host, Sep 2023

Thank you for your business and taking time out to write a review. Please come back!

Perfect Tour

Tom_S, Sep 2023

Great way to get a view of the city and its history. Private tour with Jeff was wonderful. Perfect for a hot day.

Response from Host, Sep 2023

Thank you Tom, I really appreciate you taking time out to submit a review. Please come again. Best Regards, Jeff.

Very informative

David_W, Sep 2023

We lived in SC for 30 years, and had visited Charleston often…but we learned so much about the history of this grand place from Jeff. He does a fantastic job with his tour guide gig, we highly recommend his services!

Response from Host, Sep 2023

Hi David, thank you. I appreciate your business and review. Please come again!

The highlight of our trip to Charleston!

Andrew_M, Sep 2023

Our private tour with Jeff was the highlight of our trip! Jeff was a delightful tour guide; very knowledgeable & entertaining!

Response from Host, Sep 2023

Hi Andrew, it was a great pleasure meeting you and your wife. Thank you for taking time out to submit a review. Please come again! Best regards, Jeff Zimmerman.

Perfect tour

Beth_P, Sep 2023

The perfect tour. My husband and I only had a weekend in Charleston and this was the perfect tour. We were driven in a luxury vehicle all around the the city and heard the history of Charleston. Bonus was the information about the architecture of the the city. Would take this tour again.

Response from Host, Sep 2023

Thank you for taking time out to submit a review Beth, hope you're able to return! Warm regards, Jeff Zimmerman.

Outstanding

Alan_K, Aug 2023

Driver was excellent Punctual Informative Friendly Accommodating adjusting to some of our last minute issues

Response from Host, Sep 2023

Thank you Alan, glad you enjoyed the experience. Please come again! Best regards, Jeff Zimmerman.

Excellent tour and tour guide!

Julie_C, Jul 2023

Jeff did a fantastic job. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone. He was very knowledgeable and we all really enjoyed listening to him tell the history of Charleston! 10 out of 10

Response from Host, Jul 2023

Thank you Julie. Great to meet you and your friends. Please come again!

Awesome

Robert_C, Jul 2023

He was very knowledgeable and experienced. It was a great tour all around. I would recommend him to everyone.

Response from Host, Jul 2023

Thank you for taking time out to submit a review Robert!

Best personal tour

Ken_L, Jul 2023

The best part was having a knowledgeable guide who could provide so .uch historical information. He was able to tell us about Charleston's participation in the Civil War, architecture and the demographics of the city. Absolutely fabulous tour.

Response from Host, Jul 2023

Thank you for the review Ken!

Riding & Listening!

LInda_J, Jul 2023

Going places we had never been to in Charleston. Hearing information that was new to us was wonderful!

Response from Host, Jul 2023

Hi Linda. Glad you discovered new on the tour. Thank you!

Terrific tour!

Tyler_R, Jul 2023

The tour was excellent in that we got to see so much of the city and learn about the different style of homes/architecture. Jeff was very knowledgeable and his old photos were a fantastic addition.

Response from Host, Jul 2023

Thank you Tyler. Great to meet you and your family. Please come back!

Highly recommend

Jen_L, Jul 2023

I chose a private tour of Charleston for my parents. Jeff was wonderful. He took us to all the spots and included a history lesson. With the heat and limited mobility it was a perfect way to see the area.

Response from Host, Jul 2023

Thank you Jen, glad you enjoyed the tour. Please come again!

Charelston

Tiffany_s, Jul 2023

Jeff was knowledgeable and shared wonderful parts of Charleston and it’s history. Especially love the tour of beautiful homes and neighborhoods. He is also an excellent driver.

Response from Host, Jul 2023

Thank you Tiffany. Hope you can come back!

The Charm of Charleston

Leatrice_G, Jul 2023

Jeff Zimmerman has treasure of information about Charleston. The private tour is intensely informative The homes are beautiful but the tour provides the details which enhances the experience of Charleston

Response from Host, Jul 2023

Thank you for the review. Please come again.

A little too stiff and humorless

Larisa_O, Jun 2023

So Jeff is extremely knowledgeable - he doesn’t really allow for conversation, and he kept repeating our names to make sure we were paying attention. I felt like I was in a class. The tour was quite stiff & humorless. It would be perfect for someone who just wants facts - but we wanted to have a good time.

Response from Host, Aug 2023

Thank you for your review and feedback. I'm sorry I left you that impression. My tour is not just about the facts and I try to be as lighthearted and entertaining to all my guests. History is a big part of Charleston's unique story. Of course it being a private tour, you option, as all my guests to less focus on history or even no history at all. I addressed you by your names to try ensure that you were not missing fantastic views of the landmarks we, were passing by, and often times there is a better view on the right side or left side of my SUV.

INFORMATIVE & RELAXING!

Rayna_M, May 2023

Jeff Zimmerman knows his history! What a great tour..educational..enlightening .. no pressure! We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and I highly recommend...DONT HESITATE!

Response from Host, Jun 2023

Thank you Rayna. Please come again! -Jeff

Jeff was knowledgeable...

Patty_C, May 2023

Jeff was knowledgeable about Charleston and delivered that information in such a pleasant manner. We so enjoyed everything about our tour.

Response from Host, Jun 2023

Thank you Patty. Hope you can come again! -Jeff

Palmetto tour

Elsa_H, May 2023

Responsive, knowledgeable, and professional. Jeff went above and beyond. l would recommend this tour to others.

Response from Host, Jun 2023

Thank Elsa. Please come again! -Jeff

Great tour! Highly recommend!

Roxann_M, May 2023

We were picked up at the Queen Street Garage because we were staying on Seabrook island. Jeff was a great tour guide there was so much history he covered. He was very patient with us arriving a little late because of a traffic jam. I texted him a month before we arrived making suggestions of some of our favorite sights to see and he incorporated them into his tour and allowed us to hop out and take pictures a few times. Definitely worth the expense to sit in an air conditioned private tour in a very comfortable seat. He was very personable and informative and considerate of our needs and suggestions. We most definitely highly recommend this tour. Thank you for a wonderful experience.

Response from Host, Jun 2023

Thank you for the review Roxanne. Great to meet you and your family! -Jeff

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