Charleston’s Best Family Friendly Tours
Charleston is an outstanding destination for family vacations. This storied city has a wide variety of tours, activities, and experiences to appeal to all ages groups. Whether you’re interested in the history of this charming city or you just want to get out and have a some fun exploring by land or sea, we have got some great suggestions for you and your family.
Carriage Rides in Charleston
Easily one of the most popular tours in the Holy City, you can’t go wrong with a carriage ride. If you have any interest in horses, history, or a good story then this is a perfect way to spend an hour with your family. All of the carriage tours in Charleston are operated by reputable, longstanding businesses that are licensed and focused on the ethical, humane treatment of their horses. We mention this, because it’s important to know that the horses providing your transportation are cared like family by all of the tour operators.
As far as carriage rides go, two of the most popular tour types are either historic tours or haunted tours. Both feature narration from charismatic, knowledgable guides but focus on different subject matter.
A historic tour is going to - you guessed it - cover more about the Charleston of old. You’ll cruise through the historic district, taking in the sights and admiring the architecture. These tours are generally suited for ages 4+, and are entertaining enough that the youngest in the group should still have fun.
Another theme you’ll find in Charleston are the haunted tours. Haunted carriage tours are definitely the more family friendly than the walking tours (more on that later). A haunted carriage tour will take place in the evening, and topics discussed cover the pirates, ghosts, and supernatural elements found in the Holy City. You’ll see the Provost Dungeon and Old Exchange during these tours, which are two landmarks of any haunted tour in Charleston.
If you’re interested in booking a Carriage Tour, take a look at this curated selection of tours.
Pirate Cruises
One thing you’ll hear on almost any walking our carriage tour is the prevalence of pirates in Charleston’s history. There’s a long history of Charleston’s encounters with these nautical miscreants, and some well known pirates like Blackbeard and Black Barty left their mark on this historic city.
Beyond that Pirates have a woven themselves into the pop culture of America - from Pirates of the Caribbean to Treasure Island, there’s few children who haven’t seen or heard a story related to piracy in the 17th and 18th century. With that in mind, you can take the wee ones on a Pirate Adventure that departs right from Charleston Harbor.
These tours take children of all ages, and even allow the parents to come aboard if they want to share in the fun. Prior to the tour the kids are given the option of having their faces painted, getting some pirate props, and most importantly - being taught how talk like a pirate. They’ll set sail for a 90-minute cruise where they search for hidden treasure. Along the way they’ll need to man the water-cannons and do battle with a rival pirate that holds the key to the treasure they’re seeking.
Ultimately, this is a fun-filled and family friendly way to spend the evening. If you think this is something that is of interest, you can learn more and book a cruise with the Pirates of Charleston.
Dolphin Tours
Another great option for the family are the Dolphin Tours you’ll find throughout the Lowcountry. There are tours that leave right from Charleston Harbor, but if you’re exploring outside of the city you’ll also find them in Folly Beach, Hilton Head, and beyond.
These tours are as family friendly as you can get. Depending on which trip you book, you’ll either head out on a powerboat or a sailboat - one tour provider out of Folly Beach even offers a tour by paddleboard.
Once out on the water you’ll be on a mission to spot some dolphins as they swim, play, and feed. Most of the tour providers in the area offer a guarantee that you’ll see dolphins while you’re out on the water with them, so you can rest assured knowing that there is an incredibly high likelihood that the trip will be a success.
Atlantic Bottlenose dolphins are the most common type you’ll find in the warm waters of South Carolina, and these creatures are known for their playful behavior. In places like the Charleston Harbor, the number of permanent “residents” hovers around 100, but during peak season it can get as high as 300. The fact that there are always dolphins in the water is why some tour providers feel comfortable making a guarantee.
If you’re interested in booking a tour in Charleston, Folly Beach, or Hilton Head you can browse this curated selection of dolphin tours.
Historic Walking Tours
If you want to get out and experience Charleston and the Lowcountry by foot rather than by carriage, you’re in luck. There are many different historic walking tours available throughout the area.
Most tours are recommended for ages 4+, with the exception being there are a few alcohol-oriented tours. These are generally reserved for folks 21+, so be sure the read the description of whatever tour your booking! That said, the historic tours in the area offer a glimpse into the story-rich past of South Carolina’s coast. From pirates to patriots, you’ll learn about what influenced and shaped this corner of the country into what it is today.
From a historical perspective, Charleston is home to one of the most important locations of the Civil War - Fort Sumter. The first shots of the Civil War were fired on Fort Sumter, as South Carolina militias pummeled the Union occupants of the fort.
With that said, we won’t spoil any more of the stories that make up South Carolina’s past. Instead, you can hear them from a local expert by booking a historic walking tour.
