Great tour, awesome guy!
This tour is a must do when in Charleston! He was the best tour guide and had the kids attention the whole time. We had such a great time and I loved that the kids could truly enjoy the tour too! So glad we found JWalk tours
2 hours · $34 · 10 AM daily
Charleston History Tour: The Chicora Walk
Walking the streets of one of the oldest cities in America is walking through the tapestry of American history.
The Chicora Walk is JWalk Tours’ Charleston history tour — a two-hour guided walk through the historic district, $34 per ticket, starting at 10 AM daily from Charleston, SC. It covers the city from its founding in 1670 through its years as the wealthiest port south of Philadelphia, the slave trade that built that wealth, the Revolution, the Civil War, and the fires, earthquake and hurricanes it survived. Eleven stops, including the Old Exchange, Ryan’s Mart, Rainbow Row and St. Philip’s. Led by Jonathan Green, a guide licensed by the City of Charleston.
The Chicora Walk has been selected by TripAdvisor users for a 2021 Traveler’s Choice award – Best of the Best. Almost every guest has told us that we have created the best walking history tour in Charleston.
Our guides love to pull you into the narrative of Charleston’s rich and fascinating history. From its wealth and opulence to the many disasters that fell upon this great city. We also explore its place in the darkest parts of American history and humanity. As a city abound with generations of opportunity, people of great diversity came from near and far to participate in the building of one of the early melting pots in America. Charlestonians built enduring structures; houses, churches, businesses and forts all with their own stories to tell. These streets and structures have been walked by presidents and foreign dignitaries, generals and soldiers, slaves and slave traders, and pirates and merchants.
What the Charleston history tour covers
Three and a half centuries, in the order the city lived them.
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1670 — Founding
Charles Town begins
The city is established in 1670, one of the oldest in America. The walk starts with what was here, who came, and why they chose this peninsula.
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To 1750 — The port
The wealthiest city south of Philadelphia
Charleston grows into one of the nation’s leading ports, especially important for trade and military defense in the South. By 1750 it is the largest and wealthiest city south of Philadelphia — and the architecture you are standing in front of is the receipt.
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The slave trade
Forty per cent came through this port
Forty per cent of all enslaved people brought to this country arrived through the port of Charleston. The city had 40 to 50 slave markets. Ryan’s Mart is the only one still standing, and it is a stop on the walk. We discuss this part of our city’s history rather than walking past it.
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1776–1791 — Revolution
The Declaration, read aloud from these steps
In August 1776 the Declaration of Independence was read to the citizens of Charleston from the steps of the Old Exchange — a building given by the British and finished in 1771 with British money. In 1788 South Carolina ratified the Constitution inside it. In 1791 President Washington visited and was given a three-day ball.
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The Civil War
Robert Smalls steals a ship
Born into slavery and sent to Charleston, Robert Smalls became a wheelman in the harbor, was assigned to the CSS Planter, stole the ship and turned it over to the Union. He became a Captain in the Union Army, then served in the South Carolina General Assembly and five terms in the US House of Representatives.
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Fire, earthquake, hurricane
Everything that tried to destroy it
The Great Fire of 1740 took the Dock Street Theatre. The earthquake of 1886 left St. Philip’s with a four-degree tilt it still has. Add hurricanes, foreign invaders, pirates and Union armies — the city you are walking through is the version that survived all of it.
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The 1930s onward
Why it still looks like this
Rainbow Row was rehabbed in the 1930s and painted its colours to celebrate Charleston’s connection with Barbados. Philip Simmons, one of the most well-known blacksmiths in America, left ironwork all over the old city — including in Stoll’s Alley. This is the preservation story that makes Charleston one of the most well-preserved cities in America.
Tour of the tour
The eleven stops on the Chicora Walk, and what we cover at each one.
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St. Philip’s Episcopal Church
- Oldest congregation in Charleston
- John C. Calhoun, two-time Vice President, buried here
- Christopher Gadsden, William Rhett, Charles Pinckney and Edward Rutledge buried here
- Four-degree tilt due to the earthquake of 1886
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Dock Street Theatre
- First building in America to be used for theatrical performances
- Destroyed in the Great Fire of 1740
- Reopened as Planter’s Hotel in 1809 — Planter’s punch was invented here
- Reopened as a theatre in 1937, and again in 2010
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French Huguenot Church
- Also known as the Church of the Tides
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Chalmers Street
- One of eight remaining cobblestone streets in Charleston
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The Pink House
- Second oldest house in Charleston
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Ryan’s Mart
- Charleston had 40 to 50 slave markets; this is the only one still standing
- Currently a museum
- 40% of all enslaved people brought to this country came in through the port of Charleston
- Here we discuss this part of our city’s history
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8½ State Street
- Architectural features, and why Charleston is one of the most well-preserved cities in America
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Old Exchange
- Built in 1771 — the last building built with British money, and a gift from the British
- In August 1776 the Declaration of Independence was read to the citizens of Charleston from these steps
- In 1788 the Constitution was ratified by South Carolina in this building
- In 1791 President Washington visited and a three-day ball was held for him
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Rainbow Row
- Originally merchants’ homes — shops on the first floor, families on the second and third
- Rehabbed in the 1930s
- Painted these colours to celebrate Charleston’s connection with Barbados
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Robert Smalls
- Born into slavery, sent to Charleston and became a wheelman in the harbor
- Assigned to the CSS Planter — stole the ship and turned it over to the Union
- Became a Captain in the Union Army
- Served one term in the South Carolina General Assembly and five terms in the US House of Representatives
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Stoll’s Alley
- Several great examples of ironwork made by Philip Simmons
- Philip Simmons was one of the most well-known blacksmiths in America
Who the Charleston history tour suits
A good fit if…
- It is your first time in Charleston and you want the whole story in one walk
- You like history told as a narrative rather than a list of dates
- You want the difficult parts of the city’s past covered honestly
- You are comfortable walking for two hours over cobblestone and brick
Consider another tour if…
- You are travelling with children aged 5–11 — the Junior JWalkers scavenger hunt is built for them
- You specifically want Charleston’s women’s history — that is the Badass Broads tour
- You need a private or group departure — talk to us and we will arrange it
Charleston history tour — common questions
What is the Charleston history tour?
The Chicora Walk is JWalk Tours’ guided history tour of Charleston’s historic district. It runs about two hours on foot, costs $34 per ticket, starts at 10 AM daily, and covers the city from its founding in 1670 through the port years, slavery, the Revolution, the Civil War, and the fires, earthquake and hurricanes it survived.
How long is the Charleston history tour?
Two hours, at an easy walking pace with frequent stops, entirely within the historic district.
How much does it cost?
$34 per ticket, booked online in advance.
Does the tour cover slavery in Charleston?
Yes, directly. Ryan’s Mart — the only one of Charleston’s 40 to 50 slave markets still standing — is a stop on the walk, and we discuss the fact that 40% of all enslaved people brought to this country arrived through this port. It is not skipped or softened.
Is the Charleston history tour suitable for children?
All ages are welcome, but it is two hours of walking and listening, which suits older children and teenagers better than young ones. Families with children aged 5 to 11 usually prefer the Junior JWalkers Tour, which is built as a scavenger hunt.
Do I need to book in advance?
Yes — tickets are purchased online ahead of time rather than at the meeting point.
Good to know
The Chicora Walk is a two-hour walk over Charleston’s historic streets, which are cobblestone and brick in places. The pace is easy and there are frequent stops. Tours run rain or shine, so check the forecast and wear comfortable shoes. Tickets are booked online in advance. For group sales and private tours, call 843-608-1911.
See what guests have said, or read the full FAQs.
Let's take a walk
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Worth the time and money!
The Badass Broads tour is one of the most interesting tours we’ve taken in our many years of going to Charleston! Jonathan is an excellent and enthusiastic guide with in-depth knowledge of the Badass Broads of Charleston. Thoroughly enjoyable and worth the money!
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Amazing Women, Amazing Tour
this was an amazing tour. Jonathon is a great story teller and was very knowledgable about the ladies, the city. on a side note the mango smoothie at the Bitts & Beau meeting place was very yummy
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A Rare Gem of a Family-Friendly Experience in Charleston
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Great for the whole family!!!
This was a great activity for the whole family. While it is a kid focused experience, the adults got so much out of the tour too! I highly recommend for Girl Scouts!
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The best tour of Charleston history!!
Three of us took the Badass Broads of Charleston tour, a couple of us live near Charleston and have taken several different tours of the city over the years, this was by far the BEST Tour! Jonathon was SO knowledgeable an a great tour guide. This is a must do when everyone visiting Charleston! The best tour ever!!
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Incredible Family Experience!
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A MUST DO Family Experience in Charleston
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Exceptional!
Jon is very knowledgeable about the history of charleston.
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Amazing family fun!
Absolutely loved this tour. The story telling is top notch. Kept my son engaged and interested. This tour was so needed in Charleston, there isn’t much to do with little kids after dinner and this was the perfect way to end our day! We love JWalk Tours
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If you only take one walking tour, make sure this is it!
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Highly Recommend!!! Do it do it!
Such a wonderful experience!! We learned so much in only 2 hours and he kept it very entertaining! A big highlight to our trip- we will definitely recommend this to anyone who visits!