Tours Charleston Charlestonharbortours – History and Scenic Beauty

Enjoy a unique combination of Charleston's historical charm and natural beauty. This package provides a ticket for a scenic Charleston Harbor Tour aboard the classic Carolina Belle, along with a voucher for admission to Middleton Place. Middleton Place is a National Historic Landmark located along the Ashley River in Charleston, a rare survivor of the American Revolution, Civil War, economic upheavals, and natural disasters. It connects to the very fabric of our nation’s complex history, focusing on the contributions of the Middleton family as well as the enslaved Africans and African Americans who lived and worked here. The stories are a microcosm of United States history, from the early Colonial period through the Revolution, the early Republic, the Civil War era and beyond. At Middleton Place, you can stroll through vast garden rooms, visit the heritage breed livestock in the Stableyards, and witness live demonstrations by resident blacksmiths, potters, and other textile workers, showcasing skills performed by the enslaved. Daily outdoor tours delve into three centuries of stories of men and women, free and enslaved, who participated in the building and stewardship of this American icon. Included General Admission tours offer guided garden walks exploring the land, flora, and contributions of Europeans and enslaved Africans and African Americans. The "Beyond the Fields: Enslavement at Middleton Place" program facilitates a conversation about slavery in American history with stories of brutality, survival, contribution, and perseverance. You can also "Meet the Historic Livestock Breeds" on a guided tour to learn why they were brought to the plantation and how they contributed to its history. On the Charleston Harbor Tour, aboard the 72-foot Carolina Belle, you'll cruise the scenic harbor while hearing fascinating local stories and seeing over 75 landmarks critical to our nation’s history. These include Fort Sumter, Civil War Forts Moultrie and Johnson, the USS Yorktown (the famous World War II "Fighting Lady"), St. Michael's Church, stately homes on the Battery, and the Cooper River Bridges, including the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge. Keep an eye out for dolphins and pelicans skimming the surface of the water. The Carolina Belle features a glassed-in, climate-controlled Main Salon and an open, partially covered Observation Deck for spectacular views in any weather. The tour is fully narrated, providing a rich historical context to the sights you'll encounter.