The Architecture of Charleston

  • Fall Tours
  • Walking Tour, History & Architecture
  • October 4, 2025
  • October 9, 2025
  • October 24, 2025
Washington Park
80 Broad Street
Charleston, SC 29

Highlighting key architectural elements like piazzas, columns, brickwork, pediments, and more.

Spanning over three centuries, from Georgian to Gothic Revival, Charleston’s diverse architectural styles reveal rich stories of craftsmanship, history, and cultural influence. Guided by lifelong Charlestonian artist and tour guide Mimi Whaley, this engaging walking tour highlights key architectural elements like piazzas, columns, brickwork, pediments, and more. Along the way, you’ll gain insight into preservation efforts and how thoughtful design continues to shape Charleston’s unique built environment.  

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Tour Information:

Cancellations & Refunds: All sales are final. Refund requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis until September 1. After September 1, guests who notify the office in advance may either exchange their tickets for a comparable tour if space is available or convert their tickets to a tax-deductible charitable donation. Most tours run a waitlist once sold out – if you are no longer able to attend, please let us know so your space may be released. 

Location: The tour will meet at and depart from Washington Park, located next to City Hall at 80 Broad Street, Charleston, SC 29401

Parking: The nearest parking garage is located at 85 Queen Street, approximately a 5-minute walk away from the meeting point. Neighborhood street parking is generally also available but limited to 1-2 hours for non-residents – please abide by all street signage and parking regulations. 

Restrooms: Public restrooms are available on the ground floor of City Hall at 80 Broad St, adjacent to the meeting point at Washington Park. There are no bathroom breaks during the tour, please plan accordingly.   

Check-In: Check-in takes place at the meeting location at the beginning of the tour. There are no physical tickets, and printed confirmations are not required. All guests will be checked in will-call style using the first and last name on the ticket order.

Other: Tours last between 2-2.5 hours and typically require 6 or more blocks of walking, often over uneven streets and sidewalks. No interiors are included. We suggest wearing comfortable walking shoes and bringing a bottle of water.  

Weather: Tours go on rain or shine. Prepare for inclement weather, if forecasted. The Preservation Society reserves the right to cancel the tours if dangerous or threatening conditions arise. If the tour is cancelled by the PSC, all ticket holders will be contacted, and refunds will be available.  

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