Alphonso Brown's Gullah Tours has run a Gullah-Geechee heritage bus tour from John Street since 1985. Native Gullah speaker; the canonical heritage tour for the city.
Route: Gullah-Geechee history bus tour
Tip: Bus, not walking. Brown's narration is in both Gullah and English. Book directly on gullahtours.com.
Charleston Culinary Tours runs the Downtown Charleston Culinary Tour through the French Quarter and City Market with stops at five working restaurants and bars.
Tip: Book on the operator's site at least 48 hours ahead. Vegetarian and gluten-free routes available.
Bulldog Tours runs Savor the Flavors of Charleston through the historic French Quarter with stops at five restaurants. Lowcountry classics from grits to benne wafers.
Tip: Book on bulldogtours.com; cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund. Comfortable shoes essential.
Bulldog Tours runs the Upper King Street Cocktail Tour through Charleston's craft-cocktail row with stops at four bars. Curated drinks plus bar history along the way.
Tip: 21-and-over only. Book on the operator's site for evening start times Thursday to Saturday.
Undiscovered Charleston runs the city's only chef-led culinary and history walking tour. Chef Forrest Parker pairs Lowcountry food stops with the history that shaped them.
Tip: Small groups, book well ahead on the operator's site. Includes lunch portions, not just tastings.