Jewish Stories: The Cemetery & City Tour
At-A-Glance
Duration - 3 hours
Price - $375 for 1 or 2 people (+$50 for each additional guest, up to 7 total)
Schedule - 9 AM and 3 PM every day
Included in your visit:
Local insights into Charleston’s layered history — with a spotlight on Jewish life, legacy, and landmarks woven throughout the tour.
Private tour and entry to Coming Street Cemetery, the oldest Jewish burial ground in the South
Chauffeured driving tour of downtown Charleston with a focus on historic Jewish sites
Bonus scenic drive past Rainbow Row — a guest favorite by popular request
Complimentary transportation throughout in a premium SUV, including pickup and drop-off at your downtown Charleston hotel.*
Cold bottled water and light refreshments
With every tour, you help us give back — a portion of our profits supports Charleston’s local Jewish community
Want to learn more about the sites visited on this tour? See here.
Tour Overview
Your experience begins with hotel pickup and a relaxing ride through Charleston, as your licensed, certified guide introduces the dynamic and often surprising role of Jewish life in the city’s history.
We begin at Coming Street Cemetery — the oldest Jewish burial ground in the South — where weathered gravestones dating back to the 1700s reflect the lives and legacies of rabbis, patriots, merchants, and early community leaders.
From there, we continue with a guided drive through Charleston’s historic streets, highlighting both iconic landmarks and lesser-known sites connected to the city’s Jewish past. You’ll hear stories of perseverance, adaptation, and influence — from “Little Jerusalem” and two historic Sephardic and Ashkenazi synagogues to the home of a Jewish privateer and a brothel once owned by a Jewish woman (yes, really!). We also explore the critical contributions of African Americans within Charleston’s Jewish community — as well as the difficult history of Jewish participation in both the city’s slave economy and the Civil War.
This journey offers more than just history — it’s a layered look at Charleston through a Jewish lens, guided with care, knowledge, and attention to detail.
As with all our experiences, the tour is private, unhurried, and thoughtfully designed — complete with refreshments and engaging storytelling.
Tour Note:
The cemetery terrain includes uneven ground and some narrow pathways. Comfortable walking shoes are strongly recommended. While cold bottled water is provided, guests visiting in warmer months may wish to bring additional hydration or sun protection. Tours operate rain or shine, so please dress accordingly. In cases of severe or unsafe weather, we will contact you to reschedule or issue a refund.
Vehicle Note:
This private tour is conducted in a premium SUV with one front passenger seat and two bench-style rows in the back. It’s most comfortable for up to 4 adults, but can accommodate up to 7 guests total (ideal for families with children). Please contact us if you have questions about seating or group size. See our fleet here.
Cancellation Policy:
We understand plans change. Cancellations made at least 24 hours before the tour are fully refundable. Within 24 hours, tours are nonrefundable.
*Not sure if your hotel qualifies for pickup and dropoff? Please reach out with any questions — we're happy to help confirm.
Looking to enhance your experience? Consider adding a visit to the Jewish Heritage Collection at the College of Charleston—home to original documents, photographs, and oral histories that bring Charleston’s Jewish history to life.
