Behind Charleston’s Doors lies History and Mystery.
Who is Ann Garris?
Ann Garris has enjoyed living in Charleston, S.C. her entire life. She has experienced Charleston Come Hell or High Water. She’s seen Charleston through proud moments and through tough times.
Now, Ann is proud to share her beloved city with new visitors.
Ann's Career
Before Ann was a tour guide, she had a fulfilling career as a Nurse, then Manager at the Charleston VA Medical Center. She’s no longer caring for patients or managing nurses and medicine, but she continues to serve her community in philanthropic ways.
Because of her love of history and people, Ann became a Charleston licensed /certified city tour guide in 1999. In this role, she has shared her hometown’s charm with hundreds of guests of the Holy City.
Ann is a member of the Palmetto Guild, an organization made up of only licensed /certified tour guides. In addition, she is an active member of the Charleston Tour Association, having served on the Board in the past. She volunteers annually with The Historic Charleston Foundation and serves her community through membership in several benevolent organizations.
Ann's Goal
Ann’s hope is that her guests learn to love and enjoy Charleston as much as she does. Her view is that a guest’s time in The Holy City is limited and precious which she strives to make special.
Therefore, time here needs to be spent wisely. "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is your present."
A private tour is an excellent way to bring history into the present.
With a private tour, you get to go deeper than a tourist. You get to see through the eyes of someone who lives there and has experienced the city’s history as it happens.
Who better to share the experience... Charleston’s 350+ years of history than with a Southern lady who has lived in Charleston, S.C. her entire life?
Ann’s private tours can be customized depending on your personal interests and time.
Beginning Your Tour
Most tours begin at the Mills House Hotel which is located at 115 Meeting Street.
Exploring Charleston
Many Charleston guests love touring in the oldest section of the city, the part which was once walled in. This is a unique feature to the city, as Charleston was the only English walled city in the New World.
In this historic district of Charleston, you will peer into glorious gardens and enjoy fragrances as they drift through wrought iron gates that elegantly frame the garden.
But Ann’s tours are about more than just lovely sights (though Charleston has many).
Ann will weave the city’s history with stories of events as you stroll by lovely old family mansions filled with history, personality, and charm.
You will see the vista of our historical harbor while meandering the High Battery. You will view Fort Sumter, standing guard at the entrance to Charleston from the Atlantic Ocean. You will see and touch a part of the original wall dating back to the 1700’s. In Charleston, history is truly tangible.
Your private tour will also give you a chance to see Rainbow Row, the most photographed part of our city, plus travel on alleyways that speak of their history and mystery.
Sharing the Beautiful History of Charleston
It would be an honor to share Charleston’s charm and help create new memories where history occurred (and continues to occur) each day.
Ann's Tour
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Why would I take a private walking tour instead of a group walking tour?Ann has conducted many group walking tours for other companies. With a group tour, a guest signs up for a general tour and the group may be as large as 20 persons. Guests on group tours have different interest and often interrupt and dominate the tour with their specific questions. There also may be some guests who are not able to walk as well as others and therefore the guide has to adjust the tour route based on the group dynamics. Charleston tour laws also requires that we as a touring group not block the sidewalk. This necessitates a larger group to spead out when we stop which causes some people to have issues with hearing the guide. When you have limited time to tour any city, the flexibility and learning experience you get with a private guide is well worth what you invest.
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What is the cost and how do I pay for my private tour?Ann’s tours are private and the price is based on the number of persons. Her private tour of the historic district which is about 2½ hours is $150 for two persons. Rates for more than two are available upon request. You’re tour reservation can be secured with a 50% deposit whichcan be paidby check, PayPal or Venmo. The remainder of the tour fee will be paid at the conclusion of the tour by check or cash.
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What do I need to bring with me for the walking tour?Think comfortable clothing which is appropriate for the weather. Essentials include "walking shoes" that enable walking comfortably and most importantly safely on uneven sidewalks including crossing cobblestone streets. ( Walking tours are not for folks who are unsteady on their feet ). Sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, and a bottle of water-particularly in warm weather-are necessary. Lastly, don’t forget your camera or cell phone.
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What if the weather is unsettled or if you are not able to make the tour?If the weather is hazardous and not safe to be outside, your tour will be rescheduled at a time convenient for you. If you wish to cancel your tour, for a 100% refund, please contact Ann at least 48 hours in advance.
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Is the tour appropriate for all ages?Everyone is welcome to tour but should be able to walk at a leisurely pace for 2.5 hours. Ann can adjust and shorten the tour at a client's request. If there are small children, you will want to have a stroller. If you have limited mobility or other limitations, talk with Ann in advance so the tour route can be modified. In some cases, it may be better that she recommends a better option for your group.
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Are there restrooms?Public Restrooms are few and far between in Charleston, SC. Luckily, a couple are spaced within the historic district. On Sundays the restrooms have limited hours.
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Why would I take a private walking tour instead of a group walking tour?Ann has conducted many group walking tours for other companies. With a group tour, a guest signs up for a general tour and the group may be as large as 20 persons. Guests on group tours have different interest and often interrupt and dominate the tour with their specific questions. There also may be some guests who may not be able to walk as well as others, and therefore the guide has to adjust the tour route based on the group dynamics. When you have limited time to tour any city, the flexibility and learning experience you get with a private guide is well worth what you invest.
-
What is the cost and how do I pay for my private tour?Ann’s tours are private and the price is based on the number of persons. Her private tour of the historic district which is about 2½ hours is $150 for two persons. Rates for more than two are available upon request. Your tour reservation can be secured with a 50% deposit which can be paid by check or Venmo. The remainder of the tour fee will be paid at the conclusion of the tour by check, cash, or Venmo.
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What do I need to bring with me for the walking tour?Think comfortable clothing appropriate for the weather. Essentials for the tour include walking shoes that enable walking comfortably and safely on uneven sidewalks and crossing cobblestone streets. Sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, and a bottle of water-particularly in warm weather are necessary and depending on the forecast an umbrella can sometimes be your lucky charm. Lastly, don’t forget your camera or i-Phone ( on silence, of course ).
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What if the weather is unsettled or if you are not able to make the tour?If the weather is hazardous and not safe to be outside ( seldom does this happen ) , your tour will be rescheduled at a time convenient for you. If you wish to cancel your tour, for 100% refund, please contact Ann 48 hours in advance.
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Is the tour appropriate for all ages?Everyone is welcome to tour but should be able to walk at a leisurely pace for approximately 2.5 hours. If there are small children, you will want to have a stroller. If you have limited mobility or other limitations, talk with Ann in advance so the tour route can be modified.
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Are there restrooms?Restrooms are few and far between. There are a few restrooms spaced throughout the city. On Sundays the restrooms have limited hours.
REVIEWS
CHARLESTON DOORS
RESERVATIONS
Ann’s tours are private and the price is based on the number of persons. Her private tour of the historic district which is about 2 ½ hours is $150.00 for two persons. Rates for more than two are available upon request. Your tour reservation can be secured with a 50% deposit which can be paid by check or Venmo. The remainder of Ann’s fee will be paid at the conclusion of the tour by check, cash, or Venmo.
Contact Ann Garris for your private walking Tour of Charleston
Phone: 843-224-7817 (call or text)
Email: garrishome@gmail.com
