( SouthernLiving.com ) -- We went on 19 tours -- that 's a lot of Charleston -- and then worked up this list of the five best ways to explore historic downtown . Palmetto Carriage Works . Who it 's for : First-time visitors who want a 101 overview of downtown Charleston -- or anyone looking for a refresher course . Why we picked it : After we tried every carriage company in town , Palmetto stood out for its guides ' wit and historic accuracy . Southern Living tip : Palmetto offers free downtown parking . Take advantage of it : Arrive early and wander around the Market . Palmetto Carriage Works : carriagetour.com or ( 843 ) 723-8145 ; $ 21 . Your guide to Charleston hotels . Culinary Tours of Charleston . Who it 's for : Food Network addicts who dream of going behind-the-scenes and want to sample the dishes on Iron Chef . Why we picked it : The 2½-hour overview of Lowcountry dining combines tastings and chats with some of the city 's top chefs . Southern Living tip : The Chef 's Kitchen Tour is given Friday mornings . Plan it as a weekend kick-off -- it may inspire a reservation . Culinary Tours of Charleston : culinarytoursofcharleston.com or ( 843 ) 722-8687 ; $ 42 . Southern Living : `` Don't-Miss '' Charleston restaurants . Tommy Dew 's Walking History Tour . Who it 's for : History buffs who prefer edu-tainment over lectures . Get some exercise and make your history professor proud . Why we picked it : Tommy 's uniquely Southern view : `` It 's called the War Between the States ; there was nothing civil about it . '' Southern Living tip : If you ca n't join Tommy live ( the tour regularly sells out ) , download his `` Charleston City Slicker '' iPhone app . Tommy Dew 's Walking History Tour : onthemarkettours.com or ( 843 ) 853-8687 ; $ 20 . Southern Living : 1-minute escape -- Charleston . Gullah Tours with Alphonso Brown . Who it 's for : Anyone who 's interested in the African American perspective and a snapshot view of the Gullah culture . Why we picked it : Because Alphonso grew up in the Gullah community , he provides an invaluable insider 's perspective . Southern Living tip : Have cash ready to purchase samples of ironwork by the late renowned Gullah blacksmith Philip Simmons . Gullah Tours with Alphonso Brown : gullahtours.com or ( 843 ) 763-7551 ; $ 18 . Southern Living : Backroads guide to Carolina Lowcountry . Chai Y'all Tours with Janice Kahn . Who it 's for : Those who do n't know a shiksa from a yenta . Or those who want an immersion in local Jewish heritage . Why we picked it : Janice offers visits to such sites as Beth Elohim , the oldest synagogue in continuous use in the country . Southern Living tip : Talk to Janice beforehand about your specific interests . Her shtick is all about tailoring stops to your whims . Chai Y'all Tours with Janice Kahn : ( 843 ) 556-0664 ; call for prices ( two-person minimum ) Get the best of the South delivered - recipes , decorating ideas and travel tips . Sign up for our weekly newsletter . Copyright 2011 Southern Living magazine . All rights reserved .
Explore historic downtown Charleston by taking a city tour . Palmetto Carriage Works offers a nice overview for first-timers . Comment: