Charleston Behind the Scenes Shem Creek Shrimp Industry Walking Tour
by Charleston Historic Tours
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$58Overview
This 90-minute walking tour in Charleston covers about 1.5 miles and is led by Captain Bryan. The tour begins on Mary Street with a 15-minute overview of Charleston Harbor, explaining how the area changed due to conflicts, natural disasters, and insect infestations. Next, the group walks for 5 minutes past the home of Shem Creek's first commercial shrimper and the historic shrimp shacks where the original shrimpers lived. The tour continues with a 10-minute walk by the Captain Peter Lewis House, built in 1855, while discussing the ferry system that once operated on Shem Creek. After that, guests spend 10 minutes viewing the Hibben House, the oldest building in town dating to the mid-1700s, to learn about the beginnings of commercial shrimping in the area. The tour then visits a family-run seafood facility for 10 minutes to see locally sourced seafood and hear about the decline of the shrimp fishery, including how the number of shrimp trawlers dropped from nearly 100 to just four by 1998. The final 15 minutes take place at Shem Creek Park, where guests walk the boardwalk to observe shrimp trawlers in operation and finish with a cast net demonstration showing how to catch shrimp. This tour offers a behind-the-scenes look at the Shem Creek shrimp industry, allowing guests to see the industry at work and understand its history and current challenges. A small prize is given at the end of the tour. Participants should be prepared to walk the full distance, especially during warm weather.
Highlights
What's included
Itinerary
Mary Street
Guests walk along Mary Street while learning about the Charleston Harbor and how the area has changed due to conflicts, natural disasters, and insect infestations.
15 min
Shrimp Shacks
The group passes the home of Shem Creek's first commercial shrimper and sees the shrimp shacks where original shrimpers lived in this historic neighborhood.
5 min
Shem Creek
Guests walk past the Captain Peter Lewis House, built in 1855, and discuss the ferry system that once operated on Shem Creek.
10 min
Hibben House
Guests view the Hibben House, the oldest building in the town dating back to the mid-1700s, to understand how commercial shrimping started in the area.
10 min
Seafood Facility
The tour visits a generational family seafood facility where guests learn about the decline of the local fishery, noting the drop from nearly 100 trawlers to 4 by 1998.
10 min
Shem Creek Park
Guests walk the boardwalk to see shrimp trawlers in operation and finish with a cast net demonstration showing how to catch shrimp.
15 min
Meeting point
We meet on corner of Coleman Blvd and Mill street outside of the public parking garage/office. It is the only 4 story office building in the immediate area. There is a circular flower arrangement on that corner that I will be near with a grey hat and tour guide badge on.
End point
The tour ends a short walk away from starting location on a beautiful public boardwalk that is next to the creek where guests have the opportunity to explore further.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Charleston Behind the Scenes Shem Creek Shrimp Industry Walking Tour
by Charleston Historic Tours
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$58Overview
This 90-minute walking tour in Charleston covers about 1.5 miles and is led by Captain Bryan. The tour begins on Mary Street with a 15-minute overview of Charleston Harbor, explaining how the area changed due to conflicts, natural disasters, and insect infestations. Next, the group walks for 5 minutes past the home of Shem Creek's first commercial shrimper and the historic shrimp shacks where the original shrimpers lived. The tour continues with a 10-minute walk by the Captain Peter Lewis House, built in 1855, while discussing the ferry system that once operated on Shem Creek. After that, guests spend 10 minutes viewing the Hibben House, the oldest building in town dating to the mid-1700s, to learn about the beginnings of commercial shrimping in the area. The tour then visits a family-run seafood facility for 10 minutes to see locally sourced seafood and hear about the decline of the shrimp fishery, including how the number of shrimp trawlers dropped from nearly 100 to just four by 1998. The final 15 minutes take place at Shem Creek Park, where guests walk the boardwalk to observe shrimp trawlers in operation and finish with a cast net demonstration showing how to catch shrimp. This tour offers a behind-the-scenes look at the Shem Creek shrimp industry, allowing guests to see the industry at work and understand its history and current challenges. A small prize is given at the end of the tour. Participants should be prepared to walk the full distance, especially during warm weather.
Highlights
What's included
Itinerary
Mary Street
Guests walk along Mary Street while learning about the Charleston Harbor and how the area has changed due to conflicts, natural disasters, and insect infestations.
15 min
Shrimp Shacks
The group passes the home of Shem Creek's first commercial shrimper and sees the shrimp shacks where original shrimpers lived in this historic neighborhood.
5 min
Shem Creek
Guests walk past the Captain Peter Lewis House, built in 1855, and discuss the ferry system that once operated on Shem Creek.
10 min
Hibben House
Guests view the Hibben House, the oldest building in the town dating back to the mid-1700s, to understand how commercial shrimping started in the area.
10 min
Seafood Facility
The tour visits a generational family seafood facility where guests learn about the decline of the local fishery, noting the drop from nearly 100 trawlers to 4 by 1998.
10 min
Shem Creek Park
Guests walk the boardwalk to see shrimp trawlers in operation and finish with a cast net demonstration showing how to catch shrimp.
15 min
Meeting point
We meet on corner of Coleman Blvd and Mill street outside of the public parking garage/office. It is the only 4 story office building in the immediate area. There is a circular flower arrangement on that corner that I will be near with a grey hat and tour guide badge on.
End point
The tour ends a short walk away from starting location on a beautiful public boardwalk that is next to the creek where guests have the opportunity to explore further.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.