Hours
Admission
Parking & Directions
Special Needs

TOURS
Educational Programs & Tours

Group Tours

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Gift Shop

The Royal Exchange and Custom House was completed in 1771 during Charles Town’s Golden Age. The building quickly became the commercial, political and social center of the most prosperous of Britain’s thirteen American colonies.

In 1774, Josiah Quincy, Jr. of Boston wrote of his arrival:
" . . . the new Exchange which fronted the place of my landing made a most noble appearance."

While many of the historic buildings in Charleston are residences and focus on prominent families of the city, the Old Exchange began its existence as a public building and remains so today. Owned by the South Carolina Society of the Daughters of American Revolution, the Old Exchange offers public tours of its three floors that highlight various aspects of Charleston history during the Colonial and Revolutionary eras and put into context the people and events of the period.

It is our goal to make history fun and entertaining for our visitors -- both young and old. Instead of watching your children’s eyes glaze over during a visit to yet another historical site, you'll be pleased to see their interest piqued during a tour of the Old Exchange. Young and old alike seem drawn to the Provost Dungeon. Our experienced docents will lead you through its eerie confines, and our animatronic storytellers--the Deputy Collector, Mister Mate and Tom the Stockman--will entertain you and your family with wonderful tales of pirates and patriots. You’ll be having so much fun, you may not want to leave!

We know you'll be presented with a lot of history, so we encourage you and your family to PLEASE ask questions! We love to share our history, so ask away! Any of the costumed docents, museum shop cashiers and office personnel will be happy to help in any way.

And to help preserve your memories of your visit to the Old Exchange, camera and video photography is allowed EXCEPT in the Isaac Hayne Room and the SCDAR Room!

Don't forget to visit the Gift Shop after your tour to select one of the hundreds of items available as a momento of your visit. There's lots of "kid-friendly" souvenirs, too!

HOURS OF OPERATION
The Old Exchange is open every day of the week from
9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.

ADMISSION RATES (as of Jan. 2, 2010)
General Admission:
Adults: $8.00
Children: $4.00 (Ages 7-12)
Students: $4.00
Children ages six and under (accompanied by an adult) are admitted Free.

Regular Group Admission (6 or more in one group):
Adults: $7.00
Children: $4.00 (Ages 7-12)
Children ages six and under (accompanied by an adult) are admitted Free.

Discounts Available:
AAA (with valid membership card)
CAA (with valid membership card)
AARP (adults over 50--with valid membership card or Drivers License)
Military (Active and Retired--with valid ID)
Student (with valid student ID )

DIRECTIONS
--From I-26, stay in left lane and take Exit 221B (Meeting Street/Visitor Center). Turn right at the bottom of the exit ramp going south on Meeting Street. Proceed on Meeting Street approx. 1.5 miles through the historic district (watch for turn lanes). Turn left onto Broad Street. The Old Exchange building is straight ahead where Broad Street ends at East Bay. Turn left onto East Bay. See parking options below.
--From the Charleston Visitors Center (at Meeting and Ann St.), turn right onto Meeting Street and proceed through the historic district. Turn left onto Broad Street; the Old Exchange is straight ahead where Broad Street ends at East Bay. Turn left onto East Bay. See parking options below.

PARKING
Located at the intersection of Broad Street and East Bay, the Old Exchange Building is fortunate to have ample parking within a one-block radius. (See map above for parking options.)

Parking options include:
-An 18-space metered lot just behind the Old Exchange building, just off Gillon Street (the first narrow street on the north side of the building).
-A parking garage (ramp) just 2 blocks north of the Old Exchange on Mid-Atlantic Wharf. Hourly and daily rates available.
-On-street metered parking meters. Make note of your arrival time so you can add money/time if needed.

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SPECIAL NEEDS
The Old Exchange is accessible to the physically challenged, with a convenient ground level entrance at the rear of the building, and elevator access to each floor. Please call (843) 727-2165 or check-in with a cashier in the Gift Shop upon arrival to gain access.

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GROUP TOURS
To help us plan for staffing needs at specific times, we ask that tour guides, tour companies, large families, and church groups, etc. make reservations (for groups of 6 or more) by calling (843) 727-2165 during business hours. Costumed docents will guide your group through all three floors, interpreting the many exhibits and the building's architecture and history. Let us know if your group has a particular interest in architecture, history, archaeology, etc. so we can highlight those aspects of the tour for you.