Tour Guides & Photos

Charleston’s Best Tours, LLC in Charleston, SC has 6 independently contracted, qualified tour guides.

Roy Brandon, permanently licensed guide since 1999. Originally from Simpsonville, SC; relocated to Charleston in 1994. Permanently licensed guide since 1999.  Holds undergrad in History from the College of Charleston (C of C), class of ‘07.  Docent at the Heyward-Washington House (‘98-’03) and the Charleston Museum (‘00-’05).  Walking tour and step-on guide from ’06-present.  Bus tour guide from ’15-present (Gray Line Tours).

Austin Lassiter, permanently licensed guide since 2011. Originally from Norfolk, VA. Permanently licensed guide since 2011.  Holds undergrad in Religious Studies and Fine Art from the C of C, class of ’08.  Hold Masters of History and Education from The Citadel, class of ’18.  Currently a high school history teacher of [AP] U.S. History, [AP] World History and [Honors] Current Events at the Charleston Charter School for Math & Science.

Justin, permanently licensed guide since 2016. Originally from Greenville, SC. Carriage operator from ’16-present (Palmetto Carriage Works, LTD).  Former flyer on the C-130 airframe in the U.S. Air Force (’03-’13), resigning as Staff Sergeant.

Vandell “Van” Leak, permanently licensed guide since 2002. Originally from Minneapolis, MN; relocated to Charleston in 1999. Permanently licensed guide since 2002.  Holds undergrad in Business from the University of MN, class of ‘98.  Carriage operator from ’02-present (Palmetto Carriage Works, LTD).

Mike Coker, permanently licensed guide since 1997. Born and raised in Goose Creek, SC; holds an undergraduate degree in History from the College of Charleston, class of 2006. Has worked for the South Carolina Historical Society in Charleston since 2000 as the Visual Materials Curator. Writes a monthly history column for Charleston Magazine and co-authored Historic South Carolina: An Illustrated History (2006). Authored the book Charleston Curiosities: Stories of the Tragic, Heroic, and Bizarre (2008).

Jon Jackson, permanently licensed guide since 1995. Originally from Charleston, SC.  Permanently licensed guide since 1995.  Carriage operator (‘95-’05) and walking tour guide (‘97-present). Holds undergrad in History from the C of C, class of ‘97.