Charleston Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour: Explore Historic Charleston
Description
Embark on a captivating 1-Hour Daytime Palmetto Carriage Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour through Charleston's historic downtown district. Explore the streets of this historic city with a licensed tour guide who will gladly answer questions and offer insight into what makes Charleston so unique. Discover the city's stunning houses, lush gardens, grand mansions, charming churches, and picturesque parks while learning about its rich history, unique architecture, and vibrant flora. As the oldest carriage tour company in Charleston, Palmetto Carriage Works has crafted an exceptional experience that combines knowledge, wit, and humor. This tour offers an exciting and dynamic exploration, seamlessly blending 19th-century conveyance with the charm of a 21st-century city. Don’t miss your chance to explore the “Holy City” in this unforgettable way!
Tour Options
Itinerary
Meet your certified tour guide at Palmetto Carriage Works (AKA the Big Red Barn), the starting point for your horse-drawn carriage tour. Enjoy a brief 15-minute orientation and look at our barn before embarking on your journey through historic Charleston.
Our Big Red Barn is conveniently located just off the Charleston City Market. Here, you’ll meet your certified tour guide before departing on your hour-long horse-drawn carriage ride. Your carriage will pass through the city gate at the market, where your guide will assign a unique tour route. Experience approximately 30 blocks of the historic district, showcasing stunning architecture, beautiful churches, gardens, and more. The tour concludes back at the Big Red Barn.
As you enjoy your carriage ride, you’ll pass by the renowned St. Philip’s Church, the oldest congregation in the U.S. south of Virginia. Located just off the market on Church Street, this beautiful landmark is a must-see on your Charleston carriage tour.
Your route also includes a pass by the iconic U.S. Custom House in Charleston, S.C. Construction began in 1852 but was halted due to South Carolina's potential secession from the Union. The building was finally completed in 1879, adding to Charleston's rich history.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Reviews(3,739)
Bronson was an outstanding guide! I’m a local and have done this tour dozens of times - he was terrific - knowledgeable, entertaining, and thorough. Awesome experience!
My carriage tour guide was Sam with horse Bosch. Sam was incredibly knowledgeable, witty, very thoughtful, and so aware of her surroundings. My daughter and I saw the care she gave Bosch and we felt safe in the carriage ride as she was aware of the traffic around us. Obviously, Sam has studied the history of Charleston and related that knowledge to all of us tourists on the carriage ride. Sam is an asset to your company!
Great tour! Rob, our human guide and Mr. Beast, our horse were both fantastic. I highly recommend looking for the big red barn and using this company.
Shay and Charle are the best. Such knowledgeable of Charleston and great personality. Great value and a great way to relax and see it all in 1 hour
Very friendly atmosphere as soon as you walk in the stable. Our tour guide, Shay was very friendly and knowledgeable about the history of Charleston. I thought this was very impressive since she is from Texas!! The twin horses, BooBoo and Yogi made carriage ride smooth. I will definitely recommend this tour.
Kevin with Palmetto carriage rides was excellent. He was very entertaining and informative. And Boeing was great too! Highly recommend.
Our tour guide, Evan, was very knowledgeable and made the tour very interesting. Our grandkids had a good time, seeing it is hard to keep their attention at 6 and 7 years old.
Luke was great! Funny, knowledgable, and personable!
What a fabulous tour of historic Charleston!! Kevin our tour guide gave such great narrative and information on the churches, the streets, Charleston history, and the beautiful historic homes. Our horse Bezos was a sweetheart! The company also takes such good care of their horses!! I would highly recommend this company and if you can pair up with Kevin and Bezos, even better!! Thank you for this great tour!!
Hilton, our guide, did a great job narrating the history of Charleston while guiding "Mr Beast", our one horsepower motive power through some narrow streets. We had a great time with Palmetto Carriage Works and will definitely book with them again if we're in the Charleston area again. We showed up early and they were able to get us on a tour that was leaving almost immediately. And in case you care, restroom was clean and convenient.
