Charleston Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour: Explore Historic Charleston
Description
Charleston's oldest carriage company invites you aboard for the tour that started it all. Since 1972, Palmetto Carriage Works has explored the streets of this historic city with licensed guides who bring real local knowledge, wit, and humor to every ride. Discover stunning houses, lush gardens, grand mansions, charming churches, and picturesque parks while learning about Charleston's rich history, unique architecture, and vibrant flora. It's an exciting, dynamic experience — a seamless blend of 19th-century conveyance and 21st-century Charleston charm. With multiple departures throughout the day and open-air carriages built for great photos, don't miss your chance to explore the "Holy City" this 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(3,776)
This company does not disclose ahead of time that there is a lottery system done by a bingo machine so that the tour you go on is completely random. We did not find out about this until we were in the carriage coming upon the corner with the bingo machine. Our tour mainly took us in front of residential homes. There was no historic sites visited. If I knew about this lottery system ahead of time, I would not have booked this or any other horse drawn carriage tour.
Wonderful tour with Mariah and Bobo. She was very informative and pleasant. Highly recommend this tour!
Thank you for making us a part of your Charleston, Sally! It was a pleasure having you join us on tour!
Fabulous tour. Our guide, Michael, made it so interesting with great historical facts and many funny anecdotes. I highly recommend this tour —especially with Michael!
Thank you for recommending us so highly! It was a pleasure having you join us on tour!
Well worth the money! Briana, the guide was so knowledgeable and an excellent presenter and our horse Duce was a perfect gentleman!!
Thank you for taking the time to write such a nice review, Penny! We are so glad to hear that you enjoyed your carriage tour with Briana and Deuce. Thanks for riding with us!
Briana was an excellent. Tour was great for the time allotted. Guide was very knowledgeable and answered all questions. Highly recommend
Thank you for making us a part of your Charleston visit, Phil! It was a pleasure having you join us on tour!
We had a really knowledgeable guide Erin and wonderful horse named Buster who showed us a good time. Smart horse smart driver. Fun times in Charleston SC.
Thank you so much, Gloria! It was a pleasure having you join us on tour!
Robyn and Buster made our carriage ride experience absolutely wonderful!
Thank you for the lovely review, Carley! We will be sure to pass along your positive feedback to Robyn and Buster. We hope to welcome you back to our Big Red Barn on your next visit to Charleston!
Robyn was our driver she was great very friendly and informative,I would highly recommend any one who wants a carriage tour to use palmetto carriage works they are great.
Thank you for recommending us so highly! It was a pleasure having you join us on tour!
Had a great experience learning the history of Charleston! With are great guide Robyn and Buster the horse!
Thank you for the fantastic review, Michael! We are so glad to hear that you enjoyed your carriage tour with Robyn and Buster. Thanks for riding with us!
We thoroughly enjoyed the waterfront historic carriage tour with Palmetto Carriage Works. Our guide was Mariah and the horse was Howie. We learned so much about that area snd Mariah was very knowledgeable and answered all of our questions. We can’t wait to go back again next year.
Thank you for taking the time to share your positive feedback, Taylor! We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed having Mariah as your tour guide and Howie as your draft horse. It was a pleasure having you join us on tour!
