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(3,742)
We booked this tour on July 4th for the history aspect and getting to see some areas in Charleston we knew we wouldn't want to miss seeing. The trip did not disappoint! Our guide was a hoot! He had a fantastic personality and was very humorous and knowledgeable about the history of Charleston. Unfortunately, a guy along the route starting taunting and yelling about the horse and abusive use of the carriage. Our guide was extremely professional and polite and addressed the man in a positive manner. The horses here are so loved and cared for and it shows. Our guide also informed us of just how much care and attention goes into these amazing gentle giants everyday. Charlie was our horse and everyone could tell he was very well loved and taken care of. I would absolutely recommend this trip in Charleston!
Great experience. Excellent guide - fun, knowledgeable and professional. Ride was just long enough, lots of historic information. Guide was expert inamaging through traffic and kept our beautiful horse Admiral calm and moving at just the right speed
I was looking forward to this tour of Charleston but I had no idea what a great tour it would be! Bronson, our carriage driver seems to be a walking encyclopedia of all things Charleston: floods, fires, pirates, architecture, history - all presented with stories and humor. This is a truly memorable tour and worth every penny! ALL of the staff we interacted with were very friendly and helpful!!! DO THIS. You won't be disappointed!
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.
Thank you for taking the time to share your positive feedback, Roxane! We are so pleased to hear that you and your grandkids had a fun time on your carriage tour with Evan. Thanks for riding with us!
