Charleston Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour: Explore Historic Charleston
Overview
Available languages
1 hour
Mobile ticket
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!
Additional Info
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
What To Expect
Palmetto Carriage Works
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.
Charleston City Market
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.
Options
Daytime Carriage Tour
What‘s Included
Multiple departures available throughout the day
Charleston’s most highly-rated carriage tour
Learn about Charleston’s rich history and iconic landmarks with expert guides
Horse-drawn carriage tour of historic Charleston
Perfect family-friendly experience
Gratuities
The City's mandated lottery system determines the tour routes. Landmarks are not guaranteed.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
3,714 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Interesting and informative!
557Kathleen,Jun 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was our favorite activity of our time in Charleston. Our tour guide, Kevin, was informative and funny, and we learned all sorts of history tidbits as we traveled the streets of Charleston. Deuce, his horse, was a trooper, full of spunk and did a great job of helping us travel. We loved hearing about the palmetto trees. I would definitely do it again.
It was great!
tieam2026,Jun 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our driver Evan and his horse Dutch did an awesome job. Evan was very knowledgeable and fun to be around. My husband and I really enjoyed the tour.
Good tour, very well kept horses.
suzanneb450,Jun 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We booked for the 9am ride and there were only 4 of us on board - great time to go as we saw later departures which were rammed! Our guide was very good as was our trainee ‘driver’. Howard the horse pulled us around! Don’t worry about the welfare of the horses, they are very well looked after.
What a great way to know the details of the history of Charleston
Go23270787254,Jun 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What a wonderful tour. I would highly suggest this, the history and the knowledge of the driver Mike at his horse Troyer absolutely top notch. Out of all of the attractions in Charleston I would highly recommend this tour and this guide. I’m sure that all of the guides are top-notch. Which was evident from our guide Mike and his horse.
Fun and fact-filled
Laurie N,Jun 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We did a tour with our 11-year-old grandchild and all had fun! Our tour guide was Michael C with Teddy as our horse. Michael was very knowledgeable, funny and personable. We learned a lot about Charleston - the city, history and people. We highly recommend!
Sidney was an awesome...
Tracy L,Jun 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Sidney was an awesome tour guide! She was funny, adorable and informative and Isiah was the best and sweetest work horse ever!
Very informative
Multimillionaire81,Jun 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Kevin the tour guide and Bezos the horse were both enjoyable. Kevin was very informative as well as funny. If you are quick witted you will get all of his jokes. This was my second time touring with this company. I would highly recommend the tour. They take extremely great care of their horses and the tour guides are always full of rich history and information.
Great Activity For ALL Ages
Erika T,Jun 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Kevin was such an amazing tour guide! He was funny, extremely knowledgeable, and made all the multitasking that went into the tour look so easy. Bezos, our horse, was such a good boy!! It was funny to watch his personality come through along the trip. He knew EXACTLY where he was going, and was so gentle and patient…even when a car was stopped on the road and 3 carriages were having to wait to get back to the barn. He backed up and waited…and only had a little bit of an attitude 😂😂 I was very impressed with the barn and the fact that Palmetto goes beyond the mandatory breaks for the horses. They are so well taken care of and loved by the staff! We learned SO much about Charleston and our whole family agrees that it was a GREAT activity!
Sam was very...
Rhonda S,Jun 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Sam was very knowledgeable with fun facts sprinkled in! Spoke clearly and a fun sense of humor. Don’t miss.
Interesting
Maps394109,Jun 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Kinda spendy and TripAdvisor didn't have the company name
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