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
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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.
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.
Options
Daytime Carriage Tour
Reviews
3,605 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Carriage ride
Janelle H,Mar 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Sydney was great! The tour very informative and interesting. Highly recommend!
Tour guide help!
Michele S,Mar 30, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Such an enjoyable way to see and learn about Charleston! Have been to the Holy City many times and wanted to share my love of it with friends. They had a great time and want to return.
Great company to choose...
Teresa R,Mar 30, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great company to choose from for a carriage tour of Charleston. Our guide was very knowledgeable and we learned a great deal about the history of Charleston
Please….do better.
Barbara K,Mar 29, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00Tour guide Van and his equine partner Charlie deserve a five star and high praise for a well narrated and well navigated tour; kudos. Sadly, I’m disappointed with the seating plan at boarding. I specifically requested some special attention and support for my sister who walks with a cane. Sadly, we were boarded last and offered seat three but it was not safe to enter that seat as the foot rail has a decided “hump” in that spot and footing would have been unsafe. She was then offered an option to join two others in seat two (their other family members were in seat one). I advised her to sit there for safety reasons. I was then offered seat three (alone) or I could squeeze in beside my sister in seat bench two. I elected to sit beside her. Had scant more time and attention been given to the boarding process this would have led to a better experience for us and for the family seated in front of and with us. Hoping the company learns from this and such issues are not repeated.
Bill was very...
Ed P,Mar 29, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Bill was very knowledgeable with a great sense of humor!! He and Deuce knew their way around!! Deuce was a dill!
Very informative and...
Laurie H,Mar 27, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Very informative and enjoyable! Our guide was great! I would recommend it as a “must do” in Charleston
Fun fun fun
Lisa M,Mar 26, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Tour was just what we were looking for short and our tour guide Bronson made it enjoyable. He was knowledgeable and funny!
Unique Must Do
kpbooth3,Mar 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Definitely worth doing once. $50 seems a tad expensive but still enjoyable experience. Grant narration from the tour guide and Mr. B was a great horse. Ride was smooth. A little over an hour and they drop you off at the same spot. Family owned business which was nice to hear.
Must-See for First-Timers in Charleston
Icarus4335,Mar 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This is my first time visiting Charleston and I would definitely recommend this to anyone else that is also a first-timer. If you enjoy learning local history, this is a great way to take in Charleston. I am blanking on our tour guide's name, but the horse was named Mr. B. Regardless, it was a great and informative tour at a leisurely pace. Price is maybe a bit high ($50 for an adult ticket), but I am okay with it since the money is helping feed and care for the horses.
Excellent Carriage Tour
lkbaluk,Mar 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Excellent carriage tour of old Charleston with Sam as our guide. We arrived early and Palmetto Carriage was able to put us on an earlier tour that had an opening.
From US$49.95
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