Charleston Carriage Tours

You will see that there is a lot to see and do in Charleston, but one of the most original and classic ways to tour this city is in one of its famous horse-drawn carriages. This incredible and picturesque South Carolina city has an enormous historical heritage that can still be seen in its cobblestone streets and fantastic buildings. So what better way than to appreciate Charleston's past in this mode of transportation that has been a part of it since time immemorial?

The city offers several guided carriage tours and in this article I will tell you what they are, as well as everything you need to know about each of them, so you can choose the one that best suits you. Are you ready? Here we go!

Let me tell you that there is no better way to get to know the city of Charleston, since getting on one of these traditional carriages is to travel back in time to the 19th century, where these vehicles traveled the cobblestone streets from one end to the other, carrying passengers.

In this one-hour guided tour you will visit the most representative of Charleston's history, places like the classic City Market, the traditional market where you can get some crafts or souvenirs to take home. A tip, the most representative here are the baskets made of braided Sweetgrass, all handmade by local artisans.

You will also visit the Rainbow Row, a picturesque set of Georgian style houses, located a few meters from the Cooper River. This is one of the most photographed spots by tourists, since years ago the facades of these traditional houses were painted in pastel shades, each in a different color. A postcard image, so get your camera ready.

Other places you will visit on this tour are the Old Exchange, Provost Dungeon and the Battery, a very picturesque promenade where you can go down and enjoy the sun and the views of the Cooper River.

Interesting facts

• Price: from 48 €.
• Duration of the tour: approximately 60 minutes
• Means of transport: Antique carriage pulled by a mule or a horse.
• Advantages of this option: You will be able to feel part of the history of the city and enjoy it at a leisurely pace, which will allow you to appreciate everything much more.
• Disadvantages of this option: It is not recommended for families with babies or very young children, keep in mind that it is an antique carriage, so it can move around a lot.

This interesting tour takes place in one of the historic carriages of the Old South Carriage Company, the most traditional of Charleston, and will allow you to learn about more than three centuries of the city's history, reflected mainly in its architecture. During the tour you will see imposing churches, gardens full of freshness and a number of mansions of the nineteenth century, many of them located in front of the river.

This tour covers no less than 3 kilometers, and you will be able to enjoy all the charm of the Holy City. This classic carriage, guided by elegant Percheron and Belgian horses, maintains the original format and design.

The tours, of course, have experienced local guides who will tell you the history of each of the sites as you visit them. This is one of the best Charleston tours with children, since the youngest members of the family will enjoy the tour and the horses to the fullest.

This tour will allow you to take amazing pictures of the traditional houses of the 1800's, the typical American gardens, with their wrought iron railings, as well as many other beauties of Charleston's architecture while you immerse yourself in the depths of its history.

Known as the Holy City thanks to its copious number of churches, Charleston is undoubtedly one of the jewels of the southern United States.

Interesting facts

• Price: starting at 50 € for adults and 40 € for children. In the case of children under 3 years old, as they do not occupy a seat, they do not pay a ticket.
• Duration of the tour: approximately 60 minutes
• Means of transport: Antique horse-drawn carriage.
• Advantages of this option: You will be able to feel part of the history of the city.
• Disadvantages of this option: None

Learn about the spookiest ghost stories on a carriage tour of downtown Charleston after sundown. Accompanied by an expert local guide you will hear about the supernatural stories that took place on the streets you are passing through.

The Holy City is famous for its churches, its past and importance during the American Civil War, and also for being one of the most haunted in the American South. As you tour the Mills House, the Circular Congregational Graveyard and the Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon with your guide, you'll see why Charleston has earned its fame.

You'll also pass the Old City Jail, the former prison where thousands of people were imprisoned and executed. Some of the most famous inmates who ended their days at the Old City Jail were the famous early 20th century serial killer Lavinia Fisher, along with Confederate generals and a number of pirates who ventured along these southern shores.

Included among Charleston's best ghost tours, this is certainly a tour only fit for you...if you're not too spooky.

Interesting facts

• Price: starting at 48 € for adults.
• Duration of the tour: approximately 40 minutes
• Means of transport: Mule or horse-drawn carriage.
• Advantages of this option: You will be able to feel part of the history of the city.
• Disadvantages of this option: Not suitable for frightened or small children.

Visiting the city in a classic carriage can be quite an adventure, so here are some tips that may be useful. Keep in mind that this is not a tour like others, but a real trip back in time. Ideal for families, especially with children, who will be able to get close to the horses.

Although it depends on each type of excursion, the average in general is around 50 €, a price that is more than accessible for a historical tour of such a level, in a city with so many sites of interest. There are reduced prices for children, and in general the very small ones do not pay, since they do not occupy a seat, they go in the arms of their parents.

This is a classic question I get asked all the time, and the answer over and over again is the same: it is always much more convenient to take a guided tour than to visit the city on your own. First of all because you can relax completely, since your certified local guide will take care of everything, and all you have to do is enjoy yourself.

In this kind of city where there are so many historical details, if you don't have a guide you may miss out on really interesting places, stories, flavors and anecdotes that only someone with experience and a true knowledge of the place can give you. So never hesitate, even if it is not your first time in the city and you think you already know everything, I assure you that you can be pleasantly surprised.

Being one of the most classic attractions of the city of Charleston, there are many companies that offer horse-drawn carriage rides. In the streets of the city you will see signs where these tours are offered. In any case, the easiest way is to hire a tour through the Internet, so you can select the tour you prefer at the time that suits you best according to your itinerary in Charleston.

A recommendation, it is preferable to take this type of tours as a way to get in touch with the city, that is, in the first days, so you can locate the different areas of interest.

It is always better to hire this type of tour in advance through the internet instead of booking it on the street, since on the website you can read reviews from other travelers, get the best prices and ensure that it is a tour of the highest quality.

Most companies that offer carriage rides in Charleston give this activity an average duration of 60 minutes, although there are also 30-minute options. You can check at the time of booking the tour. The time really flies by, and there are several stops for you to get to know the key places in the city of Charleston.

You should know that parking meter rates in the city of Charleston, for parking in a 2-hour period, are around 5 Euros. Sometimes it is much more convenient to pay 10 Euros and cover the parking of your car for the whole day.

One thing to keep in mind is that if you book a carriage tour before 10am you will get free hours of parking.

The city of Charleston has many interesting places and details of great historical and architectural importance. Touring the city on foot or by car allows you to half appreciate all of these things, but the great advantage of taking a carriage tour is that you can devote your full attention to listening to your guide's stories and commentary, and looking carefully at the places you pass by, while experiencing being driven in a centuries-old carriage.

If you are on foot, in a car or other form of transportation, you may overlook certain relevant details. On the other hand, in a carriage you will be able to sit comfortably at a speed that allows you to enjoy the ride. You will also take in many of Charleston's must-see sights.