Ride through Charleston’s historic downtown blocks with stories on history, architecture, and local life
1 Hour
Up to 16 people
Explore Charleston’s historic downtown by horse-drawn carriage while your guide shares stories behind the city’s homes, gardens, and landmarks. You’ll cover a broad set of sights in about an hour, with departures running throughout the day.
Please arrive at the Red Barn at least 5 minutes before your scheduled departure time. Tours run rain or shine and may be delayed or suspended in extreme heat for animal safety.
Group carriage tickets may be canceled or rebooked up to 1 hour before the tour begins with no penalties. Within 1 hour there are no refunds offered for cancellations and a $25 fee may apply for rebookings.
Parking is limited in the downtown area near the barn, so please plan ahead and allow ample time to find parking before your carriage tour.
Tours run rain or shine, but in the rare case the event is canceled, ticket-holders are allowed to reschedule to another time (subject to availability). Tours may also be delayed during extremely hot temperatures or suspended if the temperature or heat index reaches an unsafe level.
8 Guignard St, Charleston, SC 29401
Charleston's historic streets come alive on these carriage tours, and the guides consistently steal the show. Names like Josh, Michael, Evan, and Brian pop up repeatedly in glowing reviews, with guests praising their deep knowledge of local history and warm, engaging personalities. The horses are equally celebrated, well-cared-for and clearly a point of pride for the operation. One thing that stands out is how naturally guides handle the unexpected. One reviewer noted their horse America got unsettled mid-tour, and guide Josh stepped in calmly to keep everything on track without missing a beat. That kind of attentiveness speaks to how seriously the team takes both safety and the guest experience. A handful of guests mentioned they wished for slightly more detail on some of the landmarks passed, so if you're a deep history buff, consider coming with a few questions ready. That said, the overwhelming majority of visitors leave charmed and recommend the experience without hesitation, including repeat guests who keep coming back and families with young children. For a first look at Charleston or a return visit, this tour delivers a genuinely enjoyable way to see the city.
I had a lovely time this afternoon with Jason in the box seat! I’ve been involved with carriage driving for the past 15 years so I jumped at a chance to take one of the famous carriage tours while in Charleston , and it did not disappoint! The horses are in tip top condition, and a total open floor plan with videos explaining how driving works is so important for people to learn about working horses , and most notably they understand the importance of safety.This is how carriage tours everywhere should be run! Bravo to the Palmetto team!
Molly Savage
May 23, 2026
I had a lovely time this afternoon with Jason in the box seat! I’ve been involved with carriage driving for the past 15 years so I jumped at a chance to take one of the famous carriage tours while in Charleston , and it did not disappoint! The horses are in tip top condition, and a total open floor plan with videos explaining how driving works is so important for people to learn about working horses , and most notably they understand the importance of safety.This is how carriage tours everywhere should be run! Bravo to the Palmetto team!
Molly Savage
May 23, 2026