3 Best Charleston Carriage Tours

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

The city offers a variety of guided carriage tours, and in this article, I'll tell you all about them, as well as everything you need to know about each one, so you can choose the one that suits you best. Are you ready? Let's go!

Let me tell you, there's no better way to get to know the city of Charleston than by hopping aboard one of these traditional carriages and travelling back in time to the 19th century, when these vehicles travelled from one end of the city to the other, carrying passengers along the cobbled streets.

On this one-hour guided tour, you'll visit the most representative sites in Charleston's history, such as the classic City Market, a traditional market where you can pick up some crafts or souvenirs to take home. A tip: the most representative items here are the baskets made of braided sweetgrass, all handmade by local artisans.

You will also visit Rainbow Row, a picturesque group of Georgian-style houses located a few metres from the Cooper River. This is one of the most photographed spots by tourists, as the facades of these traditional houses were painted in pastel shades, each in a different colour, many years ago. It's a picture-postcard image, so get your camera ready.

Other places you'll visit on this tour include the Old Exchange, Provost Dungeon and the Battery, an extremely picturesque maritime tour where you can disembark and enjoy the sun and views of the Cooper River.

Useful information

• Price: from £45
• Tour duration: approximately 60 minutes
• Means of transport: Old carriage pulled by a mule or horse
• Advantages of this option: You will feel part of the city's history and enjoy a leisurely pace, allowing you to appreciate everything much more
• Disadvantages of this option: Not recommended for families with babies or very young children, as it is an old carriage and can be quite bumpy

This interesting tour takes place in one of the historic carriages of the Old South Carriage Company, the most traditional in Charleston, and will allow you to learn more about three centuries of the city's history, reflected above all in its architecture. During the tour, you will see imposing churches, lush gardens and a number of 19th-century mansions, many of them located on the riverfront.

This tour covers no less than 3 kilometres, allowing you to enjoy all the charm of the Holy City. This classic carriage, drawn by elegant Percheron and Belgian horses, retains its original format and design.

The tours are led by experienced local guides who will tell you about the history of each of the sites as you visit them. This is one of the best tours of Charleston with children, as the little ones will thoroughly enjoy the ride and the horses.

This tour will allow you to take incredible photographs of traditional 1800s houses, typical American gardens with wrought iron fences, and many other architectural gems of Charleston as you immerse yourself in its rich history.

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

Useful information

• Price: from £50 for adults and £40 for children. Children under 3 years old do not pay for a ticket as they do not occupy a seat.
• Duration of the tour: approximately 60 minutes
• Means of transport: Old horse-drawn carriage
• Advantages of this option: You will feel like part of the city's history
• Disadvantages of this option: None

Discover the most spine-chilling ghost stories on a carriage tour of downtown Charleston after sunset. Accompanied by an expert local guide, you'll hear about the supernatural events that took place on the streets you're travelling along.

The Holy City is famous for its churches, its past and importance during the American Civil War, and for being one of the most haunted cities 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 reputation.

You'll also pass by 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 in the Old City Jail were the notorious early 20th-century serial killer Lavinia Fisher, along with Confederate generals and a large number of pirates who ventured along these southern shores.

Ranked among the best ghost tours in Charleston, this is definitely a tour only suitable for you... if you're not too easily scared.

Useful information

• Price: starting at £48 for adults.
• Tour duration: approximately 40 minutes
• Means of transport: Mule or horse-drawn carriage
• Advantages of this option: You will feel like you are part of the city's history
• Disadvantages of this option: Not suitable for the faint-hearted or young children

Visiting the city in a classic carriage can be quite an adventure, so here are some tips that you may find useful. Keep in mind that this is not a tour like any other, but an authentic journey back in time. It is ideal for families, especially those with children, who will be able to get up close to the horses.

Although it depends on the type of tour, the average price is around €50, which is more than reasonable for a historical tour of this calibre in a city with so many places of interest. There are reduced prices for children, and very young children usually travel free as they do not occupy a seat and can sit on their parents' laps.

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

In a city like this, where there are so many historical details, without a guide you may miss out on truly interesting places, stories, flavours and anecdotes that only someone with experience and a real knowledge of the place can provide. So don't hesitate, even if it's not your first time in the city and you think you already know everything, I assure you that you may be pleasantly surprised.

As one of the most classic attractions in the city of Charleston, there are many companies offering horse-drawn carriage rides. You will see signs advertising these types of tours on the city streets. However, the easiest way is to book a tour online, so you can select the tour you prefer at the time that best suits your itinerary in Charleston.

We recommend doing this type of tour as a way to get to know the city, especially during your first few days, so you can locate the different areas of interest.

It is always better to book this type of tour online rather than on the street, as you can read reviews from other travellers on the website, get the best prices and guarantee a high-quality tour.

Most companies offering carriage rides in Charleston give this activity an average duration of 60 minutes, although there are also 30-minute options. You can check when booking the tour. The time really flies by, and there are also different stops so you can see the key places in the city of Charleston.

You should know that parking meters in Charleston charge around 5 euros for two hours. Sometimes it is much more convenient to pay 10 euros and cover the cost of parking your car for the whole day.

One thing to keep in mind is that if you book a carriage tour before 10 a.m., you will get free parking for the duration of the tour.

The city of Charleston has many extremely interesting places and details, with great historical and architectural importance. Touring the city on foot or by car allows you to appreciate all these things to a certain extent, 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 to carefully observing the places you pass by, while experiencing the thrill of being transported in a centuries-old carriage.

Whether you go on foot, by car or by other means of transport, you may miss certain important details. In contrast, in a carriage you can sit comfortably at a speed that allows you to enjoy the tour. You will also cover a good number of Charleston's must-see sights.