Charleston: Horse & Carriage Tour of Historic Homes & Churches

Summary

Ride through Charleston’s history by carriage with stories and city sounds all around

You’ll ride through Charleston’s cobbled streets by horse-drawn carriage with a certified local guide sharing stories about historic homes, churches, and gardens. Expect laughter, small surprises (like catching jasmine on the breeze), and time to soak up the city’s Southern character—all at an easy pace that lets you notice details you’d miss on foot.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing that happened was I nearly tripped over my own feet trying to say hi to one of the draft horses—big gentle eyes, but honestly I think he was more interested in his hay than me. The stable smelled like clean straw and a bit of leather, kind of grounding after the sticky air outside. We checked in (don’t be late, they mean it), and our guide—her name was Marsha—handed out a few quick smiles and some advice about sitting near the front if you want to hear her better. I did, but ended up in the middle anyway because someone’s kid beat me to it. Fair enough.

Once we rolled out into Charleston’s streets, the horse’s hooves made this steady clopping sound that almost drowned out the distant hum from the City Market. Marsha started pointing out these iron gates—she called them “wrought iron lace”—and I tried to snap a photo but mostly caught my own thumb. She had this way of weaving stories about old houses and church steeples without sounding like she’d told them a hundred times before. There was this one garden behind a faded blue house where you could smell jasmine even from the street; I didn’t expect that at all.

At one point we paused near a church with chipped white paint, and Marsha lowered her voice just a little—said something about how people used to gather there during storms because it was the only building left standing after some ancient hurricane. The air felt heavy for a second, like everyone on the carriage was holding their breath. Then someone’s phone rang (classic), and we all sort of laughed it off together. That moment stuck with me more than any postcard view.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Historic Charleston horse-drawn carriage tour

• Check in at stable
• Greet draft horses and watch video
• Purchase water or use restroom
• Board carriage via ramp
• Meet certified tour guide
• Depart stable and stop at City gate
• Tour 30 blocks with historic sights
• See gardens, mansions, gates, and churches

Top questions

How long is the Charleston horse & carriage tour?

The tour lasts about 1 hour from start to finish.

Where does the carriage tour start in Charleston?

The tour begins and ends at Old South Carriage Co's stable in downtown Charleston.

Are children allowed on the carriage tour?

Yes, children are welcome; those 3 years and under can sit on an adult’s lap for free.

Is the carriage accessible for wheelchairs or strollers?

Yes, carriages have an inclined ramp for easy boarding and are wheelchair accessible.

Do tours always follow the same route?

No, routes are assigned by the city daily to manage traffic; all cover historic highlights.

Are service animals permitted on this tour?

Yes, service animals are allowed during the carriage ride.

What is included in this Charleston carriage tour?

You get a certified driver/guide, Belgian or Percheron draft horse team, and sightseeing through historic neighborhoods.

What’s included

Your hour-long experience includes meeting gentle Belgian or Percheron draft horses at the stable, easy ramp boarding onto your carriage with space for strollers or wheelchairs if needed, plus live narration from your certified guide as you roll past Charleston’s most storied homes, churches, gardens—and yes, plenty of chances to ask questions or just listen as history unfolds around you.