Charleston is a beautiful and welcoming city, the largest in the state of South Carolina. It is an incredibly popular tourist destination, with its large selection of historic homes and tourist markets. The Folly Beach and the Isle of Palms are just two of its selection of beaches. This is the sort of city you can visit at any time of the year, with a long list of activities you could do during any season.
However, you’ve not experienced Charleston’s beauty unless you take a horse carriage tour down its streets, down its Spanish-mossed, brick-walked downtown. These classic carriage tours are an exciting tourist experience that allows you to take in the city and all its cultural and historic elements. Here are a few things you ought to remember when taking a horse drawn carriage tour of Charleston.
1. There are 4 Routes
The City of Charleston is in charge of the tours and the routes they take. This means that it doesn’t depend on the tour company you choose. Charleston receives hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. To reduce any traffic disruptions such numbers might cause, the district has been divided into four sections.
It’s a gamble which section your tour will take, but that’s okay- each of these sections is captivating and hauntingly beautiful in its own way.
2. You Will Have a Guide
Walking down Charleston’s streets in itself is a wonderful time, but doing with so with a guide makes the whole experience even better. Each guide is unique and different from the other; altogether, they are all very enlightened, intelligent, wholesome and knowledgeable people. Each of them tells the story of the city in their own autonomous way, the way they experienced it, making every horse carriage tour different and fun.
3. The Earlier in the Day, the Better
It is advisable to take your tour of the city earlier in the day, especially in the summer, spring, and fall. During such times, the afternoon sun may get unbearably hot. Often, the ambient temperature may go as high as 98 degrees, and the humidity will become uncomfortable. When such temperatures hit, the tours stop to ensure the animals’ health is always protected.
Morning tours are just as fun and exciting; in fact, it’s even better to take a horse carriage tour before the city is up and bustling with everyday life.
4. Buying Horse Carriage Tour Tickets Ahead of Time
You don’t have to buy tour tickets in advance. You could always buy them right before getting on the classic carriage rides. However, during popular weekends, it may be a good idea to do so as it will help cut down on how much time you wait in line.
Some companies have different perks and special offers available, but you’d have to book ahead for these. For example, it’s possible to meet the horses about ten minutes before the horse carriage rides begin. Other companies have cozy, romantic carriages and offer specialized tours, and it makes sense to book ahead of time if you’d like to try out the experience for yourself.
A Horse Carriage Tour for the Best Charleston Experience
If you’re looking for a wholesome, beautiful tourist experience that opens you up to the city, its landmarks, and cultures, then horse drawn carriage tours are right up your alley. You will have a guide to walk you through the section of the district your tour will be taking, giving you details about the city and the cultural implications of every interesting thing your horse wobbles past.
Remember, you don’t have to buy tickets in advance, all you need to do is show up! That is unless, of course, you’d like a specialized tour or one of the romantic offers many tour companies have. Take pictures, shoot videos, write detailed journal entries- capture the memories of your time here to carry with you everywhere else you go.
