Charleston is one of the best tourist destinations in the US, with over 300 years of rich history to explore. With nearly 4.5 million tourists visiting the city annually, visitors and locals alike experience the splendor of ‘Chucktown’ through its signature horse and buggy tours. The horse carriage rides snake through centuries-old homes to pristine historical attractions that make up for a perfect holiday. Here are seven interesting things you need to know about your Charleston horse and buggy tours:

1. Random Routes Determined Upon Departure

Charleston’s historic district is too vast to cover in one classic carriage ride. The City of Charleston divides the area into four sections, where the route to take is determined via a bingo ball draw. The luck of your draw takes you through exciting and fascinating historical attractions. Shortly after you board, the tour guide will make a quick stop at the across the market to determine the route.

2. Each Ride is a Unique Experience

No two horse and buggy tours in Charleston are alike. Even when you take the same route twice, the experience will be different from the first. The conversations and narrations by the guides are unscripted, promising a unique adventure every time you board.

3. Experienced Certified Guides to Take You Around

The different Charleston horse tour companies employ witty guides that share their secrets and stories of the beautiful culture of the Holy City. Charleston Carriage Works only hires certified guides that take an exhaustive certification process that proves their knowledge of the city.

4. Book Early In the Day

It would be best if you reserved your one-hour horse carriage ride for morning hours. The afternoon sun in South Carolina can be scorching and uncomfortably hot. Charleston has an average daily temperature of 65.6 degrees Fahrenheit, which can rise to 98 degrees in the summer heat. The carriage rides may have to be halted under the hot sun to protect the health of the animals.

5. Expect Some Mule Teams

Belgian and Percheron draft horses have long been part of Charleston’s rich history, and are still used to pull the horse carriages around the cobblestone streets. However, your carriage may be drawn by a team of strong mules that also have a special place in the traditions of the city.

6. Rich Charleston Culture to Explore

With over 340 years of history to soak in, the city is littered with incredible sceneries to visit during your vacation. The different zones and buggy tours take you past many of the iconic sights within Charleston. You get to experience it all in an hour’s ride, from the Soaring cathedral steeples to beautiful old-fashioned vistas lining the streets.

7. Get to Meet the Horses

Your fun doesn’t have to end with a trip around the city. You may decide to meet the horses and pet them. You get to learn more about these strong and powerful companions that shaped the history of Charleston for centuries. Make the horses the stars of the show with a little attention and affection.

There is no better way to experience the beauty of Charleston than on horse and buggy tours. The Charleston carriage rides make your trip around the city truly authentic through the stewardship of experienced guides. For more information on Charleston buggy rides, visit our website today.

As one of the oldest cities in America, Charleston attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists each and every year. No matter where you turn in this incredible city there is history to see, and one of the best ways to experience this history is through horse-drawn carriage tours.

Regulated by the City of Charleson, SC carriage tours are randomly assigned to one of four routes every time they depart. All routes are situated throughout the historic district and each offers a unique perspective of the city. Even taking the same route with a different tour guide can offer a completely different and interesting experience. Since SC carriage tours aren’t scripted, you will always have a new experience no matter what route you take!

Great for Both Locals and Tourists

Whether you’re visiting Charleston for the first time, or you’ve lived there your whole life, horse carriage rides are a must for experiencing the city in a completely different way than what walking or driving can provide. Not only will you be touring the city in the same way they did over 200 years ago, but you’ll be able to hear the stories of history told by entertaining and knowledgable guides.

Even if you’ve lived in Charleston your whole life, you’ll be amazed by all of the rich history that is so easily overlooked. You can sometimes even find specialty tours that allow you to gain more insight into specific pieces of history or romantic tours that are geared towards a cozy and intimate jaunt around Charleston. While tours like this will have to be booked ahead of time, they are something to keep an eye out for if you want something out of the ordinary.

How to Get Started

Tours can be booked online ahead of time or in-person if there is enough space. Though booking ahead of time will often allow you to take advantage of discounts that otherwise wouldn’t be available.

On the day of your tour you can expect a short stop at a check-in station, where your tour will be given a randomly selected route. With no route being better than the next, no matter which one you go down, you’re guaranteed to have a fantastic and unforgettable time.

Whether you’re a local or you’re simply passing through, when visiting Charleston, South Carolina, don’t pass up an opportunity to experience the city in this unique and historic way. SC carriage tours offer a unique and one of a kind perspective that you simply can’t find elsewhere. Not only will you learn about the incredible history of this old American city, but you’ll also make once in a lifetime memories along the way.

During stressful times, it often helps to imagine exploring somewhere new. In fact, it’s been scientifically proven that the process of planning a vacation is just as (or sometimes more) beneficial for one’s health than taking the actual vacation itself! And if you’re looking for a way to distract yourself from what’s going on in the world today, there’s arguably no better way to do it than to immerse yourself in the past.

Whether you’re a self-proclaimed history buff or you’re eager to learn more about what our nation was like centuries ago, our country’s historical sights can provide an immense amount of context and intrigue. And if you plan on taking a trip to Charleston one of these days, you’ll find no shortage of attractions that are steeped in rich history. Let’s take a look at just five must-sees that will pique your interest in U.S. yesteryear and make your Charleston vacation truly unforgettable.

The Charleston Museum

The Charleston Museum, founded in 1773, is known as the first museum in the entire United States. Here, you can explore hands-on exhibits involving everything from historic fashion to archaeological artifacts. The museum is also home to 18th Century weaponry, Native American relics, and information about both colonists and slaves living in Charleston between the periods of the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. If you’re looking to learn more about Lowcountry life, this should be your first stop.

Aiken-Rhett House

The Aiken-Rhett House is located in downtown Charleston, meaning that you might pass by it during walking or horse carriage tours. However, you’ll definitely want to make a point of going inside. It’s one of the most well-preserved homes in all of Charleston and is now owned by the Historic Charleston Foundation. Constructed in 1820, it was passed down from generation to generation and stayed in one family until 1975. Its stunning architecture and emphasis on authentic preservation make this home a necessary part of any vacation itinerary.

The H.L. Hunley Museum

This museum is devoted to the H.L Hunley, the first successful combat submarine. In 1864, the Hunley sank the USS Housatonic in Charleston Harbor. While the submarine itself sank shortly after the attack, the museum offers an impressive amount of scientific information about how it was found and why those events might have occurred. The submarine was subsequently raised and is now on display in a 75,000-gallon tank containing a preservative solution. You can see artifacts found aboard and imagine yourself inside that submarine on a self-guided tour.

The Downtown Historic District

Charleston’s downtown historic district cannot be missed, as it’s a beautiful and vast area with so much to offer. Horse carriage tours can give you a taste of this district and provide an excellent overview of some of the best sights in the city. If you aren’t sure where to start exploring or you don’t have a ton of time to meander on-foot, Charleston’s horse carriage tours can serve as a great introduction. If you feel comfortable exploring the area yourself, you should make sure to go to Liberty Square, the Nathaniel Russell and Edmonston-Alston houses, or some of the breathtaking churches in the area. There’s also the Historic City Market, which can make for an exciting stop.

Magnolia Plantation

With so many things to do in Charleston SC, it’s easy to forget there’s a world beyond the hustle and bustle of downtown. The Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, which is now part of the National Sentinel Plant Network, is known as the first public gardens in the entire nation. The plantation was built in 1676 and visitors can tour the main house and old slave quarters. Information sessions are provided that offer an honest look at the U.S. plantation system — an important point for any true history buff.

Whether you decide to venture into Charleston on your own or sign up for one of our horse carriage tours, we can’t wait for you to explore our beautiful and historic city. To learn more about our tours, please contact us today.

Did you know that over 37% of families announced that going on vacation makes them happy? This makes going on vacation the activity that makes families the happiest. Of course, anyone who has ever been there knows that Charleston, SC is the perfect spot to take a vacation. From the rich history of the city to the ghost stories and from the southern hospitality to the classic carriage rides, there is never any lack of things to do in Charleston, SC.

One of the most popular things to do in Charleston is to schedule a carriage tour to take you around the lovely city. After all, who wouldn’t love a ride in a horse carriage? If you’ve been considering taking a carriage tour, but just aren’t sure it’s the right choice for your vacation, read on below for a few reasons that you should schedule one today.

It’s a Great Way to Relax

Most vacations are all about the hustle and bustle. There’s so much to take in and so much to see that you barely have time to breathe. However, when you’re visiting Charleston, you’ll want to be able to slow your pace and enjoy the sights. A carriage tour will do that for you. Not only will a classic carriage ride include a tour guide who will explain the cities history to you, but it also gives you the chance to look at the landmarks without them just zipping by. Charleston has a lot to offer, it would be a shame to miss any of it.

You Can Bring Your Whole Family

Often, when you’re traveling with a large group, it can be hard to find things to do together. A carriage tour is a perfect way to stay together and see the sights of the city together as well. There are even carriages that can hold up to 16 people, meaning your entire family can have fun together touring the sites of Charleston in style.

Fresh Air and Fun

The last thing you want to do is stay cooped up in a hotel room when you could be out enjoying the sights and sounds this lovely city has to offer. If you feel like you’ve been cooped up, but don’t want to walk around the city, then a carriage tour is the perfect solution for you.

The Horses

If you’re a passionate animal lover, then you already know there’s no better way to travel than by horse. Not only will the horses take you back to a simpler time, but there is also nothing like the sound of a horse’s hooves clomping through the streets of a gorgeous city.

It Can Be Romantic

There are quite a few tours that are offered at night, meaning if you’re searching for a romantic date for you and your spouse, then a carriage tour may be the best way to go. Try a carriage tour, then take her to eat at one of the many romantic spots in the city. After that, take a walk along the beach or just sit on the battery and enjoy the sights and sounds of a city that is packed with history and southern hospitality.

These are just a few of the top reasons to schedule a carriage tour when you’re vacationing in Charleston, SC. Remember, for the romance, the adventure, or just something to do for the entire family, Charleston has it all, and the carriage tours you can book will prove it to you. See you there!

If you have ever wondered about things to do in Charleston, a good place to start would be the history of the city. In fact, the history of Charleston is so rich, that America’s first museum was founded here in 1773. So buckle up and get ready to find out about all the things to do in Charleston. If you have a trip planned here, be sure to get the horse carriage tours in order to see and experience the most of this incredible history that you can.

Charleston, South Carolina is one of the most diverse and long lasting communities in the United States. Starting in the 1670s, Charleston was a leading city in the South from the colonial era to the Civil War. Originally, the city became wealthy through its exports of rice and sea island cotton, and attracted many wealthy individuals. After the Civil War, Charleston’s hinterland lost its regional dominance, however, it remained a hub of commerce for South Carolina. More recently, Charleston has become one of the most popular tourist destinations as it has such an incredibly rich history.

Founding and Early Growth

In 1670, Charleston, South Carolina, was gifted to the loyal followers of King Charles II. These devout men had a dream to turn the area into a royal port town, initially named “Charles Town,” after King Charles II. Within just 10 years, colonists from all over Europe and other areas were flocking to Charles Town. Not everything was rosy, however. Because France and Spain still contested the territory, Charles Town was frequently attacked by land and by sea. Even pirates laid siege to the city, with the infamous Edward Teach (known as Blackbeard) attacked in 1718 and plundered the merchant ships in the area.

Eventually the attacks subsided and by 1750 Charleston became a bustling trade center. As the hub of Atlantic trade for the southern colonies, Charleston was the largest and wealthiest city south of Philly, and soon became the fourth largest colony.

Because of it’s growing importance, Charleston became a focal point during the American Revolution. In 1776, General Henry Clinton attempted to seize Charleston with a large navy and 2,000 men. The 2nd South Carolina Regiment defeated Clinton soundly. Several more important battles were waged in the area, all of which resulted in the British being beaten back again and again. Charleston gave rise to famous men such as Francis Marion, aka the “Swampfox,” who used hit and run tactics to decimate British forces. If you are looking for things to do in Charleston, some reenactments of Revolutionary War battles might be afoot. Keep your eye open!

As the United States was formed, South Carolina (and by extension Charleston) had roots tied to the deep south. Of course, as the Antebellum and Civil War periods arose, this placed Charleston in a position of picking sides. South Carolina was the first state to cede from the Union, and in fact, some say that the first battle of the Civil War (or at least the first shots) was in Charleston as Citadel Cadets opened fire on Union ships.

All of this rich history (and more that we cannot fit in such a short article) make Charleston one of the most popular destinations in the United States. Taking a private horse tour around the city can be a great way to entrench yourself in the deep history of the area from the Revolutionary War to the Civil War and beyond.

Because of this rich history, there is never a lack of things to do in Charleston. Go to a museum. Check out historical sites. Visit our famous eateries. Get a ride around town with a local expert who can help you experience the rich history of Charleston in a way you will always remember.