Vis-a-vis carriages and wagonettes | Tours available every evening

About Palmetto Carriage Works

Palmetto Carriage Works is the oldest carriage tour company in Charleston

and has developed the greatest carriage experience in the city!

A must on things to do in Charleston during your visit with us. During your one-hour, fully narrated tour through the streets of historic Charleston, your guide will recount the vibrant tale of the city's exquisite history with over three hundred years of information. Also, your tour begins and ends in our Red Barn, so you can purchase drinks or snacks, use the restroom, and interact with our animals before your tour begins. Our barn is also handicap accessible.

A variety of carriages are available to suit your tour party’s needs, from public carriage historic tours, intimate private carriage rides, beautifully decorated wedding carriages, and group tour specials capable of carrying over 200 passengers, Palmetto Carriage Works has defined the carriage tour in Charleston for 40 years.

Booking Notes

Call us at 843-723-8145 if you would like to add on any of the following tours:

Fort Sumter Tour

Boats to historic Fort Sumter depart daily from Liberty Square in downtown Charleston or Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant. Enjoy this 30-minute cruise to historic Fort Sumter where you will learn about its pivotal role in the American Civil War. Spend an hour exploring before boarding the boat for a cruise back to your departure point.

Middleton Place Plantation Tour

Explore 65 acres of formal landscaped gardens at the beautiful Middleton Place.

Edmonston Alston House Tour

Tour the inside one of Charleston’s most beautiful and historic homes. Located on The Battery, The Edmondston Alston house is the only house museum in Charleston that commands a magnificent view of the Charleston Harbor. This home was built in 1825 and has been beautifully maintained.

Call us to upgrade your ticket! 843-723-8145

FAQ

Do I have to buy my tickets in advance?

Advance purchase is available and highly recommended. When you buy your ticket in advance you are eligible to book guaranteed 4-hour parking as well at a nominal rate, which will begin at your designated tour time. To maximize your chances of getting the day and time you prefer, please buy your tickets well in advance.

What happens if it rains?

Unless we consider conditions to be dangerous, we give tours in the rain. Keep in mind that this is an outdoor activity and the carriages are covered, but when it rains you will get wet. Please dress appropriately and bring an umbrella for the walking portion.

What is the Palmetto Guarantee?

If, for any reason, after you've taken the carriage tour and/or walking tour, you are not satisfied with your Palmetto experience, your fare will be cheerfully refunded. That's the Palmetto Guarantee!

What about young children, can they come?

Yes, children of all ages are welcome; however, all children between the ages of 4-11 are required to have a ticket. For children under the age of 4, they may ride in the lap of an adult for free and a "Lap Child Extra" must be reserved. Should you wish for children under the age of 4 to have their own seat, you may purchase a Child ticket for them. Note that there is a city-imposed limit of 4 free lap children per carriage - should those spots be taken, all remaining children must have a Child ticket purchased for them.

Where should I park?

We have a parking lot in Downtown Charleston just a few steps away. If booking in advance, you're eligible to purchase a guaranteed 4-hour parking space starting at your tour time for a nominal fee. Just select the Parking extra at the time of purchase for each car that will need a space. Alternatively, if you don't purchase the guaranteed parking, there may still be space in our lot one you walk up. If you do take your chances and there is still space, you may park for free for 2 hours.

Are there public restrooms available?

Yes, we have 2 restrooms in our barn. There will be no opportunity to stop to use the restroom during the one-hour carriage tour or during the walking tour once you are in the residential area.

Is getting into the carriage difficult?

Getting into the carriage can sometimes be difficult, so we've solved that problem for you with our loading dock! You climb 3 steps or walk up a ramp to a platform that's level with the carriage. Rather than climbing up, all you have to do is step in! We are equipped to handle any handicapped needs you might have.

What if I'm in a wheelchair?

We cannot get your wheelchair on the carriage, but we can get you right next to the front seat and offer expert assistance in helping you to your seat. For the walking portion we just ask that you keep in mind that the city street are not the most wheelchair friendly with lots of uneven pavement and bricks. But we will be as accommodating and helpful as possible during the tour.

Where does the carriage ride end?

All carriage tours begin and end at the Red Barn.

Where will the walking tour end?

The walking tour will start at the Big Red Barn and end at Washington Square Park. This allows you the opportunity to explore the historic district on your own, or if you would prefer to go back to the Red Barn at the end of your tour, our guides will be happy to walk you back.

Can I bring food and drinks aboard the carriage and on the walking tour?

You may bring food and drink on both the carriage and walking tour. We have a shop in the barn where drinks and snacks are available for purchase with credit cards or cash. Alcohol is not allowed on either tour.

Can I bring personal items with me onto the carriage? How much room is there?

Items such as purses, backpacks, or small shopping bags will fit on the floor beneath your seat or in your lap. Larger items, such as umbrellas, wheelchairs, crutches, scooters, bikes, or strollers will not fit on the carriage. We have ample storage space in the barn to leave these larger items during the tour. However, please note this is not a secured storage location, so it's best not to leave valuables here.

Can I bring a pet with me on the carriage and walking tour?

Service animals and small, well behaved pets are able to sit on the floor of the carriage. Pets must remain leashed and under the control of their owners at all times on both tours. Some walking tours may include a visit to the Powder Magazine in which case all animals, other than service animals, would have to wait outside.

Is the ride safe?

Yes! Carriage tours are a safe way to enjoy the city at a slower pace than by bus or car. Our animals are trained to work in a city environment and are comfortable working here.

What kind of animals do you use?

We use either a mule team or a large draft horse on our larger carriages used for public tours and single mules or horses on our smaller carriages (which are used for private tours).

Why do you use mules?

Mules are the best animals for pulling carriages in Charleston. After over 25 years of use, we believe that mules work better in the heat than horses. The mule has long been the beast of burden of choice in the American South - from 18th century plantations to the streets of 21st century urban America, this adaptable hybrid has proven its worth for over 5,000 years!

If the animals are sweating, is that bad?

No, that's actually good! Sweating is the animal's way of cooling itself. We add a Vitamin E supplement to the animals' feed to promote sweating and also add electrolytes to their feed to replace necessary elements lost through sweating. Additionally, you'll notice plenty of fans around the barn, including a misting fan that sprays a fine mist over the animals to keep them cool.

Does it ever get too hot for the animals to work?

Yes. When the temperature reaches 98 degrees or the heat index reaches 125 degrees, we stop our carriage tours. Each animal has its temperature checked after every tour, and if an animal's temperature ever exceeds 103 degrees it is pulled from service. Charleston is the only city in the world where the animals' temperatures are individually monitored.

What other animals are in the barn?

The barn is also home to chickens, goats, a miniature horse, and a miniature donkey. Our miniature animals go the the farm for some rest and relaxation on a rotational basis. Feel free to interact with our animals as you wait for your tour to depart.

Cancellation Policy

Rescheduling Policy

• Private carriage tickets may be canceled or rebooked up to 24 hours before the tour begins with no penalties. Within 24 hours there are no refunds offered for cancellations and a $25 fee may apply for rebookings. Please call 843-723-8145 to make changes to your reservation.