Tour Routes for Carriage Tours in Charleston

Local Routes

The carriage tour industry is regulated by the City of Charleston, which means all carriages are assigned specific routes (zones) at random upon departure. Charleston’s Historic District is immense, and it is not possible to tour all of it with a single carriage ride. There are five zones within the Historic District, and the carriage tour system is designed to present an informative cross-section while minimizing our impact on motorized traffic. To this end, and for the purpose of carriage tours, there is no zone that is any better than any other, UNLESS there are specific historic Charleston sites you want to see, as they may be in one zone or across zones. If there are specific buildings or specific areas that you feel you must see, a Charleston horse carriage tour unfortunately will not meet those goals. Due to the city-mandated lottery system that determines routes for carriage rides, there is about a 20 percent chance that you will see any specific site.


No matter what route you take, our Charleston carriage tours are designed to give you insight into the history of our great City and to help you explore what makes Charleston unique through a mode of travel older than the City itself. The pace is perfect for going into just the right amount of detail! Click here to book your tour today.

  • Charleston, SC Attractions

    Downtown Charleston is a coastal metropolitan destination with countless things to see and do. Explore the boutique retail shops on King Street, visit one of over 60 beautiful churches throughout the city and then sit down to a world-class dinner on East Bay Street. Whether you’re looking for history, nightlife, sports, live entertainment or shopping, Charleston has it all and more!

  • Charleston, SC History

    With over 340 years of history, every street has a spectacular story to tell. Charleston, South Carolina was settled by English colonists in 1670 and quickly became a wealthy, prosperous destination due to its proximity to the sea. The climate and terrain was ideal for cultivating rice, cotton and indigo, making it a major hub for plantation production. The Civil War began right here at nearby Fort Sumter with the firing of a single Confederate bullet. After the war, the city chose to restore their beautiful landscape instead of rebuild. This left us with gorgeous architecture, an authentic charm and the stunning remnants of the past throughout Downtown and all around the Charleston area. By the early 1900’s, Charleston’s reliance on agriculture decreased as trade and industry rapidly pushed progress forward. Today, nearly 4.5 million tourists visit the city annually to experience its historic splendor for themselves. There’s no better way to experience the rich history of Charleston, SC than an immersive carriage ride experience.

  • Charleston, SC Culture

    They don’t call Charleston the capital of manners for no reason, y’all. Here, we are known for our unique culture blending traditional Southern, English, French and West African influences. Downtown, specifically, has gained a global reputation for art, music, local cuisine and fashion. Ask your carriage tour guide about the great things the Holy City has to offer.

How it Works

  • Per the City of Charleston’s rules, each horse-drawn carriage tour begins with a quick stop at the check-in gate before departure.
  • Here, the Tourism Officials will take a head count of passengers, note the carriage number and randomly assign one of five possible routes via a bingo-style lottery.
  • The color of the ball that appears in the lottery machine’s display slot will determine the carriage tour route that your group will take.
  • Each route is as good as the next, and our knowledgeable, entertaining guides will ensure you will have a fulfilling, memorable time on your carriage ride through Downtown.


Experience Downtown Charleston from one of our classic horse-drawn carriages!