Planning a trip to the Holy City this spring and looking for things to do? Charleston has no shortage of activities for every type of tourist. Whether your interests include immersing yourself in the history of an area or pure entertainment, there is undoubtedly something here for you to enjoy.
Horse & Carriage Rides
The best way to immerse yourself into the Charleston cultural scene is by taking a horse and carriage ride. Palmetto Carriage offers two different types of tours: a daytime hour-long historic tour as well as an evening 45 minute haunted history tour. Both tours allow guests to explore the historic streets of Charleston, but the content differs slightly from daytime to evening. If you’re looking for a classic tour where the beauty of Charleston is highlighted through its rich history, a daytime tour might be the choice you make. If you like learning about the sinister side of an old historic town, the haunted history tour will have the content you’re looking for. Either way, you’re sure to walk away having learned something new about Charleston.
Palmetto Carriage offers both the daytime and evening tours on a public group carriage or on a private vis-a-vis carriage, depending on your preference. Our public carriages hold 16 passengers and tickets are sold individually. Our private carriages hold up to 4 passengers, and our private wagonettes hold up to 6. Pricing varies depending on the type of carriage, and can be found by clicking here.
Fort Sumter Tour
One of Charleston’s most famous tour destinations, outside of historic Downtown, sits out in the middle of Charleston Harbor. Fort Sumter offers guests the opportunity to explore the grounds where the American Civil War began. Tours depart from two locations daily: Downtown at Liberty Square, or in Mt. Pleasant at Patriot’s Point. This two hour tour begins and ends with a boat ride to and from the fort. Upon arrival, National Park Rangers will guide you through the history of the island and answer any questions you may have. After you’ve had the time to explore the fort, you’ll board the boat to return to your departure point. This tour can be combined with a daytime or evening public carriage tour with Palmetto Carriage if you’re looking to save a little bit on the price tags.
Middleton Plantation Tour
Another popular tour destination in the Charleston area is to one of the plantations on the outskirts of town. Middleton Plantation offers a beautiful scenic tour of the plantation grounds and is absolutely worth a visit if you can fit it into your plans. Admission grants you access into the gardens and comes with a guided tour if you choose to do that. Plan to spend an hour or the afternoon exploring. Palmetto Carriage also offers a combination tour which includes admission into the plantation as well as a public carriage ride of your choosing for a discounted ticket price.
Harbor Tour
If being on the water is a priority, a tour of Charleston harbor might be the best option for you. As the weather heats up, feeling the cool sea breeze would be a great follow up to a Downtown on-land tour. SpiritLine Cruises offers a 90 minute cruise around Charleston Harbor with sights including the Downtown Charleston skyline, the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, and the Yorktown Aircraft Carrier. Cruises depart from two locations daily: Downtown at Aquarium Wharf, or in Mt. Pleasant at Patriot’s Point. Times vary depending on the season. Click here to view the current tour schedule. Palmetto Carriage also offers a combination tour with one of their public carriage rides. Combo carriage ride and harbor tours can be booked here.
Edmondston-Alston House Tour
If you’re interested in seeing the inside of one of the commanding homes on Charleston’s battery, overlooking the Cooper River, consider visiting the Edmondston-Alston house. Sitting among some of Charleston’s oldest and most historically significant homes, this house can truly give a visitor an understanding of what it might have been like to live in Charleston in the 1800s. This house withstood the American Civil War, the Earthquake of 1886 and many hurricanes over the years. If you’d like to combine this tour with a Palmetto Carriage ride, please click here.