Palmetto Carriage Works

The Sights Of Charleston, SC

White horse guides tourist through the public in Charleston, SC on Palmetto Carriage Works horse drawn ride

The History of The “Holy City”

During your tour of Charleston, you see not only the highlights of Charleston’s past but you also delve further into the city and learn about areas not normally seen by typical tourists. All of Charleston’s beauty and charm are preserved due to strict preservation laws, and the suburbs of Old Charleston are a remarkable place to hear and witness the ever-unfolding history of the “Holy City.” A new ordinance passed in 2018 that doesn’t require tour guides to be licensed, but we want to keep our tours historically accurate and informative so all of our guides are still licensed through the city to provide you the best tour of Charleston. Discover some of the sights you may see and learn about on a ride with us (not all sights listed below are guaranteed)!

Discover Your Charleston Tour Stops

Aiken Rhett House Charleston Tourist destination, as seen on the horsedrawn carriage tour by Palmetto Carriage Works.

The Aiken-Rhett house is the northernmost site on Charleston’s Museum Mile and is one of the best preserved mansions in the area. 
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Located on 89-91 Church Street is a three storied row of houses locally known as Cabbage Row or Catfish Row, a structure from the Revolutionary War era.

Cabbage Row

18th century architecture abounds here and you won’t be disappointed when your carriage tour travels down Church Street and past some interesting historical structures including a three storied row of houses locally known as Cabbage Row.
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Horse Drawn Palmetto Carriage outside the Calhoun Mansion in historic Charleston, South Carolina.

Williams Mansion Formerly Calhoun Mansion

The Williams Mansion is the largest private residence in all of Charleston and may be seen on your carriage tour of this beautiful, historic city.
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Horse Drawn Palmetto Carriage outside the City Market in historic Charleston, South Carolina.

City Market

The City Market was first established in 1807 on land given to the city in 1788. What was the catch? The city had to use the land, indefinitely, for the purpose of a public marketplace. They have kept their end of the bargain.
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Exterior of the historic college of Charleston, Palmetto Carriage Works historic tour destination.

College of Charleston

The College of Charleston majestically stands as a reminder of this city’s rich history in the heart of the historic district. This public college founded in 1770 holds the title of oldest college or university in all of South Carolina.
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Exterior of the Historic Old Exchange building in Charleston South Carolina, sight on the Palmetto Carriage tour.

Old Exchange Building

Charleston is an old city with a vast history and over 1400 historic places of interest but it is hard to beat the Old Exchange Building in a competition for the most interesting and varied history in the city.
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Horse-drawn carriage tour outside of historic Colonial Lake, as seen on the best tour of Charleston, South Carolina by Palmetto Carriage Works.

Colonial Lake

You might be wondering why a lake and lakeside park are part of a historical carriage tour in a city filled with historical architecture. Colonial Lake just happens to have a story and rich history all its own.
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Exterior of Grace Episcopal Church in Gothic Revival architecture as seen on the Palmetto Carriage Works Charleston tour.

Grace Episcopal Church

Charleston is a charming southern city dating back to the 1600s with a rich history which is partially evident in the many grand, historical churches that dot the city. One of these churches is the Grace Episcopal Church, standing tall as a perfect example of Gothic Revival architecture in the city.
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Exterior of the Miles Brewton House, a colonial townhouse in the historic district of Charleston South Carolina as seen on a tour of Charleston by Palmetto Carriage Works

Miles Brewton House

On 27 King Street in Charleston South Carolina you will find one of the most admired colonial townhouses in the historic district. 
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Exterior of the historic Old City Jail in Charleston, South Carolina as seen on a tour of Charleston by Palmetto Carriage Works, offering the best tours of Charleston South Carolina.

Old City Jail

In the heart of the historic district, the oldest part of Charleston, sits the Old City Jail. The Old City Jail was home to some of Charleston’s most famous criminals.
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Exterior of Rainbow Row, the most photographed tourist destination in Charleston, South Carolina as seen on a tour of Charleston by Palmetto Carriage Works

Rainbow Row

Rainbow Row just may be the most photographed area of historic Charleston. This charming row of colorful historic homes is a major tourist attraction and a perfect example of the old row houses that were very distinctly Charleston.
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Exterior of St. Michael's Church, the oldest church building in Charleston as seen on the Palmetto Carriage Works Charleston tour.

St. Michael's Church

Palmetto Carriage Works charming carriage tours stop at one of the most historical buildings in the city. St. Michael’s Episcopal Church is the oldest church building in Charleston, built on the original site of the first Anglican Church south of Virginia.
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Exterior of St. Philip's Church on Church Street, South Carolina as seen on the best tour of Charleston by Palmetto Carriage Works.

St. Philip's Church

St. Philips Church founded in 1680 is just one of many old churches in Charleston South Carolina and the oldest congregation in the state. South of the Virginia state line it is known as the oldest Anglican congregation.
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Exterior of Two Meeting Street Inn Bed and Breakfast in Charleston, the most romantic destination in the country as seen on the Palmetto Carriage Works tour of Charleston South Carolina.

Two Meeting Street Inn

In historic downtown Charleston, situated in the heart of the desirable South of Broad neighborhood, is quite possibly the most recognized Bed and Breakfast in Charleston and one of the most romantic destinations in the country.
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Pineapple fountain on waterfront Park, popular historic Charleston South Carolina tourist destination

Waterfront Park

Looking at Waterfront Park now, you would never guess that not so long ago in the history of Charleston, this once bustling area had declined to the point that it was almost unrecognizable as the busy section of harbor that it once was.
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Exterior of Wentworth Mansion, famous Charleston luxury hotel as seen on the Palmetto Carriage Works tour of Charleston South Carolina.

Wentworth Mansion

Historic Charleston is known for its grand historical architecture but some have called this mansion in the heart of the historic district “the finest home in all of Charleston.”
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White Point Garden located on the Charleston Battery as seen on the Palmetto Carriage Works tour of Charleston South Carolina.

White Point Gardens

In the heart of the Charleston historic district is a piece of history with roots going back to the early 18th century. It was the site of colonial style justice in the 1720s and played a part in the civil war. Today, White Point Garden is a charming waterfront park located right on the Charleston Battery.
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Exterior of historic William Rhett House as seen on the Palmetto Carriage Works tour of Charleston South Carolina.

William Rhett House

The William Rhett House is considered one of the oldest houses in historic Charleston and was one of the first of its kind to be restored back to its original grandeur.
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Interior of the Powder Magazine, the oldest public building in the southeast as seen on the Palmetto Carriage Works tour of Charleston South Carolina.

Powder Magazine

The Powder Magazine was built around 1713 just inside the original city walls. The modest structure housed a supply of gunpowder safely away from the civilian population. It is the oldest public building in the southeast.
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