Daytime Private Carriage Tour (~ 4 Seated Guests)

What Is Not Included?

Meeting Location

Do I have to buy my tickets in advance?

Advance purchase is available and highly recommended. When you buy your ticket in advance you get up to 4 hours of free parking at our lot nearby. That's 2 more hours than our walk-up customers receive! To maximize your chances of getting the day and time you prefer, please buy your tickets well in advance. Advance tickets can only be purchased online or over the phone using a Visa, Mastercard or American Express. Advance tickets can be purchased up until 5pm the day before the scheduled tour. If you are looking to purchase tickets for a same-day tour or it is after 5pm the day before, tickets can only be purchased in person (and not online or over the phone) using cash or credit cards. Same day tickets are available on a first come, first serve basis and subject to availability.

Is my group alone on the carriage? How many people fit in one carriage?

Yes, this carriage ride is for private groups of up to 4 seated passengers (adults and children ages of 2 and older) and up to 2 children under the age of 2 years old who can be seated on an adult's lap.

What if there are more than 4 people in my party and I want to do a private tour?

No problem! Private tours are available for groups of all sizes. We offer private tours for groups of 5 to 8 on our wagonette carriages. Book this tour for your group of 5 to 8 by following the "Daytime Private Carriage Tour (5-8 seated guests)" to the left of the page! We also offer private tours for even larger groups. To inquire about a private tour for a group of 9 or more people, contact us directly by clicking "Contact Palmetto" to the left of the page.

What happens if it rains?

Unless we consider conditions to be dangerous, we give tours in the rain. The covers can be raised on the carriages depending on passenger preference, but this must be done before leaving the barn. Keep in mind that this is an outdoor activity and even when the carriages are covered, if it rains you will get wet. Please dress appropriately!

What is the Palmetto Guarantee?

If, for any reason, you are not satisfied with your Palmetto experience, your fare will be cheerfully refunded. That's the Palmetto Guarantee!

When do tours run?

In general, the first tour is at 9am and the last one is around 5pm, however, these times vary based on the time of the year and are determined by the City of Charleston. Please check the specific schedule for the days you are interested in to find out the available tour times.

How is the tour route chosen and what are the possible routes I will take?

The city is divided into five different zones. After the tour leaves the barn, the carriage makes its first stop at the city gate, where carriages are randomly assigned to one of the five zones. All of the zones cover historically significant areas in Charleston, including churches, museums, and residential areas. All tours are fully narrated. The routes are not scripted and each tour guide gives a unique and personalized tour.

Where should I park?

We have a parking lot located one block away from the Red Barn, just steps away. When you book in advance, you will receive up to 4 hours of free parking! That's 2 more hours than our walk-up customers receive. Please note that parking can be tight and we encourage people to carpool.

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 tour.

Is getting into the carriage difficult? What if I'm in a wheelchair?

Getting into the carriage requires walking up several steps. Therefore, it may be difficult for someone in a wheelchair to board the carriage. However, please note that we will do everything we can to offer assistance in helping someone to their seat.

When should I arrive for my carriage tour?

The time slot you have selected for your private carriage tour is the time your carriage is scheduled to leave the Red Barn. Please arrive at the barn 15 minutes before your scheduled departure time.

Where does the carriage ride end?

All carriage tours begin and end at the Red Barn.

Can I bring food and drinks aboard the carriage?

You may bring food and drink on the carriage. 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 the carriage.

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 by your feet 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?

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.

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 single mules or horses on our smaller carriages which are used for private tours, and mule teams on our larger carriages used for public tours.

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.

Can I book a carriage as part of my wedding?

Sure! There's nothing more romantic than including a carriage in your wedding plans. Palmetto Carriage Works has beautiful private carriages available for wedding transportation from area churches, reception halls, and hotels. To inquire about a wedding package, please click on the "Contact Palmetto" link and let us know what you have in mind.

Can I do a custom tour with a private carriage?

You may choose to board the carriage at our Red Barn or arrangements can be made to pick you up at your hotel. We also specialize in group transportation and can take you to your restaurant of choice and give you a tour along the way. Whatever your needs may be, we can fashion a carriage experience to fit them. Please click on the "Contact Palmetto" link to inquire further.

Are gift certificates available for the carriage tours?

Yes, gift certificates are available for purchase and are the perfect present for a birthday, honeymoon, anniversary, special getaway package or any other occasion. To purchase a gift certificate please click on the "Gift Certificates: Purchase" link in the box above.

Refund/Rescheduling Policy

Non-refundable, cannot be rescheduled.

Once purchased, tickets cannot be refunded and cannot be rescheduled because your space is being guaranteed at the event.

Other Policies

Tours take place rain or shine and may be delayed in extreme heat.

These tours run regardless of weather conditions. In the rare case where we are forced to cancel the event, ticket-holders will be allowed to reschedule to another time (subject to availability). Also note for the safety of the animals, tours may be delayed during extremely hot temperatures to allow animals additional rest time or suspended if the temperature or heat index reaches an unsafe level.

Limited number of passengers allowed on carriage.

These carriages can hold private groups of up to 4 seated passengers which include adults and any children 2 years old and older, as well as up to 2 children under the age of 2 years old who can be seated on an adult's lap.

Limited availability for private carriages.

Due to the limited amount of private carriages, the start/end time of your tour is not flexible. Your tour hour will start and end at the time you have scheduled, for this reason we recommend that you arrive 15 minutes prior to your start time. If you are late your tour will still end at the designated time in order to keep the carriage on schedule.

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