See Everything Charleston Has To Offer, Book A Carriage Tour With Us!

Carriage Tours In Charleston, SC

If you're a first-time visitor to the Holy City, there's one iconic experience you can't miss: a real-deal carriage tour. It's not hard to find the old-fashioned open-air carriages as they click and clack their way through the historic districts of the peninsula, starting from City Market. Incredibly knowledgeable tour guides point to the humble, infamous, and famous sights for which Charleston is famous. From soaring church steeples and stunning vistas over the harbor to quaint pocket gardens and four-foot-wide streets, a carriage ride provides a nuanced overview of the complex city we love to call home.

The best tour guides also share tragic, fascinating, and hilarious stories of the men and women who made Charleston the beauty that it is today. And when it comes to the very best carriage tours in Charleston, SC, nobody does it quite as well as Carolina Polo & Carriage Co.

Best Carriage Tours Charleston, SC

A few of the biggest reasons why guests choose our carriage ride company include the following

 Carolina Polo & Carriage Charleston, SC

Extraordinary Draft Horses

Our amazing horses often steal the show, and are highly trained to provide a fun, safe experience. As the stars of our carriage tours, providing them with care, nutrition, and love is our top priority.

 Carriage Ride
Company Charleston, SC

Knowledgeable Guides

What would a tour of Charleston be without a tour guide who immerses themselves in the history of the Holy City? If you're looking for the perfect mix of accuracy and entertainment, look no further than Carolina Polo& Carriage.

 Most Fun Carriage Tours Charleston, SC

Comfy Carriages

Our carriages are designed for modern times and mix comfort and safety for our horses while maintaining an authentic look. Go ahead, take a seat. You'll love riding around Charleston in style!

Group Carriage Tours

Join us for an unforgettable one-hour group tour through the charming streets of downtown Charleston. Our knowledgeable and passionate guides will bring the history and architecture of Charleston to life before your very eyes. You'll witness stunning gardens and parks, grand mansions, historic churches, and buildings while learning about the people and events that shaped the history of this "Holy City." Don't miss out on this incredible experience!

Itinerary for Our Group Carriage Tours

Best Carriage Tours Charleston, SC

Our public tours begin at the Historic City Market and cover several possible routes, showing you the most notable and historic sites in Charleston. You will get to witness the Old Exchange building, which is one of the most historic buildings in America and was finished in 1771. It was the last building constructed by the British before the Revolutionary War. The Edmonston Allston House and the historic White Point Gardens, popularly known as "The Battery," are also part of the tour.

During your horse-drawn carriage tour, your guide will enlighten you on the significance of several points of interest along Meeting Street, including the Calhoun Mansion, the Historic House Museum (The Nathaniel Russel House), and First Scott's Presbyterian Church. These highlights are just a fraction of all the incredible historic sights you will see on one of our tours around Charleston, depending on which route your tour takes.

Finally, all our tours end in the Historic City Market, where you are free to enjoy your next Charleston adventure. When you ride with our carriage company, you can be confident that you will have an unforgettable experience of Charleston's rich history and heritage.

What to Expect from Our Group Carriage Rides

 Carolina Polo & Carriage Charleston, SC

When planning to take a tour, please note that tours depart from the Historic City Market every half an hour. To join the tour, you will need to check in at the ticket office located at 45 Pinckney St on your preferred day and indicate your preferred departure time. However, please be aware that during peak season and on weekends, wait times may vary.

Once you are cleared for departure and have boarded the carriage, the City of Charleston Tourism Officials require that all guests check in at the gate before departure. Additionally, for traffic flow and tax reasons, the city randomly assigns one of four routes for each carriage to tour through the historic district of Charleston. This assignment is determined by a spin of a bingo ball machine, with the color that comes up indicating the route or "zone" that the carriage is allowed to tour.

 Carriage Ride
Company Charleston, SC

As you embark on your tour, you'll be pleased to know that it starts near the Historic City Market, a 200-year-old public market that spreads across four blocks. Though routes vary, you'll get to see some of Charleston's most notable sites, including Rainbow Row. A collection of pre-revolutionary buildings, Rainbow Row is an iconic landmark in Charleston that spans an entire block.

During the tour, you'll also hear about the fascinating history behind several historic homes and mansions, like the Villa Marguerite, the William Washington House, and the Famous #2 Meeting Street Inn. The latter overlooks White Point Gardens and is a popular spot for photography in the southeast.

As you pass through Meeting and Broad Street, you'll come across the Four Corners of Law, which Robert Ripley named the Four Corners of Law in his famous Ripley's Believe It or Not. There are many possible routes for your tour, and these are just a few examples of the sights you could see!

Finally, all tours end in the Historic City Market, leaving you free to explore Charleston's many other adventures.

 Most Fun Carriage Tours Charleston, SC

Please note the following information before your tour begins. Once you have boarded the carriage and are ready to depart, it is mandatory that you check in at the gate, as per the City of Charleston Tourism Officials' regulations.

The city has designated four different routes for the carriages to follow through the historic district of Charleston. To ensure fair traffic flow and for tax purposes, the city randomly assigns each carriage one of these routes through a bingo ball machine. The color that comes up on the machine determines the route or "zone" that the carriage will tour.

To get the necessary information and directions, please approach an attendant at the Carolina Polo & Carriage ticket office, located at 45 Pinckney Street, at least 10 minutes before your scheduled tour start time.

Latest News in Charleston, SC

Loyola Chicago vs. Charleston (SC): Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Charleston (SC) Cougars (8-3) take on the Loyola Chicago Ramblers (9-2) at SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center on December 23, 2024.On Sunday, in its most recent game, Loyola Chicago lost to Oakland 72-71. With 21 points, Miles Rubin was its high scorer. Charleston (SC) lost its most recent game to Oregon State, 74-65, on Sunday. Derrin Boyd starred with 13 points, plus five boards and two assists.When is Loyola Chicago vs. Charleston (SC) and when does it start?This game between the Ramblers and Cougars will tak...

The Charleston (SC) Cougars (8-3) take on the Loyola Chicago Ramblers (9-2) at SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center on December 23, 2024.

On Sunday, in its most recent game, Loyola Chicago lost to Oakland 72-71. With 21 points, Miles Rubin was its high scorer. Charleston (SC) lost its most recent game to Oregon State, 74-65, on Sunday. Derrin Boyd starred with 13 points, plus five boards and two assists.

When is Loyola Chicago vs. Charleston (SC) and when does it start?

This game between the Ramblers and Cougars will take place on Monday, December 23, 2024. Expect to see the opening tip at 5:30 PM ET.

The Ramblers and Cougars will take to the court at SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center for this matchup on December 23, and if you want to see the game live, get your tickets now from Vivid Seats!

You can catch this game live on ESPNU.

Loyola Chicago Ramblers vs. Charleston (SC) Cougars Game Preview

Loyola Chicago’s +151 scoring differential (outscoring opponents by 13.7 points per game) is a result of scoring 78.9 points per game (97th in college basketball) while allowing 65.2 per outing (46th in college basketball).

The Ramblers are averaging 78.9 points, only 2.7 more than the 76.2 the Cougars give up.

Loyola Chicago hits 1.9 more threes per game than the opposition, 8.5 (125th in college basketball) compared to its opponents’ 6.6.

Charleston (SC) has a +26 scoring differential, topping opponents by 2.3 points per game. It is putting up 78.5 points per game, 113th in college basketball, and is allowing 76.2 per outing to rank 292nd in college basketball.

The Cougars average 78.5 points, 13.3 more than the Ramblers allow.

Charleston (SC) makes 7.6 three-pointers per game (206th in college basketball) compared to its opponents’ 8.6. It shoots 35% from deep, and its opponents shoot 31.8%.

Ramblers Leaders
Name GP PTS REB ASST STL BLK 3PM
Sheldon Edwards 11 12.4 2.6 1.5 0.6 0 3
Jayden Dawson 8 12 2 0.9 1.3 0.8 2.4
Des Watson 11 12 3.6 3.2 1.2 0.2 1.7
Miles Rubin 11 8.8 5.7 1.1 0.2 2.3 0
Jalen Quinn 11 7.9 1.6 2.1 0.6 0.4 0.1
Cougars Leaders
Name GP PTS REB ASST STL BLK 3PM
Ante Brzovic 11 18.5 8 3.5 0.7 1.2 1
Deywilk Tavarez 11 10.5 2.6 2.2 1.2 0 1.5
AJ Smith 10 10.3 3.9 0.9 0.6 0 0.4
Derrin Boyd 9 10 3.7 2.1 0.7 0.1 1.7
Lazar Djokovic 10 9.9 5 0.8 1 0.9 0.1

And for more CBB game previews, NCAA basketball picks or even how to bet on college basketball check out the latest NCAAB lines on Betsperts.

Where to Watch Loyola Chicago vs. Charleston (SC)

The Charleston (SC) Cougars (8-3) go up against the Loyola Chicago Ramblers (9-2) at SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center on December 23, 2024.Loyola Chicago dropped its most recent game to Oakland, 72-71, on Sunday. Miles Rubin led the way with 21 points, and also had nine rebounds and one assist. In its most recent game, Charleston (SC) fell to Oregon State on Sunday, 74-65. Derrin Boyd scored a team-high 13 points (and added two assists and five boards).When is Loyola Chicago vs. Charleston (SC) and when does it start?...

The Charleston (SC) Cougars (8-3) go up against the Loyola Chicago Ramblers (9-2) at SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center on December 23, 2024.

Loyola Chicago dropped its most recent game to Oakland, 72-71, on Sunday. Miles Rubin led the way with 21 points, and also had nine rebounds and one assist. In its most recent game, Charleston (SC) fell to Oregon State on Sunday, 74-65. Derrin Boyd scored a team-high 13 points (and added two assists and five boards).

When is Loyola Chicago vs. Charleston (SC) and when does it start?

This matchup between the Ramblers and Cougars will take place on Monday, December 23, 2024. Expect to see the opening tip at 5:30 PM ET.

The Ramblers and Cougars will hit the hardwood at SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center for this matchup on December 23, and if you want to see the action live, get your tickets now from Vivid Seats!

You can catch this game live on ESPNU.

Loyola Chicago Ramblers vs. Charleston (SC) Cougars Game Preview

Loyola Chicago is outscoring opponents by 13.7 points per game with a +151 scoring differential overall. It puts up 78.9 points per game (97th in college basketball) and gives up 65.2 per outing (46th in college basketball).

The Ramblers are averaging 78.9 points, just 2.7 more than the 76.2 the Cougars allow.

Loyola Chicago hits 8.5 three-pointers per game (125th in college basketball), 1.9 more than its opponents (6.6). It is shooting 35.6% from beyond the arc (107th in college basketball) while allowing opponents to shoot 31.5%.

Charleston (SC) puts up 78.5 points per game (113th in college basketball) while allowing 76.2 per contest (292nd in college basketball). It has a +26 scoring differential and outscores opponents by 2.3 points per game.

The Cougars’ 78.5 points per game are 13.3 more than the Ramblers give up.

Charleston (SC) makes 7.6 three-pointers per game (206th in college basketball) at a 35.0% rate (131st in college basketball), compared to the 8.6 its opponents make, shooting 31.8% from beyond the arc.

Ramblers Leaders
Name GP PTS REB ASST STL BLK 3PM
Sheldon Edwards 11 12.4 2.6 1.5 0.6 0.0 3.0
Jayden Dawson 8 12.0 2.0 0.9 1.3 0.8 2.4
Des Watson 11 12.0 3.6 3.2 1.2 0.2 1.7
Miles Rubin 11 8.8 5.7 1.1 0.2 2.3 0.0
Jalen Quinn 11 7.9 1.6 2.1 0.6 0.4 0.1

And for more CBB game previews, NCAA basketball picks or even how to bet on college basketball check out the latest NCAAB lines on Betsperts.

Charleston, SC: Distracted driver illegally merges over a gore point, cutting off a motorcyclist who blares their horn as driver ignores the near miss

This driver’s negligence could’ve ended a lot worse had the motorcyclist not had room to maneuver away.South Carolina motorcycle commuter and Redditor /u/attacklibrarian shared headshaking dashcam footage from Charleston from earlier this December (Dec 12, 2024) to the /r/IdiotsInCars subreddit showing a driver in a Nissan Rogue make an illegal merge over an exit gore point dangerously close to /u/attacklibrarian.Despite getting a healthy dose of horn, the driver didn’t even have the courtesy to acknowledge ...

This driver’s negligence could’ve ended a lot worse had the motorcyclist not had room to maneuver away.

South Carolina motorcycle commuter and Redditor /u/attacklibrarian shared headshaking dashcam footage from Charleston from earlier this December (Dec 12, 2024) to the /r/IdiotsInCars subreddit showing a driver in a Nissan Rogue make an illegal merge over an exit gore point dangerously close to /u/attacklibrarian.

Despite getting a healthy dose of horn, the driver didn’t even have the courtesy to acknowledge their massive mistake.

Check out OP’s video below with their Reddit thread linked here.

The incident happened on Calhoun St just before the James Island Expy onto the Robert B Scarborough Bridge (Exact location on Google Maps linked here.)

As the video shows, OP is riding along Calhoun St approaching the James Island Expressway when he observes a driver in a Nissan Rogue headed towards the Lockwood Dr. exit attempt to abort and merge illegally across a gore point (two solid white lines) aimed directly to the side of his motorcycle.

OP lays on his horn and it sounds like other cars around the pair do as well.

“What the f*** are you doing, lady?,” OP says to the lady under his helmet.

Thankfully, nothing comes of the incident and everyone makes it onto the bridge without further incident.

OP says he’s been a rider for over a decade but does admit towards the end of a reply in a now-deleted thread that he could’ve been riding more defensively.

“I’ve been riding for 15+ years and commuting almost daily, year-round, for most of that time. About 10 of those years have been on this route, so I am aware of where drivers tend to make mistakes. This is one of those spots because people don’t realize they are in the wrong lane and often make aggressive, dangerous, and illegal moves to get into the left lane,” OP clarifies.

“I could have and should have been more defensive by speeding up more than I did. As I commented on this thread, I know the graveyard is full of people who had the right away. F*** that lady though, haha!,” OP concludes a reply.

In South Carolina, disregarding a traffic control device like a gore point is subject to a fine of up to $232.50 before fees and 4 points on your driving record.

Rapid Reaction: Northwestern falls to Charleston (SC) 68-62 in Philadelphia

Northwestern (6-4, 0-1 B1G) played Charleston (9-1, 0-0 CAA) very tough but just couldn’t get enough buckets in the clutch to secure a victory in its first of two games at the Hawk Classic in Philadelphia.Caileigh Walsh led the way for the ‘Cats with 20 points and and nine rebounds off the bench. Three other Northwestern players ended the game in double-figures as Melannie Daley finished with 12 points and both Taylor Williams and Casey Harter scored 10 points each.For Charleston, it was the Barbot twins who secured...

Northwestern (6-4, 0-1 B1G) played Charleston (9-1, 0-0 CAA) very tough but just couldn’t get enough buckets in the clutch to secure a victory in its first of two games at the Hawk Classic in Philadelphia.

Caileigh Walsh led the way for the ‘Cats with 20 points and and nine rebounds off the bench. Three other Northwestern players ended the game in double-figures as Melannie Daley finished with 12 points and both Taylor Williams and Casey Harter scored 10 points each.

For Charleston, it was the Barbot twins who secured the victory. Taryn Barbot scored 24 points — including five threes — to lead all scorers, while Taylor Barbot scored 15 points and added on team-highs with four assists and four steals. Lara Rohkohl also stuffed the stat sheet for the Cougars with nine points, nine rebounds, three steals and two blocks.

Northwestern secured the opening tip, and Harter cashed in with a mid-range jumper to get the scoring started on the first possession of the game. Taylor Barbot answered back with the first bucket for Charleston a minute later. Jami Hill knocked down two free throws to give the Cougars their first lead at 4-2. Taryn Barbot and Sophia Tougas hit threes separated by a few minutes, and after Barbot made two more free throws, Charleston held Northwestern scoreless for more than seven minutes to take a 12-2 lead after a 10-0 run.

The Wildcats did get on the board again with a Grace Sullivan layup at the 2:07 mark, and Harter sank a three on the next Northwestern possession to cut the lead to 12-7. The Cougars responded quickly though, as Rohkohl made a jumper, then stole it from Harter in the backcourt and finished in transition to extend the lead to nine points in the final minute of the first quarter. Kyla Jones and Taylor Barbot traded jumpers at the end of the quarter, and Charleston went into the break with an 18-9 lead.

Walsh heated up at the start of the second quarter, scoring from inside the arc on two consecutive possessions to make it 18-13. Daley hit a mid-range jumper on the next possession as Northwestern capped off a 6-0 run and forced an early Charleston timeout with the score at 18-15. Taryn Barbot stopped the Northwestern run with a three and after Walsh sank two free throws, Taryn Barbot sank another three to make it 24-17. After a ‘Cats turnover, Taryn Barbot scored another three points, this time with the old-fashioned way an and-one after Harter fouled her shooting a mid-range jumper.

Daley made a jumper to cut the lead down to 27-19, but the ‘Cats still had yet to find any rhythm on the offensive end. McKeown took a timeout a minute later to try and reset. Jazmyn Stone hit a jumper after the break to give Charleston a ten-point lead again, but Walsh and Daley responded with buckets of their own to make it 29-23 with just under three minutes left in the half. Stone drew a foul and made both free throws before Walsh knocked down two consecutive threes help the ‘Cats finish the half on a 10-2 run and cut the lead to just two. Charleston led 31-29 at the half. Walsh’s hot final minute extended her first half total to 14. Daley was Northwestern’s second leading scorer after one with six, and Taryn Barbot led the way for Charleston with 14 of her own.

McKinley Brooks-Sumpter scored first for Charleston in the second half, but Williams started to take over. She scored her first points of the game with an and-one to cut the lead to 33-32. A few possessions later, Williams secured a rebound and made a nice outlet pass to Jones in transition to give the ‘Cats their first lead since it was 2-0. Another Williams bucket extended the Wildcat lead to five, and Charleston was forced to call a timeout.

Tougas knocked down a three to make it 38-36, but the ‘Cats extended the lead again with another Williams bucket in the paint. Taylor Barbot and Rohkohl scored to tie it at 40, but Walsh quickly broke the tie on the next possession with two free throws. Daley made a long two from the corner in the final minute but two straight Barbot jumpers — first from Taryn, then from Taylor — at the end of the quarter meant the fourth quarter would start with the game tied 46-46.

Daley scored on Northwestern’s first possession of the fourth quarter, but Rohkohl made two free throws on four attempts on two separate trips to the line to tie the game back up at 48. Jones scored and after missing the free throw with a chance for an and-one, Williams grabbed the offensive board and scored to make it 52-48. Taylor Barbot made one free throw to cut it to three, but a Jones layup extended the lead to five with 4:39 on the clock. Hill made a jumper but after a one-for-two trip to the line for Williams, Charleston closed out strong.

The Cougars went on an 8-0 run, powered by two made threes by Taryn Barbot and a two-for-two performance at the free throw line by Nyah Willis. With the score sitting at 59-55, the ‘Cats attempted to launch a comeback. Walsh made a layup to cut the deficit to just two, and after Rohkohl made one free throw, Lau found Harter to tie the game at 60 points apiece with 54 seconds left. Taylor Barbot got into the paint and made a layup to give the Cougars a 62-60 lead, and Walsh was blocked at the other end on her attempt to tie the game. Taylor Barbot made two free throws after the Northwestern miss to make it 64-60, and the ‘Cats turned it over on the last real chance to keep the chances of winning alive. Charleston made two more free throws and Daley scored with less than a second left, and the Cougars escaped with a 66-62 victory.

The ‘Cats will be back in action tomorrow at 11 a.m. CT against Howard (6-7) as they close out their Philadelphia trip.

More From Inside NU

Party City is closing all stores, including 21 in North Carolina

After a turbulent several years, Party City is reportedly planning to shutter all stores.According to reports from CNN, Party City's CEO Barry Litwin told corporate employees in a Friday meeting that the company is "winding down" operations immediately, and that today would be their last day of employment.This left staff without severance pay, and with benefits end...

After a turbulent several years, Party City is reportedly planning to shutter all stores.

According to reports from CNN, Party City's CEO Barry Litwin told corporate employees in a Friday meeting that the company is "winding down" operations immediately, and that today would be their last day of employment.

This left staff without severance pay, and with benefits ending as soon as the company goes out of business. Here's what to know about the company's bankruptcy, plus closures in North and South Carolina.

Why is Party City closing?

After initially filing in January 2023, the company exited bankruptcy a month after new CEO Barry Litwin's arrival, now about four months ago, CNN reported. The company was able to cancel nearly $1 billion in debt by declaring bankruptcy. It also managed to keep most of its over 800 stores open, though over 80 locations were closed between the end of 2022 and August 2024, according to recent financial documents.

Even with that debt canceled, the chain still faced $800 million in debt, straining earnings for the year. Combined with competition from online retailers such as Amazon, and seasonal pop-ups like Spirit Halloween, the company was unable to overcome their financial problems, CNN reported.

More:Western NC snowfall forecast: Snow expected in mountains beginning Friday, Dec. 20, afternoon

Party City locations in North Carolina

There are 21 Party City locations set to close in 16 NC cities:

Party City locations in South Carolina

Additionally, our neighbors in S.C. have 10 Party City stores in nine cities closing:

Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.

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