Charleston, SC - Carriage Rides

[Irishbloom]

Does anyone know which of the carriage ride companies are closest to the cruise port in Charleston, SC? If there are several near the port, are there any specific recommendations? I have found several websites on line but cannot figure out which is closest to the port. Maybe there are several. I'm bleary eyed from googling. Thanks so much for any help you can lend. 

 

[shippmates]

We used Palmento Carriage rides in Charleston.  They are close to the port and did a great job.  It was a great way to see the city.

[Irishbloom]

3 hours ago, shippmates said:

We used Palmento Carriage rides in Charleston.  They are close to the port and did a great job.  It was a great way to see the city.

Thank you for your response. 

 

[Ralphinsc]

6 hours ago, shippmates said:

We used Palmento Carriage rides in Charleston.  They are close to the port and did a great job.  It was a great way to see the city.

 

Second that. We had a great experience with them.

[JamesEM]

I lived in Charleston last year, a few things to know, there are several carriage companies, all good, and are located close to the cruise ship terminal, the cost is about $25.00 give or take a coupon.   One important thing to know, there are five zones the carriages cover and you will not know what part of the city you will see until you are assigned a route via a bingo machine.  

[The Scurvy Pirate]

As JamesEM says, it is a central location for all carriage companies, maybe a 5 minute walk from the port.  All zones are good and having lived here 30+ years, all of the stories the drivers tell you are the same, pretty much no matter the zone. About 20 years ago it switched to the lottery.  As hard as it is to believe, they had found issues of political "graft" when a company would submit their annual carriage permit and it was amazing the same two companies got the "best" zones year after year...  the lottery eliminates that.  If you want to go to a particular zone (for example rainbow row or battery park) you can take a "rickshaw" bicycle tour where the person drives you around, but that is pretty much limited to 2 people.

[Irishbloom]

Thank you all so much for the your responses, all of which have been very informative. I appreciate your help. Happy sailing!

 

[Ken Greco]

Many rides leave from near the straw market; a must see also in the city. If you go to the straw market try to support the local artists. Charleston is still one of my most beautiful American cities.

[blueridgemama]

I have always been concerned about the horses that are used for carriage rides. I did some research before taking a carriage ride in Charleston and was happy to read about how well Palmetto Carriage treats their horses. They work limited hours and spend "vacation" time at a farm during the year. We enjoyed our tour with them.

[waterbug123]

One additional hint:  If you are visiting Charleston in the summer (or even spring or fall) there's always a chance you will not be able to get a carriage ride due to the weather.  Local regulations require the horses to be stabled when either the temperature or the heat index reach a certain point.  If visiting during the summer, try to get your ride in first thing in the morning, before the temperatures rise.

[mafig]

What Royal cruise departs from or stops in Charleston?  We'd love to visit.

[Prance94]

We used Groupon to buy our tickets. Saved Money  and we had a great time.

Edited February 3, 2019 by Prance94

[shippmates]

11 hours ago, mafig said:

What Royal cruise departs from or stops in Charleston?  We'd love to visit.

Grandeur of the Seas stops on some of their 9 day itineraries out of Baltimore.  We will be on her stopping in Charleston the end of March.

[CruisinCons]

On 2/2/2019 at 7:36 PM, mafig said:

What Royal cruise departs from or stops in Charleston?  We'd love to visit.

 

We're on a 7 night out of Baltimore on Grandeur in late April.  We have an overnight in Bermuda and one day in Charleston.

[OCruisers]

On 1/31/2019 at 8:44 AM, The Scurvy Pirate said:

As JamesEM says, it is a central location for all carriage companies, maybe a 5 minute walk from the port.  All zones are good and having lived here 30+ years, all of the stories the drivers tell you are the same, pretty much no matter the zone. About 20 years ago it switched to the lottery.  As hard as it is to believe, they had found issues of political "graft" when a company would submit their annual carriage permit and it was amazing the same two companies got the "best" zones year after year...  the lottery eliminates that.  If you want to go to a particular zone (for example rainbow row or battery park) you can take a "rickshaw" bicycle tour where the person drives you around, but that is pretty much limited to 2 people.

 

Yes, the pedicabs are a wonderful way to see the city!