Company's Description:

Welcome to the Old South Carriage Company. We know that you have a choice of carriage tour companies in Charleston and we appreciate the fact that you have taken the time to seek us out. We will reward you with the very best tour available. We guarantee it.
-owner David J. C. Compton

Tour Charleston SC's attractions with The Old South Carriage Company.
Charleston is notably the most historic city in America and has many historic areas and attractions, which are best visited by carriage tour. Clippity clop your way back to Colonial times where a horse-drawn carriage tour will reveal 300 + years of history, including antebellum mansions, churches, and cobblestone streets.

An Old South Carriage Tour Guide in Confederate uniform will inform and entertain you with historical facts, lore, and humor. Enjoy your visit to Charleston SC and tour with Old South Carriage Company. Look for the Red Sash, our symbol of quality and your assurance of a great tour. We guarantee it.

Charleston carriage rides with The Old South Carriage Company features the best carriage tour guides, horses, and carriages in Charleston, SC. Stop by our stable at 14 Anson Street and see for yourself the quality of our operation. The carriage tour guide makes the difference but when you see our stable, our horses, and our carriages you will immediately appreciate the care and attention to detail that Old South Carriage Company dedicates to guarantee a quality tour and a wonderful carriage ride.

Old South Carriage Company offers a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. If you do not thoroughly enjoy your carriage tour, Old South will gladly refund the price of the ticket.

Our Tours:

A one-hour Charleston carriage tour covering more than 2.5 miles and 30 blocks of historic Charleston is the very best way to see the city and to learn about its rich and vast historical areas and attractions.

No reservations are necessary.  Carraige tours depart every 20 minutes from our air conditioned stable.  Night tours are available on a seasonal basis.  Group discounts are available for 25 or more (must call in advance.

Purchase tickets before your tour at 14 Anson Street (next to Anson’s Restaurant), or on-line at our website. 

Combo Tour - Old South Carriage Plus SpiritLine Harbor Tour:

After our world-famous carriage tour, enjoy a SpiritLine Harbor Tour, a 90-minute, narrated leisure tour around Charleston Harbor. Cruise departure times vary by season. Harbor Tours are not available December-February.

To redeem your combo tour ticket, you must take carriage tour portion first. Old South Carriage Co. will give you a voucher to exchange for the cruise portion of the combo tour. Please note that SpiritLine cruise departure times vary by season. Harbor tours are not available December-February. SpiritLine does not take reservations, so you must arrive at least 30 minutes before cruise departure time.

We also offer Specialty Services, such as Group, Wedding and Private Carriage Tours.

Our Horses:

Old South Carriage Company uses Percheron & Belgian draft horses. Our horses are the best-trained and best-cared for horses in Charleston.

The horses can easily drag 3 times their own weight on skids (not wheels) much as their ancestors were called to do as the workhorses of the American farm in the early 1800's.

A draft horse in reasonable condition can pull carriages for over 200 straight days without experiencing a muscle pull or fatigue. Old South Carriage horses work only 14 days per month on average however. (From: The Draft Horse Primer by Maurice Telleen - Editor, Draft Horse Journal.)

During high season Old South operates two shifts of horses so that no animal will have to work too many tours in a single day. Additionally, Old South is fortunate to have a large, well ventilated barn where the horses enjoy rest and water between tours. The barn features large "box stalls" that enable the horses to lie down and rest at will. The horse's temperature, respiration, and overall condition are evaluated after every tour.

Old South's horses wear replaceable 1 and ½ inch thick rubber "tires" that are attached to their metal shoes. The rubber tires insulate the horse's feet from the pavement, absorb shock, and improve traction.
In addition to the daily attention the horses receive from their caretakers they are visited frequently by a veterinarian and farrier (blacksmith).

Old South Carriage Company operates a 65 acre plantation, Sugah Cain, on Johns Island outside Charleston. The horses relax and play at Sugah Cain 2 - 3 months each year when they are not working.

Please visit Old South's carriage barn at 14 Anson Street and witness first hand the quality of the horses, the excellent facilities, and the level of care and treatment the horses receive.

Our Carraiges:

Charleston SC carriage tours: Old South Carriage Company operates the best fleet of carriages in Charleston and offers the best carriages rides available.

Our carriages are, on average, larger, better built and better maintained than other carriages in town. All of Old South's surrey-style carriages feature four rows of seats accommodating four to a row. The "Surrey Carriages With a Fringe on Top" have canopy tops that provide shade for passengers and protection from the elements.

Carriages are pulled from service every 6 months for a mechanical check up and refurbishing. Watch carriages roll past on of the street of Charleston, and it is immediately apparent which company operates the best carriages in town.

Each horse has his own bridle and harness (leather supports, pulls, etc.) to provide for a custom fit. Old South Carriage uses heavy duty harnesses that include, for example, triple layers of leather hand stitched trace lines. The horse's gear is inspected daily for wear and tear and equipment is replaced as needed.

Old South is the only carriage company that outfits all of its animals with form fitting "closed" diapers.

In addition to the surrey carriages, Old South operates the largest fleet of vis-à-vis (Cinderella style) carriages. These can be rented for private tours, weddings, and other functions.

Location: 14 Anson Street

Phone: (843) 723-9712

Website