By Terri Seignious, Guest Contributor
A few days before Christmas I decided to treat three of my friends to something special that I had not done in a very long time. For several years, Charleston SC has been ranked as one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world – so I thought why not enjoy playing “tourist in my own town ” during such a special time of year? I booked my friends and I on a private carriage ride through the historic district of downtown Charleston. These tours offer a street level glimpse into some of the breathtaking gardens, courtyards, fountains, and intricate ironwork of some of Charleston’s exquisite private residences and landmarks.
Because I am someone who enjoys small, intimate groups, I chose an elegant and comfortable 4-person carriage. Carriage rides in Charleston run about $25.00 per person and a large carriage has a maximum group size of 16. Most allow children under 3 to ride free. Our private carriage was only $125 for 4 people, which I felt was reasonable considering we covered about 30 blocks of the downtown historic district. And, if you’re thinking about purchasing real estate in this coveted district downtown, this is a perfect (and cost-effective) way to learn the ins-and-outs of the area while seeing all it has to offer.
The specific route you take is determined by the city of Charleston as you leave the market area. It is a bit of a lottery, but there are only 4 routes so no matter which one you get, you are sure to enjoy the ride. Being an avid equestrian (there are plenty of us in Charleston, trust me!), I of course, had to check out the barns which were very well maintained and clean. All the horses I saw were in great shape and watered frequently as they stood waiting for their “tour of duty ” to begin.
On this afternoon, our route was a loop around the old “walled perimeter ” of the city. I relearned pieces of Charleston real estate history long since forgotten: the insurance markers on homes and their meaning, where cobblestones originated, the significance of rope moldings on doorways and balconies, why Charleston Single homes are built as they are, why earthquake bolts were added to structures after 1886, and much more. As we passed the very famous St. Phillips Church with its iconic steeple, we learned the difference between a graveyard and a cemetery. We stopped briefly in front of the Edmonston Alston house, where back in the day wealthy planters gathered to watch the fireworks of the firing on Fort Sumter (everyone thought the war would be short lived).
The wonderful thing about a horse-drawn carriage tour is that you get to learn a great deal about the history of Charleston and view incredible downtown real estate at a slower pace, while having someone tell you a fabulous and intriguing story. Our particular carriage, from Palmetto Carriage company, was being pulled by a very large, well cared for draft horse named Deblasio. Emily, one of their experienced tour guides, narrated our entire tour. Tour guides in Charleston are required to go through an intensive training program and are tested on their knowledge of historical facts. The city regulates the carriage industry with very strict rules, which I happen to appreciate.
In my opinion, this slower horse-drawn carriage pace is the absolute best way to see historic Charleston. The homes and gardens are all built in a rather condensed space on the peninsula so if you are driving a car you will miss most of the intrinsic details that make this city so amazing. The tour took about an hour. On December 22 it was a balmy 73 degrees with bright blue skies. Our adventure ended at the restaurant, 5 Church, with a delicious lunch plus a few adult beverages. And, in the end, I am indeed reminded of just how special and magical this city is.
Note: If you are visiting the Holy City, I highly recommend a Charleston carriage tour to get you started. It’s an iconic way to take in all of the history, breathtaking real estate, and architectural details that are unmistakably Charleston. If you’re looking to call this area home, our real estate team includes agents that are experts on the historic neighborhoods all around the Charleston peninsula. Have a look some of the homes currently on the market.
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