Centralparkgirl

I understand the routes are not pre-determined. Are there particular tour companies that are recommended or some to avoid?

Thanks so much. Heading there tomorrow!

cmcfong

Gullah Tours is a great company which will give you a unique and accurate view of Charleston. Have a great time in a beautiful city!

DebitNM

I know it's not a carriage ride, but we did a 90 minute minivan tour. It's not something we would have normally done, but we were with my brother and his wife and they wanted to do it. We actually enjoyed it a lot as it took us to many more locations than a carriage ride would have done. Buy your tickets inside the Visitor's Bureau to save a few $$ or you can pay driver. Make reservations:

http://www.touringcharleston.com/tourb.html

We also did a tour of Ft. Sumter which was well worth it too.

We visited BrookGreen Gardens [a drive, but worth it in Sept. not sure what gardens are like this time of year.]You need a car to get here.

And we went to Middleton Place and Drayton Hall which was also very interesting. We rented a car from Avis for the day to see these sites; the trip to Brook Green was done with brother and his car.

DebitNM

http://www.nps.gov/fosu/index.htm

http://www.brookgreen.org/index.php

Centralparkgirl

Thank you cmcfong. They do look great, but I was inquiring about carriage tours in the historic area.

Centralparkgirl

Thanks Deb. We were planning to go to Middleton Place after we land tomorrow since we will be so close. But the weather may not be ideal in the morning

How much of Middleton did you tour? (Just the house or the stables, etc.)

DebitNM

We did a walking tour of the gardens and "beyond the fields" tour , we did not do the house. We did the stables too [meet the breeds]. I wanted to see Drayton Hall, since it is a preservation NOT a reconstruction. Well worth seeing.

DebitNM

Where are you eating??

Centralparkgirl

We had dinner in The MacIntosh and the Peninsula Grill. Eating in FIG tonight. Lunches were at Cru and SNOB - all good choices.

jill_h

We used this company and enjoyed the tour.

http://www.palmettocarriage.com (the Big Red Barn)

Centralparkgirl

Jill - I should have posted a follow up. We did use Palmetto yesterday and did a private carriage ride. It was wonderful. Our guide was local and had taught history. He was terrific.