Horse-drawn carriage rides are popular with romantics and sightseers alike, but of course the experience doesn’t come cheap. Or does it?
This is not a post about horse-drawn carriage rides and animal rights; there are plenty of agenda posts and opinions on that subject already. This is a post about whether horse-drawn carriage rides are a high-priced tourist trap aimed at free-spending vacationers.
Are high-priced carriage rides justified? Well, that depends. The experience certainly lives on long afterward.
The first instance that I remember out of all the carriage rides I’ve taken is being pulled in a surrey wagon on Mackinac Island. Growing up in Michigan, a trip to Mackinac Island is almost a rite of passage. You catch a large ferry at Mackinaw City (yes, they’re spelled differently), under the shadow of Mighty Mac (the bridge), and are whisked back in time to a picturesque little island where motor vehicles are banned. It’s horse, bike or shoe leather if you want to get around, baby.
Surrey with a fringe on Mackinac Island – Photo: merchantcircle.com
For little girls like me, carriage rides go hand-in-hand with the love of horses, and this was my first. I was over the moon as we circled the island. I can’t even begin to fathom what the cost was fifty years ago, but pro-rating the memory over this amount of time reduces it to nothing. So the justification factor for a ride like this might be off the charts.
Carriage rides in New York’s Central Park are another classic rite of passage, whether for visitors or nervous swains preparing to pop the question. Ahead of a proposed ban, tourists are rushing for a ride. Back when Tavern on the Green was still open I indulged several times, always with business associates, though. Not very romantic, but still quite memorable.
Lined up at Central Park South
On a visit to Versailles in 2002, my 12-year-old pleaded for a tour by carriage. Back then, I was a single mom carefully budgeting the trip of a lifetime to Europe. Every penny was accounted for, and these carriage rides were going for a little more than $100. In a moment of temporary insanity (just where they wanted me), I said yes. What resulted was a wonderful afternoon, slowly ambling past the royal farms, follies and fountains, the steady clip-clop accompanying an occasional remark from our driver. We both will remember it until the day we die. No regrets.
Please, Mom?
Our Chevalles
So thrilled after all the museum stuff!
A cloudless day and a flawless memory
More recently in Vienna, Pete, our friend Cath and I were “assertively encouraged” into a carriage ride by an animated female driver who wouldn’t take no for an answer. We’d just come from seeing the Lippizaners exercising to music at the Spanish Riding School, so we were still in a horsey mood. Nevertheless, it was bitterly cold. Our driver tucked us under heated blankets and gave Cath a pair of gloves. We drove through tiny alleys and around the palace, then circled through the Old City. When the ride was finished, we returned to one of the oldest restaurants in Vienna (Griechenbeisl, established in 1447). We never would have realized it even existed without our driver’s mention. So, we got a 2-for-1 experience out of that deal.
Comfy cozy were we…for a while
And this post wouldn’t be complete without mentioning that we have a family connection to carriage rides. The little 12-year-old above grew up to become engaged to a farmer whose family traditionally owned Percheron horses. For several years, they hired out their pair for hayrides, civic events and weddings. Alas, “the girls” have moved on to another home out west, but it just goes to show. You never know how much a snap decision to do a touristy thing will impact the future, in memory or deed.
Pulling the sled
The girls – Gracie and Lacie
We may always question whether the prices charged for carriage rides are worth it. And now that they’ve become controversial, we look even more closely to see whether the horses appear healthy and cared for. But there is no arguing that some of our fondest travel memories are associated with a horse-drawn carriage ride in a magical place. And we know there are conscientious owners like our kids whose relationships with their working animals are respectful and caring. So for now, our verdict is: consider the overall value of the experience, and whether it is in alignment with your views. What say you?
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Great article, Betsy. Like you I’ve enjoyed a few carriage rides on various vacations—and I’ve also experienced them from the driver’s seat. In college I was a driver and gave guided tours around historical Philadelphia, PA.
While the day tours were fun, as a driver they’re a mixed bag. The kids were always fun and filled with wonder. The adults? Sometimes they wanted to hear what we had to say, other times, not so much. The European tourists were sometimes unimpressed with our 200 year old history.
Tell you what though, I learned more about American history as a driver than I ever did in grade school. All that and a horse too!
The night rides from South Street were the best. You didn’t so much have to give a tour as you did good conversation. Met a lot of interesting people and the occasional proposal carriage rides were always special as some new couple started on their lives together.
I can say that the horses in our stable were well taken care of. Each driver was assigned a specific horse we worked with, so that horse became like a partner. Mine was Bob, a laid-back Belgian who I totally adored. Sometimes we did have to work with other horses. There was Lady, who was a little fireball and a challenge, especially on garbage day (she hated trucks of any kind and you kind of had to be on your toes, constantly listening for trucks ahead on the route and coming up with quick detours to avoid them). Then there was Jack, who got impatient at stop lights. I know you read our novel Loyalties and the opening scene where Harry’s horse Buddy almost jackknifes the rig in traffic was definitely drawn from experience.
Is a carriage ride worth the price? That’s up to you. I know as a driver I always wanted to give my fares the best experience possible and it can be fun for everyone involved. I say go for it, at least once.
And bring carrots.
Oh, what a wonderful experience, Deb! And working in Philadelphia’s history-soaked old town must have felt like stepping back in time, even with modern traffic. I was so glad to read about how the horses were cared for and healthy, too. What lovely memories of the individual horses you worked with. Thank you for sharing. In all the years we’ve known each other and worked together, I did not know this most interesting part of your past. Aloha!
Sounds like you’ve had some lovely experiences with carriage rides – the experience in Versailles with your daughter sounds just wonderful 🙂 They can sometimes be an overpriced gimmick, but definitely a great way to create long-lasting memories too!
Aloha Catherine – yes, indeed. The short term view would have deprived us of a lifelong memory. 🙂
those are wonderful memories, I’d prefer taking pictures of the carriage rides and something scenic in the background – looks lovely though
Aloha Noel – When I got the idea for this post, I knew I’d be digging for photos. 😉
I didn’t know that New York’s Central Park might be banning carriage rides…I wonder why? I think they are a memorable way to experience a destination and worth the money. For my parent’s anniversary at Niagara on the Lake, I arranged for a horse drawn carriage to pick them up at the restaurant after dinner and they really enjoyed the leisurely ride through the historic town at sunset with flower petals falling on them as they passed beneath the fruit trees. A taxi ride would have been cheaper and faster but how can you compare the two experiences?
Aloha Michelle – The reasons are many behind the proposed ban, and as you can imagine, it’s controversial. You’re right, I don’t think you hire a carriage simply to get from Point A to Point B. It’s what’s between. 🙂
It was really interesting for me to read Deb Dorchak’s extensive comment, above. I’m a Philadelphian born and bred and always seem to end up back there. I have always thought that the carriage rides on the city streets looked like not that much fun. They are also the bane of motorists. Philadelphia was laid out by William Penn in 1683 and in the historic district, the streets are not very wide. If a horse and carriage take up one lane clopping along, traffic is backing up behind them. (OMG, Suzanne, thy name is curmudgeon.) I’ve never longed to go for a carriage ride. We did take our sons on a few hay rides at pumpkin farms. They usually had to be admonished by the farmer to keep their hands in the wagon. My question is whether helicopter rides are worth it.
Aloha Suzanne – The traffic issue is a real one, and it’s one of the reasons that led to the proposed ban in NYC. I can’t tell you about helicopter rides. They’re very popular here on Kauai (obviously), but we’ve not sprung for one. Everyone I know who’s done one has liked it, though.
Mackinac is on the bucket list- something about it calls to me. I grew up in NYC and when I was young really wanted to go on one of those carriage rides. My parents would never spring for one. As I got older, they did not appeal to me. But there is something very romantic about them.
Aloha Billie – Mackinac Island is a very magical place. I hope you get to stay at the Grand Hotel. Truly a spectacular view from the long veranda. 🙂
What a great post and collection of photos and experiences to last a lifetime!
Aloha Irene – Thank you. 🙂
Lovely photos… I love horses…
Aloha Muza-chan – Thank you. 🙂
I think your post was so informative and thought provoking! I have never taken a carriage ride. I don’t like to move that slowly! LOL As for the price being high, I think that is all relative. Where one person finds something valuable, another wouldn’t pay $20. I say do what makes you happy! I believe for a child, there would be nothing more thrilling than a carriage ride through a beautiful city.
Aloha Suzanne – You’re right about the cost relativity. Some of these memories couldn’t be repurchased for any price.
Horse and carriage rides can be a high-priced tourist trap, but sometimes the tourist gimmicks are fun, as you discovered a few times.
Aloha Donna – Yes, there’s a reason things get to be “touristy,” and it’s usually because they’re enjoyable. I’m not one to dismiss something out of hand because of it.
We agree with Donna, often “tourist traps” are popular for a reason, they’re fun. But checking to see that the animals are well treated is important.
Aloha favorite Gypsies – Exactly. Things get cliché (clichéd?) because many people like them. I’ve been fortunate not to encounter a situation where the horse was mistreated, but I know it happens.
I love horse drawn carriage rides and if the driver is knowledgeable, so much the better. I really enjoyed your remembrances — many of which I have experienced myself. Your article brought back my own grand memories of touring a new location at a slow pace making it all the more memorable!
Aloha Marilyn – Yes, I think the slower pace allows you to see more, and since some of the locations date from when this was the conveyance, see better, too.
I never care if a thing is viewed by anyone else as being “touristy” because I realize I am a tourist even if I want to give myself a more highfalutin’ appellation! As long as the horses look healthy and well taken care of I think it can be fun. Last summer my sister and I were in Seville and totally melting so we did a leisurely carriage ride through a shaded part of town and really enjoyed it. And as for helicopter rides, having just done one in Fiji, they are SO worth it!
Aloha Kay – Me too. There’s a reason things become touristy – it’s because they’re fun! Will check out the helicopter rides in Fiji.
I would think that you can make every girl happy with a ride in horse drawn carriage.
The only time I have taken one was in Charleston/SC – after a long day of walking all through town my legs wouldn’t want to carry me any longer! We were lucky, because the driver explained the history of many old buildings very well (without too much of a Southern accent), so we learned more than expected.
Aloha Juergen – I think Charleston would be the perfect place to take a carriage ride. So much history, and with a knowledgeable driver, too? Sounds great!
I’ve done a ride twice – and both were memorable. One was in Savannah, GA and one at a winery in Argentina. I have always assumed in first world countries anyway that horses were well looked after and haven’t delved too deeply. I feel like I get a lot out of the trip because of the local knowledge of the driver/guide. You have definitely been on some memorable rides.
Aloha Leigh – Savannah, another history-rich southern city for a fabulous carriage ride experience. I agree with you that it doesn’t seem as though anyone mistreating horses in a high-profile situation isn’t going to survive the negative repercussions.
Love your photos! And story! I’ve done mostly stagecoaches and sleigh rides with horses, but I agree the memories are pretty much priceless. Just make sure you get a photo!
Aloha Carole – When our kids in Minnesota had their Percherons, the sleigh ride was a popular option. Too fun to have ridden in a stagecoach, I’m envious. 🙂
I loved the pictures of Mackinac Island’s carriage ride. It was our right of passage too when we lived in Wisconsin. The Seinfeld show when Cramer is the carriage driver is burned in my memory forever. In Salt Lake City a carriage horse died of old age on the street “doing what he loved” but people want carriages banned. Should it be banned?
Aloha Neva – I’ve not seen the Seinfeld episode you mentioned. I’ll have to look for it, sounds hilarious! Folks who want to ban carriage rides point to the possibility of accidents and injuries for the horses in city environments, too.
I have never been on a carriage ride – ever! After reading your post it’s something I want to try. What a great way to see an area and perhaps ask questions. It sounds like you had a great experience in Vienna!
Aloha Michelle – Yes, it was a great way to see the city center. I was distracted by the cold, though, and would have preferred a little more commentary from the driver. Other than that, fun! 🙂
We’ve never taken a horse-drawn carriage ride before. We were tempted (kind of) in NYC and New Orleans, but we didn’t give in to temptation. I admit I do feel sorry for the horses who have to stand all day, but mainly, it’s the cost, they are SO ridiculously expensive. I know it costs a lot to care for a horse, but maybe if the prices were lower they’d get more passengers and it would balance out. But what do I know? Only that I want to spend my money elsewhere. 😉
Aloha Patti – Agreed, the cost can seem exorbitant. It’s easier to split when you have a group, of course. It’s just good to be intentional with your spending as a rule. 🙂
I was smiling the whole time I read this as you brought back some nice memories. One special memory was the carriage ride in Vienna where we also ate at Griechenbeisl after the driver told us about it. We don’t take carriage rides everywhere we travel — in fact, very few — but there are some places and times where it just feels like the right thing to do. Horse-drawn sleigh rides are so much fun, too. I’ve take a few of those in Wisconsin in winter.
Aloha Cathy – How fun that we share a similar experience in Vienna! We don’t usually opt for carriage rides, either, but every time I’ve gone on one, I’ve been so happy that I did.