The horse-drawn carriages of Central Park have been featured in countless movies and television shows. You can find horse-drawn carriages all over Central Park most days. As of 2008, however, the State of New York made it illegal for the horses to work when it is either above 89 degrees or below 19 degrees Fahrenheit, so check the weather before you head out. Negotiate your ride with the driver before you get in the carriage. The carriage drivers are at liberty to take the path they want and to charge whatever they think they can get.
Chicago Carriage offers set tours of Chicago leaving from their stand at Michigan Avenue and Pearson Street mornings, early afternoons and evenings. You can choose a covered or uncovered carriage and you can even bring your dog as long as the dog is not wet. The Chicago carriages have tours on the Gold Coast historic district, through the inner city, past Lake Michigan and through Lincoln Park. Rides range between half an hour and two hours. Don't expect to find these horses out if it is more than 90 degrees or colder than 15 degrees Fahrenheit.
Emerald County Carriages operates along the Seattle waterfront and sometimes in downtown Seattle. Emerald County Carriages is a small, family owned business. In addition to offering horse-drawn carriage rides to the public, this outfit specializes in providing carriage rides for newlyweds and special Christmas tours. Riders can choose between covered and uncovered carriages and create special custom tours, but the horses won't pull the carriages up or down Seattle's hills.
