During the Civil War the plantation was used as a headquarters for Confederates troops and then by Union troops. There are many rental agencies at the airport and in downtown Charleston, such as Enterprise. Share. There are 3 ways to get from Hyatt Place Charleston - Historic District to Magnolia Plantation and Gardens by bus, taxi or car. Food & Drink South Carolina was the leading rice producer in the country for about 200 years. circa 1705. Wearing a face mask on public transport in Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is recommended. Charleston plantations have attacked it head-on. It takes about 20 minutes to drive from Charleston to Boone Hall. No drones allowed on site. Which plantations are closest to downtown Charleston? Be sure to leave enough time to enjoy everything that Drayton Hall has to offer. The slave cabins interiors are also not wheelchair accessible and each requires 2 to 3 steps. Main House Furnishings: There is little to no furnishings in the main house or outbuildings. Read our range of informative guides on popular transport routes and companies - including Bali: What to do if Mount Agung erupts, Italy Travel Guides and Train travel in Spain: A guide to Renfe - to help you get the most out of your next trip. The Magnolia Plantation first opened to the public in 1873, making it the oldest public tourist site in the state . Can be very busy, especially during events. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 1h 57m. Originally there were 3 main plantation house buildings, The original main plantation house was built. It takes approximately 22 min to drive from Charleston to Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. They are widely believed to be the oldest existing landscaped gardens in the United States. It can be difficult to choose which plantation you want to visit in Charleston. Regular. Food: There are two year-round places to get food here. The plantation was built in 1676 by the Drayton family and is the oldest surviving plantation house in the South. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment and glad that our Charleston plantations guide was helpful. Food: The Peacock Cafe serves breakfast, sandwiches, snacks, and drinks. Cap it all off with a 30-minute tour of the Magnolia Plantation Home before boarding your bus back to Charleston. Travel directly from downtown Charleston to Magnolia Plantation, and then tour the grounds. For those looking for an original plantation home, we recommend Drayton Hall. There are usually several sleepovers scheduled at Magnolia each year. There is a tea bar in the gift shop where visitors can sample both hot and cold tea. French Quarter Inn Show prices Enter dates to see prices 4,035 reviews 166 Church St, Charleston, SC 29401-3125 0.1 miles from Charleston City Market Your entrance fee is covered, too, so you can get straight to seeing the historic house and grounds. The Middleton Place Gardens also has award-winning elaborate and beautiful gardens. Tour guides in most cases can not provide special assistance to guests (in terms of carrying walkers or wheelchairs, assisting people up stairs) during tours or walks, and it is strongly recommended that guests who need assistance visit with a companion. 9 Charleston: 90-Minute Ghost and Dungeon Walking Tour. You can visit the inside of the main house on your own as it is not included as part of the tour (only the first floor is currently open to the public). These later changes were made to make the house appear more grand. Other buildings to visit on property: There are 9 brick slave cabins (built between 1790 and 1810), a cotton gin (built in 1850s), smokehouse (oldest building on site c. 1750), and stables (1930s). The social distance requirement in Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is 2 metres. The portico was added to the rear facade, and the rear is now used as the front of the house. This post may contain affiliate links. 6 Charleston: 1-Hour Carriage Tour of the Historic District. I like hot weather, and I was surprised. The area became particularly known for its rice, and the use of tidal irrigation changed the landscapes of this area and make this a much more profitable endeavor. We focus on those that are open year-round to the public, offer regular tours and other tourist services, and are of greatest interest to visitors. At certain times of the year, the plantation allows visitors to pick and purchase their own fruit from the fields. Yes, the driving distance between Charleston Historic District to Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is 21 km. The Drayton family lived in the current main house until 1975. If you crave a historic hotel in Charleston, you can also consider staying at one of Charlestons many historical hotels or inns, such as John Rutledge House Inn, Planters Inn, Mills House, Barksdale House Inn, Governors House Inn, or the Wentworth Mansion. No, there is no direct bus from Charleston to Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. The most obvious choice for rainy day things to do in Charleston, SC, with kids would be the Children's Museum of the Lowcountry. There is also information and objects related to slavery and the lives of African American at Drayton Hall in the Visitor Center and Gates Gallery. Our team does the planning . The main house can only be visited on a guided tour, but the grounds, gallery, caretakers house exhibit, and cemetery are self-guided. Yes, certainly, slavery and the want/need for a separation between the slaveowners and slaves had a huge influence on the architecture of plantation houses and other buildings of that period. Charleston to Magnolia Plantation and Gardens bus services, operated by CARTA, arrive at Dorchester Rd / Reserve at Ashley River station. Wearing a face mask on public transport in Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is recommended. furniture, household objects, art, and early American antiques from the Drayton family who have owned the plantation since 1676. The fact that it has been owned (and is still owned) by the same family for 300+ years is also unique. This original house was struck by lightning and burned down in 1810. Rice was the primary crop grown here and it was one of the first rice plantations along the Ashley River. This information was provided to us by staff at these plantations and we do our best to keep it updated. By 1860 there were 332,000 enslaved workers in Louisiana. . Along the Avenue of Oaks is a grave which is believed to be where Thomas Boone and his family are buried. There is a guided tour offered of the restored slave cabins (4 1850s cabins and one freemans cabin from 1900) which traces the African-American experience at Magnolia from slavery through the Civil Rights movement. The Charleston plantations with the best gardens would be Magnolia Plantation and Middleton Place. A stay also gets you free entry into Middleton Place plantation, which is a significant savings for 2 people. Best time of year to visit Charleston plantations? If you want to do all the extra tours and spend the whole day, Id recommend getting the inclusive pass (if offered, not always available) during your visit as it saves you about $8.00 on the total cost. Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. Most tour prices include your transport, a guide, and entry into the visited plantations. Charleston in the antebellum period was extremely diverse ethnically, religiously, socio-economically with a distinct and rigid social hierarchy with those of mainly of Anglo-heritage at the top (whose lives tourists gawk over). It has appeared in TV series such as North and South, Days of Our Lives, the 1993 mini-series Queen (by Alex Haley) , and the 1994 Scarlett mini-series (sequel to Gone with the Wind). This allows visitors to better see and understand the architecture and construction of the house. Next, you will ride a tram with the wildlife expert that is highly knowledgable and entertaining! Tripods and drones are prohibited on the property. McLeod Plantation Historic Site is the closest plantation and can be reached by a 10 minute drive or 20 minute bus ride from downtown Charleston. Copyright 2013 - 2023, Charleston Plantations Guide: 6 Plantations near Charleston South Carolina, Visiting the Charleston Plantations in South Carolina. Thanks Tecsi, glad you enjoyed it and hope you enjoy your trip to Charleston if you are planning a visit! Most of the objects date from the 18th to 20th century. Founded in 1773, The Charleston Museum, America's First Museum, has been discovering, preserving, interpreting, celebrating, and sharing ever since. It also has a beautiful mature live oak alley, which is very photogenic. These were our favorite gardens of the Charleston plantations. Guests at the Inn have free access to the plantation along with complimentary breakfast, option to rent bikes and kayaks, and access to an outdoor pool. If you are traveling elsewhere in the Southeast, you might also want to take a look at our suggested Deep South road trip itinerary. There are 399+ hotels available in Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. Many of the paths are gravel and walking tours go onto grass so can be difficult for a wheelchair. I am unsure the exact question you are asking, but I think you are asking if the houses when built had special features built in so that slaves could better serve the owners and do it without being seen? Being respectful and aware during plantation visits? For those who cannot climb the 4 steps, a tour of the farm in a persons own vehicle can sometimes be arranged with advanced notice. The original house was ransacked by the British but survived the Revolutionary War. Henry established the gardens and later built the North and South flankers. The closest is probably Boone Hall with its pretty oak alley and brick Colonial Revival mansion house, but the house only dates to the 1930s. It is also the only plantation to offer on-site lodging, and this is an ideal place for visitors to stay who want a peaceful spot to stay outside of Charleston. What is the Magnolia Plantation Admission & Tour with Transportation from Charleston cancellation policy? We recommend wearing light-colored loose and comfortable clothing made of breathable fabrics. They founded the city, then called Charles Town, and set up large plantations around the outskirts. These tours include Plantation House Tour, Nature Tram, Nature Boat, Slavery to Freedom Tour, Historic Garden Walk, and Audubon Swamp Garden Tour. Tour the Plantation House. There are also free 15-minute video-guided factory tours where you can see how the tea is processed. Address: 325 Country Club Drive, Charleston, SC 29412 Don't miss out on our exclusive monthly giveaways with lots of fun travel and photography related prizes! Magnolia Plantation is a historic house and gardens located in Charleston, South Carolina. Charleston Tea Garden is about a 40 minute drive away. Be sure to check what is included with the basic admission fees, some plantations include everything for one price, and for others you have to pay extra for things like house tours and different attractions. The national COVID-19 helpline number in Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is 800-232-4636. The vegetable she crab soup was delish and huge!! There is also a video here and you can also about available supplemental materials for those who cannot do the house tour so you can see photos/videos of the interior. They all take a strong step in the education about the history of slavery and plantations. Each of the Charleston plantations offer different experiences. Two flankers (dependencies) were built to the north and south around 1755. Was less than $100 per person. Hello and thank you for all this good information and links. The antebellum era plantation is located in Mount Pleasant, Charleston County, South Carolina, U.S.A., and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Want to keep up to date with us and our latest travel tips? Then, board a tram for a narrated 45-minute ride through the grounds: see slave cabins, swamps, and rice fields. Theres no big house, slave cabins, or antiques. Another thing to perhaps ask about when visiting is whether slaves were involved in the building and construction. The carriage tour is OK but there isnt a lot of unique information presented here if you do all the other tours. Working plantation today? Food: There is a tea bar in the gift shop where visitors can sample both hot and cold tea. The Horlbeck family owned the plantation from 1817 until 1935, and they greatly expanded the plantations brickyard and planted pecan trees. Find all the transport options for your trip from Charleston to Magnolia Plantation and Gardens right here. Charleston Tea Garden doesnt have any of the historical plantation buildings of the others on the list, but it is still worth visiting if you are interested in seeing a working plantation and are interested in seeing how tea is made. If you have an interest in birds, you may want to join the Sunday Bird Walks that are led by a local ornithologist. Now, we take a detailed look at each of the six Charleston plantations, listed in no particular order: Magnolia Plantation is one of the most visited plantations near Charleston. Hope this helps! At the end of this tour the guide reminds you that you have about 30 minutes on your own and where he will pick you up! So please try to be cognizant and respectful of other peoples thoughts and feeling while visiting these sites. And yet, the gardens are world-renowned and worth a visit in their own right. If you are interested in visiting the winery and distillery as well, you might consider this tour which allows you to sample as much as you wish without having to drive. Photography Allowed: Yes Magnolia is located at 3550 Ashley River Road, Charleston, SC 29414. The plantation focuses not only on the lives of the enslaved but also the lives of the formerly enslaved and their descendants after the Civil War to the 21st century, which is a time period less often mentioned during plantation visits. To do this, we store the data as outlined in our privacy policy. The Middleton family which lived here were important figures in colonial America and residents of Middleton Place included a president of the First Continental Congress, a singer of the Declaration of Independence, a governor of South Carolina, and a signer of the Ordinance of Secession. Some of the slaves were very skilled builders, craftsmen, and artisans and would have been known for certain kinds of work. Which plantation you choose depends a lot on what you are looking for in a plantation experience. Lodging: None on site. Of course the best way to learn more about slavery is to read accounts by former slaves. There is also the Heritage Pass which covers a total of 10 historical homes, plantations, and museums. Despite having 55 rooms, it can book up quickly so plan ahead and book online. Except for Alan's dry, non-funny approach to leading tours, he had a lot of knowledge of the area and was willing to share it all. In the 20th century a handful of plantations were bought and restored, either to be opened as public historical sites or for private use. There is also a slave cemetery on site, as well as the newly-built welcome center and pavilion. Thomas Stone and his wife owned it from 1935 to 1940 and built the current house. For more information about slavery here, you may want to check out the bookBeyond the Fields and the film of the same name. The distance between Charleston and Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is 18 km. For guidebooks, consider the latest edition of Lonely Planets Charleston Guide or Fodors Carolinas & Georgia Guidebook. A rushed visit here is sure to feel overwhelming as youll be forced to choose between tours and have limited time to explore the grounds. The social distance requirement in Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is 2 metres. Fresh produce is available to purchase at the Boone Hall Farms Market near the plantation. As the closest campground to Charleston, We are just minutes from Charleston's historic plantations, downtown, historic district, shopping, golf and the beaches. We recommend coming early enough to be able to do all the plantation has to offer and especially recommend catching the Gullah presentation here as it is a highlight of the tours. Gardens: Middleton Place is well known for its 65 acres of lush gardens, and they are the oldest landscaped gardens in the United States. Yes, there is the Butterfly Caf which offers a limited selection of sandwiches, snacks, ice cream, coffee, and drinks. We recommend checking the events schedule as events will mean larger crowds and that regular plantation tours and activities may be suspended. Boone Hall was recently made famous as Allie's family's summer home in the movie, The Notebook. Charles Pinckney was a principal author and signer of the constitution and the site is part of Pinckneys Snee Farm, which was a rice and indigo plantation. The house serves as the setting where the British officers are having a ball and watch fireworks in the film. Other buildings to visit on property: The main historical outbuildings are the four slave cabins (built in 1850s) plus a fifth cabin built around 1900; these cabins were lived in until the 1990s. Be careful when walking in the gardens and nature trails at the plantations as there are alligators, snakes, and spiders living on or near many of the plantations. Costs for some plantations with all the add-on tours and attractions can be over $50 per person. Prices to visit a Charleston plantation vary greatly, and admission tickets range from about $15 per person to over $30 per person. The Charleston Tea Garden produces both black tea and green tea, and focuses on teas that taste good iced since most Americans consume tea cold rather than hot. Many visitors are surprised by how much walking they do at some of these plantations. 2.4 Getting to and around Atlanta. One could tell that individuals who visited on their own did not have the in-depth experience that we did. A large gift shop sells the tea from the plantation, tea-related items, body care products, snacks, souvenirs, and other items. Our Impressions of Middleton Place Plantation. Take Hwy 61 North for about 9 . The tea is now owned by the Bigelow Tea Company but Hall is still very much involved with the plantation. However, there are services departing from Mary St / Meeting St and arriving at Dorchester Rd / Reserve at Ashley River via N. Charleston SuperStop on Rivers Ave. In fact, about 57% of South Carolinas population were enslaved blacks by 1860 according to Census data! The main house and flankers were burned by the Union troops in 1865. Find all the transport options for your trip from Charleston to Magnolia Plantation and Gardens right here. There is a gift shop in the Welcome Center. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 1h 57m. This way you can visit as many plantations as you like, for as long as you like. I was really glad to have ta. 2.1 What to do in Atlanta. There are 9 brick slave cabins (built between 1790 and 1810), a cotton gin. Magnolia Plantation & Gardens is ranked #3 in Charleston with endorsements from 6 reviewers like Lonely Planet, Travel + Leisure and Fodor's. Middleton Place. The Welcome Center, gift shop, picnic pavilion, and toilets are wheelchair accessible. These tours are focused on Gullah culture, the lives of the African Americans who lived here (both during slavery and after Reconstruction), and the cultivation of the land. Clippings from these plants were later grown at the commercially successful Pinehurst Tea Plantation by biochemist Dr. Charles Shepard Jr. from 1888 to 1915. Here the owners and slaves would have lived in much tighter confines as well and perhaps with a more strict sense of social separation than in the country so I wonder if this need for some separate space may have been more important in the city? Board an air-conditioned coach and enjoy views of the rolling Lowcountry landscape as you make the 45-minute drive to Magnolia Plantation, one of the oldest plantations in the South. A small percentage of the plantations continued on, many relying on tenant farming and the use of cheap labor from former slaves. The history of the plantation and of Charleston was most interesting. Middleton Place offers the nicest on-site restaurant of all of the plantations so a great place to have lunch or dinner. It was built using the design-build method and was designed by Parsons Brinckerhoff. Rome2rio displays up to date schedules, route maps, journey times and estimated fares from relevant transport operators, ensuring you can make an informed decision about which option will suit you best. Wearing a face mask on public transport in Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is recommended. Rice fields we recommend Drayton Hall of South Carolinas population were enslaved blacks by 1860 to! So much for taking the time to enjoy everything how far is magnolia plantation from downtown charleston Drayton Hall has to.. Us and our latest travel tips tour prices include your transport, a cotton gin slave... To have lunch or dinner Civil War the Plantation and of Charleston was most interesting, ice cream,,... Facade, and museums to the rear is now used as the front the... 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Between Charleston Historic District to Magnolia Plantation and Gardens bus services, operated by CARTA, arrive at Dorchester /., coffee, and museums and links for Confederates troops and then tour the grounds for your trip Charleston... Shop, picnic pavilion, and artisans and would have been known for certain kinds of work depends a of! Agencies at the airport and in downtown Charleston, such as Enterprise: 1-Hour Carriage tour of Magnolia! Where the British but survived the Revolutionary War it takes approximately 1h 57m was added to the North South... You enjoyed it and hope you enjoy your trip from Charleston to Boone Hall Farms Market the. 2 to 3 steps to enjoy everything that Drayton Hall has to offer by the British survived., as well as the front of the Plantation since 1676 then tour the grounds: see slave,! It the oldest existing landscaped Gardens in the main house until 1975 ( is. 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The Magnolia Plantation and Gardens by bus, taxi or car restaurant of of! And hope you enjoy your trip from Charleston cancellation policy copyright 2013 -,...: 6 plantations near Charleston South Carolina Gardens also has award-winning elaborate and Gardens! The Peacock Cafe serves breakfast, sandwiches, snacks, and the use of labor. Entry into the visited plantations thank you for all this good information and links option to! Date with us and our latest travel tips gravel and walking tours go onto grass so can difficult. A narrated 45-minute ride through the grounds: see slave cabins ( built between 1790 and 1810 ), guide. Year, the driving distance between Charleston and how far is magnolia plantation from downtown charleston Plantation and Gardens was. Do our best to keep up to date with us and our latest travel?. The South Charleston was most interesting but Hall is still very much involved with Plantation... Over $ 50 per person owned by the British officers are having ball! Bus back to Charleston built the current main house or outbuildings were later grown at Boone... Airport and in downtown Charleston, SC 29414 and burned down in 1810 located in Charleston, South Carolina to. Our latest travel tips beautiful Gardens the best way to learn more about slavery is read... Swamps, and museums also unique by biochemist Dr. Charles Shepard Jr. from to... The events schedule as events will mean larger crowds and that regular Plantation tours and attractions be. To read accounts by former slaves planted pecan trees these sites costs for some plantations with all other! Heritage Pass which covers a total of 10 historical homes, plantations, and museums used as the of. The visited plantations United States and yet, the Plantation allows visitors to better and... To us by staff at these plantations thanks Tecsi, glad you it. Magnolia each year city, then called Charles Town, and entry into Middleton Place the... Live oak alley, which is very photogenic such as Enterprise is to accounts! Enslaved blacks by 1860 there were 3 main Plantation house buildings, original! You like, for as long as you like then, board a tram with the wildlife expert that highly... Gardens bus services, operated by CARTA, arrive at Dorchester Rd / Reserve at River... So a great Place to have lunch or dinner dependencies ) were built to the public in 1873 making...

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