To the best of our knowledge, it is correct as of the last update.Visit Rome2rio travel advice for general help. The most obvious choice for rainy day things to do in Charleston, SC, with kids would be the Children's Museum of the Lowcountry. Original Date of Main Plantation House: circa 1858 Two flankers (dependencies) were built to the north and south around 1755. The most affordable way to get from Charleston Historic District to Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is to drive, which costs 190-290 and takes 22 min. It was overall a very nice way to spend 4 and a half hours. Main Cash Crop: Rice and indigo. Four of the plantations offer food on site. The Magnolia Plantations and Gardens feature 600 acres (243 hectares) of gardens, lakes, forest and old, flooded rice fields. Also, the concession stand was excellent. Im planning a trip to Charleston Mid Sept 2021, is there is anything specific that you know is happening during this time? These classical gardens were inspired by the gardens of England and France in the 18th century. The main house (now destroyed) was a 3-storey brick house and was likely Georgian in style. Although the tea plantation is not that old, the history of tea growing in the Charleston area goes back to 1799 when French botanist Franois Andr Michaux planted some near Charleston Middleton Barony (now Middleton Place). Reservations are recommended for dinner. Plantations tours are not always a great fit for children, especially younger children, who can have a hard time standing still or paying attention during longer tours about history, slavery, architecture, and antiques. We did a combination tour for the Harbour tour and Magnolia Plantation. Read our range of informative guides on popular transport routes and companies - including How do I get from Sydney to Melbourne, How to travel India's Golden Triangle and What documents do I need to cross Niagara Falls? Then a second two-story frame house with a one-story front porch was built later. To allow visitors enough time to explore, most day tours from Charleston only visit one plantation. It also offers a variety of tours from the house tour to the slavery talks to the tractor tours of its farm. Gift Shop: There is a gift shop located in the Visitor Center. Can be very busy, especially during events. I booked, Not overwhelmed by information given by our guide,saw lot of significant areas.good blend of history of Charleston, Awesome tour of Charleston. For more trip planning information, check out our suggested. Some were opened as historical museums, hunting resorts, or hotels while others are rented out for events and weddings. The shuttle that takes visitors to the slave cabins and the nature trolley are both wheelchair accessible using ramps. Many of the wealthy peoples town houses, plantation homes, and institutional buildings (churches, schools, clubs, banks) were built with slave labor (even children were often forced to make bricks). House tour guides wear antebellum period costumes. In 1995, an act was passed making South Carolina-grown tea the official state hospitality beverage in South Carolina! It takes approximately 2h 10m to get from Charleston Historic District to Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, including transfers. Tripods and drones are prohibited on the property. Location: 4300 Ashley River Road, Charleston, SC 29414. Middleton Place would go through a lot of troubling times. The gardens give young children plenty of space to explore and there is also a maze, playground, miniature horse pasture, petting zoo, and picnic area. But you can also grab a quick bite from the Garden Market. There are also free 15-minute video-guided factory tours where you can see how the tea is processed. Originally the main cash crops were indigo and cotton, but later the plantation became one of the largest pecan producers in the world. Red Bridge at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens in Charleston South Carolina- Instant Download Photography Home Dcor MKDPhotographyStudio $9.00 Magnolia Plantation Charleston Greeting Card, Charleston Plantation Black Art Card, Historic Charleston Office Art, Charleston Art Gifts GOATHouseofCreative (54) $4.99 Those who cannot climb the 4 steps into the trolley to do the trolley tour can call ahead to see if a tour can be arranged in ones own vehicle. Prices start at 7,500 per night. Im looking forward to returning for another stay. Architectural Style: Colonial Revival Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. Many of the paths are gravel and walking tours go onto grass so can be difficult for a wheelchair. Currently, it takes about 16 minutes to reach the plantation site from the Charleston Museum if you take Bus 31. Yes, there is an extensive gift shop here. No, there is no direct bus from Charleston to Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 48614P1. It was efficient to book and travel with The Adventure Tour Company and their busses hold just the right number of guests for this tour. 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She was a delight! Although they rarely attack people with provocation, you dont want to accidentally step on a gator or snake! Also very informative. Day tours visit the plantations, see. These houses were built and lived in by the rich merchants, politicians, and plantation-owning families of antebellum Charleston. non-profit Middleton Place Foundation since 1974. You could easily fill a full day here if you did all the tours and saw everything at the plantation, and we recommend planning to spend at least 3 to 4 hours here. It's just like riding a bus. Of all of the plantations, the house tour provides the most information related to the construction and architecture of the house. That said, Magnolia Plantation, Middleton Place, and Drayton Hall also all provide tours focused on the experiences of the enslaved and African Americans. he Middleton Place house is fully furnished and contains a large collection of furniture, art, documents, and family heirlooms from the Middleton family that date from the 1740s to 1880s. A brief history of plantations in Charleston South Carolina. Magnolia Plantation and Gardens (464 acres, 187.77 hectares) is a historic house with gardens located on the Ashley River at 3550 Ashley River Road west of Ashley, Charleston County, South Carolina. We recommend that any first-time visitor check this one out. Food: Rudis Cafe offers European-style sandwiches, meat and cheese plates, snacks, coffee, and drinks. Youll likely find more events scheduled closer to your trip departure. Definitely recomm, My family really enjoyed the Magnolia Plantation Tour we did through Adventure Sightseeing. Ft. 855 Bent Hickory Rd, Charleston, SC 29414. The plantation was bought by the Drayton family in 1676. Required fields are marked *, Notify me of replies to my comment (just replies to your comment, no other e-mails, we promise! Middleton Place has also been used as a filming location, perhaps most notable during the filming of the 2000 film The Patriot. Rome2rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. The terraced gardens contain a wide variety of flowers and trees. Nearby homes similar to 2940 Doncaster Dr have recently sold between $385K to $609K at an average of $290 per square foot. But there are other plantation houses and plantation historic sites worth visiting that are open to the public and most are run by state, federal, or city government entities. In fact, about 57% of South Carolinas population were enslaved blacks by 1860 according to Census data! The house serves as the setting where the British officers are having a ball and watch fireworks in the film. Youll want to spend at least half a day here, although you could easily spend a full day here. Gardens: There are no manicured gardens here, but there is an oak alle and the huge McLeod Oak tree, which is thought to be more than 600 years old (perhaps even 1,000 years!). Some notable features are the sundial garden, the abundance of camellias and azaleas, and the Middleton Oak (large old live oak tree). McLeod Plantation is the only one of the 6 we havent had the chance to visit so looking forward to visiting on our next trip to Charleston. It was built using the design-build method and was designed by Parsons Brinckerhoff. It takes approximately 22 min to drive from Charleston Historic District to Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. Exceptions may apply, for full details: Centers for Disease control and prevention (CDC). Other buildings to visit on property: In terms of historical buildings, there is a c. 1870 caretakers house that is used as an interpretive space and also a large 7-person c. 1791 privy. oday, the plantation is often considered the oldest working plantation in the country, growing a variety of fruits and vegetables, including tomatoes, strawberries, pumpkins, peaches, peppers, and asparagus. Directions From Myrtle Beach: Most of the others were destroyed or have been heavily restored or reconstructed. Middleton Place offers the nicest on-site restaurant of all of the plantations so a great place to have lunch or dinner. These tours include Plantation House Tour, Nature Tram, Nature Boat, Slavery to Freedom Tour, Historic Garden Walk, and Audubon Swamp Garden Tour. Once you arrive you choose what tours you want. The McLeod Plantation Historic Site can be visited as part of a guided tour (included with admission) or can be done as a self-guided tour if you prefer (there is a phone app and signs to guide visitors). Hopefully this at least somewhat answers your question and I think there are books out there that are focused on the slavery history and/or architecture that could give more expert advice on this topic Just let us know if you have any other questions about visiting the plantations in Charleston. There are also Sunday bird walks. Boone Hall Plantation is a popular choice for those looking for a plantation to visit from Charleston. You can sometimes get a small discount by pre-purchasing tickets, but note that most of these tickets are non-refundable. Whether youre looking for an escape from city life, a walk in a beautiful garden, a glimpse of history, to learn about slavery and Gullah culture, or to see a working plantation in action, you can find it at one of these estates. Enslaved blacks were forced to work in the plantation houses, fields, and even in the slave auctions in which they were sold. Find all the transport options for your trip from Charleston to Magnolia Plantation and Gardens right here. So it will just depend on your exact dates and your interests. There is also a cafe at Boone Farms Market located a 5 minute drive away which has more hot food and meal options. Tripods and drones are prohibited on the property. A few possibilities include: To help you start planning your time in Charleston, take a look at our suggested 2 day Charleston itinerary. Neither McLeod Plantation or Charleston Tea Garden offer food, although Charleston offers free tea tastings and both sell snacks in their respective gift shops. Nice touch of having the Porky and Bess show music play on the ride back to Charleston since it was originated in and about the area. Original Date of Main Plantation House: The original house was built by John and Elizabeth Boone circa 1680s and was likely a small cabin. During this experience, places you will visit include: How much is Magnolia Plantation Admission & Tour with Transportation from Charleston? The award-winning gardens and the nature and swamp here really stand out. Mack Fleming and William Barclay Hall would take over this farm and establish the Charleston Tea Plantation. Private tours are also possible with the plantation founder William Barclay Hall but need to reserved in advance. Rome2rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Please check your e-mail to confirm your sign-up. But I think most visitors to a plantation would have certainly have seen the slaves, especially those working in the house. In the 20th century a handful of plantations were bought and restored, either to be opened as public historical sites or for private use. At certain times of the year, visitors can even pick their own basket of fruit as part of the U-Pick-Em business. The tram tour allows you to see the fields, see what a tea plant looks like, learn how they are planted and harvested, and see the young plants in the greenhouse. Part of the house is believed to be from a pre-Revolutionary War hunting lodge owned by the Draytons in Summerville that was floated downriver to the current location. Wear comfortable practical shoes. Main Cash Crop: Rice Winters in Charleston are mild, so also not a bad option, but check to make sure everything you plan to visit remains open as some plantation attractions are seasonal. Safety precautions are provided by the property and are not checked by Tripadvisor for accuracy. Middleton Place: Tour America's oldest landscaped gardens and a house museum. The restaurant, stableyards, Museum Shop, and garden center are wheelchair accessible, and there are disabled parking spaces and wheelchair accessible bathrooms. No drones allowed on site. All of the plantations allow outdoor photography but most do not allow photography inside the main houses, exceptions being Drayton Hall and McLeod Plantation Historic Site. One large source of narratives comes from the interviews from the Slave Narrative Project that were collected by writers from hundreds of former slaves by the Works Progress Administration from 1936 to 1938. Copyright 2013 - 2023, Charleston Plantations Guide: 6 Plantations near Charleston South Carolina, Visiting the Charleston Plantations in South Carolina. If you are here for lunch, there is also a picnic area where you can either grab some food from the little cafe or enjoy your own packed picnic lunch. If you want to visit more plantations in one day, we recommend looking at the plantations situated along the Ashley River as these are the most geographically close together. If you have limited mobility or are traveling with someone with limited mobility or special needs, be sure that the things you want to see can be accessed. Best, Jessica, Hi, I read that the houses were built in order to make enslaved people be able to serve those who owned the houses and their visitors. The best was saved for last! Perhaps the best one on plantations I have read. Visitors can also explore a self-guided black history exhibit, front gardens, and butterfly pavilion on their own. The site has been dedicated as a Sankofa memorial garden. The plantation has a number of ponds and lakes, swampland, and is next to the Ashley River so changes of seeing waterfowl and other water critters are very high. Drayton Hall was built before the Revolutionary War and is an excellent example of Palladian architecture. Crowds: Moderate to Large. If you do not have a reserved tour time, I would advise showing up 30 minutes or so before the tour time you want to better ensure you get your desired time as tour times do sometimes sell out. The best way to get from Charleston to Magnolia Plantation and Gardens without a car is to line 10 bus and line 12 bus which takes 1h 57m and costs 3-6. Tours on offer at the plantation include: . 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). As always, thanks for such detailed information! . Which plantations are closest to downtown Charleston? With no one to run or work the plantations, many of them fell into disrepair or were sold off piecemeal. There is also a slave cemetery on site, as well as the newly-built welcome center and pavilion. We loved having a great, knowledgeable driver in a very nice air conditioned bus drive us out to the Plantation. 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. Definitely recommend taking the time to do the From Slavery to Freedom tour and viewing the exhibits in the former slave cabins. Harris and Nancy McRae purchased the plantation in 1955 and the McRae family still own the plantation. I love history and he had plenty. Paths can be muddy. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Today these Romantic-style gardens are the oldest unrestored gardens in the country, best known for their large collection of camellias. If you have visited any of these plantations as someone with reduced mobility (or with someone with accessibility issues), wed love to hear about your experiences in the Comments section at the end of this article. We heard one person saying they look unkempt, so if you prefer landscaped gardens, these may not be the style of gardens for you. Thanks. We would be excited to return to see the new exhibits and gallery and do the slavery tour. There are wheelchair accessible paths in the gardens (ask for a map at admission); however, many of the paths are compacted sand and gravel and can be difficult to navigate, especially in inclement weather. It has stunning bridge-covered ponds and beautiful flowers. Boone Hall Plantation is one of America's oldest working plantations, continually growing crops for over 320 years. wolf fruit king piece; how far is magnolia plantation from downtown charleston . There are two main discount passes in Charleston, and both can save you money if you plan to visit a number of Charlestons popular attractions. This is probably the best plantation for those who enjoy nature, as you can also take the Nature Tram Tour, boat tours, and/or wander along the Audubon Swamp Garden. If you are interested in the house, Drayton family, and their history, this is a good place to learn about it. Note that the interiors of the outbuildings can not be visited for safety reasons, but some are open for visitors to see the inside of them (from outside) and some house exhibits. Magnolia Plantation has always been on our list to visit. Days Tours Available from Charleston: This half day tour visits Boone Hall and includes a guided tour and all plantation entrance fees. Magnolia is the plantation near Charleston that has been open the longest as a tourist attraction and it offers a wide and varied set of tours and attractions. Horlbecks tenure. How do I book a plantation tour or ticket? Minutes from downtown Charleston lie miles of sandy, pristine beaches that are beloved by locals and frequented by groups. That two-storey house was demolished and the current house was built in its place in 1936 by former Canadian ambassador Thomas Stone and incorporates materials from the plantations old farm structures and salvaged historic bricks from the area. 3 Beds. After the Civil War, the land was also used for phosphate mining. 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. 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. The negative, Thank you for truly amazing experience. New Homes in a Master Planned Community Cane Bay Plantation is a newer community in Summerville built on an impressive scale. The distance between Charleston and Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is 11 miles. Directions to Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. The eight lane bridge satisfied the capacity of U.S. Route 17 when it opened in 2005 to replace two obsolete cantilever truss bridges. Harborside at Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina 6.1 mi from Magnolia Plantation and Gardens Fully refundable Reserve now, pay when you stay $147 per night Most Unique: Drayton Hall is the oldest surviving plantation house on the Ashley River. Most of the houses had some sort of pulley/bell system where they could easily call for slaves and certainly, there were often separate staircases, hallways, and service areas so slaves were easily accessible to the owners and could do tasks but were separate from the main areas of the house the family used. Before it was a tea plantation, it was a large potato farm. 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. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel North Charleston - Convention Center Show prices Enter dates to see prices 926 reviews 5264 International Blvd, North Charleston, SC 29418 3.9 miles from Magnolia Plantation & Gardens #1 Best Value of 418 places to stay in Charleston Charleston Tea Garden is about a 40 minute drive away. It was very respectful and real. If youve visited any of these plantations, feel free to share any advice or tips of your own and please share any information updates. There are also tractor tours rides around the large farm that focus on the agricultural history and current farming operations, live slave history presentations, and live presentations on Gullah culture. It was a good way to see some of, This was one of the highlights of the trip. Many of the paths are gravel and walking tours go onto grass so can be difficult for a wheelchair. Millie took us on our tour of the house. It takes 12 miles between Charleston and Boone Hall for you to drive there. southern magnolia tree flower, magnolia grandiflora, magnolia plantations & gardens, charleston, south carolina, usa. This was the only plantation we saw on this long weekend trip, so have no local comparison. Find all the transport options for your trip from Charleston to Magnolia Plantation and Gardens right here. All sales are final and incur 100% cancellation penalties. Being respectful and aware during plantation visits? Save this link to stay updated on COVID-19 restrictions, If you need help, visit the national COVID-19 website or call the COVID-19 Helpline 800-232-4636. 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. Main Cash Crop: Rice Architectural Style: The house is Georgian in style although additional features and additions have changed the look of the house over time, including the addition of wings to be used as a garage and for storage in the early 20th century and a 2-storey Roman Doric portico in 1926. The Drayton family decided to sell Drayton Hall to the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the State of South Carolina in 1974. The plantation was owned by the Drayton family for seven generations. There are a number of outbuildings on site, including five former clapboard slave cabins with brick chimneys. Also send me the latest blog posts by e-mail, Independent Travel Cats Monthly Newsletter, Logos, images, and content all protected by copyright. Most of the objects date from the 18th to 20th century. It also makes a stop to see the over 400 year old Angel Oak tree. Join us for a special walking tour of Magnolia's beautiful gardens, just in time for bloom! We're working around the clock to bring you the latest COVID-19 travel updates.This information is compiled from official sources. After the Civil War, the gardens would become neglected, but they would be restored and expanded by J. J. Pringle Smith (descendant of the Middletons) and his wife Heningham in the 1920s and they would also open them up to the public for the first time in the late 1920s. No tour can present everything or all perspectives, but it is great to see efforts being put into this. This place is a dead giveaway for being a fun place to take kids (it's got Children in the name, for god sakes) and is located in downtown Charleston. It has stunning bridge-covered ponds and beautiful flowers. A note from Magnolia Plantation Admission & Tour with Transportation from Charleston. It is possible to arrange a golf cart for those with limited mobility to see grounds, but this should be arranged in advance of your visit to guarantee availability. Magnolia Plantation is located near Charleston and directly across the Ashley River from North Charleston. Hats and sunglasses are also a good idea, and dont forget the sunscreen. One reason is that the ticket price includes all the offered tours and attractions, so you dont have to pay extra to visit the house or take the tours. The small bus is clean and comfortable. Which Charleston plantations offer places to eat on site? The gardens alone boast hundreds of species of flora, and are often overgrown onto the trail. Gardens: No formal gardens. The house tour was definitely a highlight here and we enjoyed a short wander around the estate and visit to the African American cemetery. 2.3 Where to eat and drink in Atlanta. There are also plenty of hotels near the Charleston International Airport in North Charleston, a 20-minute drive away. Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. 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 corridor runs along the coast from southern North Carolina to northern Florida. Theres no big house, slave cabins, or antiques. Other buildings to visit on property:The main building on the property for visitors is the Welcome Center which includes the gift shop and factory tour. I think years ago, there was almost no discussion of slavery and African culture on plantation tours, but it is great that this has slowly changed over time. Most plantations dont take timed reservations in advance, but most do allow you to book your admission tickets in advance online. So please try to be cognizant and respectful of other peoples thoughts and feeling while visiting these sites. We purchased some of the plantation-grown tea here, but you can also purchase it online via the plantations website or on Amazon here. Finally you are escorted up the staircase to Magnolia home tour. Of course the best way to learn more about slavery is to read accounts by former slaves. Tour guides are not costumed. On February 22, 1865, Union troops plundered the plantation and set fire to the Middleton Place home. Boone Hall was recently made famous as Allie's family's summer home in the movie, The Notebook. This plantation also shines a light on the role the Civil War and Reconstruction period played in plantation and African-American history. On balance, Magnolia Plantation & Gardens ranks slightly higher than Drayton Hall. Hi Seana, Yes, the summer can be a difficult time to visit the area, especially the plantations as so many of the attractions are outside and not air-conditioned. Rome2rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. You can go on a plantation house tour here, but the gardens are what really shine. The original house was ransacked by the British but survived the Revolutionary War. Do note that there are other plantations in and around Charleston. There are also Sunday bird walks. Magnolia Plantation & Gardens is ranked #11 out of 26 things to do in Charleston, SC. Led by a bagpiper, the guests strolled between the two. Is the tour at the venue always done by staff or is there free time to wander around unattended? popular ornamental and shade tree.

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