Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. In 2003, David and Eunice Bigelow, of the Bigelow Tea Company, purchased the plantation from Hall. What is the Magnolia Plantation Admission & Tour with Transportation from Charleston cancellation policy? The grounds were massive and we saw some wildlife including a baby alligator in one of the lakes. I certainly knew the plantations and gardens and have visited some of the great houses in the historic district. We will break up the choices into options in central Charleston, and ones that are a little further out near some of the plantations. more. This includes a c. 1750 desk and bookcase designed for John Drayton that are considered two of the most important surviving pieces of colonial furniture in America. What should I do if I have COVID-19 symptoms when I arrive in Magnolia Plantation and Gardens? In June 2020, the Charleston Tea Plantation changed its name to Charleston Tea Garden. 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. Lodging: No Directions to Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. The main tour here is the Trolley Tour which is a 40 minute guided our of the plantation via a historical trolley. 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. She gives a bit of information on the road but also is the lead guide initially at the Plantation. Gift Shop: Yes, there is an extensive gift shop here. After the Civil War, the land was also used for phosphate mining. Recommended option Line 10 bus, line 12 bus If you have your own car, you could theoretically visit multiple plantations in a full day. Magnolia Plantation Admission & Tour with Transportation from Charleston 227 Bus Tours from 63.42 per adult Private Chauffeur & Admission to Middleton & Magnolia Plantation + Box Lunch Bus Tours from 715.61 per adult (price varies by group size) LIKELY TO SELL OUT* Middleton Place Admission with Self Guided Tour and Lunch 161 Recommended By Kristine Cummings / August 15, 2022. the Drayton family. Reservations are recommended for dinner. So if you know this before you go, you wont be disappointed! Opened to the public in 2015, visitors can take a guided or self-guided interpretive tour of the site to learn more about the daily lives of the enslaved, Gullah culture, the lives of African Americans after the Civil War, and the cultivation of the land, particularly the growing of cotton. However, it is exciting to know that this site has decided to focus on the subject of slavery and African American life which has often been whitewashed at plantations. 2.1 What to do in Atlanta. By the early 19th century, Charleston had become the national slave trade capital and by the start of the Civil War, about 10% of all slaves in the United States lived in South Carolina. There is also a weather-dependent horse-drawn carriage tour of the grounds offered for an additional fee. The Main House - also called the Drayton House - at Magnolia Plantation. What should I do if I have COVID-19 symptoms when I arrive in Magnolia Plantation and Gardens? The house and estate were given as a gift by John to Henry Middleton who married his daughter Mary in 1741. Tour guides do not wear costumes. 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. Thomas Stone and his wife owned it from 1935 to 1940 and built the current house. Directions From Myrtle Beach: Hear about the veggies being grown and the sources from which they come. So happy to hear that you had a great time at the Inn at Middleton Place and visiting the plantation I do think that staying overnight is a great way to make the visit more special and have more time to enjoy The extra tours sound really fun and the Ashley River area is really lovely would love to do a trip on the river on a return visit! Most of the wealthy plantation owners in and around Charleston also had a house in Charleston, and several of these you can tour. Defining. What is the national COVID-19 helpline number in Magnolia Plantation and Gardens? Public transit is not a convenient option for most of the Charleston plantations as there are limited bus services outside the city. The Slave Narrative Collection includes about 2,000 interviews, 274 of these from South Carolina. 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. Regular 45-60 minute interpretive guided tours of the site are available multiple times a day that take place outside in the grounds. Thomas Stone and his wife owned it from 1935 to 1940 and built the current house. 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. We are considering April 4. The road distance is 21.3 km. Magnolia Plantation Address and Map Magnolia Plantation 3550 Ashley River Rd Charleston SC 29414 (843) 571-1266 Magnolia Plantation Website Current and Upcoming Events at Magnolia Plantation 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. Magnolia Plantation is probably best known for its gardens which were planted in the 1840s by Reverend John Drayton. Another downtown Charleston favorite are Patrick Properties spaces: Lowndes Grove and William Aiken House for . It doesnt have the history of the other plantations, but its interesting to see how a real tea farm operates. They can also learn about historical daily life and the role of slavery and cotton in South Carolina history. : No Also send me the latest blog posts by e-mail, Independent Travel Cats Monthly Newsletter, Logos, images, and content all protected by copyright. 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. Tripexpert score: 8 / 10. Its also the only large commercial tea plantation in America! Tour guides do not wear period costumes. First, because it is a grand Palladian building made of red brick with a 2-storey white columned portico. If its canceled because the minimum isnt met, youll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund, This tour/activity will have a maximum of 25 travelers, Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized, Contactless payment for gratuities and add-ons, Excellent for guide who explained all the Charleston historic sites in detail. It was purchased by William Wallace McLeod in 1851 who had the current house built and many of the agricultural buildings. The bridge has a main span of 1,546 feet (471 m), the third longest among cable-stayed bridges in the Western Hemisphere. Most of the others were destroyed or have been heavily restored or reconstructed. Owners: The estate has been around since the late 17th century, and the property changed hands several times during the 18th and 19th centuries. Yes, the driving distance between Charleston to Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is 13 miles. oldest surviving plantation house on the Ashley River. Drayton Hall survived both the American Revolution and the Civil War, and is the oldest surviving plantation house along the Ashley River. On the Trolley Tour, visitors also stop at the plantations greenhouse to see where the tea seedlings are grown. Magnolia Plantation includes furniture, household objects, art, and antiques from the Drayton family who have owned the plantation since 1676. See theirlistings for Charleston here. Boone Hall is a fine touring destination, and it happens to be the most photographed in Charleston for good reason. If you have an interest in birds, you may want to join the Sunday Bird Walks that are led by a local ornithologist. Address: 325 Country Club Drive, Charleston, SC 29412 But I think most visitors to a plantation would have certainly have seen the slaves, especially those working in the house. But you can also grab a quick bite from the Garden Market. If not, you may want to skip the house tour. Magnolia is located at 3550 Ashley River Road, Charleston, SC 29414. They even offer wine and beer. Gift Shop: Yes Charleston grew into the South's first great port city, and slavery became the backbone of the southern agricultural economy for the next 200 years. Thanks. We can highly recommend this company and our guide, Lisa. Some notable features are the sundial garden, the abundance of camellias and azaleas, and the Middleton Oak (large old live oak tree). There are several day tours that offer round-trip transport from downtown Charleston. To get the most value out of your ticket, we recommend doing all the included talks and tours (slavery, gardens, animals) and seeing all the exhibits (Elizas House, craftspeople). There is also an introduction to Gullah-Geechee culture. Magnolia Plantation is one of the most well-known and frequently visited plantations in Charleston. infinite non abelian group example-> falksalt wild mushroom-> new construction homes putnam county, ny-> how far is magnolia plantation from downtown charleston fire wings aurora, co opening date January 26, 2022 0 Comment 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. Its Lowcountry Oyster Festival is the worlds largest oyster roast. 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). The Charleston plantations with the best gardens would be Magnolia Plantation and Middleton Place. They were also one of the few brickmaking producers still operating after the Civil War. According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Magnolia Plantation & Gardens: Magnolia Plantation Admission & Tour with Transportation from Charleston (From C$100.74) Middleton Place All-Access Admission / Self Guided Tour & Lunch from Charleston (From C$161.68) Plantation Extravaganza! The main house can only be visited on a guided tour, but the grounds, gallery, caretakers house exhibit, and cemetery are self-guided. Each of the Charleston plantations offer different experiences. Magnolia Plantation is 3 miles up Highway 61 on the right. The lives of the enslaved and their culture is now the main focus at some places like McLeod Plantation Historical Site in Charleston and at Whitney Plantation near New Orleans, LA. 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. The first floor of the house is furnished with antiques and period sympathetic pieces to resemble an antebellum planters home, but the furnishings are not from the original antebellum house. Crowds: Moderate to Large. We also enjoyed learning about the history of Drayton Hall, from being used by General Cornwallis during the American Revolutionary War to being kept running through leases for phosphate mining. Go approximately 7 miles and turn left onto Long Point Road. These objects are displayed across 10 different rooms and include portraits, quilts, and early American antiques. : No, although a small area of Sea Island cotton is being grown on the plantation again as a project by volunteers and staff for demonstration and educational purposes. Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum is located in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, at the mouth of the Cooper River on the Charleston Harbor, across from Charleston. Large sections of the city of Charleston also lay in ruins after the war. Website: www.middletonplace.org The slave cabins interiors are also not wheelchair accessible and each requires 2 to 3 steps. The welcome center, factory tour, restrooms, and gift shop are wheelchair accessible and require no steps to visit. 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. I swear this lady must have an acting/ stage background! The plantation has the oldest landscaped gardens in the country and the house also contains a nice collection of 18th and 19th century antiques and furnishings. By proceeding, you accept the use of cookies in accordance with our, Charleston to Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Take the line 10 bus from Mary St / Meeting St to N. Charleston SuperStop on Rivers Ave, Take the line 12 bus from N. Charleston SuperStop on Rivers Ave to Dorchester Rd / Reserve at Ashley River, Take a taxi from Charleston to Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Drive from Charleston to Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. Accessibility: The main house is not wheelchair accessible, and requires 12 steps to access the main floor and another 12+ steps to reach the top floor. 582 reviews of Magnolia Plantation & Gardens "This place is magical. 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. We purchased tickets through Adventure Sightseeing. 1.5 Find the best deals on car hire. The Gullah Theater, garden center, and gift shop are wheelchair accessible and there are wheelchair accessible bathrooms on site. Tours on offer at the plantation include: . Here are a few more helpful tips and reminders to help you plan your trip to the plantations around Charleston: So thats the end of our guide to the plantations of Charleston! Crowds: Moderate Days Tours Available from Charleston: This half day tour includes transport, Middleton Place admission and tour, and a 3-course lunch at the Middleton Place Restaurant. Some of the slaves were very skilled builders, craftsmen, and artisans and would have been known for certain kinds of work. Cap it all off with a 30-minute tour of the Magnolia Plantation Home before boarding your bus back to Charleston. 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. popular ornamental and shade tree. Charleston became wealthy from these plantations, but these riches were of course made on the backs of the slaves who were forced to work the fields. 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). Once you arrive you choose what tours you want. If you don't see the confirmation e-mail, please check your spam folder. 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. 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. The house at Boone Hall only dates to 1936, but the current owners have collected a lot of antiques and period sympathetic pieces so that it resembles an antebellum planters home. The road distance is 13.4 miles. 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