Gift Shop: Yes, there is an extensive gift shop here. Other buildings to visit on property: There are a number of outbuildings on site, including five former clapboard slave cabins with brick chimneys (late 18th century or early 19th century), a larger sixth cabin was built later, a cotton gin house (19th century), dairy (19th century with 18th century cellar), kitchen (19th century), and a 4-person privy. This plantation also shines a light on the role the Civil War and Reconstruction period played in plantation and African-American history. Magnolia Moment - Joseph McGill City of Charleston. 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. New Homes in a Master Planned Community Cane Bay Plantation is a newer community in Summerville built on an impressive scale. Domestic travel is not restricted, but some conditions may apply. To learn more about the plantations around South Carolina, this website is a good resource on finding historical information on South Carolinas plantations. During the Civil War the plantation was used as a headquarters for Confederates troops and then by Union troops. In the city, slaves were often loaned out to do work as well. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 48614P1. Low to Moderate, this site is the most recently opened and is typically less crowded than other plantations. Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. Next, take a guided walk through the garden, before finally heading to the Drayton Plantation for a tour of the grand historic home. On the Trolley Tour, visitors also stop at the plantations greenhouse to see where the tea seedlings are grown. The Drayton family, owners also of the previously described Magnolia Plantation, owned a huge network of commercial plantations in South Carolina and Georgia. The fort was renamed for the U.S. patriot commander in the Battle of Sullivan's Island, General William Moultrie. Most of the plantations in the Charleston area were looted and damaged by Union forces under the leadership of General William Tecumseh Sherman and many, like Magnolia Plantation and Middleton Place, were burned to the ground. You can take a bus from Charleston to Magnolia Plantation and Gardens via N. Charleston SuperStop on Rivers Ave and Dorchester Rd / Reserve at Ashley River in around 1h 57m. Slavery existed on this plantation for around 200 years. In fact, about 57% of South Carolinas population were enslaved blacks by 1860 according to Census data! Some of the antebellum plantation homes that did survive, or had been rebuilt after the War, were damaged or destroyed by the Great Earthquake in 1886. Yes, the driving distance between Charleston Historic District to Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is 21 km. Like Drayton Hall, it is unfurnished inside. Henry Middleton began to lay out the gardens in 1741, inspired by formal gardens in England and France. Back in the Holy City, your deluxe, climate-controlled shuttle will take you for a 1.5-hour tour of the city's historical highlights. 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). There are many smaller neighborhoods on the downtown Charleston peninsula, some only a few streets long. Along the Avenue of Oaks is a grave which is believed to be where Thomas Boone and his family are buried. The gardens give young children plenty of space to explore and they may also enjoy seeing the animals and watching the craft demonstrations by local artisans. So, I really appreciated the way you addressed this re: the plantations. There are extensive gardens at Magnolia Plantation, and these. On February 22, 1865, Union troops plundered the plantation and set fire to the Middleton Place home. Once you purchase they tell you where to meet. The bridge has a main span of 1,546 feet (471 m), the third longest among cable-stayed bridges in the Western Hemisphere. In June 2020, the Charleston Tea Plantation changed its name to Charleston Tea Garden. First, because it is a grand Palladian building made of red brick with a 2-storey white columned portico. No, there is no direct bus from Charleston to Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. Drayton Hall, Boone Hall, Middleton Place, and Magnolia are all about a 30 minute drive away. To allow visitors enough time to explore, most day tours from Charleston only visit one plantation. Accessibility: The main house and 18th century privy building are not wheelchair accessible. The corridor runs along the coast from southern North Carolina to northern Florida. If not, you may want to skip the house tour. The only plantation house that is currently open to wheelchair users is McLeod Plantation Historic Site. 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). Charleston became one of the wealthiest and most powerful cities in the United States, largely due to vast incomes made through the plantation system and slavery. If you are traveling in a larger group, we do recommend that you call ahead and see if you need to make reservations. Take in the beauty of the plantations wetland, lakes, forests, and marshes with a nature train ride. Yes, photography is allowed everywhere except in the House Museum. The gardens were first opened to the public in the 1870s, making them the oldest public tourist attraction in the South Carolina Lowcountry. Exceptions may apply, for full details: Centers for Disease control and prevention (CDC). 2 Baths. The main house and flankers were burned by the Union troops in 1865. Thanks so much! You can click here or click on the map photo below to see or interact with the detailed map. The plantation was used to grow indigo and cotton, and to raise cattle. So you may want to also consider booking a day tour that includes transport and admission prices which often costs less than going by taxi. Boone Hall is one of the oldest continuously working farms in the country, and has been producing crops for over 300 years. Of course, that is a big one too. Charleston Tea Garden is a real working tea plantation outside Charleston. 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. how far is magnolia plantation from downtown charleston. 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. So Id only purchase online if you are certain you want to visit. For people who get sea sick, would this generally be a concern with the tram? However, given that most people spend 3 to 4 hours at a plantation, it is probably better to visit only one or two in a single day. I have visited all but McLeod Plantation and you have certainty covered everything. Brick making was also an important source of income throughout much of the 19th century. Magnolia Plantation Admission & Tour with Transportation from Charleston price starts from $75.33. The Charleston Tea Plantation was founded by Mack Fleming and William Barclay Hall, a third-generation tea taster in 1987. In 2003, David and Eunice Bigelow, of the Bigelow Tea Company, purchased the plantation from Hall. Its Lowcountry Oyster Festival is the worlds largest oyster roast. Make yourself known to an official member of staff and/or call the national coronavirus helpline number on 800-232-4636. Also send me the latest blog posts by e-mail, Independent Travel Cats Monthly Newsletter, Logos, images, and content all protected by copyright. arge. Perhaps the best one on plantations I have read. The paths throughout the grounds and gardens are partially wheelchair accessible but some are sand or grass which can be difficult for wheelchair users. It also has a beautiful mature live oak alley, which is very photogenic. No tour can present everything or all perspectives, but it is great to see efforts being put into this. The social distance requirement in Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is 2 metres. Then a second two-story frame house with a one-story front porch was built later. Of all of the plantations, the house tour provides the most information related to the construction and architecture of the house. The guide was friendly and informative. The main tour here is the Trolley Tour which is a 40 minute guided our of the plantation via a historical trolley. The distance between Charleston and Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is 18 km. At Middleton Place, a restored dependency building adjacent to the main house was turned into the family home and can be visited. Today, several plantations and plantations homes, ranging from farmhouses to mansions, have been restored and preserved as museums and tourist attractions. Thomas Stone and his wife owned it from 1935 to 1940 and built the current house. 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! To the best of our knowledge, it is correct as of the last update.Visit Rome2rio travel advice for general help. Four of the plantations offer food on site. You are here: . Whereas in the past they grew cotton and pecans, they now grow a variety of produce like peppers, peaches, strawberries, and tomatoes. Originally the main cash crops were indigo and cotton, but later the plantation became one of the largest pecan producers in the world. The regular guided interpretive tours here are the best place to get this information. Accessibility: The house is not wheelchair accessible, and requires 6 steps to get inside and another several steps to visit all the rooms. It is one of the oldest operating farms in the United States, unique factors are its beautiful Avenue of Oaks, its well-preserved brick slave cabins, and the Gullah live presentations. This pass is $52 for adults and $42 for children. Tour guides do not wear period costumes. The Plantation House can only be visited via a guided tour. 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. Boone Hall Plantation was founded in 1681 by John Boone. Whether you have a pop-up or a large motor home, let Oak Plantation Campground welcome you with our friendly, southern hospitality. It depends on the plantations but some you could easily spend half a day or more exploring and doing all the tours. While all of the plantations offer wheelchair accessible toilets and the modern buildings (visitor centers, cafes, shop) are accessible, the real challenge is accessing the interiors of the historical buildings. It is one of the oldest plantations in the South, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The entire site is primarily focused on the African American slaves and tenants (from 18th century to 1990) who lived here and the Gullah culture. Owners: The estate has been around since the late 17th century, and the property changed hands several times during the 18th and 19th centuries. Website: https://charlestonteagarden.com/ It is a lot of stop and go through the downtown area. Unlike antebellum plantations in some other areas of the country, such as the Louisiana plantations along the River Road, very few of the original antebellum grand plantation homes remain. Charleston Tea Garden is about a 40 minute drive away. There is a gift shop in the Welcome Center. It was very respectful and real. Tours/Tour Guides: The main plantation house can only be visited by a guided tour. 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. Tours/Tour Guides: 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). Working plantation today? The Drayton family decided to sell Drayton Hall to the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the State of South Carolina in 1974. Its also the only large commercial tea plantation in America! Today the gardens are recognized as the oldest landscaped gardens in America and one of the most important. 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. Cotton and indigo were both grown here, and Boone Hall became one of the lead producers of pecans in the United States in the late 19th century. The cabins can only be toured as part of the slavery guided tour. The plantation has been owned and managed by the Charleston County Parks and Recreation since 2011; they opened it to the public for tours in 2015. Yours is the best and most comprehensive article/guide Ive seen on the Charleston plantations! Tours/Tour Guides: The main house can only be visited with a guided tour, but the grounds, gardens, and stableyards can be explored on ones own. We loved having a great, knowledgeable driver in a very nice air conditioned bus drive us out to the Plantation. more. McLeod Plantation Historic Site also has a notable oak alley as well as the large McLeod Oak which is believed to be at least 600 years old. The 1828 cottage here serves as a museum and visitor center. By proceeding, you accept the use of cookies in accordance with our, Charleston Historic District 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 Historic District to Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Drive from Charleston Historic District to Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. Read reviews, discover additonal experiences or contact, If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, wed be happy to help. The flankers were also Georgian in style, but the rebuilt flanker now standing is more Dutch Revival in style. Yes, there are gardens located in the front of the house that form a butterfly pattern, where you can see heirloom roses as well as azaleas, camellias, and other flowers. Accessibility: The first floor of the main house is wheelchair accessible by using a wheelchair lift. Rome2rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. 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. Drayton/Hastie family. In the 1800s cotton also became a popular crop in South Carolina after the introduction of the modern cotton gin made it easier and more profitable to cultivate. If you have any questions about visiting any of these Charleston plantations or visiting Charleston in general, feel free to ask us in the Comments section below. Find the travel option that best suits you. Some people who have used ride share services have become stranded at plantations because there were no ride options back into Charleston. Definitely recomm, My family really enjoyed the Magnolia Plantation Tour we did through Adventure Sightseeing. You can also visit Elizas House, which is a Reconstruction-era house used for African American freedman and is named after the last resident, Eliza Leach, who lived here until the 1980s. Here you will find tales of wealth and prosperity, of love and war, and of suffering and survival. Its also one of the oldest and finest examples of Palladian architecture in the United States. There are several day tours that offer round-trip transport from downtown Charleston. These objects are displayed across 10 different rooms and include portraits, quilts, and early American antiques. While certainly a top-five plantation property and the most visited in Charleston, Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is best known for its thousands of beautiful blooms and salient structures . The eight lane bridge satisfied the capacity of U.S. Route 17 when it opened in 2005 to replace two obsolete cantilever truss bridges. Many of the other plantations do offer self-guided nature trails, including Middleton Place and Drayton Hall. There is little to no furnishings in the main house or outbuildings. Yes,available year round, would be beautiful that time of year with flowers blooming. Lodging: The Inn at Middleton Place is a modern 55 guest room hotel located on the plantation estate along the Ashley River. The Charleston Tea Garden, formerly the Charleston Tea Plantation, is a bit different from the other plantations listed here. The Drayton family lived in the current main house until 1975. Dont take it from us heres what people have to say about this operator. Visitors can tour the original plantation house and contrast it with the living conditions in the slave quarters. . These were our favorite gardens of the Charleston plantations. Then, board a tram for a narrated 45-minute ride through the grounds: see slave cabins, swamps, and rice fields. Ride share services, such as Uber, are also an option; however, be sure that you will be able to get a return ride. This is one of only a few surviving original antebellum plantation houses in the Charleston area, although there were significant modifications made to the exterior and interior of the house over the centuries. Most plantations dont take timed reservations in advance, but most do allow you to book your admission tickets in advance online. it is ideally situated for those who don't want to travel too far from downtown Charleston. Weve visited tea plantations in other parts of the world (e.g., Vietnam and Sri Lanka) but it is great to be able to visit one in the United States. Best time of year to visit Charleston plantations? There is also an introduction to Gullah-Geechee culture. It was hurry, hurry, hurry back to the bus. Although the main house is not the focus of the tours here, the house is notable for being an original antebellum house built for the McLeods. The current house was constructed on the site of the former house in the early 1870s. 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. Share. This allows visitors to better see and understand the architecture and construction of the house. 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. Henry Middleton began to lay out the gardens in 1741, inspired by formal gardens in England and France. Middleton Place offers a lot for visitors to see and do. It was built using the design-build method and was designed by Parsons Brinckerhoff. This information was provided to us by staff at these plantations and we do our best to keep it updated. As always, thanks for such detailed information! Many of the paths are gravel and walking tours go onto grass so can be difficult for a wheelchair. 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. In 2020, the name was changed to Charleston Tea Garden. The plantation was bought by the Drayton family in 1676. The quickest way to get from Charleston to Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is to taxi which costs $5-$7 and takes 22 min. Allow a few hours to half a day for the visit. No, there is no direct bus from Charleston Historic District to Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. Boone Hall Plantation is one of America's oldest working plantations, continually growing crops for over 320 years. Boone Hall Plantation is a popular choice for those looking for a plantation to visit from Charleston. Charlestons plantations are a window into the areas past. We enjoyed our time at Magnolia Plantation, and liked that there were so many different things to do. Sea Island cotton grown in the Charleston area became one of the most expensive and sought after cottons in the world in the 19th and early 20th centuries. If you are looking for a house like Scarlett OHaras Tara (which was actually a movie set in California) in the film Gone with the Wind, you may be a bit disappointed. A new museum is also being built in Charleston, the International African American Museum. Our tour guide comes along to add a few details and answer questions. And architecture of the last update.Visit Rome2rio travel advice for General help were no ride back. Addressed this re: the Inn at Middleton Place home stop and go through the grounds and is! 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