Best Plantations in Charleston to Visit

Boone Hall Plantation

• Address: 1235 Long Point Rd, Mt. Pleasant, SC
• Hours: Mon - Sat 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sun 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.

The Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens is widely recognized as the most popular, if not the best plantation to visit in Charleston. This status is not without good reason. 

Originally established in 1681, the over 700 acre plantation has plenty of awe-inspiring sights. The Boone Hall Plantation in Charleston is currently the only plantation that hosts a live presentation about Gullah, the unique culture adapted by African slaves. There are nine original slave cabins open year round on the grounds as well.

You’ll find a wide variety of tours and exhibits available when you visit, including:

• Mansion House Tour
• Black History in America Exhibit
• Slave History Presentation
• Garden Tour
• Butterfly Pavilion

General admission provides access to all tours. You can learn more on their website.

Magnolia Plantation

• Address: 3550 Ashley River Road, Charleston, SC.
• Hours: Daily 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Ticket sales end at 4 p.m.

All of the plantations near the Holy City are beautiful, but none are quite as awe-inspiring as the Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. Considered by many to be the most beautiful plantation in Charleston, Magnolia’s main attraction is the Garden, America’s last large-scale romantic-style garden in existence. 

While most gardens in the country are formal, with neatly planned landscaping, Magnolia’s design is starkly different in that the design is far more cooperative with nature, using the biblical Eden as inspiration. In addition, sections of the garden are over 325 years old, making the Garden the oldest unrestored garden in America.

There are plenty of other attractions to find here as well, such as:

• The plantation house
• The Zoo
• Nature Tram and Boat
• Audubon Swamp

Note that General Admission doesn’t include access to all attractions.

Middleton Place

• Address: 4300 Ashley River Road, Charleston, SC
• Hours: Daily 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Middleton Place is one of the most famous plantations in Charleston for a few reasons. First, the former rice plantation is the birthplace of Arthur Middleton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. This National Historic Landmark is also home to the oldest landscaped gardens in America. 

The plantation is currently owned by the Middleton Place Foundation, an organization committed to being a force for “education, understanding, and positive change”. 

Visitors will be happy to know that there is a restaurant on site that only uses fresh, organic, and locally grown ingredients, much of which come from the onsite farm and gardens, to create traditional Low Country dishes. The executive chef worked with and under some of the most famous chefs in the world, using his talent and passion to breathe new life into every dish.

Perfect Vacation Rentals in Charleston, SC

After spending a day immersing yourself in the beauty and history of one of Charleston’s plantations, you can relax at one of the many vacation rentals that we’ll help you find. At Historic Charleston Bed and Breakfast, we aim to help you get the most out of your vacation by helping you find the best places to stay.

Feel free to also check out our Historic Homes article to learn more about Charleston's past.