We are frequent visitors of Charleston, but we tend to gravitate towards our same, favorite spots. So when my family moved to Charleston permanently, it gave us an excuse to explore other areas! One of those areas that caught our eye was Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. Pictures don’t do it justice, it is one of those places you have to see in person! The plantation grounds and garden are magical, and feels like you are instantly transported to the set of a Hollywood movie.
However, it’s a very large plantation, so this blog post breaks down the different areas, so you get the most out of your visit!
History of Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
One of the descendants, John Grimké Drayton, wanted to play into the garden’s natural beauty. He is mostly credited for what the beautiful plantation and gardens are today! He was the one that first introduced azaleas to America, and used Camellia Japonica in an outdoor setting.
Not only did the Magnolia Plantation and Gardens survive America’s hardships, but it has blossomed into an even more beautiful landscape. It truly is a sight to see from the unique variety of plants to the swampy marshes!
Admissions Info
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is located in Northwest Charleston, and about 40mins from Mt. Pleasant. They are open everyday from 9am-5pm, but would recommend going early if you are visiting in the summer months. General Admissions tickets are $20 for adult, ages 6-12 are $10, and 5 and under are free! And yes, they do allow dogs!
The general admissions covers the tours, but can pay for tours individually ($10/ea). We bought the general admission and enjoyed walking the property at our own speed. However, we would love to go back and attend a tour of the Plantation House or do a Boat Tour. For more tour details: check it out here!
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens Review
Since we bought the general admission, we took our time exploring the plantation! You will want to give yourself at least 1.5 hours to get the most out of it. We went during the summer, but there is good shade and places to sit if you need a rest. If you need refreshments, they have the Peacock Cafe that serves a variety including beer and wine! With that said, make sure to stay hydrated as time passes quickly when wandering the gardens!
Plantation Home
Upon entry, they give you a map, and have many signs on the trails to help you find your way. Our first stop was the plantation home featuring large and beautiful front porches. It was the perfect spot to take some scenic pictures! The home overlooks the plantation’s pastures and is surrounded by stunning crepe myrtles. As mentioned above, we would love to go back and be able to do a full tour of the interior as well!
Gardens
After the plantation home, take a walk around the gardens where you can see the loveliest bridges. They look look straight out of a Monet painting! The bridges and ponds are framed with Spanish moss that give the plantation great character. The flowers that were in season were beautiful, but I would recommend visiting in the Spring, if you want to see more in bloom. And although there were many visitors, I didn’t feel that it was overcrowded or hard to take pictures!
Observation Deck
Conclusion
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