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Drayton Hall


TripAdvisor Traveler Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
TripAdvisor Popularity Index: #11 of 139 attractions in Charleston
Traveler Description: This Georgian-Palladian gem, built in 1738, is America's oldest plantation house open to the public.
Familiar with Drayton Hall? Write your own description and share what you know with other travelers.
Attraction type: Historic home, Garden, Other
Activities: Group tours/walking tour
Address: 3380 Ashley River Rd Charleston, SC 29414
Tel: 843-769-2600
Fax: 843-766-0878

Reviews you can trust

[ Date ] [ Rating ]
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5 of 5 stars
LoveToTravel524   16 contributions
Santa Cruz, California
Nov 28, 2009
0/1 found this review helpful

We(hubby, me, 19year old daughter) just returned from our first visit to Charleston, 4 nights over Thanksgiving. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving we rented a car from downtown Enterprise at 9am and had on our "to do" list to visit one plantation, see the Angel Oak tree, have lunch at Poe's Tavern on Sullivan's Island and see Mount Pleasant and return... more

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5 of 5 stars
Chrispy1034   13 contributions
Bethlehem, Georgia
Oct 29, 2009
0/1 found this review helpful

Our tour guide vas very informative and I loved the fact the house was left alone and not modernized like the other tours. The tour seemed a little rushed which was kind of frustrating but it was definately worth it. more

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3 of 5 stars
Wazzy22   15 contributions
Rochester, NY
Oct 15, 2009
2/2 found this review helpful

I was looking to go to one plantation house, and had been told that Drayton had the best HOUSE out of all of the plantations in Charleston. The problem is, that seemed to be all that Drayton Hall had to offer. I probably would have enjoyed MIddleton Place better. I was more looking to get a feeling for what it... more

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5 of 5 stars
NewVirginian   13 contributions
Waynesboro, VA
Sep 23, 2009
1/1 found this review helpful

If you are into history and old houses, you will love this place. The site of the house is amazing, and the fact that it is the only one of the big plantations along the Ashley River to survive the wrath of Gen. Sherman makes it that much more special. If you are an architecture buff, don't miss this. I... more

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3 of 5 stars
jonben   61 contributions
London, United Kingdom
Aug 24, 2009

We have travlled around the South quite extensively, and have been to plantation homes near New Orleans and elsewhere. This time, with the kids in tow, we wanted them to see and learn something of the South's history. For the purists, the authenticity and sparseness of the empty house understandable evokes praise, but obviously makes for a less sensory experience.... more

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5 of 5 stars
TC99   16 contributions
Chicago Metro area, IL
Jul 22, 2009

Drayton Hall is definitely worth it. Our tour guide was a retired schoolteacher, and she had the knack for telling the story in a captivating way. Given that the building is empty, this could be a challenge for some people to make it come alive. Some others have posted about the hard sell of the historical society at the end.... more

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3 of 5 stars
kxk   12 contributions
fl
Jul 8, 2009

The Drayton House was great to visit. It's nice they incorporate the African - American history in the tour. The grounds are well kept. Check out the website for pricing packages. Our family package included the self - guided DVD tour, which is great as you walk the grounds of the home. I also recommend Gullah Tours if you are... more

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3 of 5 stars
Dleg4   3 contributions
California
Jun 28, 2009
2/2 found this review helpful

Keep in mind this house has been preserved, not restored. It is empty, no furniture. Mostly architecture to see. No slave quarters left standing. Our tour guide sped through his routine a little too fast to catch all the details/facts he had to tell--lots of muddled words. Would have appreciated his slowing down a bit. Large grounds to walk around,... more

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5 of 5 stars
Traveler837   18 contributions
Littleton, CO
Jun 17, 2009
1/1 found this review helpful

Drayton Hall is really cool. Unlike all the other plantations and historic homes in Charleston, it hasn't been "restored." Instead it has been "preserved." We learned that this means it was left in the state it was discovered it, which gives the visitor a peak into all of the 7 generations of Draytons who lived there and each made various... more

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5 of 5 stars
Chinacat_Boston   37 contributions
Boston, MA
Apr 30, 2009
2/2 found this review helpful

We went to 2 plantations and 6 house museums, and Drayton Hall was my favorite. The house is fascinating and thr ground quite pretty and peaceful. Our tour guide was a retired English teacher and she was wonderful. I highly recommend including Drayton hall in your sightseeing plans. more

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Drayton Hall Address

3380 Ashley River Rd, Charleston, SC 29414
Tel: 843-769-2600 Fax: 843-766-0878