My wife and I toured the Manigault House on Tuesday this week while visiting Charleston. The Manigault House is owned and maintained by the Charleston Museum. We had a guided tour by a very informative and knowledgeable docent who shared stories about the house, the family, and the city. The house was furnished with period furniture and decorated for the holiday season. We sincerely enjoyed our tour.

Of the two house tours we did, this seemed to be the least interesting. This one is a guided tour compared to the second one. The tour guide was just reciting off facts after facts, and it was hard to comprehend everything we heard and were seeing. The second house was an audio one, and it gave you time to process the facts you just heard. To me, and to three of the four in our group, we were not impressed.

The house itself was interesting, but the manner in which the tour itself was conducted was a problem for us. The woman conducting the tour had clearly given it hundreds of times before, so it came across as wooden and a mere memorized recitation of facts. Worst of all, we were rushed through it so fast that after she spoke we were given no time at all to just look around the rooms a bit to really see what she was talking about. Instead we were shuttled to the next room. Unfortunately, her voice was also weak making it difficult to hear. Unlike the other historical homes and museums we went to in Charleston, this tour was conducted somewhat coldly and without any real passion for what we were being shown. The woman conducting the tour was adequate, but not at all compelling. Fortunately, admission was included as part of the museum and Heyward-Washington house, both of which were handled much better.

We visited three of the antebellum homes in Charleston and felt this was the best one. The lady who was our guide was informative and entertaining and the home has been beautifully restored. While not as large as the other two, we felt it was the best experience. Also, it is essentially across the street from the Charleston Museum which is also well worth visiting. While a reminder of what the city was like in the pre-civil war south, its history afterwards was also very interesting.

If you are interested in history and antiques, this is a must see. The grounds were nice, the restored home with furniture, beautiful and the tour guide highly knowledgeable. We visited the Charleston Museum first then toured this home after. Tours are given every half hour.

Bought ticket online. Tour started at the half hour. Only 5 in the group. It was quite short compared to other house tours of that price (25-30 min for $15). Guide was asked some questions and didn't know the answers. She seemed to want to stick to a script and was a bit quiet. Love the mantle clock and some other pieces. If near that area, may be worth your time.