Of the plantations open for visitation, this one offers the most options. Part of the success is due to the troop of volunteers who perform as guides. We visited during a day of Living Legacies. Therefore, the combined entrance fee for this place and Drayton Hall was $32.00. This included garden tours, the train ride, and other activities. In addition, with a ticket, a visitor can return for an additional day any time in the year. We spent a wonderful day at the height of camellia season. Various hikes, a picnic lunch, shopping, exploring the observatory, and viewing a small zoo took about four hours. We also paid an additional $15 to join a tour of the house. This is not an original plantation home but the third structure built by the family. In order to make ends meet, this is one of the first gardens open to tourists in the country. It was also designed to make the low country appealing to some of the cosmopolitan family members. Perhaps, the most interesting facet of this site is the fascinating history of the family. Oozing with history, a plantation of this importance is able to connect the past and present

We arrived when it opened with our pre-purchased tickets so we walked right in and enjoyed a noncrowded walk around the gardens with perfect photos without others in them. The reflections of the bridges in the calm morning water were perfect! I would say I enjoyed one of my best meals at the Peacock Cafe--salad with fruit, nuts and berry dressing. We also enjoyed a cookie later in the afternoon. Make sure to do the house tour and the Slavery to Freedom talk. Our only complaint for the day was that they need more trams to accommodate the crowds that now get to ride without an extra fee. It took us three tries and standing in line for too long to finally get to enjoy. Early in the season so mostly just azaleas blooming but they were busy planting perennials so I can only imagine it get even more beautiful later in season.

I took a grayline tour to Magnolia Plantation in Charleston. The grounds are peaceful and filled with oaks accented with Spanish moss. The tram takes you along the swampier areas where you can see the resident gators. At the entrance there is complimentary mosquito repellent. There is a small takeout counter and petting zoo with peacocks, a bobcat (hiding), goats, and more. The team guide told us that there are rattlesnakes and copperheads on the property so to stick to the trails. The main house featured preserved historic antiquities and furnishings so no cameras please. The gift shop was 4 rooms full of southern foods, plantation souvenirs, and more.

I have done a lot of the historical and plantation tours in the Charleston area and this might be one of the best values. The have 3 guided tours; a nature tram, the house tour and a slave history tour. In addition to that they have the gardens and swamp to roam around along with a small wildlife section with peacocks, a tortoise, and other animals. Saw several alligators on the nature tram. Bring bug spray as I got ate alive in the gardens. The house tour was 50 minutes or so with a large group which was a tad long in my opinion. I spent 3 hours there but I can see others spending even longer with all the options.

The gardens are absolutely beautiful, even during the winter. There are so many walking trails to take, you could spend hours wandering the gardens. We also enjoyed the tram ride. The house tour was ok- not a very large area to tour but it was fine. It’s a bit pricey to do the home tour and gardens but if you spend a good amount of time enjoying the gardens it will make it worth it.

What a beautiful place with lots of different spaces to explore. Enjoyed our time in the lovely gardens surrounding the main house, and really enjoyed our tram tour thru the swamp areas seeing the alligators and birds in the area. The animal sanctuary was well kept and seeing the various animals was a nice bonus. The miniature horses and the donkey were very sweet to watch, but we especially loved the peacocks that walked up to us in the cafe. Also, was glad to see that they kept the history of the enslaved people who actually built this beautiful place. We need to embrace even our bad history so we can learn from it.

The property is simply stunning! A photographer’s paradise. We purchased tickets online with the house tour included. When you arrive be sure to get tickets for the guided garden tour. There is no extra fee for this but they were not offered online and we found out from the woman at the entrance. She directed us to the ticket booth to pick up tickets for a guided garden tour which is a MUST! You should also take the tram tour (again no additional fee) and you can hop on/off at different locations on the property. The entire staff was very knowledgeable. The house is a must to get the history of the family. Have your cameras ready for the gardens. Just beautiful but no pics in the house. There is a nice gift shop with something for everyone and a cafe which we did not eat at. The swamp is very cool if you’ve never seen one. This area is self guided but be warned…you WILL see alligators! Be mindful. Being July in the summer heat/humidity during our visit the mosquitoes were plentiful so carry your repellent with you!! One spray over is NOT enough. It was brutal! They do sell some in the gift shop but probably at a higher price. We highly recommend a visit, it was definitely a highlight of our trip!

Amazing and breathtaking views. Tour guide Lexie was awesome. My son and i enjoyed our nature trail train ride at 1130. Very clean park. Didn't feel crowded at all. Animals are we'll taken care of in the zoo, most of the animals at this zoo are rescued or can't be released back into the wild due to the fact they have imprinted on human care they can't be released

We arrived later in the afternoon and were not able to make the house tour, so I would recommend going first thing in the morning to see all the attractions and tours that are offered. I enjoyed the swamp tour and the slave to freedom tour. It was the best one in town. Will visit again soon.

Lots to see and an absolutely beautiful walk around the plantation. The house tour was interesting and took about 45 mins . The nature tour was really cool and got to see lots of gators and birds . You are able to use your purchased tickets to come back before end of the year for free admission .