Magnolia Plantation & Gardens
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens
4
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
South Carolina's Most Visited Plantation and Gardens. National Registry of Historic Places. Ancient Oak Avenue. Tours full of History. World Famous Gardens of the 19th Century "Romantic Style". Selected by Travel + Leisure (2014) as the only South Carolina garden deemed one of "America's Most Beautiful Gardens". Reconstruction Period Plantation Home Tour. Award Winning Slave Cabin Tour. Very popular Nature-Train Tour. Rice Field Boat Tour. Family Oriented. Petting Zoo and Nature Center. Audubon Swamp Self-Guided Tour. Amazing Nesting Rookery. If you have only one Plantation to see, don't miss us!
Duration: 2-3 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Magnolia Plantation & Gardens
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
60 within 3 miles
Attractions
51 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- cdandoyGilbert, Arizona1,258 contributionsGreatHouse tour was about 45 minutes. Allen did an excellent job and it went at a good speed. Afterwards, we did a nature tram tour that went by the swamp. Guide pointed out the animals along the way. Lots of items available in the gift shop.Visited October 2023Traveled with friendsWritten October 3, 2023
- Jenn1 contributionUber bewareSlavery to Freedom tour was great! Train ride was ok. Not many flowers if that’s what you’re hoping for. WARNING: Ubers decline pick ups so it can be very difficult to get a ride back to the city.Visited October 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten October 9, 2023
- Sophia S1 contributionEnchanting, Educational, breathtaking!This is my second visit, but in a different season of the year (came by in Oct. 2023). I would highly recommend anyone to come out and visit this enchanting and beautiful plantation and garden. Vanessa our tour guide provided a thoughtful history of the plantation and the experience of the enslaved families who worked and cultivated this land. This place is most spectacular in the springtime with all of the flowers and fauna in bloom. I could spend hours walking down the paths enjoying all of the little discoveries (statues) and wildlife hidden in plain sight. Can’t wait to come back again!Visited October 2023Traveled with familyWritten October 10, 2023
- Julie C8 contributionsMust See Plantation ExperienceThe gardens are beautiful, and everything was nicely decorated for fall and Halloween. It was a little muddy on some paths because of recent rains, but nothing that would stop you from seeing things. They had a QR code to scan a map, but a paper map would have been more useful to see an overview of everything. Vanessa was our tour guide for Slavery to Freedom and gave an excellent narrative of the times. We did not tour through house.Visited October 2023Traveled with familyWritten October 14, 2023
- Carlos P1 contributionIt was fantastic!!! I will definitely come back here again and this was such a unique historical experience.The Magnolia Plantation Garden was an amazing place and site to visit. This was one of the greatest places to visit here in Charleston. The staff was friendly and our tour guide was very interesting and he was vey unique on how he gave us the history and was very accurate and he did a great job and very factual. Thank you so much and from being from the west coast this will be my favorite tour site to come the next time I back to Charleston.Visited October 2023Traveled with familyWritten October 16, 2023
- Sarah BSaint Louis, Missouri364 contributionsBeautiful property and gardensThe gardens and property are beautiful. There are 6 miles of walking trails through the gardens with beautiful ponds, bridges, out buildings and the like. The nature train tour was not worth it, in my opinion. The train was very cramped and crowded and the road was often bumpy and the driving was jerky. The narration was about the flora and fauna primarily. The Slavery to Freedom tour was also disappointing. Vanessa is animated and engaging but the tour is really a brief presentation of info mostly about growing rice. There was very little information about the daily lives of enslaved people. There’s no guided tour of the cabins themselves.Visited October 2023Traveled soloWritten October 17, 2023
- Melanie T5 contributionsLeft moved and appreciative of our roots.Amazing views and many photo opportunities! We loved the gardens and the house tour. The fact that it’s still family owned and operated is a real treat. Everything beat our expectations. The only thing I would do differently is skip the nature ride and just visit the nature reserve. Awesome job keeping history alive!Visited October 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten October 20, 2023
- Dinah YWashington DC, District of Columbia2,684 contributionsNice visitNo photography allowed inside. The plantation was burned by Sherman's troop at the end of the Civil War. The owner lost all his money during the war and had to work to make money to rebuild a 4 room house on the old foundation. His daughter who married into money added to the building to have what is there today. We then visited the animals and I got to pet a deer and a goat. We took the "train" tour and saw many alligators and turtles and trees and birds. Then we walked around the garden in the rain. Nice tour.Visited October 2023Traveled with friendsWritten October 22, 2023
- lifeisgoodincanadaNorth Smithfield, Rhode Island149 contributionsWildlife Center is not to be missed!We did the house tour and Slavery to Freedom tour (included with admission). The house tour was excellent. The gardens were not as spectacular as in the photos, probably due to it being October. Many of the statues were in disrepair and the areas surrounding them not kept up. The women who gave the Slavery to Freedom tour was well versed, but the talk was short. Make sure to visit the Wildlife Center. It was truly enjoyable with deer, goats, and peacocks roaming free!Visited October 2023Traveled with friendsWritten October 22, 2023
- sewjoyce1957Lisle, New York76 contributionsBeautifulWe did all three tours offered and enjoyed them all. The tour guides were very knowledgeable and pleasant. Our favorite was Susan at the house tour. The grounds are huge and very lovely. Plan on spending at least 5 hours there, possibly more if you walk all of the trails.Visited October 2023Traveled with friendsWritten October 22, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
7,369 reviews
Excellent
3,838
Very good
2,153
Average
909
Poor
309
Terrible
161
LadyPhade
Brookeville, MD40 contributions
Aug 2020
My review is based on the time of year I visited and the price. I definitely feel as if I just got ripped off. Visited end of August paid almost $40 for entrance plus two tours which in my opinion should be free with entrance and both were nothing special. I feel like I got ripped off. Within 20minutes of entering..the heat was so bad we were contemplating leaving. The zoo area is a bit lame and I hate to see animals behind bars. There are a few deer, goats, ducks and chickens roaming around that will come up to you. We wasted time there before our tour started which was the nature train tour. Tour guide was awesome but could only understand about 60% of what he was saying because of his southern accent and he was talking quite fast. The tour itself was more like getting on a gold cart and circling around a swamp..maybe seeing a few alligators, etc. After that we were hot and soaked in sweat trying to start our venture around to explore pathways...felt like we would just get lost in the pathways that had little to no animals or flowers in bloom at this time of year. Maybe I picked the wrong time to visit. We ended up leaving shortly after tour because the heat was unbearable on our walk we saw nothing special. The bridge was under construction from a storm so you could not even photograph one of the prettiest sites. It was like paying to go to a free park only because there was history of rice plantations, etc there. There is gardens near where I live that were equally as pretty and are free to enter. All in all the price is ridiculous. I would not re-visit.
Written September 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
s f
Sumter, SC40 contributions
Feb 2020 • Family
I was actually a little apprehensive about spending the day here with my grandkids as I thought they’d get bored quickly. Instead they had an awesome day! There’s so much for them to explore and we spent at least a hour in the Petting Zoo. They had a blast trying to spot alligators (saw at least 4) and turtles. There was something to see around each curve and over each bridge...lots of photo opportunities. We had planned on eating in town so we didn’t get to try the Peacock Cafe. The menu looked amazing, definitely not the usual burgers, fries and hot dogs...they had all different wraps, brunch items, speciality coffees. Plan on eating here to extend your day. Don’t forget to check out Groupon for 1/2 price admission tickets which include the petting zoo.
Written February 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lynn Berg
Naples, FL1,020 contributions
Mar 2021 • Friends
I've been to a few Plantations in the south. This one disappointed me. There's a $20 fee per adult (just to walk the premises) and then an additional $8 per tour (main house, slave quarters, etc.). If you want to see everything, it's an expensive day. Other plantations I've been to had one entrance fee.
We only purchased the slave quarters' tour. We took the tram (near the restrooms) and were shuttled to the slave buildings. We then walked to a covered area that had benches to sit on (uncomfortable for the back) where the guide gave history of the Plantation and the enslaved people on the property. We had a chance to ask questions. Informative. There are 4 small buildings on the slave property. One from 1850, and then 3 updated quarters showing the "improvements" to the small, one room cabins.
Be sure to tip your guide. It's a kindness.
We wandered through the gardens, which were in bloom with spring flowers. The live oak trees are impressive.
The plantation house is not the original. Without paying the extra for the house tour, a visitor can only walk around on the veranda.
Very nice gift shop. Great selection.
There's a snack bar also.
Lots of walking paths all over the Plantation. Lots of photo opportunities.
We only purchased the slave quarters' tour. We took the tram (near the restrooms) and were shuttled to the slave buildings. We then walked to a covered area that had benches to sit on (uncomfortable for the back) where the guide gave history of the Plantation and the enslaved people on the property. We had a chance to ask questions. Informative. There are 4 small buildings on the slave property. One from 1850, and then 3 updated quarters showing the "improvements" to the small, one room cabins.
Be sure to tip your guide. It's a kindness.
We wandered through the gardens, which were in bloom with spring flowers. The live oak trees are impressive.
The plantation house is not the original. Without paying the extra for the house tour, a visitor can only walk around on the veranda.
Very nice gift shop. Great selection.
There's a snack bar also.
Lots of walking paths all over the Plantation. Lots of photo opportunities.
Written March 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MorganasLegend
Wilmington, DE74 contributions
May 2021 • Couples
We went after visiting Drayton Hall just a short drive away. We got there around 1:30 on a Thursday and it was quite crowded. Be prepared for that because the tours are all time slotted by the hour and even though we got there before 2 pm, the next available house tour wouldn’t have been until 4 pm. So you’ll want to get there early to try to beat true crowds. We opted just to do the general admission and the Audubon Swamp trail, but they also have a tram ride through the property, a zoo, a boat tour and a tour of the slave cabins. There’s also an on-site cafe. Everything is ala carte, so you pay one general admission which just covers the garden walk, plus $10 or so for each add on you want to do. Just the general admission and the swamp add on for 2 people was $60 so it is on the pricey side. The garden walk is impressive and seems to go on for ever with out coves this way and that. Saw quite a few little alligators. The swamp walk was also nice, about a mile or so, there’s a small didn’t see much wild life there aside from a lizard and some turtles, but there was an abundance of egrets in the rookery. You could easily spend a good part of the day here if you take part in everything.
Written May 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Danielle H
Milwaukee, WI107 contributions
Jul 2020 • Couples
Wayyyy overpriced for what you get. $20 just to get in and then each tour is separate $$. There were people everywhere, the garden wasn’t maintained well, and it was super pricey. The tour of the house was upstairs only (bottom floor is a gift shop) and you can’t take any pics. The tour guide was nice enough though. The zoo was neat, as deer and goats (etc) came right up to you. After visiting Boone’s Hall today I realized how much better maintained the property is, the prices are better, and they do so many tours/informational presentations all over the plantation. If you have it pick one, pick Boone’s.
Written July 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matthew M
Sanford, ME1,003 contributions
Jul 2020 • Family
We went here on a Saturday with our 2 year old daughter. Kids are free and they have a $3 off military and first responder discount. It’s a fairly large area but many of the immediate attractions are close together. Our first stop was the Peacock Cafe for some water because it was blazing hot. Lots of snacks including beer and wine which you can consume on the premises. Next stop was the petting zoo which had numerous ducks, deer, chickens, peacocks, and a nice goat among other creatures. Bring some change for the feed dispenser! Next stop was the gardens and house. We didn’t tour the house but checked out the gift shop on the first floor. We went through most of the gardens, which include a maze and several ponds. The paths are well maintained and easily negotiable with a normal stroller. We looped back to the main area for the nature train ride. It was an interesting 45 min ride through the surrounding area with plenty of wildlife, including several gator sightings. Overall a good trip, but next time I’d budget a full day here, bring more snacks, and take the slave cabin and plantation house interior tour!
Written July 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
4ublueskies
Jacksonville, FL138 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
Fantastic way to spend time with family and friends for a getaway.
We took advantage of the discount bringing non perishable items with ticket purchase runs through December. Saved over $50.00 for family of 4. You also get to return within 7 days for free entry of the gardens.
First day we took tram
ride. Well worth it. You visit far end of property. Sites include large pond views of turtles, alligators and wildlife. You pass slave quarters, native American burial ground,views of river and historic tales of the family that owned and still owns the property and home.
Toured main cottage, very beautifully maintained with historic furnishings , art and dinnerware.Home has great architecture changes throughout the years. Even though it's the 3rd home built on the property it is still a gem.
Peacock cafe - get a snack or eat lunch, everything is good.
Petting zoo , we visited twice. Bring a quarter to feed the peacocks!
2nd time we returned, we visited the nature walks and rivers views. We also were able to see the chinese new year art along the path, very beautifully designed and great photo opportunity. Runs through March.
Gift shop has great plantation gifts and local Charleston touristy goods.
If you live nearby and can visit often get an annual pass, bring your dog to walk trails and even tram.
Loved our visit and we would come back when the boat tours are in season.
We took advantage of the discount bringing non perishable items with ticket purchase runs through December. Saved over $50.00 for family of 4. You also get to return within 7 days for free entry of the gardens.
First day we took tram
ride. Well worth it. You visit far end of property. Sites include large pond views of turtles, alligators and wildlife. You pass slave quarters, native American burial ground,views of river and historic tales of the family that owned and still owns the property and home.
Toured main cottage, very beautifully maintained with historic furnishings , art and dinnerware.Home has great architecture changes throughout the years. Even though it's the 3rd home built on the property it is still a gem.
Peacock cafe - get a snack or eat lunch, everything is good.
Petting zoo , we visited twice. Bring a quarter to feed the peacocks!
2nd time we returned, we visited the nature walks and rivers views. We also were able to see the chinese new year art along the path, very beautifully designed and great photo opportunity. Runs through March.
Gift shop has great plantation gifts and local Charleston touristy goods.
If you live nearby and can visit often get an annual pass, bring your dog to walk trails and even tram.
Loved our visit and we would come back when the boat tours are in season.
Written January 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RJM
Charleston, SC1 contribution
Dec 2019
The animals at the zoo would be there regardless of whether or not Shannon was one of their keepers, but I AM CERTAIN they live such happy lives because of the care she gives them! Right away when you start talking with Shannon you get a sense of how much she loves her job and her "kids." We caught her mid-shoveling to ask her a question, and she stopped what she was doing and completely focused on us and our visit....She told us stories about some of the animals, answered every question we had, and made us feel as if we were the only ones in the zoo. We spent 45 minutes just walking around, getting love from the residents (especially Gracie the deer), and at closing time we witnessed Shannon "lead" all the chickens to their coop for the night...just like the Pied Piper :) They all know her very well, and Millie the rooster helped make sure all his girls were safe before going in himself. Shannon, you are the best! Thank you for your time, patience, and love for the animals and your job
Written January 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
df03438
Farragut, TN127 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Good:
Rustic romantic style gardens with winding trails.
Nature tram tour provided a good 45 minute overview of the property.
Abundant birds. We saw egrets, herons and many more.
Significant historical sight.
Bad:
Garden admission is $20. Tours are additional $8 charge each for the house, the Audobon swamp garden, the nature tram. We have been to many gardens and found pricing for this property to be excessive.
The Peacock Cafe is an over priced snack shack offering prepackaged items.
I would not recommend this attraction to a friend.
Rustic romantic style gardens with winding trails.
Nature tram tour provided a good 45 minute overview of the property.
Abundant birds. We saw egrets, herons and many more.
Significant historical sight.
Bad:
Garden admission is $20. Tours are additional $8 charge each for the house, the Audobon swamp garden, the nature tram. We have been to many gardens and found pricing for this property to be excessive.
The Peacock Cafe is an over priced snack shack offering prepackaged items.
I would not recommend this attraction to a friend.
Written February 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
floridian6
orlando, fl229 contributions
Mar 2020
We arrived around 9:30 am and was given a schedule of the tours we chose to do. First was the slave quarters tour. It was very informative and recommended. Second was the tram tour which was not so good. It mostly went through the swamp and border of the gardens in the woods. It does not go through the gardens at all. I felt it was a waste of time, the guide talked nonstop which was very annoying. Third was the boat tour which was ok. The guide did not talk nonstop which was nice to have a little peacefulness on the water. It was a short tour. Last was the house tour. It was interesting to hear about the family history and see the furnishing in the house. By the end of the tours we had little time or energy to see the gardens, so we went back a second day (the do let you come back at no charge within 2 days) so I could then just walk the gardens. The azaleas and camellias were in full blood during the time I was there (they bloomed early this year). If they had not been blooming it probably would not been as pretty. Some camellias are 150 years old, so be sure to see the historic camellia garden. There are some beautiful old oak trees and quaint bridges crossing some ponds. A walk along the river is very nice and relaxing. The bamboo garden is interesting. There were beautiful peacocks roaming the gardens. I did buy some really nice bird pictures (copies) done by a historic artist ( Dingle and another one). Lunch is mostly sandwiches and wraps eaten outside on picnic tables.
Written March 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How much time does it take to see all that is included?
Written June 23, 2024
it’s really up to you, it’s a big place. 2hrs gives you a basic walk around and visit the house, but if you want to extensively visit the amazing gardens then think more like 5-6hrs. Take water and a pic-nic
Written July 4, 2024
Are there places to get lunch close to the plantation or Dayton Hall?
Written December 2, 2023
After visiting we headed back toward Charleston on Hwy 61 and ate at Betty Lou's Bistro (2408 X, Ashley River Rd, Charleston, SC 29414). Very good food! Great staff!
Written December 3, 2023
If you visited a plantation, why would you think that slavery didn't fundamentally make life there possible?
Written April 21, 2022
slavery did not make plantations possible. it made slave owners rich. not a good thng
Written August 26, 2024
I don't think so. Are you taking an Uber here? If so perhaps the admission building or gift shop could hold your things. If you're driving here plan to leave things in your car.
Written April 9, 2022
Can you buy tickets online? I see tickets for transportation from Charleston plus a tour, but I’d like to drive there myself and wondering if I can buy admission ticket in advance online. Website seems outdated. Thanks!
Written August 17, 2021
I called and booked our tickets over the phone. Very easy and provided great customer service.
Written April 26, 2022
The base is $20 (well worth it) and you add in other tours at $8. The add-ons sell out quick.
Written April 17, 2021
Do they have tours or allow you to go into the House? All the pictures are of other things. Can you just walk the grounds?
Written March 30, 2021
Yes you can tour the house. It's an interesting little tour.
Written April 7, 2021
We will be visiting Holy City the end of February, 2020. Will the plantation be open? We're staying downtown Charleston, if open, is there public transportation to and from or would taxi/ Uber be better?
Thanks in advance.
Sandi
Written January 1, 2020
It should be. The lantern exhibit goes through March. I would take a taxi or Uber. I did not see any public transportation. You need to buy your lantern exhibit tickets in advance.
Written January 5, 2020
…
Showing results 1-10 of 84
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing