Charleston Plantations 

Boone Hall Plantation, established in 1681, is one of America’s oldest working farms. One of the most unique features of the plantation is eight original slave cabins on the property. The cabins have artifacts and audio exhibits showing what life was like for the slaves on the plantation. 

Middleton Place, an 18th century rice plantation, is located on 110 acres along the Ashley River. The plantation was once the home of Arthur Middleton, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. The plantation is also home to America’s oldest landscaped gardens.

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens was founded in 1676 by the Drayton family. Attractions include a nature train tour, petting zoo, wildlife observation tower, nature trails, 18th-century herb garden, Biblical garden, horticultural maze, an African-American history tour, and a nature boat tour. 

Drayton Hall, founded in 1738, is the oldest unrestored plantation house in America still open to the public. Instead of restoring the house to a specific time period, the owner chose to preserve the site. The main house remains unaltered, allowing visitors to focus on the beauty of the architecture.

Take a free tour of this beautiful 127-acre tea plantation, the only one of its kind in the U.S. Stroll around the grounds that are home to over 300 varieties of tea plants, take a complimentary factory tour, browse through the gift shop, or enjoy lunch in the picnic area.  

McLeod Plantation, a 37-acre Gullah/Geechee heritage site, is a living tribute to the men and women whose stories are essential to understanding Charleston’s complex past. The grounds include the 600 year old McLeod Oak, the McLeod family home, and the former slave cabins.

Hampton Plantation State Historic Site is a 300-acre colonial-era rice plantation established in 1735. Tour the Georgian style mansion and well kept grounds to learn about the owners and slaves once living on the plantation.

Charles Pinckney National Historic Site is the remains of the plantation, which once belonged to Charles Pinckney, the author and signer of the U.S. Constitution. Visitors can view exhibits, watch a short film, and walk along the half-mile trail that runs through the farm.

Cypress Gardens were once part of the Dean Hall Rice Plantation established in 1750. Located in the center of the gardens is the 80-acre Blackwater bald cypress swamp. Visitors can enjoy walking trails, boat rides, and nature exhibits.