Magnolia Plantation & Gardens

This historic house and its renowned gardens date back to 1676, when Thomas and Ann Drayton arrived in the English colony of Charles Towne and built their home and gardens upon the site. Located on the Ashley River in Charleston, South Carolina, it is one of the oldest southern plantations and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Drayton family grew Magnolia into a prosperous rice plantation and the gardens were expanded upon by each generation.

Fields of Flowers

Opened to the public in 1870, the vibrant and colourful gardens at the Magnolia Plantation attract visitors from all around the globe to this day. The sprawling fields of daffodils, camellias, azaleas and hundreds of other plants and flowers are the oldest public gardens in the United States, with some areas dating back over three centuries.

The Plantation House

Visitors can take guided tours of the restored house to experience what plantation life was like in the 19th century. Ten rooms of the home are available for viewing and feature Drayton family antiques, art and other furnishings. The structure is the third Drayton family home to occupy the site, and the house tour details the long history of the family. The plantation also offers a slavery history tour, where visitors can tour the restored slave cabins and learn about the African-Americans that lived and worked at the Magnolia Plantation from the time of slavery until the Civil Rights era.

Outdoor Adventures

Magnolia Plantation & Gardens is a nature lover’s dream, featuring a wide variety of wildlife that live in its forests, lakes and wetlands. Hop on the “Nature Train,” which is a tram ride that tours visitors through the plantation’s 600 acres of wildlife habitats, where several animals can be viewed in action. Children can pet and feed plenty of creatures at the Zoo & Nature Center, which houses several species that are native to the region and not easily spotted in the wild such as the gray fox. And the marsh boat tours allow visitors to travel along the Ashley River through the plantation’s 19th century flooded rice fields where fish, frogs and alligators roam freely.

Visiting Magnolia Plantation & Gardens

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens are located at 3550 Ashley River Road in Charleston, South Carolina.

For more information on tours, directions and ticket prices, call 800-367-3517 or e-mail at tours@magnoliaplantation.com

Click here to visit Magnolia Plantation & Gardens official website