The plantations in and around Charleston are known worldwide and offer a true sense of what antebellum life was like in the Lowcountry.

Middleton Place
4290 Ashley River Road
Charleston, SC 29413
(800) 782-3608
(843) 556-6020
This 18th century plantation was the home of Arthur Middleton, signer of the Declaration of Independence. It is also known for its gardens which house the first camellias planted in America. The house, built in 1755, contains a collection antiques. There is a living museum in the plantation stables. There are craftsmen demonstrating the lifestyles of former plantation owners.

Drayton Hall
3380 Ashley River Road
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 766-0188
Drayton Hall was built around 1740 and was home to seven generations of Draytons until purchased by the National Trust in 1976. This plantation is a perfect example of colonial architecture. It survived both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars.

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
Ashley River Road
Charleston, SC 29414
(800) 367-3517
(843) 571-1266
Inhabited by Drayton descendents since 1670, Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is known as having one of the oldest continuously planted gardens in America, planted around 1680. The current house replaces the original home, which fell prey to Union troops. Also featured are a petting zoo, observation tower and Nature Train.

Boone Hall Plantation 1235 Long Point Road
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
9843) 884-4371
At the end of an avenue of live oaks that were planted in 1743 sits the Boone Hall mansion. The original cotton plantation contained 17,000 acres on the Wando River. The mansion's first floor, along with nine slave quarters and gin house is available for touring.

Charles Towne Landing
Highway 171
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 852-4200
This is the site of the first settlement in Charleston in 1670. In addition to visiting a full-scale replica of a 17th century trading ship, visitors can bike, walk or take the trolley among the 80 acres of gardens, lagoons and live oaks.