Plantations in Charleston

Historic Plantations Near Charleston SC

Discover the best plantations in Charleston, SC, where historic homes, preserved landscapes, and renowned gardens showcase the region’s rich Lowcountry heritage. From iconic estates along the Ashley River to historic plantations in Mount Pleasant and on James Island, this comprehensive guide features the top Charleston plantation tours and historic sites open to visitors.

Experience grand antebellum architecture, scenic oak-lined avenues, and engaging cultural exhibits that bring Southern history to life. Browse the listings below for updated tour times, admission details, and hours of operation to help you plan the perfect plantation visit during your stay in the Charleston area.

Charleston Plantation Comparison Chart

Plantation	Location	Founded	Highlights	Best For
Magnolia Plantation	Ashley River Rd	1676	Romantic gardens, wildlife center, boat tour	Gardens & nature
Middleton Place	Ashley River Rd	1741	America’s oldest landscaped gardens, stableyards	Formal gardens
Drayton Hall	Ashley River Rd	1738	Preserved colonial house, Palladian architecture	Historic architecture
Boone Hall Plantation	Mount Pleasant	1681	Avenue of Oaks, Gullah program, tractor tour	Photography & culture
McLeod Plantation	James Island	1851	Slave cabins, African American history focus	Historic interpretation

Charleston Plantation Distance and Visit Time Chart

Most historic plantations near Charleston are located along the scenic Ashley River Road corridor west of the city. Boone Hall Plantation is located in Mount Pleasant, while McLeod Plantation is closer to downtown on James Island. Travel times and distances are from downtown Charleston, SC.

Because the plantations are spread across the Charleston area, many visitors plan half-day or full-day trips to explore multiple historic sites during their visit.

Which Charleston Plantation Should You Visit?

Charleston is home to several historic plantations, each offering a different experience. Choosing the best plantation to visit often depends on what interests you most—gardens, architecture, history, or cultural interpretation.

Best Plantation for Gardens

Middleton Place is famous for its formal terraced gardens, which are considered the oldest landscaped gardens in the United States. Visitors interested in classic European-style garden design and historic landscape architecture often choose Middleton Place.

Best Plantation for Scenic Nature

Magnolia Plantation & Gardens is widely known for its romantic-style gardens and natural landscapes. Visitors can explore walking trails, wetlands, and wildlife areas while enjoying views of the Ashley River.

Best Plantation for Historic Architecture

Drayton Hall is one of the most historically preserved plantation houses in America. The main house remains largely unrestored, allowing visitors to see original architecture and construction methods from the eighteenth century.

Best Plantation for Cultural History

McLeod Plantation Historic Site focuses on the lives of enslaved people and the Gullah Geechee culture of the South Carolina coast. The site preserves several historic structures and provides educational programs about the island’s history.

Best Plantation for Photography

Boone Hall Plantation is famous for its Avenue of Oaks, one of the most photographed locations in the Charleston area. The long oak-lined driveway creates a dramatic entrance and is a popular spot for photography.

Boone Hall Plantation

Historic Boone Hall Plantation is located in Mt. Pleasant, SC. Boone Hall is known as the “Most Photographed Plantation in America,” and for a good reason. When you first arrive at Boone Hall, you travel down its famous “Avenue of Oaks” that leads to the mansion.

Along the side of the Avenue of Oaks are the Slave Quarters. There are nine of these original slave cabins still on the plantation. Learn about Gullah Culture, take a Tractor Tour of the grounds, tour the mansion, visit the Butterfly Pavilion, and much more. Boone Hall Plantation is a must-see attraction! Also, the Cotton Dock at Boone Hall is a popular wedding venue.

Snee Farm Plantation

Also located in Mt. Pleasant and just across Long Point Rd from Boone Hall is Snee Farm Plantation. Snee Farm came into the possession of Colonel Charles Pinckney. Colonel Charles Pinckney is the father of Charles Pinckney, who helped write and then signed the Declaration of Independence. Also, President George Washington visited Snee Farm in 1791.

A visit to Snee Farm and Boone Hall makes for an excellent half-day tour. They are conveniently located near each other. Snee Farm Plantation is a National Historic Site with rich history and scenic grounds. 

Middleton Place

Rich in the history of the Low Country, Middleton Place, located in Charleston, SC, is another plantation that you need to see. The Butterfly Pond and the incredible gardens there are a must-see. Middleton Place is located along the beautiful Ashley River.

House and Garden Tours are available. Also, Middleton Place was featured in the movie “The Patriot.” The plantation is a National Historic Landmark. Along with its incredible history, this plantation also features an Inn and a Restaurant on the grounds. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner. Reservations for dinner are required. The plantation is open every day but Christmas.

Book A Stay At The the Inn at Middleton Place

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens

Magnolia Plantation, known as the “Most Visited Plantation in America,” amazes visitors worldwide with its incredible gardens. Travel and Leisure Magazine even named their gardens “One of the Most Beautiful in America.” A visit to the Charleston area would only be complete, including Magnolia Plantation’s stunning grounds and gardens in your trip.

There is a rich history at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, too. The plantation was founded in 1676 by the Drayton family, whose history runs deep in South Carolina and the United States. Visit this beautiful plantation on the Ashley River, located near Middleton Place in the Plantation District on scenic Ashley River Road.

The main house currently has some repair work being done, but is still open to visitors.

Drayton Hall

While on a trip to either Magnolia Plantation and Gardens or Middleton Place, you can also visit the nearby historic Drayton Hall. The main house at Drayton Hall is one of the oldest in the United States and is painstakingly preserved, not restored. By contrast, other plantations have had some buildings restored at some point.

Drayton Hall also features beautiful gardens situated along the Ashley River. Visit the plantation Wednesday through Monday. On the same day trip, it is easy to visit Middleton Place, Magnolia Plantation, and Drayton Hall.

McLeod Plantation

The Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission operates McLeod Plantation on James Island. Despite being a relatively new plantation in Charleston, it holds great historical significance in Gullah/Geechee culture. It is considered a heritage site for the Gullah/Geechee community.

Enjoy the Riverside Pavilion and the McLeod Oak, which is thought to be over 600 years old. Learn about the Gullah Culture that developed in the Low Country. McLeod Plantation is a must-see for anyone interested in Gullah Culture. The grounds are full of surprises. Also, be sure to take an interpretive tour of the plantation. 

McLeod is open from 9 a.m. until 4 pm, Tuesday through Sunday.

Hampton Plantation

Beautiful Hampton Plantation, located about forty minutes from the Isle of Palms and thirty minutes from Mt. Pleasant, is a true hidden gem in the Francis Marion National Forest on Wambaw Creek off the Santee River. Visiting this historic plantation feels like stepping back in time due to its remote location. By comparison, the plantation sees fewer visitors than other plantations in Charleston, making it a peaceful and relaxing experience.

Tour the mansion that features a ballroom with floors made of forty-foot planks of yellowheart pine. Guided mansion tours are available Friday through Tuesday.

The Pinckney Family previously owned Hampton Plantation, and their family’s history in South Carolina and the United States is widely recognized. This beautiful plantation also motivated the poet Laureate of South Carolina, Archibald Rutledge, who owned it and drew inspiration from it for many of his poems and other writings.

George Washington visited Hampton Plantation, which is now part of the South Carolina State Parks system.

St. James-Santee Church

Finally, near Hampton Plantation is St. James-Santee Church. Although not a plantation, St. James-Santee Church was one of the original Parish Churches, and the building is original. The road that leads to the church, now called Old Georgetown Road, has historical significance. Old Georgetown Road is part of the original King’s Highway that ran from Charleston to Georgetown. The road is still made of dirt, while all the other roads in the Francis Marion National Forest were built using rock.

Historic McClellanville, SC

Take a ride down Pinckney St. in McClellanville, SC, and step back in time to experience the lovely, historic village near Hampton and St. James Santee Church in the Francis Marion Forest.

Explore the hidden gem of McClellanville, a picturesque village on Jeremy Creek where historic homes and churches built by plantation owners await your discovery. Consider visiting The Deer Head Oak, a village landmark that has survived for over 1000 years and is likely the oldest Live Oak Tree in South Carolina. The Deer Head Oak is located at the corner of Pinckney and Oak Streets and features a small park.

Explore Charleston Area Hotels Guide:

🏨 Charleston Hotels Hub – Compare all areas and find the best place to stay

🏄 Folly Beach Hotels – Relaxed beach hotels with a surf-town vibe

🌆 Charleston SC Hotels – Best hotels in downtown and historic Charleston

🌊 Isle of Palms Hotels – Beachfront and oceanview accommodations

⛳ Wild Dunes Hotels – Resort stays with golf and amenities

💯Mount Pleasant Hotels – Central to the Charleston area, dining, shopping, golf

Also, Plantations in Charleston are popular wedding destinations. Boone Hall and Magnolia Plantation and Gardens are especially popular for weddings and other events.