Monday, April 23, 2012

1st Trip to Charleston -- Best Plantation?

Visiting Charleston w/my sisters for the first time next week and was wondering if you had to choose just one plantation to visit, which one would you suggest? We will most likely only be able to fit in one plantation tour during our stay so I%26#39;m hoping to narrow down the search. We are staying in the historic district but we will have a rental car so driving is not an issue. Thanks much!



1st Trip to Charleston -- Best Plantation?


I like Middleton Place the best. The house has authentic furnishings and even though it isn%26#39;t the original main building, as a secondary building, it still reflects on the manner of life and the people who lived there. My main gripe about Magnolia Place is that it%26#39;s a new building trying to look old and it doesn%26#39;t pull it off well enough for me. I also prefer the gardens at Middleton because of the variety of setting, the presence of the river, the wildlife and the outbuildings scattered around. Middleton has a section of outbuildings where demonstrations from the cooper, candlemaker, etc. can be seen and there are lots of farm animals on display. Drayton Hall is impressive in it%26#39;s age but I%26#39;m really interested in the interior decoration (furniture, portraits, etc.) and Drayton has none. Plus, I found the gardens at Drayton to be far less extensive than Middleton and Magnolia and not really worth the effort.



1st Trip to Charleston -- Best Plantation?


I agree. If you can visit only one plantation, Middleton is your best choice. You will get a very good sense of life on a massive rice plantation. The restaurant on the grounds is lovely for lunch.





If you can visit a second plantation, in addtion to Middleton, Drayton Hall is right down the road. Drayton is the only original Ashley River plantation home (i.e. main residence) that still stands. The home is unfurnished and unrestored, but the interior and exterior architecture are completely authentic and fascinating to visit.





FYI - It is said that you might see a ghost at Drayton. Nothing scarey - just a former owner still looking after his property. :)




Depends on your preference:





Working Plantation: Boone Hall in Mt. Pleasant



Manicured/Formal Gardens: Middleton Place



More Natural Looking Gardens: Magnolia Planation





I personally prefer Boone Hall and Middleton Place...Magnolia is a little to much nature for me.





Enjoy your visit!




Thanks so much for the responses! This really helps a lot! :) I can%26#39;t wait to get down there!




Magnolia- if you like to walk and explore nature.



Middleton- if you enjoy the history and style of plantations and the great food.




Middleton Place is my favorite, too. I love to go out there and just stroll around. It is so relaxing and beautiful. It is steeped in so much history. Be sure to take a house tour so you can see the beautiful family pieces (not reproductions!) and hear the history of the family. It has something for everyone.




Whichever plantation you choose...be prepared for sticker shock for the admission prices. I%26#39;m sure it costs an arm-and-a-leg to keep these places up with decorations, refurbishments and manicured gardens. They are very interesting to see but definitely NOT cheap!




As for sticker shock: if you are a member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation ($30 family membership) you and your traveling partner will get into Drayton at no charge and also get a discount at Middleton and various other attractions throughout Charleston. You are also supporting a great cause!




And, your National Trust membership is good for one year at lots of other wonderful places around the country!

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