Middleton Place Plantation reviews

We%26#39;re planning a family vacation this summer in the Charleston area. I%26#39;ve been tasked with organizing a tour of a Southern Plantation. I%26#39;ve read some reviews on Drayton Hall and Magnolia, but haven%26#39;t found many concerning Middleton Place. If you.ve been there, I%26#39;d be interested to hear you ropinion.

Middleton Place Plantation reviews

I visited both Middleton and Magnolia this month.

It%26#39;s the only Ashley River plantation that serves dinner (excellent fine dining), but in a separate building not in the plantation house.

It has formal gardens instead of informal like the others, and has the nation%26#39;s oldest landscaped gardens. Its home looks more like substantial and solid (Drayton Hall has no furnishings I hear). That said, I recommend Magnolia because it has more impressive grounds (and the not-to-be-missed Audborn Swamp Garden), larger gardens, and it has a variety of plants chosen so that there is some color almost always, inlcuding summer. If you have kids, Magnolia will be the best choice I think. However, I wouldn%26#39;t want to visit any of these in summer - too hot %26amp; humid for me!

Another plantation to consider is Boone Hall in nearby Mount Pleasant.

BTW you could also go to Hampton State Park Plantation, Charles Pinckney or Ace Basin for free.

If you buy a Charleston Historic Pass from the charleston visitor bureau, it includes two of these plantations plus lots of homes %26amp; museums.

Middleton Place Plantation reviews

Why not do both Middleton Plantation and Magnolia Plantation?

They are right down the road from each other, and both offer very different but worthwhile things. We usually go in the summer and enjoy our times at both places,however we feel that probably Middleton offers the most for families. The stableyards have artisans demostrating crafts made and used on plantations, such as rice basket-making, iron works, etc. This is very interesting and educational for the entire family. There are also slave houses to see, and other plantation buildings and nice nature trails. You can also do a kayak tour and/or a horseback riding tour.

We also enjoy the Magnolia Plantation, and the Swamp garden tour; but most of the beautiful flowers and plants are not blooming in the summer, and that%26#39;s a big part of Magnolia%26#39;s draw.

The formal gardens at Middleton Plantation look good no matter what season it is. The previous post mentioned the restaurant at Middleton Plantation; it is fine dining in the evening but during lunch it is a great casual place to experience true good ole%26#39; Southern cooking.

Check out both of the plantations websites; they can give you more on the different things offered at each plantation.

I recommend doing both, we%26#39;ve done this several times, and really wouldn%26#39;t want to see one and not the other.

It is hot in and around Charleston in the summer, but there are usually breezes coming off of the Ashley river that keep the plantation areas cooler than in town.

Best Wishes!

We were at Middleton Place last week after spending two days in Charleston and absolutely loved the experience.

Although we didn%26#39;t get an opportunity to visit Magnolia because of time limitations, we can definitely recommend Middleton for a family outing, particularlybecause of the ';working'; nature of the plantation. The carriage ride through the property was of particular interest and takes you to areas not accessible on the walks. Our host had a very obvious love for Middleton and even though the ride might seem expensive, it was invaluable as a history lesson. In addition to his discussion on the issue, the on site museum dedicated to the history of slavery on the plantation was very moving.

Besides the restaurant on site, there is a little outdoor garden cafe with sandwiches, snacks and beverages which might work out well for you, depending on the age of the children in your group.

The azaleas were in full bloom last week but I think the gardens would be breathtaking any time of the year. The website even lists the plants in bloom by month if you are interested.....

middletonplace.org

Hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

Thanks so much for your replies. You%26#39;ve given me a lot of information and it sounds like Middleton might be the best bet for a group of 22 ranging from 5-80! We%26#39;ve got a house on Isle of Palms for a week, and I am really looking forward to seeing Charleston, some countryside and of course, relaxing on the beach.

We loved Middleton Place! If you%26#39;ve seen the movie ';THe Patriot'; you%26#39;ve seen some of Middleton Place already--- the scene where all the British officers %26amp; wives are outside by the water, and Mel Gibson blows up their ships --- that was Middleton Place. Very beautiful! IMO -- the ideal southern gardens tour.

If you are a North %26amp; South mini-series fan, Boone Hall Plantation is a must! The most beutiful avenue of oaks I%26#39;ve ever seen.

Ok, now I%26#39;ve given the movie-viewers guide to Charleston area plantations! :o)

Enjoy!