Magnolia Plantation and Gardens

The basics

At Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, learn about the plantation’s dark history on the “From Slavery to Freedom” tour. You can also explore the 66-acre (27-hectare) public gardens, and access 6 miles (10 kilometers) of walking and biking trails. Along the way, visit the Tropical Conservatory and Wildlife Observation Tower. Then, stop by the Wildlife Center to see red foxes, bobcats, and alligators, as well as goats, peacocks, and other farm animals.

Additional guided Magnolia Plantation and Gardens tours are available. Go for a Magnolia House tour or take a ride on the Nature Train around the 450-acre (182-hectare) plantation. You can also enjoy a wildlife-watching boat cruise along the Ashley River, and a walk around the wildlife-filled Audubon Swamp Gardens.

Things to know before you go

• General admission tickets to the Magnolia Garden include access to the historic gardens, Wildlife Center, Tropical Conservatory, and other attractions.

• There is plenty of free on-site parking, plus a café, gift shop, and restrooms.

• The Magnolia Gardens and many of the guided tours are accessible for strollers and wheelchairs.

• However, visits to Magnolia House require walking up steps and navigating unpaved paths.

How to get there

The Magnolia Plantation and Gardens are located in North Charleston, along the Ashley River. There is no public transport to the plantation, so you will need your own transport or to take an Uber, Lyft, or local taxi. It’s about a 13-mile (21-kilometer) or 25-minute drive from downtown Charleston.

When to get there

The Magnolia Plantation is open daily, from mid-morning until late afternoon; last entry is an hour before closing. The gardens change with the seasons. Visit in early winter for the camellia collection, or in spring to see azaleas as well as migrating herons in the Audubon Swamp. Summer sees the gardens burst with daffodils, roses, and other flowers, while in fall, trees are ablaze with autumnal colors. Its live oak trees look picturesque all throughout the year.

What you’ll see on the “From Slavery to Freedom” tour

All general admission tickets to Magnolia Garden include the “From Slavery to Freedom” tour. Learn about Magnolia’s origins as a working rice plantation inside the historic cabins where enslaved African American workers and their families lived. Honor their stories as you learn about their contribution to the creation and maintenance of the house and gardens.