Fodor's Expert Review Magnolia Plantation and Gardens

Beautiful Magnolia Plantation is home to the oldest public garden in the country, a sprawling estate created entirely by the labor of enslaved people. Established in the 1670s by Thomas Drayton after he moved from Barbados (where he also enslaved people), the extensive garden was started in the late 17th century and has evolved into a Romantic-style green space overflowing with plants, including a vast array of azaleas and camellias and a topiary maze. Exhibits surrounding the plantation's five former slave dwellings give insight into the enslaved people who lived here, with tours curated by prominent African American historian Joseph McGill. Outside of the gardens and historic buildings, take a train or boat to tour the grounds, or traverse more than 500 acres of trails by foot or bike (bring your own). The adjacent Audubon Swamp Garden invites a long stroll on its network of boardwalks and bridges. There's also a petting zoo, a nature center, and a reptile house.