Charleston plantation
 

Hi all,
My wife and I are heading to Charleston for a long weekend and figured that we need to do something aside from eating. Strolling along the battery and through the historic center to take in the old architecture and feeling of the city sound great, but we feel we should really see one of the plantations as well.
I've read a bit about visiting them and it seems that Boone Hall, Magnolia and Middleton are the most appealing to choose from.
We would love to see the beauty of these places, as well as learn about their history and see the homes as well.
We are not planning on renting a car, but if we need to for the day, we could.

So, if anyone can let us know which place you recommend for the first time visitor to South Carolina, and any additional info regarding arranged visits or travel, we would very much appreciate it!

Thanks
J

Can't speak to the others, but we toured Magnolia. It was interesting with lots of tour options, but it was quite expensive. I enjoyed the tour of the slave cabins most, but in general was underwhelmed.

Middleton. I'm sure there are tours available. Or rent a car.

Middleton is very handsome. Azelias will be flowering in the next week or so and the walkway, really a path, between the plantation gardens and Middleton Inn will be spectacular. IMO, the Middleton Inn is also great example of twentieth century architecture and should not be missed.

We loved Magnolia for the walking paths and the landscaped gardens. We did not do a house tour there, but went instead to Drayton Hall, a mile away, which is an excellent representation of an original plantation house that was conserved, not restored. We spent the whole day seeing both, at a cost of $24 per person for a combined ticket. We had a rental car.