Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Charleston Plantations

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Charleston Plantations

My wife and I are headed to Charleston, SC for a few days in October. We would like to spend one day seeing some of the area plantations. If we can see 2-3, which are the best? My criteria (in no particular order): 1. Authentic 2. Educational - related to no. 1 - gives good, realistic look at plantation life, including accurate portrayal of slavery 3. Photogenic - I am an avid photographer 4. Location - of course we will have a car, but I don't want to drive an hour or more outside of Charleston 5. Variety - don't want to go to 3 places that are basically alike From what I have read, I am leaning toward Boones Hall, Middleton Place, and Drayton Hall

I haven't lived in SC for years, but while I was there I loved Middleton Place. Check to see if any festivals are going on at the plantations as well.

Dear Dan, Spent last spring in Charleston. Had limited time and selected Boones Hall, Middleton Place, and Drayton Hall. Each is very different and photographic opportunities are boundless. Have a wonderful trip!!

NO matter what else you see, make sure you definitely go to Middleton Place! And, to see it properly, plan to spend a few hours there. It's worth it!

Hi Dan; My mother and I went to Middleton, Magnolia and Drayton plantations. We left out Boone because it's in the opposite direction, and in the dizzying June heat 3 was more than enough. I'll assume you've already nixed Middleton for whatever reason but as far as photogenic goes, the ruined main hall is a departure from the standard, whatever-shall-I-wear-to-Ashley's-party, multicolumned plantation house. Less like "Gone With The Wind," more like "Rebecca" (the old last-night-I-dreamt-I-went-to-Manderley-again look). Plus, there's an old stable with animals and people demonstrating trades and crafts. The inn serves a nice lunch, as well. As for Magnolia, I found it a bit cheesy, actually. More touristy, much larger, with what to my eye was a less authentic, more Disneyesque feel. But I'm a Yankee through and through-what do I know from plantations? I did like the hedge maze, an exact replica of that at Hampton Court in England. My #1 favorite by far was Drayton, and based on your list I think it will appeal to you, because it's super authentic. No work has been done on it since the Civil War; the walls haven't even been repainted. The architecture is beautiful, well-proportioned, and the house is small enough that you can take it all in. I just loved the family height measurements in one doorway: on one side, all the kids of the family, from antebellum to today (the family still takes trips out there to do it); on the other, all the pets. All three were very different. I would have liked to have seen the slave quarters at Boone, because I think those are unique. You mention slavery specifically so you probably should head out there, just note that it will be out of the way. While in Charleston, try to have dinner at Magnolia's. One of the best meals I've had in recent memory.

Whoops! I guess you nixed Magnolia. Sorry for careless reading/posting.

Hi Dan, I was in Charleston just a couple of weeks ago. We took an audio tour of the Aiken-Rhett House on Elizabeth street and found it really interesting. It's more of an "urban" plantation with a workyard in back. And a local guidebook said it had been virtually unaltered since 1858. It had a lot of atmosphere. The audio really contributed to that with the snippets of music and domestic noises in the background. I don't think they allowed photography inside the house as I recall. I also thought Middleton Place was lovely. The grounds were a pleasure to walk and photograph. The plantation house was destroyed during the civil war, and the house on the tour was a guest wing which then became the family residence. The house exterior is beautiful, but the inside tour seemed just okay. (I think I just wanted to get back outside.) They didn't allow photography inside the house here either. But I really liked the stableyards. The craftsmen were interesting to talk with and I really liked all the animals just roaming around. We also had a nice Lowcountry lunch at the restaurant there. (Ham biscuits and collard greens; very good.) Have a great time!

If you want to find the schedules of any of the tours/plantations...etc... sign on to: http://www.charleston.net This is the site for the Post & Courier (our local Chas. newspaper). Then, click on the down arrow for options. Select Tips for Tourists. You will find a prinout of all of the costs, tour times, etc. A plethora of info that you can't find elsewhere... If you want more info, pls. contact me directly... Know you'll love your time here. Carol