Charleston - which historic homes to tour,there are so many
 

My friend and I will be in Charleston for about 1 1/2 days. We want to visit Ft Sumpter and do the walking tour of the Battery. We would like to visit at least two of the historic homes, but need help in deciding which ones are best. She is a big fan of beautiful gardens (we will be there April 29 & 30. We both enjoy historic architecture and period furnishings.

Any advice would be appreciated.

There are many interesting historic homes in Charleston and I've been through a lot of them. My favorites include the Aiken-Rhett House, the Nathaniel Russell House, and the Edmonston-Alston House. Most of these can be seen in 30 minutes, although I would allow an hour if you go to the Aiken-Rhett house. The Aiken-Rhett House has an excellent self-guided tour with an audio tape. The house is fascinating, because it hasn't been so much restored as preserved. You can visit the old slave quarters and kitchen areas behind the main house, as well. The Edmonston-Alston house is interesting because it has stayed in the Alston family for many years and most of the contents are original to the house. The Nathaniel Russell House is worth seeing just for the gorgeous free-flying spiral staircase. If you want to drive out to a plantation, my personal favorite is Drayton Hall, because it's the oldest house on the Ashley River and because the tours there are fascinating, with wonderful guides. However, if your friend is very interested in gardens, you should probably see Middleton Place. The gardens there are beautiful, although the azaleas will be past their peak by the end of April. A trip out to the plantations could be done in a morning, if you only visit one. Have a great trip to Charleston!

mlm, you and your friend would enjoy reading "Mrs Whaley's Charleston Garden". It is available from the Charleston Historical Society. An absolutely wonderful introduction to the city and its gardens.

We were in Charleston in Sept.last and took the combination ticket: town museum and two house tours;Joseph Manigaault house and the Heyward washington house.The Old exchange and Provost dungeon are also interesting.Paul

Thanks so much for the replies. I would definitely like to read the book cmcfong recommended. I will check with our library to see if it is available.

I have done some more reading on the houses you have mentioned and think that my friend would really like to visit Middleton Place. According to my AAA book the ticket can be packaged with a ticket to Edmondston-Alston house

I hope to arrive in Charleston by noon on Sunday and perhaps drive directly to Middleton Place. Depending on time, we could maybe then visit Edmonston-Alston later in the afternoon. I think it is in the battery area and we plan to do the walking tour of that area.

On Monday we will tour Ft Sumpter and then some of the other houses as time permits. We are under no time limits, except to drive to Savannah before dark.

If you haven't eaten lunch and you get there in time, Middleton Place has really good food.