Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens in Charleston is a beautiful place. Here you can walk in the gardens, checking out the peacocks, and read the quotes in the Bible garden. There are camelias, azalea, and red fire berries. Walk over the romantic white reflecting bridge, but watch out for alligators! Huge oak trees with Spanish moss and resurrection ferns hanging from them are all over the property. The mansion is nice to see from the outside, and there is a small gift shop in it. Outside the mansion is a low maze garden. There is a petting zoo where kids can look at animals.

I recommend taking the 45-minute nature tram tour. On this tour you will see alligators, birds, ducks, slave houses, amazing trees, and a beautiful swamp covered in bright green duck weed (I love this!). The tour guide we had, Dick Winters, was a lot of fun. Unfortunately, in the forest areas of the tour there are huge potholes so you may end up with a sore neck after the tour- I wouldn't take the tour if pregnant. 
Admission and the tour are quite expensive, which is a shame (see prices below). Try to find coupons in tourist brochures if you can.
The drive to the plantation is lovely, along Ashley River Rd past many plantations. Stop for a coffee at Charleston Coffee Exchange (on your way to the plantation- six minutes before you get there), a cool place!

Directions

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is located at 3550 Ashley River Rd, Charleston SC 29414.
Admission is $20 for adults, $10 for kids aged 6-12, and free for kids aged 5 and under. Tram tour is $10 per person and free for kids aged 5 and under.

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