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Offered languages
- English
Visiting both Middleton Place Plantation and Drayton Hall on the same tour offers travelers a richer and more complete perspective of Charleston’s history and heritage. Though located close to one another along the Ashley River, each site tells a very different story. Middleton Place is renowned for its breathtaking landscaped gardens, living history demonstrations, and preserved grounds that highlight the lifestyle and agricultural achievements of one of colonial America’s most influential families. In contrast, Drayton Hall is celebrated for its architectural purity as the finest example of Palladian design in the United States, preserved in its original 18th-century state without modern alterations.
Together, these plantations allow visitors to experience both artistic beauty and architectural grandeur, while also engaging with the deeper historical narratives of the Low country, including the lives of the enslaved who made these estates possible.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Itinerary
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Charleston (Pass by)
The tour will begin with a short drive through the Charlestonwne neighborhood. There you will see St. Michaels Church. Built in 1761, George Washington prayed in that church in 1791. You will also see the oldest part of Charleston and the largest homes including the Williams Mansion, at 24,000 sq. ft. the largest home in Charleston. Finally, you will see the Lather Home. It’s the second biggest home in Charleston. In 1920 there was a meeting in this grand home and the Society for the Preservation of Old Dwellings was formed. It was the birth of the preservation movement in this country. Then on to two of the finest plantations in the Charleston area open to the public.
Admission ticket free -
1
Middleton Place Plantation in Charleston, South Carolina, is a remarkable destination for visitors who want to experience Southern history, culture, and natural beauty. Known as America’s oldest landscaped gardens, the grounds are breathtaking year-round, featuring terraces, camellias, azaleas, and centuries-old oaks draped in Spanish moss. The historic house museum offers a glimpse into the Middleton family, one of Charleston’s most influential dynasties, and their role in shaping the Low country. Visitors can explore stories of both the family and the enslaved people who built and maintained the estate, making it a place of reflection as well as beauty. The stable yards bring history to life with demonstrations of 18th-century crafts and animal husbandry. With its combination of stunning gardens, historical interpretation, and preserved architecture, Middleton Place offers tourists an immersive journey into the past, making it one of the most memorable stops in Charleston.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket not included -
2
Drayton Hall Plantation, located along the Ashley River near Charleston, South Carolina, is one of the finest surviving examples of Palladian architecture in North America. Built in the mid-18th century, its design reflects the influence of Andrea Palladio, the Italian Renaissance architect whose style emphasized symmetry, proportion, and classical details. The house is perfectly balanced, with a central entrance flanked by evenly spaced windows and rooms arranged with harmonious precision. Notably, Drayton Hall was never modernized with electricity, plumbing, or major alterations, leaving its original design remarkably intact. The grand double portico, soaring ceilings, and finely crafted woodwork showcase both elegance and restraint, hallmarks of Palladian ideals. Unlike more ornate plantation homes, Drayton Hall’s beauty lies in its simplicity, symmetry, and timeless classical proportions. Today, it stands as a rare and authentic window into colonial architecture.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket not included
Additional info
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
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Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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