Day Trip: Magnolia Plantation-Charleston, South Carolina-2 hr 40 min

This is one of my favorite places in Charleston, SC. I took these pictures years ago, and I want to go back and take more now that I have a…

Tee Gentry

Published Jul 14, 2023 11:30 AM EDT

Day Trip: Magnolia Plantation-Charleston, South Carolina-2 hr 40 min

A beautiful tree-lined entrance

Tee Gentry/BMG

This is one of my favorite places in Charleston, SC. I took these pictures years ago, and I want to go back and take more now that I have a better camera. The grounds are well kept and there is a picture everywhere you look. Day Trip: Magnolia Plantation-Charleston, South Carolina-2 hr 40 min.

1840

According to Magnolia Plantation and Gardens website, It all started in the 1840s when the Rev. John Grimke Drayton had to do something to make his wife happy because she was from Philadelphia and she didn't like the idea of moving to "the middle of nowhere," which it was back then. So, he planted romantic gardens to make their new home beautiful and bring his wife joy. Remember....happy wife, happy life!

Open For Business

He opened the gardens to the public in the 1870s, and it became one of the top three places to visit in the United States; the only two above it were Niagra Falls and the Grand Canyon.

Day Trip: Magnolia Plantation-Charleston, South Carolina-2 hr 40 min.

I love to take the Charleston Highway out of Aiken. It may take longer, but I'm a backroads guy, and this is a pretty drive. Here's the price for general admission, and it takes about 1-2 hours to walk the grounds. The price for ages 13-61 is $29. They offer other packages, too. Check out their website linked above to find out more.

I hope you have fun and happy travels!

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Tee GentryEditor

Tee has worked with KICKS 99 for over 24 years as Operations Manager and Program Director and is on-air each afternoon 3p-7p. When he’s not working, you’ll find him traveling the back roads, taking pictures, and searching for the next dive diner. Favorite place to visit? That’s easy. Folly Beach, SC. He’s usually there at least a few times a year. He lives in North Augusta and on Saturdays in the fall, you’ll find him cooking out and watching his Clemson Tigers. Tee likes to write about travel, Augusta local dive bars and diners and destinations in the Carolinas, as well as new business.