Visit These 9 Historic Plantations In South Carolina For An Unforgettable Experience

From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, South Carolina has several historic plantations that are open for tours. You may recognize a few of these and others may be newly added to your radar. Each wonderful property has major history behind it, as well as just being beautiful and interesting to visit. Tour all of these historic plantations in South Carolina for unforgettable experiences.

Flickr/Angi English

Flickr/denisbin

Boone Hall dates back as far as 1734, although the current main house on the property was constructed in the early 1900s. Still, a visit to Boone Hall is like opening a time capsule from the early to mid-nineteenth century. From the 200-year old live old trees to the plantation's lovely gardens and the hand-thrown brick dwellings on Boone Hall's notorious "slave street," this plantation is one of the best in the Lowcountry. Tours are offered every day of the week, with seasonal hours. Admission fees and seasonal hours can be found here.

1235 Long Point Rd., Mt. Pleasant, S.C. 29464

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Wikimedia Commons/blahedo

The historic home of South Carolina's only Vice President of the United States, John C. Calhoun, is open for tours in Clemson. The 814 acres that make up this massive property were bequeathed in 1888 to the State of South Carolina by the son-in-law of John C. Calhoun, with the stipulation that it never be changed. Clemson University operates Fort Hill as a Museum House and you can take a tour for $5/adults, $4/seniors, $2/children. Tours are offered every day, except university holidays. See tour times here.

Clemson University, 102 Fort Hill St, Clemson, SC 29634

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Facebook/Hopsewee Plantation

In their "cellar to attic" tour you'll get to explore every bit of this grand old rice plantation home, including two original slave cabins on the property. This one-hour guided tour is offered Tuesdays through Saturdays; see link for times. The cost is $20/adults, $17.50/seniors 65+, $10.50/students 12-17, $7.50/ages 6-11. More information here.

494 Hopsewee Rd, Georgetown, SC 29440

Flickr/Bill Herndon

Ashtabula Plantation was built between 1825 and 1828 and remained in the hands of generations of the same family until it was given to the Pendleton Historic Foundation. It's a wonderful two-story clapboard with a wide wrap-around porch on two sides. Ashtabula is open to the public on Sunday afternoons from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Admission is $6.00.

2725 Old Greenville Hwy, Central, SC 29630

Flickr/damian entwistle

TripAdvisor/Megan K

There's so much to see and do at Middleton Place Plantation. Browse through the 1,000+ photos uploaded by Trip Advisor users and you'll get the idea that you should probably plan to spend nearly an entire day here exploring all the place has to offer. From the gardens to the historic circa 1755 home and the plantation stableyards, this is truly a magnificent example of Lowcountry South Carolina plantation living. Middleton Place is open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. every day except Dec. 25. Guided tours are available or you can take a self-guided one. Admission: $28/Adults and 14+, $15/Student 14+ with ID, $10/ages 6-13, ages 5 and under are free.

4300 Ashley River Rd, Charleston, SC 29414

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Wikimedia Commons/Jack Boucher, Photographer

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Millford Plantation is regarded by many as the finest example of Greek Revival residential architecture in the country. You'll love everything about this tour, especiallly the sheer opulence of the interior and the furnishings. The gates to Millford are open on the first Saturday of every month from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. In April the gates are open every Saturday during these hours. And the plantation is closed in the month of January. There is an admission fee. More information here.

7320 Milford Plantation Rd, Pinewood, SC 29125

Flickr/Mike Burton

TripAdvisor/Ralph0406

In stark contrast to the opulence displayed at Millford Plantation, Walnut Grove, circa 1765, is a tour that will grant much insight into life in the "outcountry." Aside from that, Walnut Grove was the home of the family who was instrumental in helping to defeat the British during the American Revolution. Take the tour and learn how. Very interesting! The cost is $6/adults 18+, $3/ages 5-17, children 4 and under are free. Tour dates and times vary by month. More information here.

1200 Otts Shoals Rd, Roebuck, SC 29376

Trip Advisor/sdredrobin

TripAdvisor/jlantern3

The home of South Carolina's "seccession governor" was Rose Hill Plantation in Union County. You can walk the grounds and explore the rose gardens and out buildings for free. Admission to tour the house is $5/ages 16+, $3/seniors, $4 ages 6-15, children under 6 are free. Note: house tour times vary by month/season. Check here for more information.

2677 Sardis Road, Union, SC 29379

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Flickr/Doug Kerr

Flickr/Doug Kerr

Dating back to 1676, beautiful Magnolia Plantation & Gardens was originally a rice plantation. You may see some of the old rice "fields" when you visit, but it's more likely you'll most see the world-famous gardens that make this plantation the most visited in Charleston. There's also a popular petting zoo, a cafe and gift shop. Magnolia is open 365 days a year. The basic admission fee gets you into everything listed above. Additional fees apply to even more bonus activities at Magnolia. Complete admission details can be found here.

3550 Ashley River Road, Charleston, SC 29414

South Carolinians have done a wonderful job of preserving so much of the plantation history in the Palmetto State. Visit any one, or ALL, of these historic plantations for an experience you’ll never forget.

Have you toured any of these yet? And which is your favorite? We’d love to know in our comments.