Have you ever wondered what it felt like to have your neck licked by a deer? Or watch an alligator sunbathe among lily pads? Is bird watching your thing or are you passionate about horticulture? If you have answered “yes” to all of those items, then Magnolia Plantation in Charleston, South Carolina is for you.
Charleston, South Carolina is one of my favorite destinations to vacation with my family. There’s something for everybody to do. We’ve made the trip from New York City many times, but each time mentioned, “next year will be the year we hit up Magnolia Plantation.” We were missing out and now Magnolia is on our list of things to do every year.
In 1676, Thomas and Ann Drayton built a home and garden on the grounds of Magnolia Plantation and for 15 generations, the Drayton family has managed the property. Magnolia endured the Revolutionary and Civil Wars and continues to flourish since opening to visitors in 1870.
While exploring the plantation, guests can visit a petting zoo, slave cabins, the Drayton home, take a boat tour, and observe countless plants. And as I mentioned earlier, experience a deer licking your neck. (Happened while taking a picture at the petting zoo.)
From Slavery to Freedom at Magnolia is the best tour regarding slavery that I have ever been on. Five original cabins at different stages in history really make things so much more real. My daughter and I soaked it all in.
So true. We learned so much from the tour and going from home to home.