Wander through excellent gardens, stroll along the scenic banks of the river and learn about Charleston’s dark history in the museum.
Middleton Place is a majestic manor house with a museum and one of the country’s oldest landscape gardens. Visit the House Museum to learn about four generations of the Middleton family and slaves who resided here.
Peruse the furniture, art and personal belongings of the aristocratic family. The museum is in the mansion’s South Flanker section, which dates back to 1755. It is the only preserved part of the initial residence that survived burning by Union troops in 1865 as the Civil War drew to a close. Take a guided tour to learn about the family members, slaves and freedmen who lived here.
Approach the Stableyards for a glimpse into plantation life for slaves in the 18th and 19th centuries. Embark on a self-guided tour to see actors performing the roles of weaver, cooper, carpenter and blacksmith. See the animals that roam these lands, such as water buffalo, goats, sheep and Guinea hogs.
The eclectic gardens, stretching across a vast area of 65 acres (26 hectares), have been planned to ensure flowers bloom year-round. Camellias thrive in winter. Azaleas color the park in spring, before magnolias and roses fill the landscape with scent in summer.
Reserve a kayaking trip on the river here and take the Marsh at Middleton Kayak Tour or the Blackwater Cypress Swamp Tour. See the majestic horses in 46 lakeside stalls at the Middleton Place Equestrian Center and ride on 6,000 acres (2,400 hectares) of trails.
Browse the items for sale at the Garden Market and Nursery. These include herbs, seedlings and handcrafted works by local artists. Buy history books and garden sculptures from the Museum Shop. The Middleton Place Restaurant serves upscale lunches and dinners.
Buy an admission ticket for a single use or purchase a package deal that includes the Edmondston-Alston House in North Charleston.
Find Middleton Place in an area full of plantations about 16 miles (26 kilometers) northwest of the center of Charleston. It stands on the banks of the Ashley River, which continues through the city to the ocean. Visit the nearby Bosch Charleston Plant and the Magnolia Plantation and Gardens.