plan your visit

There’s so much to do and see at Magnolia, don’t miss a thing!

Welcome to the Lowcountry's ultimate garden experience! Your garden admission gives you access to 66 acres of romantic-style gardens, including plants and trees that have been growing on the property since the 1840s.

Explore 6 miles of walking and biking trails. Walk the Audubon Swamp, a serene and undeveloped portion of the Ashley River. Stroll the bamboo garden and historic river walk. Don’t miss the Wildlife Center, home to many native species and rescued animals. Step back in history with a guided Magnolia House tour, the Nature Train tour, and "From Slavery to Freedom" tour.

We know there’s so much to see, do and explore! If you don’t finish it all in one day, your garden admission to Magnolia is good for one additional visit within the calendar year.

Former slave cabins

“from Slavery to Freedom” tour

Before Magnolia was a public garden, it was a working rice plantation. No visit can be complete without an understanding of the families who have lived on the “Street”—first as enslaved workers, and then as paid garden staff—throughout Magnolia’s 350-year history. The cabins featured on our From Slavery to Freedom tour have been preserved and restored, each representing a time period significant to both African-American and Lowcountry history. This tour honors and remembers the men, women, and children who designed, planted, and worked in the gardens, built and maintained the bridges, and labored in the house and the rice fields.

Nature Tram

nature train

The nature train’s hop-on hop-off tour circumnavigates Magnolia’s 450 acres of wetlands, forests, marsh, and swamp. While riding you’ll learn about the native plants and animals of the Lowcountry, as well as the history of rice cultivation and phosphate mining at Magnolia. Your guide will point out birds, alligators, turtles, and more. You’ll have the opportunity to jump off or hop back on at five different stops throughout the property, giving you access to the Audubon Swamp Garden, the Cabins, the House & Gift Shop, and the Wildlife Center!

Seasonal

historic garden tour

Join us for a special walking tour of Magnolia’s beautiful gardens! Let us guide you along paths first laid out by the Rev. John Grimke Drayton. Along the way, we’ll highlight points of historic significance and general interest, while introducing you to the vistas and scenery that have made this garden a must-see in Charleston for over 150 years. You’ll learn about rice cultivation, Magnolia’s role in both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars and the history of various landmarks (like the iconic Long White Bridge and the Drayton family tomb). Your guide will point out some of the many camellia and azaleas cultivars that have been planted here over the centuries.

Magnolia house tour

The Magnolia House you see today was built in the late 19th century and is the third house. The two previous houses were destroyed by fire—the first accidentally in 1810, the second at the end of the Civil War. This tour gives an overview of family life at Magnolia, focusing on the years between 1870 (when work on the present structure was begun) and 1975, when the house was opened to the public.

Swamp garden

Audubon Swamp Garden

The Audubon Swamp is a magical world where trees grow from the water and wild creatures go about their secret lives. Thousands of plant and animal species coexist amongst the cypress and tupelo gum trees, surrounded by blackwater. You can explore this unique and otherwise inaccessible landscape on boardwalks, bridges, and dikes. In spring, hundreds of egrets, herons, and other waterfowl nest within feet of the walking path. Throughout the rest of the year it is host to a variety of migratory and resident wildlife species.

Peacock Café

Our Peacock Café offers an assortment of sandwiches, soups, salads, drinks and sweet treats! It’s the perfect spot to start your day with a morning coffee, eat a quick lunch between tours or enjoy a cold drink in the afternoon after a stroll around the gardens. The Café is open daily from 10am - 4 pm.

Gift shop

Gift shop

The Magnolia Shop can be found in the former kitchens of the Magnolia House (entrance on the ground floor, facing the oak avenue). Come inside to find a selection of locally sourced products including candles, home décor, books, jewelry, local food items, Magnolia souvenirs and much more.

wildlife at the Wildlife Center

wildlife center

Our Wildlife Center is where kids and their parents can gawk at goats and peek at pigs and peacocks! Exhibits featuring indigenous species, including the red fox, bobcat, alligator and various birds of prey, allow visitors to view local critters not easily seen in the wild. Many of these animals have been rescued by our partner organization, Keeper of the Wild, and have found a forever home at Magnolia. The Wildlife Center also features a reptile house, allowing guests to safely encounter some of the Lowcountry’s native lizards, turtles, and snakes.

Seasonal

wildlife boat tour

Explore Magnolia's wildlife along the Ashley River. The boat tour is a great way to see alligators, herons, egrets, anhingas, coots, and other marsh-dwelling creatures up close. Keep your eyes peeled for ospreys, hawks, and other birds of prey—you might even be lucky enough to see one of Magnolia’s resident bald eagles fishing for food!

group tours

Groups of 15 or more are welcome at Magnolia Plantation & Gardens at a group rate! Admission, tours, activities and packages may be customized to suit your group’s unique needs. School Groups receive special pricing. Please reach out to our Group Sales Coordinator for more information.

private & vip tours

Looking to elevate your experience, celebrate a milestone, or get a behind-the-scenes look at Magnolia? We offer custom tailored private and VIP tour experiences to explore one of Charleston's best kept secrets. Take a guided tour of the historic romantic gardens, explore the heritage of the property within our archives, or enjoy champagne at sunset on the Ashley River! If you are interested, please reach out to Ivey via email below.