We did a walking tour w/luncheon at Middleton Place. In2026, they are celebrating 250 Years of American Independence. We booked thru the Middleton Place website. Our Guides were knowledgeable & wonderful communicators for the tours we selected for our visit. The history of Middleton Place is fascinating & the relationship the Middleton owners had with the French botanist , André Michaux, is well documented & at least one of the four camellias of the "Reine des Fleurs" variety he brought to the plantation, in 1786, still survives in the gardens today. The grounds , during the off season ( February ) were well maintained. And there were still some flowers to be enjoyed on the camellias. It was quite chilly as the plantation is next to an inlet to the sea, so if visiting in winter wear appropriate clothing as tour is mostly outside. We did enjoy the onsite restaurant as well - serving a 3 course meal with selections that meet most diners palates. Our highlights included visiting the stables & getting a true historical & respectful description from one of our guides on the slave period experienced at Middleton Place. Every cent worth price of admission especially when bundled with lunch. read more

See all

I've been here before with family to explore and the grounds are beautiful. We were hoping to have our maternity photo shoots here and once we arrived with our photographer I was informed that there is paperwork that apparently needs to be filled out a week prior before being allowed in on top of the photography fee. Because of this, we ended up going somewhere else for photos as we were all ready and dressed. read more

Came for a visit for SC Teachers Appreciation Day. General admission free when you show your badge Plenty of parking, had to go to the additional parking lot. There are signs visible to help guide you to the parking lots. Plenty of accessible restrooms throughout the property. I attended the Meet the Breeds tour and Beyond the fields tour. Both tour guides were friendly and very knowledgeable. I really enjoyed the beyond the fields tour, highly recommend! I also partake in a few activities that were going on in a stable area such as candle making and pottery. There was a market, gift shop, a restaurant. Overall, it was such a wonderful outing! I enjoyed it greatly and recommend it to anyone who is looking for a fun filled day of beautiful nature sights and wanting to learn about the history of the plantation. read more

See all

There are a number of plantations near Charleston. Each one is different So I recommend searching in AI mode to see which one best fits your interests. Based upon on search results from AI below we felt that Middleton Place best fit what we wanted to see at a plantation. From AI This sweeping 110-acre National Historic Landmark is perfect for those who want a blend of beautifully manicured landscapes and comprehensive history. * The Focus: Classical 18th-century European garden design alongside an educational look at the plantation's economic past. * Key Highlights: Breathtaking tiered lawn terraces descending to the Ashley River, a working stableyard with historic livestock, and Eliza's House--an interpretive site detailing African American history on the property. This is a very apt description of what we saw during our visit in June 2026. We arrived early enough to walk the grounds down by the river before taking the Beyond the Fields tour which you should build your visit around. The tour ended at Eliza's House where a docent explained family history of those who were enslaved here. We visited a few other areas as well. I'd describe the plantation as very interesting not spectacular. I believed it helped that we had taken Franklin's black history tour and visited the IAAH museum prior to the plantation visit to give us an overview that enhanced the enjoyment of our visit. The plantation has a restaurant that was recommended but we did not eat there. read more

Rating the plantation, not the restaurant. Excellent, well done historical plantation, that doesn't shy away from the fact that enslaved people built everything you see there. In addition to walking around, they also offer guided tours of the house and the grounds. Locals should consider a membership, so you can just go whenever you want to experience the beauty and solitude. read more

See all

Middleton Place is a plantation rich with history and culture in the Charleston region. It is on a scenic road alongside other plantations. I've previously visited Magnolia Plantation, which is quite close to it. The grounds are gorgeous and well-kept, and you can view lots of farm animals plus birds and wildlife like alligators. We didn't do a house tour, but still spent hours walking around learning more about the history of the plantation. There's a gift shop and on-site restaurant, plus a banquet hall. It seemed like a popular wedding/special event destination as well. The thousand-year-old live oak was cool to see and I loved the serene area near the bridge. The price was reasonable for entry. read more

See all

The shrimp and grits and she crab soup are great. The plantation itself is beautiful. Be sure to walk the grounds after your meal. Free parking for the resteraunt. read more

Middleton Place - She crab soup - Museums Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

See all

I had been to Middleton Place one time many years ago for the Spoleto finale with Nathaniel Rateliff and it was beautiful, but I didn't really take the time to explore. Recently, I had family in town and we went to Garden Lights before they finished up. If this is something they continue to do, I would highly recommend it. It was well organized with a time and date of your arrival, easy parking, and concessions sold if you wanted to warm up with hot chocolate or a cocktail. We went on the early side since we had young kids with us. At first it was odd to be walking around in the daylight, but it was really cool to see the transition from light to darkness and see all the lights in their glory. There was so much to see and I felt like I might have even missed some in the secret garden. It was pretty cold that night, but we came prepared and it was a nice outdoor activity to do in winter time. read more

See all

This place was very informative and a beautiful property. I learned a lot about the history of the plantation. The food was also good, I got a mahi mahi sandwich, it was interesting it had orange on it, but very refreshing and good. I also tried their she-crab soup. Very tasty. It's nice that they have a restaurant right on the property. We saw lots of natural animals in the flooded rice fields and got to watch some birds go fishing next to alligators. Everyone we talked to was very nice, tour guides and people around alike. Lots of animals and lots to learn. I would recommend! read more

See all

Beautiful plantation! The optional house tour is a must. Inside they really tell you more about the family and the grounds. Definitely worth the extra money. We didn't eat at the restaurant but I wish we had just to enjoy the views. Only bummer was we could wonder the grounds with a "drink" in hand. There were so many places to sit and enjoys a glass of wine. read more

Visited gardens and had lunch first week of April. Arrived about 10AM and it was a perfect day; sunny, low humidity and sparse crowd. We did a self-guided tour having visited before. Gorgeous day and every thing was super green. Very few blooms as we missed both camelias and azaleas, but still marvelous. We had lunch - opted for the buffet. It was pretty good, but had a bit of a 'institutional' food feeling to it especially the fish. But all in all, it was good. Actually the pulled pork and the pecan pie were delicious. Service was great. It was a grand day out. We bought tickets online and saved a dollar or two. The price is a bit steep in all honesty and it would be nice if they offered a senior discount, AAA or a locals discount. I would go more often if there was a resident discount. read more

Had a late Brunch here on the 30 th of March and it was quite the quality experience from service, food and ambiance. Our server Laurie was exceptional and was attentive. I had an eggs Benedict BLT that I throughly enjoyed. The wife had a steak sandwich with a side salad -awesome. If you get the opportunity you should give it a go. The place was pacte. read more

Experience the enchanting Middleton Place Garden Lights--a luminous walking tour through pathways and garden rooms that pay tribute to America's oldest landscaped gardens. As night falls, the gardens come alive with a glow that echoes the rich history and vibrant culture of the South Carolina Lowcountry. This event is a true celebration of nature and heritage, connecting visitors with the past in a unique way. Don't miss the daytime tours, where you can explore the expansive grounds, meet knowledgeable docents, and uncover the fascinating history of the Middleton family. Rich with history. read more

See all

The good: Middleton Place is an expansive feast for the eyes. My favorite view was sitting beneath a thousand year old Live Oak by the formal gardens overlooking the Ashley River and the marshlands extending into the distance. We did not go into the plantation house which cost an extra $15 on top of the $32 admission. If you go in the middle of July as we did, I recommend bringing cold water and a towel otherwise you'll feel soaked by the time you leave. This 125 acre parcel was just one of many plantations owned by the Middletons. And the price paid by others for this one family's greed is poignantly captured back by the stables and hog pen for it is there that two graves of enslaved men act as markers for the many untold voices which toiled upon the land for the family. read more

See all

Lovely plantation and gardens. You could spend all day touring the extensive gardens. The House tour was pretty cool, great history and the guides inside really know their Middleton history. Nice to see the family has been able to keep this up through the conservancy after 250 + year!! read more

Absolutely beautiful and the volunteers and included tours make the visit really special. We also added the house tour, which is definitely worth it. Would definitely return to have lunch and check out the nature walk and river and rice tour. April is a beautiful time to visit. read more

See all

We came here for the plantation tour but toured ourselves. When we drove up, the address in the GPS was 2 miles off so don't get confused. When you drive in, you can see the grounds are huge. Approximately 125 acres to be exact. We walked in and checked the grounds out. You can see everything but the museum as we didn't pay for the guided tour. The place was kept very nice. The history is cool. But I wouldn't come back again. I think this is a 1 and done. read more

See all

A lot of people are confusing the plantation experience vs restaurant experience. I love this restaurant and have had multiple good experiences. I highly recommend it for a date night as it is a fun experience to find it, and the inside is lovely. read more

Amazing tour of property and very educational. We did also eat lunch on the property which you do not need a reservation for and I was pleasantly surprised by how good everything had tasted. Service was fast. Atmosphere felt elegant but relaxed. read more

See all

Beautiful, peaceful historic garden, grounds, and plantation buildings. It is a self-guided tour, but there is a timed tour of the garden/grounds as well as an excellent presentation called "Beyond the Fields" which gives what I think is a balanced, honest look at slavery in South Carolina and Middleton Place. I found it interesting to learn that one of the Middletons signed the Declaration of Independence and a descendant was the first to sign the articles of secession before the Civil War. I felt the experience was worth the $28 admission. read more

See all

Very beautiful gardens. We visited when the azaleas were in full bloom and it was breathtaking. The grounds are extensive so wear comfortable shoes for walking. there is a self guided walking map which explains the various historical facts of the land. There are extensive manicured gardens which include , a living oak tree estimated to be 900-1000 years old. A river runs through one end of the property. A small farming operation is on the property which features sheep, horses and goats. In addition You can purchase a self guided tour of the house. Once part of a 500 acre plantation and kept in the family for 300 years it is now a place to learn about the past. Expect for spend a minimum of 2 hours if not doing a house tour or closer to 3 hours if choosing to add the house tour. read more

See all

My husband planned an amazing anniversary surprise day at Middleton, and it was magical ! He booked us the VIP experience over the phone. We started off with lunch at the restaurant where we chose the buffet and some cocktails. Then, we took a private horse and carriage ride around the property where we learned about the history of Middleton. He was very knowledgeable about everything which we loved because this is a place you're definitely going to ask a lot of questions ! The service was great everywhere we went they were attentive, and some of the staff at the restaurant were their first day, so patience was needed. The entire feel of this place is like you've escaped the crowded towns surrounding and went back in time for the day. It was amazing learning the history and walking the ground somewhere, so breathtaking. read more

See all

Beautiful gardens. Can easily spend hours wandering around the gardens. Lots of out buildings. Lots of sheep and other farm animals. Gives you an idea what a working plantation was like. read more

See all

My wife went here a little expensive but excellent food and service We spent over 100 but well worth it read more

A stately manor and grounds if I ever saw one. This uber-historic garden is a popular place to visit in the Charleston area, though I admittedly struggled to see its appeal. Yes, it's definitely grand and it takes quite a bit of time to fully explore the grounds, know that it's $26/person to tour the grounds, which does not include the tour of the house (that's another $12-15). The map and guidebook you receive at entry is fairly helpful but the grounds are so massive that I really wanted more signage around the joint to help orient me and let me know what I should see next. Staff is friendly, from the admissions gate to the docent near the Reflection Pond, the gift shop, and the gentleman telling us the difference between a carpenter and a cooper (do you know the difference?). I did enjoy seeing the farmhands corralling the sheep back to their pen, too. But I just didn't feel like I really got my money's worth (maybe if the house tour wasn't an add-on I wouldn't feel this way) and can't see that I would recommend it to visitors. read more

See all

Hubby and I ate a delicious lunch in the café. My vegetarian meal was made with the same care and attention as hubby's. The chef truly cared about making a tasty experience for everyone. In terms of the history, Middleton is making a good effort to include the experience of enslaved people alongside that of the white Middleton family. I really appreciated that this wasn't a "lost cause" place. The historian, Kat, was available to answer lots of questions and taught us that there are 70 different kinds of collard greens as well as some of the foodways of the enslaved people and how they influenced that aspect of Southern cuisine. It's a little disturbing that Middleton Place is a wedding venue, which makes it easy to gloss over the tremendous suffering that happened there. Overall, I recommend a visit. For a closer experience of the stories of enslaved people, visit McLeod Plantation and see my review of it. read more

See all

[Coronavirus review] An expensive site to visit, and while an interior house tour is offered during corona, that cost extra and I wasn't planning to stay that long. I did explore for a couple of hours though, and it was quite an impressive property. Some farm animals are in residence, and the gardens around the house are finely manicured, but evidence of the wild starts to bleed in around the edges. Notably, I was hoping to see an alligator, and when I made it down to the rice field submerged in a pond, I saw quite a lot of them, mostly looking too small to do any serious damage, but I would be very careful with young children. One definitely gets a Southern vibe: it's hot, wet, elegant, with an air of danger. I did get an outdoor garden tour from a prickly but interesting tour guide. Apparently the opposite side of the river is managed to maintain the view, and it is a distinctive view. The gift shop was pretty impressive as these things go. There wasn't a lot of history - perhaps corona is limiting them somewhat, but I could see why some people might expect to hear more about the day to day workings of the place and its enslaved population. I would rather they avoid pseudohistory, which in my experience they did, but I would hope they could get some primary source documents and do proper history education. Perhaps there are better places for that. Having said that, the passive experience of seeing the property was worthwhile, and while it was an expensive attraction, I could see paying for it again. read more

See all

This plantation is best enjoyed for its beautiful grounds and statuaries. Acres of beautiful gardens and a view of what were once rice fields worked by enslaved people give a sense of beauty and splendor even as their very existence must also create a feeling of shame for our flawed history. The place is very well preserved and worth a visit as it is also not far from Charleston by car. read more

See all

Whenever the wife and I visit a new place I try to sneak a history or museum tour in. In Charleston I decided to go to the Middleton place, the gardens were exquisite, the house tour was cool and The whole area was beautiful. I did think that the extra $15 for the house tour was a bit much for what you got as it ended up being $150+ for 4 people. Overall I highly recommend but if you're paying for more than 2 people you can skip the house tour and save the $15 read more

See all

A great historical visit to a plantation with a great tour. The drive is a short drive from Charleston. The gardens are nice but not the best gardens I have seen. There is a lot of history here. From signing the Declaration of Independence to a grandson signing the succession from the union. To a governor and a senator in the family. The tour also has areas of guided tours for an uncharged. I highly recommend the house tour. It's almost a waste going here without it. Also the house it air conditioned for your comfort. There are sections to show you what tools and clothes were like. A guy making rice barrels and a little animal area. It's a great stop to get some history. read more

Middleton Place - Museums Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

The azaleas are at their peak! We go every year to try to see the azaleas while they are at their full peak. This year I feel like they were the prettiest I've seen them in a long time. I told my mom it's bc she kicked cancers a** and was around to be able to see such beauty. It's always a beautiful place to walk around and we usually bring food to enjoy a picnic. There's so much to see and my little girl loves to go see the animals they have. read more

See all

I never tire of Middleton - it has so much to offer. I never tire of the gorgeous views. We were first introduced, through friends, to the Wine Strolls on Wednesday evenings in the spring and fall. These have gone through several changes, not always for the best. And while we miss the good old days (7 years ago) we feel they did a lot better this year, and the fact that you can purchase wine you like, if they have some left, is a plus. But, we've been steady attendees all these years and enjoy. We do miss the finale being in the stable yard with all that activity and maybe they'll implement that again sometime. Our 'Middleton' group has also eaten at the restaurant quite a few times and we've always enjoyed a delicious meal. And we've always talked of doing the 'Grand Illumination' for a special Christmas celebration. This was the year, but unfortunately, this event goes rain or shine, and we had buckets on Friday. The event was moved into their new pavilion, which is very nice - but no decoration was put up. We were surprised at the stark white walls, and we were sad to miss the stable, tent, candle ambience (to no fault of theirs) but still felt a little added decor would have helped the guests with festive cheer. However, the food was out of this world and I am now in search of a pepper pot soup. The carving stations were a phenomenal. Middleton did offer the guests a free admission to the plantation or the candlelight evening house museum tour in lieu of the expected event and the email said more information will be provided at the event. No such info ever came. We asked a 'footman' as we were leaving and he said to just save your dinner ticket?? No mention of needed reservations, and the candlelight tours are scheduled the same week as the dinner, and in a busy season most can't make it back the same week. Not very helpful. read more

See all

I love this place! There is so much history and walking the grounds gave me so much peace. We joined a paid tour that they offer and aside from having a docent explain everything to you, they provide lunch. The food was good and local-themed (succotash, corn bread, etc. read more

Love you the area, trail rides and beautiful trees! The trail ride is a must, easy ride and you can hear the guide about the estate and see the wonderful property. read more

Really enjoyed walking through all of the gardens and seeing all the livestock. I also recommend the house tour for a look at the art and antiques belonging to the Middleton family. read more

See all

I'm so mixed about this place - it can be really beautiful for watching birds and assorted small wildlife...it can be beautiful flowering and manicured grounds too. I dislike the admission price and the history of the place feels tricky to take in. read more

Come for a plantation scenic view, leave with a whole education around life in the late 1700 to early 1800s. I cannot stress how important it is to understand the history of the United States. How people lived, how lower income/enslaved were treated to bring fresh perspective and feel grateful for where we are now. Middleton Plantation offers a walkthrough experience or you can wait for on the hour every hour tours. We did the garden tour during a very very rare cold winter. Our guide knew so much around the greenery and history of the Middletons. This was our first activity when we arrived in Charleston and it gave me so much to ruminate throughout the whole trip. If we had more time, I'd love to have tour of the house and lecture. Aside from just plain beauty, this place hosted the history of the enslaved, the fervent desires of the affluent to keep their land perfectly symmetrical, and the gorgeous japonica camellias that pepper all over the city of Charleston. Tidbit: the southern live oak grants the most stunning backdrop of a photoshoot! read more

Beautiful Middleton place! We splurged and did the VIP package. Horse carriage and guide ride around the great lawn. The driver was fantastic! Enjoyed his knowledge of the past and of the area I now live in. Tour of the house and enjoyed the gifts the Middleton family donated to the foundation. Lunch was included at the Middleton restaurant a buffet. The fried catfish was good the fried chix was good, but the salad looked wilted,the mixed veggies were over seasoned and burnt. Otherwise there was rice, Mac&cheese, collards, and corn bread. I was not a fan of the meal for $25. I will definitely go back to see the gardens and grounds but I will pack my own lunch! Need to give a huge thank you to the volunteers!!! Friendly, helpful, knowledgeable and fun to talk to!!! read more

See all

This place is awesome. The people are very nice. When you go make sure you have at least 2 hours to spend here. You can spend up to 4 hours here and be busy the whole time. The restaurant is so good. It is open for paying guest only from 11-3. There are carriage rides but you have to book them in advance. read more

Middleton Place - You can book carriage rides in advance. - Museums Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Finally. A place that I have never been to, and something I can tell my family to go see and do if they got a chance. Middleton Place is a stop if you're looking for a quiet date spot where you can walk around and just enjoy the beauty of the plantation. I know all plantations have a pretty f'd up past, but I mean, the upkeep and how it's designed was pretty amazing. The plantation is definitely well maintained and just walking around there are a lot of descriptions that can be read to learn more about the history of the plantation. I think the most memorable thing for me were the majestic views. I felt that there are a lot of places that are perfect for a photo op. I do have to say though the price of this place is pretty steep. They have student discounts, so if you are a student make sure you have your card to show them to get a couple of dollars off. Middleton place is definitely a place to check out if you're in Charleston. read more

See all