Magnolia Plantation Day Tour from Charleston with Transport

The plantation's history runs back to 1676, and the grounds hold 66 acres of gardens, swamp and rescued wildlife.

A guided day tour of Magnolia Plantation and Gardens departing from Charleston Visitor Center includes round-trip transport, a tour of the historic Magnolia House, your choice of a Nature Train ride through the gardens or a Wildlife Boat Tour on the Ashley River, access to six miles of walking and biking trails, the Audubon Swamp Garden, and the Wildlife Center. The tour runs five hours and suits all fitness levels. Children from age 4 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Magnolia Plantation and Gardens

• Travel from Charleston Visitor Center
• Guided tour of Magnolia Plantation House
• Choose Nature Train or Wildlife Boat Tour
• Walk six miles of scenic trails
• Visit Audubon Swamp Garden
• Explore the Wildlife Center
• Return to Charleston Visitor Center

The experience

The day starts at the Charleston Visitor Center with pickup in an air-conditioned minibus. You're driven to Magnolia Plantation, where a guide leads you through the Magnolia House itself: the core of the estate and the place where the plantation's Southern heritage lives in the rooms and their stories. From there, you choose your own path: the Nature Train rolls through the gardens and scenic grounds, or you board a boat tour on the Ashley River to watch for wildlife from the water. Either way, you're not navigating the property alone or trying to piece together what you're looking at.

After the guided portion, the grounds open up. Six miles of trails wind through the 66-acre property: some for walking, some for biking if you want to cover more ground. The Audubon Swamp Garden, a preserved wetland thick with native plants and animals, sits within reach. The Wildlife Center houses rescued animals and native species, so you can see what lives in the Lowcountry up close. You move at your own pace through all of it, stopping where something catches your eye or moving on if the next section calls you.

The minibus brings you back to the Charleston Visitor Center at the end of the afternoon. No arranging separate transport to the plantation, no figuring out which trails to walk or which boat tour to book. The guide handles the house history, you handle the rest of the day once you're there.

What’s included

• Round-trip transport from Charleston Visitor Center in an air-conditioned minibus.
• guided tour of the Magnolia Plantation House.
• your choice of a Nature Train Tour through the gardens or a Wildlife Boat Tour on the Ashley River.
• access to six miles of scenic walking and biking trails.
• entry to the Audubon Swamp Garden.
• and access to the Wildlife Center with rescued and native animals.

Information

Lasts 5h, runs every day at 09:30, from US$ 75.45 per person, with a live guide in English and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:30

GroupUp to 25

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessiblePets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Historic Tours Of America

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English and leads the house tour, so you follow the plantation's history directly rather than reading plaques or using an audio device. After that, the trails and gardens are yours to explore at whatever pace suits you: good for a first afternoon in Charleston or a free day when you want structure without a rigid schedule.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What's the difference between the Nature Train and the Wildlife Boat Tour?

The Nature Train takes you through the gardens and scenic trails on the property itself. The Wildlife Boat Tour puts you on the Ashley River to watch for animals from the water. You pick one when you book, and it's included either way.

How much walking is involved in this tour?

The guided portion of the tour includes the house and your chosen train or boat experience. After that, six miles of trails are available to explore at your own pace. You walk as much or as little as you want, and the trails suit all fitness levels.

What's in the Wildlife Center?

The Wildlife Center holds rescued animals and native species from the Lowcountry, so you can see the region's wildlife up close as part of your visit to the plantation grounds.

Does the tour include the Audubon Swamp Garden?

Yes, the Audubon Swamp Garden, a preserved wetland with native plants and wildlife, is part of the property you can explore on the six miles of trails included in the tour.

Is the minibus wheelchair accessible?

The tour is wheelchair accessible. If you need an accessible vehicle, contact the tour operator at least 24 hours before your tour to arrange one.