Magnolia Plantation & Gardens
About
America's Oldest Romantic Gardens
Founded 1676, Magnolia is the oldest unrestored garden in America - 464 acres along the Ashley River with romantic landscaping, an Audubon Swamp Garden, and live oak alleys older than the United States.
What Kids Can Do
The petting zoo houses deer, goats, sheep, and peacocks. The Nature Center introduces reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals up close. Kids can ride the Nature Train through wetlands and rice fields, take the Nature Boat through cypress swamps, and walk the elevated boardwalk over the Audubon Swamp Garden looking for alligators and turtles [marked: train and boat tours run separately from base admission - check ticket options].
What's Included
General admission covers the gardens, petting zoo, Nature Center, and Audubon Swamp Garden boardwalk. Nature Train, Nature Boat, From Slavery to Freedom tour, and house tours are separate add-ons.
Experience
Plan 3-5 hours. Largely outdoor - bring sun protection in summer, mosquito spray in spring/fall. About 10 miles northwest of downtown Charleston. Free on-site parking. Stroller-friendly main paths.