Middleton Place

became the site of one of the most important moments of our lives—our engagement. The beauty and tranquility of this historic plantation made it the perfect setting, with stunning photos captured amidst the timeless gardens that will forever remind us of that day. Middleton Place is famous for its meticulously maintained gardens, which are among the oldest landscaped gardens in America. The paths wind through breathtaking displays of seasonal blooms, framed by ancient oak trees draped in Spanish moss, creating a scene that feels both serene and enchanting. The tour guide provided fascinating insights into the plantation’s history, bringing to life the story behind the family who lived here and the craftsmanship that went into creating this exceptional estate. Exploring the grounds, we encountered the iconic stables, friendly animals, and even a few alligators sunbathing near the waterways. Each element added to the unique atmosphere that makes Middleton Place feel like stepping into a living piece of history. For those looking to connect with Charleston’s past, the plantation offers a rich experience, and ticketed tours provide a deep dive into its legacy and impact. Middleton Place will always be more than just a visit for us—it’s now a cherished part of our journey together, and we can’t wait to return and relive those memories.

This venue is absolutely stunning, and I couldn’t have been more in love with it as a wedding photographer. There are so many beautiful spots to photograph the wedding party, and every inch of the property is picture-perfect, making it so easy to capture gorgeous photos. The staff were wonderful to communicate with, and getting around the venue was super easy and straightforward. I loved working here for my couples’ weddings!

Beautiful plantation and grounds. A definite must see when in the area. They have a great little restaurant with some of the best fried chicken I’ve had. Service there was friendly and attentive. Make sure to take the tour of the house as well.

We went to Middleton Place on a Sunday in October, and the crowds were very low, which was great. The parking lot was gravel and winded around mature trees, which was unusual. However, I appreciated that they didn't plow down all the trees to pave a parking lot like most places. It was also good because it kept our car in the shade all day! This is the first plantation we have gone to, and it did not disappoint. It's absolutely beautiful! We loved that the herds of sheep are free range and walking all around the property. They were so fun to see and interact with. We especially loved one sheep named Mud. The barn staff was happy to tell us their names and personalities! We were able to get some amazing photos on the property! The views were stunning, and the buildings were beautiful. However, we did not take the time on this trip for any tour of the inside of the house. When we come back in the future, we will make sure to do so. When arriving back to the parking lot, we were hot and needed a drink. Luckily, they have a small open market that did have bottled water for purchase, which worked out perfectly. My only critique would be the employees in the market. They were both on their phones when we came in, and only one put it down while we were checking out. Neither seemed thrilled to be there. However, all the staff once entering the plantation were all friendly, outgoing and helpful! It's a great place for a relaxing afternoon!

We have lived here for years, this was our first trip to Middleton Place. We were not disappointed. The grounds were well kept and absolutely gorgeous. I have nothing but praise for the staff, we had a small incident that required some bandages and clean up and they were beyond helpful. We will definitely be back, we would love to see everything in bloom!

Amazing place for Thanksgiving day! We had a lovely Thanksgiving buffet lunch, staff is friendly, and a great experience to tour the vast Middleton grounds. Take your time to enjoy the animal paddocks, walk around the mills lake (there were a few alligators!), and savor the day. I am thankful to all the staff working today.

Anyone who leaves a bad review just must be an unhappy person because Middleton Place plantation and gardens is stunning! Especially in the spring and there is plenty to do. There’s a gift shop. There’s a carriage ride there’s tours there’s house tours. There’s beautiful gardens, and statues. And it’s a great place to have a wedding. I was fortunate enough to be able to do a wedding there and I go just to be able to catch beautiful Charleston images to sell on my Charleston print site

This place is just stunning. The landscapes and wildlife (birds, butterflies..)are all so amazing! Walking around feels so relaxing and refreshing. Even the restaurant is great for a tourist place! Can't wait to come back to visit again in different seasons.

became the site of one of the most important moments of our lives—our engagement. The beauty and tranquility of this historic plantation made it the perfect setting, with stunning photos captured amidst the timeless gardens that will forever remind us of that day. Middleton Place is famous for its meticulously maintained gardens, which are among the oldest landscaped gardens in America. The paths wind through breathtaking displays of seasonal blooms, framed by ancient oak trees draped in Spanish moss, creating a scene that feels both serene and enchanting. The tour guide provided fascinating insights into the plantation’s history, bringing to life the story behind the family who lived here and the craftsmanship that went into creating this exceptional estate. Exploring the grounds, we encountered the iconic stables, friendly animals, and even a few alligators sunbathing near the waterways. Each element added to the unique atmosphere that makes Middleton Place feel like stepping into a living piece of history. For those looking to connect with Charleston’s past, the plantation offers a rich experience, and ticketed tours provide a deep dive into its legacy and impact. Middleton Place will always be more than just a visit for us—it’s now a cherished part of our journey together, and we can’t wait to return and relive those memories.

This venue is absolutely stunning, and I couldn’t have been more in love with it as a wedding photographer. There are so many beautiful spots to photograph the wedding party, and every inch of the property is picture-perfect, making it so easy to capture gorgeous photos. The staff were wonderful to communicate with, and getting around the venue was super easy and straightforward. I loved working here for my couples’ weddings!

Beautiful plantation and grounds. A definite must see when in the area. They have a great little restaurant with some of the best fried chicken I’ve had. Service there was friendly and attentive. Make sure to take the tour of the house as well.

We went to Middleton Place on a Sunday in October, and the crowds were very low, which was great. The parking lot was gravel and winded around mature trees, which was unusual. However, I appreciated that they didn't plow down all the trees to pave a parking lot like most places. It was also good because it kept our car in the shade all day! This is the first plantation we have gone to, and it did not disappoint. It's absolutely beautiful! We loved that the herds of sheep are free range and walking all around the property. They were so fun to see and interact with. We especially loved one sheep named Mud. The barn staff was happy to tell us their names and personalities! We were able to get some amazing photos on the property! The views were stunning, and the buildings were beautiful. However, we did not take the time on this trip for any tour of the inside of the house. When we come back in the future, we will make sure to do so. When arriving back to the parking lot, we were hot and needed a drink. Luckily, they have a small open market that did have bottled water for purchase, which worked out perfectly. My only critique would be the employees in the market. They were both on their phones when we came in, and only one put it down while we were checking out. Neither seemed thrilled to be there. However, all the staff once entering the plantation were all friendly, outgoing and helpful! It's a great place for a relaxing afternoon!

We have lived here for years, this was our first trip to Middleton Place. We were not disappointed. The grounds were well kept and absolutely gorgeous. I have nothing but praise for the staff, we had a small incident that required some bandages and clean up and they were beyond helpful. We will definitely be back, we would love to see everything in bloom!

Amazing place for Thanksgiving day! We had a lovely Thanksgiving buffet lunch, staff is friendly, and a great experience to tour the vast Middleton grounds. Take your time to enjoy the animal paddocks, walk around the mills lake (there were a few alligators!), and savor the day. I am thankful to all the staff working today.

Anyone who leaves a bad review just must be an unhappy person because Middleton Place plantation and gardens is stunning! Especially in the spring and there is plenty to do. There’s a gift shop. There’s a carriage ride there’s tours there’s house tours. There’s beautiful gardens, and statues. And it’s a great place to have a wedding. I was fortunate enough to be able to do a wedding there and I go just to be able to catch beautiful Charleston images to sell on my Charleston print site

This place is just stunning. The landscapes and wildlife (birds, butterflies..)are all so amazing! Walking around feels so relaxing and refreshing. Even the restaurant is great for a tourist place! Can't wait to come back to visit again in different seasons.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!!

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I was disappointed that Middleton Place centers its stories and history around the Middleton family and treats the enslaved people as peripheral. The enslaved quarters are not restored or at least not available to tour. I would have liked to learn more about the lives of the enslaved laborers and been challenged to imagine how horrific their living conditions were.

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.

Great tour of the house, gardens and Linda gave a great talk/ overview on the issues of slavery and the economic / social impact it had on the United States . A very tough subject and she handled it beautifully.

Nice, convenient beautiful walk from the Inn where my wife and I stayed as we made our way to Kiawah Island. Excellent food with a nice ambiance and view. Small venue which we prefer with an attentive wait staff. Priced reasonably.

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!

Loved the gardens during a full bloom spring. Amazing. The plaque at the destroyed manor house needs an update to reflect the context of why the New Yorkers burned it down. In a democracy the story isn't about the enslaver family burned out of one of their homes but the hundreds who were freed. The house was looted on that day? Not the biggest story of the day.

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.

[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.

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.

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.

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

Take step back in time to get an understanding of the obstacles and beliefs that have been overcome to place you in the world we have today.

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.

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.

This is a very beautiful place but to make it worth your time you need to do the house tour. It is quick but very interesting. We happened upon a gorgeous wedding which made me want to get married there. Definitely worth visiting on a day with good weather.

Spring lambing season has begun. Precious baby lambs arrived, a boy and a girl from one yew, a girl from another.

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.

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!!!

Love the views of the Spanish moss covered trees and water. The food was cooked perfectly. The scallops melted in your mouth as did my steak. Highly recommend!

Went as a recommendation from a local tour guide in Charleston and she knocked it out of the park. Middleton is a replica of what once was with historical items of the time period in the museum. The workers and guides were fantastic and the grounds were breath taking. Although the stories were surreal and sad; they were told in a respectful way.

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.

Middleton Inn and the corresponding gardens are spectacular! Walk among the Live Oaks draped in Spanish moss, stroll alone miles of manicured hedges filled with flowering aromatic blooms. Relax and breath deeply perfection awaits.. but there's more... The Middleton Inn is first class. Each room has a working Fireplaces, step outside and find your hammock, discover walking trails and there's even a beautiful pool. The staff is remarkable as cuisine. Collegiality abounds! Truly an American treasure!

I visited Middleton Place recently as part of a conference and couldn't get over how beautiful it is! I hope to have a chance to return someday to really do a deeper dive into the history. If you are in the area this is a great historic site to explore!

Gone with the Wind was on mind throughout my visit to Middleton Plantation. I imagined traveling back in time to lavish terraces filled with flowers, grandiose patios, and fields for miles of cotton/tobacco/rice... The reality of plantations is that the houses tended to be simple and actually pretty small. The gardens, however, were not expected and absolutely GORGEOUS. Tara did not depict this aspect of the old south. I honestly felt like I was walking through a duke or lord's house in England...ooooh and the VIEWS! No filters required! There were also fields of gold rice which reminds you of the reality and not so pretty history of the old South...

I'll start by making a general statement that I was happy that we visited this place. The grounds were spacious and enjoyable to wander on the nice weather day we were there. The stables and other out buildings were interesting to see. The fact that there were a few animals with which to interact was also fun. The Cashmere Goats were my favorites. The gardens were beautiful and the setting of the estate on the river was gorgeous. If one was in need of some relaxing, mind - clearing moments, an hour or so of wandering the gardens and sitting by the river would accomplish that for just about anybody. The history of this particular estate, as well as that of the Middleton family, was also rather interesting. It was compelling to imagine what the estate must have been like before it was ransacked by Union soldiers, an act which destroyed the main house and one of the other larger buildings. The prominence of the family and the drastic change in their situation after the Civil War was particularly fascinating. The post - war fallout was interesting to ponder. The highlight of the visit was undoubtedly The Beyond the Fields tour, which chronicled the lives of the enslaved (and subsequently freed) African - Americans who lived and worked on the plantation. The tour guide was excellent and brought out many salient facts about Antebellum, as well as post-war, life on the estate. That tour also took us around a good portion of the grounds, allowing an opportunity to learn additional small tidbits about the facility. The house tour was reasonably good, though it was a little short and almost anti-climactic after wandering the grounds with the Beyond the Fields tour. Because the extant structure was not the main house (that was burned by marauding Union soldiers and its destruction made complete by a late -19th Century earthquake), it did not capture the opulence and essence of the antebellum period. The visual aspect of the house tour did a better job of capturing the post-war history, which was a much more subdued, nearly dormant time for the estate. Quite honestly, while I generally found the time spent here to be worthwhile, the major drawback was the cost. There were five of us and we did the grounds and house tour. Even with two student discounts, which saved $28, our final cost was $192. That's a big commitment in terms of cash outlay! For me, to spend that kind of money, it needs to be a full day's worth of activity. While you probably could stretch a visit to this attraction into a full - day pursuit if you purposed to do so, the fact is that, if you're a visitor to Charleston, there are probably other things you want to accomplish in the course of a day. And to spend the whole day here, most would be doing it just to feel like they received a better value for what they paid. It's really a half-day visit. My advice would be to skip the house tour and save $15 per person. Without knowing better, you feel like you're missing the main event by foregoing this. But the information conveyed on that particular tour is largely redundant if you do the Beyond the Fields tour (which is no extra charge). And the artifacts in the house, while interesting, are unfortunately not worth that sort of additional cost to see, in my opinion. It is also worth noting that there is a restaurant on site. Although we just went in for a coffee at the bar, it looked quite lovely. It actually looked like it might be a rather nice dining experience. But they unfortunately do not offer small bites. Those can only be found at the entry to the estate where there is a general store, which offers sundries, albeit at tourist prices. Overall, if you want to see a plantation, this is a good choice. Just be prepared for the cost. I would arrive in the morning if you can because the logistics of their offerings are better arranged if you get an early start. If you choose to do the house tour, do that before the Beyond the Fields tour, the last one of which commences early in the afternoon. Also, save time for the Garden tour. I regret we did not do that.

I live nearby and this is a great place to spend the day. So much to see. Take the house tour. I learned so much about the area! I can't wait to go back for the winter art fair they have here.

Loved this quaint plantation! Service and Food was good, but the walks around gardens, water, ponds, houses made it fantastic!

Gorgeous and full of history. If you have an inkling of imagination you can transport yourself to another era of history here without much trouble. We really enjoyed the grounds and could have spent more time if we had the time. I fully believe in learning history and experiencing the past as much as you can - not so you wallow in it, but so you learn from it. Don't get too close to the water buffalo - he might try to give you a kiss!

This place is beautiful and we spend hours just walking around our tour guide was great. We really enjoyed looking at the beauty all around..

This place is huge & beautiful! Well worth the admission donation fee (save a couple bucks if you pay online ahead of time). Beautiful gardens to walk thru, large greens to rest & soak up the sun, and a great informative garden tour included with admission. Although not a lot blooms in Oct Middleton Place is still so beautiful! Tons of great places for photo ops, plus some farm animals check out. So glad we went here yesterday- if I lived nearby I would def have a membership and walk the grounds all the time. (Fyi there is also a well known restaurant on site & you can have a wedding here!)

Today for Juneteenth they had special pricing & a pig picking lunch, so naturally we planned on visiting today. The formal gardens were expansive- you will hike your butt off- and gorgeous. You start at the reflection pond and I'm just going to say- the map is daunting- the sheer size of all the gardens. We entered what seemedto be a labyrinth of tall hedges with hidden gardens here and there, the smell of sweet jasmine & hydrangeas intoxicating. Statues of Greek Goddesses adorned some of these hidden spaces. I refuse to follow the "guided" arrows & wander as I naturally do (frustrating the husband to no end). The sound of "honey you're going the wrong way" followed me for a bit until the man gave up. The Sun dial garden reminded me to go find shade on this bright and blistering (Sun burn type) day. The grand live oak was at the corner of that garden, standing proud overlooking the once rice fields that hundreds used to break their backs working. That tree was estimated to be 900-1000 years old. I whispered to that glorious tree that I hope it lives long enough to see some true love and peace amongst people. Off to wandering lead me to mount "Wood Nymph"- a sweet little spot with a little pond & a peek at the river bed. Following the oaks we made our way through the Camellia Garden to the cypress lake with gorgeous reflections of the cypress trees all around. Down to the riverfront- we happily spotted plenty of birds & a couple of gators. We found the remains of the original house- destroyed by fire & finished off by an earthquake. I found that befitting. We ended or day at the stables, enjoying the sheep, geese, horses, water buffalo, goats & kitty cats! No touching any though- I was reprimanded for attempting to pet a kitty... Stupid covid. We skipped the pig picking just because we were so hot! Needed some ac after all that! Almost three hours spent & you could definitely take longer! We didn't even tour the house (the 2nd one).

The gardens are simply beautiful. But it's $27. to wander them which frankly is a bit steep. if you want to see the inside of the remaining home, (turns out their main home was burned by Sherman, then finally collapsed by an earthquake) it's another $15. When I purchased my ticket, I was Not told this by the somewhat rude lady at the ticket booth. During my visit, October 31, '21; I only found out the home is not included when I saw a sign on the door stating you had to ask an employee to enter. I asked people near me and they told me this. A worker walking by overheard and offered to go get me a ticket. I was grateful. While waiting on the bench for this tour to start, I was told that I may have to wait for the next tour, but then was allowed in as " I was only 1 person". Before entering the home, we were told if we had large purses they were to be put in lockers, Another guest was told to put her backpack style purse in front of her. Is the implication that you will steal something? One gentleman was told to put his camera strap over his neck and carry his camera in front of him, instead of it being slung on his shoulder. The only employee who had any warmth to her voice, was the one who offered to get me a ticket for the home. The others were flat and uninterested in being friendly to guests of the plantation. The inside of the home is the same as every other restored home in the area, not worth the 15$. Home + gardens = $42. Crazy. However, the Middleton restaurant lunch was superb. Prices a bit high for lunch, but it was superb ! I recommend the gardens and the restaurant. Skip the house. Of, and the picture they have of the main house is fake. They have no idea what it looked like.

Beautiful location! It's my first time going to this plantation and the scenery is beautiful, the animals are all in their element. They have a restaurant and an area where you can meet the potter and blacksmith. I went for my sons field trip as a chaperone. We saw 2 brides out taking iconic photos... it was beautiful... will have to go again.

Beautiful grounds and historical sites to visit. The gardens are great for walking around and having a nice walk. Saw a lot of wildlife including an alligator hat was one of the largest I've seen near the old rice fields (see photo). They have not allowed any tree trimming or development on the other side of the Ashley river, so it's like taking a step back in time while you're there.