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Middleton Place, Charleston

Must see · Garden · Historic Site
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Middleton Place once housed several generations of the Middleton family, including Arthur Middleton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Now the plantation, which was built in 1755, has been named a National Historic Landmark and serves as a museum. Perhaps most impressively, the plantation is home to the oldest landscaped gardens in America, where the staff takes care to ensure that there is always something in bloom year round. Enjoy U.S. history amid these tranquil gardens. Take a tour of the house, get a glimpse of colonial life by visiting the stable yards, or ask about guided kayak tours or horseback riding to see the grounds from a different angle. Plan to visit Middleton Place and other customer-reviewed, writer-recommended Charleston attractions using our Charleston travel planner.
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Middleton Place reviews

TripAdvisor traveler rating
TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
4,344 reviews
Google
4.6
TripAdvisor
  • In our opinion the top tourist site in Charleston to see! We've been all over Charleston seeing the beauty and history but Middleton Place by far is the best place to visit! Incredible gardens... 
    In our opinion the top tourist site in Charleston to see! We've been all over Charleston seeing the beauty and history but Middleton Place by far is the best place to visit! Incredible gardens...  more »
  • We visited Middleton place in Nov 22 and decided to become members as we knew we'd be back in the area in 2023 and wanted to return. (best budget option) In Nov the camellias were all in bloom and it....  more
    We visited Middleton place in Nov 22 and decided to become members as we knew we'd be back in the area in 2023 and wanted to return. (best budget option) In Nov the camellias were all in bloom and it....  more »
  • My wife and I visited Middleton in March. It was just awe inspiring seeing the grounds and the beauty of the flowers, trees and total surrounding gardens. The house was an awesome tour inside as... 
    My wife and I visited Middleton in March. It was just awe inspiring seeing the grounds and the beauty of the flowers, trees and total surrounding gardens. The house was an awesome tour inside as...  more »
Google
  • We visited Middleton in late September 2022. Granted, hurricane Ian provided atypical weather, but in general, it’s probably not the best time to visit. Little to nothing was in bloom. The grounds were well kept and people were friendly and helpful. There were a few animals freely roaming - a handful of sheep and some swans. They had horse stables but nothing super interactive. There are some small buildings to showcase how the enslaved lived, but it’s not very detailed. The grounds had easy walking paths - mostly sand-based so if you are wearing sandals, know you’ll get a little dusty. There’s a restaurant on site which is nice. The beyond the fields tour … wasn’t a tour. You gather around under a tree, sit on benches and listen to a historian explain the enslaved conditions. It was informative, but different than how it was presented. There is a restroom, gift shop and plant shop in the parking area. It’s not a must-see for me. We spent about 2.5 hours here.
  • Breathtaking! This place was the highlight of our honeymoon. The cured gardens and ponds were like a dream. The staff are all very helpful and know their stuff or will send you to someone who does. What a pleasant and enjoyable day. Give yourself a whole day to soak in the history and experience of this estate. Enjoy!
  • Absolutely beautiful! Loved getting to walk around and explore the gardens- there were tons of free garden tours or other guides that you could listen to- to learn more information about. But overall it was such a wonderful way to spend the afternoon. It’s pretty far North Charleston- and tons of walking- we got there around 9:30am and didn’t get done until 12:45pm- so allocate for a good chunk of time here!
  • Middleton Place showcased the beauty of a past world. The plantation grounds had a simplistic beauty about them. Nothing extravagant but the sheer size of the trails and gardens were impressive. You get a glimpse into what the area looked like 150 years ago. Highly recommend!
  • Wow! This Parisian garden blew us away! The guides throughout the park helped give us a deeper understanding of the grounds and the animals, though the booklet gave a lot of good information as well. This beautiful setting was one of the highlights of our trip to South Carolina. We spent a good four hours touring the gardens and were impressed by every part of it.

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