Day at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens in Charleston
Charleston, United States

Day at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens

Outty Ranking 69 4.6 · 79 traveler reviews6.5 hoursFrom $109

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September 2026

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Adults

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Outty Ranking

69/100

Solid Choice. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.6/5

Based on 79 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Day at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens worth booking?

Day at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is a 6.5-hour experience in Charleston, United States, from $109 per person. It scores 69 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice, based on a 4.6/5 rating across 79 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
69 / 100
Rating
4.6/5 (79)
Duration
6.5 hours
From
$109 per person

Join Chicora Tours for a complete Magnolia Plantation experience with round-trip transportation from the Charleston Visitor Center (9:30 AM–approximately 4:00 PM) in a comfortable Ford Transit passenger van. Groups are c

What you get

    About this experience

    Join Chicora Tours for a complete Magnolia Plantation experience with round-trip transportation from the Charleston Visitor Center (9:30 AM–approximately 4:00 PM) in a comfortable Ford Transit passenger van. Groups are capped at 12 guests for a more personal experience. The day includes time to explore the grounds and purchase lunch or snacks, plus three guided experiences: the Nature Train Tour, the House Tour, and the Slavery to Freedom Tour. Tour times may vary by day, but guests will have time to enjoy all three. Please arrive by 10:15 AM for parking and restrooms. Seating is first-come, first-served. Magnolia Plantation’s professional guides lead the tours. Free time is included for the gift shop and gardens. This tour may include guests traveling to separate plantations; this will not affect your experience. *Please note: This does NOT include a private tour guide for the day.

    What's included

    Included

    • A guided Slavery to Freedom Tour
    • Access to Magnolia Plantation's gardens, grounds and gift shop.
    • All Fees and Taxes
    • Roundtrip transportation from Charleston to Magnolia Plantation
    • A guided nature train tour
    • In-vehicle air conditioning
    • A guided Magnolia Plantation house tour
    • A scenic drive from Charleston to Magnolia Plantation through former rice country.

    Not included

    • Gratuities

    What you'll see and do

    1. Magnolia Plantation & Gardens

      Magnolia Plantation is one of Charleston’s oldest and most spectacular plantations. It is an incredibly beautiful and historical site that includes a variety of botanical gardens and horticulture mixed with immense culture and heritage. Join Chicora Tours in seeing the beauty of Magnolia Plantation! The Magnolia Plantation Tour includes a guided historic house tour, a private nature train ride around the swamps and gardens and a private Slavery to Freedom tour. Transportation is provided from Downtown Charleston at the Charleston Visitor Center at 375 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29403. Transportation is provided in our spacious, luxurious and climate controlled Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van.

      300 minutes here · Admission included

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Charleston

    The Charleston Visitors Center is located at 375 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC. There is paid parking onsite and paid parking garages in walking distance. We pick-up all guests on the bus shed side of the Charleston Visitors Center where all the tour busses are located.

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    The Charleston Visitors Center is located at 375 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC. There is paid parking onsite and paid parking garages in walking distance. We pick-up all guests on the bus shed side of the Charleston Visitors Center where all the tour busses are located.

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 14 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Chicora Tours

    Know before you go

    • Service animals allowed
    • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
    • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

    Photos

    Day at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens in Charleston, photo 2Day at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens in Charleston, photo 3Day at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens in Charleston, photo 4Magnolia Plantation HouseTransit passanger van for Magnolia TransportationPond at Magnolia Plantation

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 79 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    7 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    The guide

    5 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Photo opportunities

    2 mentions

    The views and photo stops come up again and again.

    Food and drink

    2 mentions

    The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

    Traveler reviews

    79 verified traveler reviews for Day at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    62
    4 star
    10
    3 star
    5
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    2
    Sort
    Laura_F · August 2026

    Beautiful plantation and trees/grounds

    Chicora Tours did a great job communicating, getting us to the Gardens, and coordinating tickets. Our driver Sean even took us on a brief walk around Gardens before our tours. The 3 Gardens Tours were informative and interesting, especially the Slavery to Freedom tour. It was a very hot day and there isn’t much AC except restrooms and house tour, as everything else is outside.

    Response from the operator: Thank you for the thoughtful review. We are so glad you enjoyed your day at Magnolia Plantation and that everything from transportation to the tour schedule went smoothly. Sean will be happy to hear that you appreciated the extra time he spent walking the gardens with you before the scheduled tours. We also appreciate you mentioning the Slavery to Freedom tour and the impact it had on your visit. It is an important part of the historical experience at Magnolia, and the guides put a great deal of care into presenting this difficult history in an informative and meaningful way. We certainly understand your comments about the heat, especially during the summer months when much of the Magnolia experience takes place outdoors. Thank you again for choosing Chicora Tours. We really appreciate your support. Warm regards, Nick Owner, Chicora Tours

    via Viator

    Explore60451407524 · June 2026

    Five star service

    Nick was incredible. He has exceptional knowledge of the area

    Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your kind review. I am truly grateful for your words and am glad you enjoyed the tour. Charleston has such a fascinating history, and it is always a pleasure to share it with our guests. Thank you again for choosing Chicora Tours. We hope to welcome you back on another tour the next time you visit Charleston. Warm regards, Nick Owner, Chicora Tours

    via Tripadvisor

    Helen_B · May 2026

    Amazing gardens and the slavery tour is a must

    This was a nice relaxing trip out to the plantation. If you don't have your own car it is ideal but even if you do it is really nice that they plan all your timed entries so you don't have to worry about getting the timeslot you want or the correct amount of time. The gardens are lovely. The house tour was OK but the slavery tour is an absolute must. We heard a lot of people skip that part...don't! There is only one food place so your options are limited and around lunch time the line gets really long. The food is good but a little overpriced. It did appear that they allow you to bring in your own.

    Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your thoughtful and detailed review. I am glad to hear you enjoyed the relaxing experience and appreciated the convenience of having the transportation and timed entries coordinated for you. We work hard to make the day as seamless and stress free as possible. I am also happy to hear you enjoyed the gardens and found the Slavery to Freedom tour especially meaningful. It is truly one of the most impactful experiences at Magnolia Plantation. Thank you as well for sharing helpful tips for future guests regarding lunch and timing. We truly appreciate your feedback and your recommendation. Warm regards, Nick Owner, Chicora Tours

    via Viator

    Kristy_B · May 2026

    Tram ride was a waste of...

    Tram ride was a waste of time. Taped guide. Would have preferred to have chosen activities ala carte. Food terrible

    Response from the operator: Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. I am sorry to hear that parts of the experience did not meet your expectations. Regarding the nature tram, Magnolia Plantation has recently implemented recorded narration at times due to staffing limitations on their end. I understand that some guests prefer a fully live guided experience, and I appreciate you sharing your thoughts on that. I also understand your preference for a more customizable, à la carte style itinerary. Our goal with the all inclusive tour is to provide guests with the most comprehensive experience possible in a single day, but we understand that different travelers have different preferences. I am also sorry to hear that you were disappointed with the food. The dining experience is managed directly by Magnolia Plantation, but I appreciate you sharing your feedback. Thank you again for joining us and for taking the time to leave a review. Warm regards, Nick Owner, Chicora Tours

    via Viator

    Brian_L · May 2026

    A Fun Day at Magnolia Plantation

    Nick and Chicora Tours did a great job in organizing an informative and beautiful day at Magnolia. Comfortable van to and from, narrated by a friendly and knowledgeable Nick, interesting varied tours included within Magnolia and beautiful gardens! We learned alot! Very highly recommended!

    Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review. I am so glad to hear you had such an enjoyable and informative day at Magnolia Plantation. It was a pleasure sharing Charleston’s history with you during the drive and helping coordinate a smooth experience throughout the day. I am happy you enjoyed the variety of tours and the beauty of the gardens. Thank you again for your kind words and recommendation. We truly appreciate your support and hope to welcome you back on another tour in the future. Warm regards, Nick Owner, Chicora Tours

    via Viator

    Good to know

    Duration
    6.5 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    28
    Verdict
    Solid Choice

    Why this scores 69

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)74
    Review evidence (18% weight)53
    Booking momentum (14% weight)47
    Value for money (12% weight)95
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)32
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Day at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Charleston.

    How much does Day at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens cost?

    +

    Prices start at $109 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Charleston usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Day at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens take?

    +

    Plan for about 6.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Charleston is not rushed.

    Is Day at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 69 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.6/5 across 79 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Charleston, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Day at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens?

    +

    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Day at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 6.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Day at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens?

    +

    Around 28 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Charleston can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Charleston and add a light layer if any part of the 6.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Day at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens start and how do I get there?

    +

    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Charleston within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Charleston?

    +

    Charleston's best experiences are small: house museum tours with an architectural historian, Gullah heritage walks, harbour sails at sunset and Lowcountry food crawls through the market district. Plantation day trips vary enormously in how honestly they handle the history, and our ranking factors that in directly. On Outty we rank every Charleston experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour, Charleston historical walking tour with a Professor of History at The Citadel, Charleston Eco Boat Cruise with stop at Morris Island Lighthouse. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Charleston?

    +

    March to May and September to November, the two mild shoulder windows. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Charleston?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

    +

    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

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