Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens
1235 Long Point Road, Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina
Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens is one of the oldest working plantations in America. Dating back to 1681, it’s been a notable filming location for movies and television shows, including The Notebook and Days of Our Lives. Travelers visit to see the Georgian-style house, expansive gardens, and former slave cabins—used today to educate visitors about the history of slavery in the US.
Popular with history-buffs, horticulture lovers, and architecture fans, Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens is easily reachable from Charleston—which is around a 30-minute drive away. Most travelers visit on organized half-day tours, so they can benefit from round-trip transportation from Charleston and get historical commentary from a guide in period costume. The plantation is also frequently included as a stop on full-day Charleston area sightseeing tours.
Visits typically include a self-guided tour around the vast gardens, known for their beautiful antique roses, butterfly pavilion, and photogenic Avenue of Oaks. You can also join a guide for a Plantation House tour to see the Black History in America exhibit displayed in former slave cabins. Another highlight is the on-site Gullah Theater, where educational performances frequently take place.
The site is wheelchair- and stroller-accessible.
Tractor tours may be available, weather permitting.
Bring a camera with you—the site is known as “America’s most photographed plantation.”
There’s a gift shop and on-site café serving drinks, sandwiches, hot dogs, and ice cream.
Most visitors arrive on guided day tours from Charleston, which is about 8 miles (13 kilometers) away. If you’re driving independently from Charleston, take Highway 17 North towards Mount Pleasant. After 7 miles (11 kilometers) turn left on Long Point Road until you see signs for the plantation—the entrance will be on the right.
Boone Hall is open year-round but hours vary according to the season—with longer opening hours during the summer months. The site is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, and may also be closed for special events—such as the Lowcountry Oyster Festival, The Scottish Games, and Wine Under The Oaks. If you’re not visiting wirth an organized tour, it’s advisable to check the schedule ahead of time.
Charleston has an abundance of historical plantations to choose from. After visiting Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens, you might want to stop by Middleton Place. This working farm on the banks of the Ashley River is a National Historic Landmark with beautiful gardens and stable yards. A firm favorite for families with children is Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, known for its petting zoo and swamp walk.
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