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Drayton HallvsMiddleton Place
Both are endorsed by professional reviewers. On balance, Middleton Place ranks marginally better than Drayton Hall. Middleton Place comes in at #6 in Charleston with endorsements from 6 sources including Lonely Planet, Fodor's and Travel + Leisure.
Drayton Hall
Travel + Leisure
Fodor's
Michelin Guide
Where
Atlas Obscura
Condé Nast Traveler
Frommer's
3380 Ashley River Rd, Charleston, SC 29414
From $0/night
Travel + Leisure "A 1742 plantation on the Ashley River run by the National Trust for Historic Preservation." Full review
Fodor's "The only plantation house on the Ashley River to have survived the Civil War intact." Full review
Michelin Guide 2 Stars
"The only plantation house on the Ashley River to survive the Revolutionary and Civil Wars intact, Drayton Hall was occupied by seven generations of the Drayton family." Full review
Where "Circa 1738, Drayton Hall is the oldest unrestored plantation house in America still open to the public, and it's the nation’s earliest example of fully executed Palladian architecture." Full review
Atlas Obscura "Oldest unrestored plantation house in America that is open to the public. " Full review
Condé Nast Traveler "A commanding piece of 18th century architecture if ever there was one
Zoom out." Full review
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House tours begin on the hour, so be sure to allow yourself time for the 13 mile drive west of Charleston, for parking (free), and for orientation at the visitor’s center where you purchase tickets.
Frommer's "Framed by majestic live oaks, the Georgian-Palladian house and its hand-carved woodwork and plasterwork represent New World craftsmanship at its finest." Full review
Middleton Place Travel + Leisure Fodor's
Afar Magazine Where Condé Nast Traveler Travel + Leisure Frommer's
4300 Ashley River Road, Charleston, SC 29414
From $0/night
Travel + Leisure "This 1741 historic plantation has an exquisite formal garden." Full review
Fodor's "This former plantation is home to America's oldest landscaped gardens, begun in 1741 by Henry Middleton." Full review
Afar Magazine "Middleton Place exists because of slavery—that's a stark reality that's not ignored by the exhibits throughout the sprawling plantation." Full review
Where "This carefully preserved, 18th-century plantation and National Historic Landmark features 65 acres of America’s oldest landscaped gardens." Full review
Condé Nast Traveler "This is a place to spend time disappearing into the shrubbery, stumbling upon statuary, tiptoeing past sunbathing alligators, and learning about both stewardship and slavery." Full review
Travel + Leisure "This National Historic Landmark includes gardens, buildings, a restaurant, inn, and more"
Charleston Travel Guide
March 1, 2021
Frommer's "Most of the property was destroyed in the Civil War and the earthquake of 1886. What remains is still incredibly beautiful." Full review
