Magnolia Plantation and Gardens — Attraction in Hanahan

We’d never been to a plantation and had too many to choose from. We wanted a plantation that had a house tour and also a separate tour that honored the enslaved. Although quite a few other plantations in the area had these offerings, Magnolia Plantation also had a large walking garden, a nature train ride (think electric tram), and an incredible Audoban walking path (think incredible bird watching). It checked all the boxes. Also, because there is so much to do and see, your ticket is good for the next 364 days to re-enter another time and explore all it has to offer.

I advise you plan your trip ahead, especially during busy seasons. You can purchase tickets online well in advance and use a QR code for each tour on your phone from a PDF they email you. No need for printed tickets although they do that as well. The house tour was an additional cost, but the “From Slavery to Freedom Tour” and the nature train are included in the cost. I appreciated the fact that the “From Slavery to Freedom Tour” was included, but optional for those who are unable to attend for whatever personal reason.

Make sure to book your tour times. The way we did it was we did the house tour first, then walked over to the “From Slavery to Freedom Tour”, then walked back to the nature train. It ended up being kind of a long walk between the three as they are on opposite ends, but we are walkers and absolutely loved it and helped us immerse ourselves in the plantation grounds on all the walking paths, and lucky us, it was spring, so we got to see many beautiful flowers throughout these walks. The times of each tour made us plan it this way. Each tour is about 45 minutes long and the next tour starts promptly one hour after the first tour you pick. For example, if you pick a 10:30 tour at the house, the “From Slavery to Freedom Tour” will begin at 11:30. It gives you 15 minutes to walk over to the next tour at different areas of the plantation grounds. Even though these two tours were on opposite ends, 15 minutes was plenty of time to walk.

HOUSE TOUR: They know their history. No pictures or photos or recordings are allowed. Worth every penny.

“From Slavery to Freedom Tour”: heart wrenching, but beautifully done. There are five total buildings that have been restored with many artifacts. Each of the houses depict a different period, from before there were even windows to when linoleum was included. It was by far our favorite of the three tours.

NATURE TRAIN: a wonderful tour, nice to sit and relax. Takes you around the Audubon swamp area, includes bits of history and photo opportunities of wildlife, including alligators and many of the birds.

AUDUBON SWAMP: We saw professional bird watchers in their camouflage with their telescoping camera lenses taking photos. That tells you a lot about the number of birds you’ll see. The swamp area was actually investigated by Dream Works animators and used to create the movie Shrek. There are two different trails, one is shorter, well-maintained, lots of benches and stopping points to sit and relax in the shade and also little platform viewing areas. We did that one and it was about a half a mile along. There were also volunteers who walk around that area and offer information. We saw an alligator right away, almost up on the trail. The other longer trail surrounds the entire lake and is less maintained according to the volunteer. We chose to not do that one as it was already late in the afternoon.

THE GARDENS: sadly, we were already there for six hours by the time we headed back towards the gardens and only briefly did some of the gardens. It was beautiful, it was spring time, but there is no one specific spot of blooms. It’s more for strolling and enjoying.

The gift shop: very thorough in terms of all things magnolia, crafts from local artist, and tons of touristy items.

THE PEACOCK CAFE: not worth eating at. Bring your own picnic instead. Get in line before the next nature train drops everyone off or the line is long. Lots of drink options, beautiful surroundings and peacocks...

Review: Magnolia Plantation and Gardens

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, and I must say, it is a truly beautiful place. Nestled amidst a natural landscape, the gardens offer a breathtaking display of various plant species and flowers. It's a haven for nature enthusiasts, with a wide array of wildlife such as turtles, alligators, birds, and even the occasional snake.

As I explored the grounds, I was captivated by the sheer diversity of flora and fauna. The vibrant colors and fragrant scents of the flowers added a touch of enchantment to the surroundings. While I didn't encounter any snakes myself, the gators, turtles, and birds were relatively easy to spot, adding an exciting element to my visit.

However, I must caution future visitors about the weather. The heat can be quite intense, so it's essential to come prepared with sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of water to stay hydrated. Additionally, I highly recommend applying insect repellent to ward off the mosquitoes and other insects that thrive in the garden's lush environment. Trust me, you wouldn't want to be eaten alive by those pesky critters.

While exploring the gardens, it's important to be mindful of your surroundings. The paths can be uneven due to roots protruding from the ground. One of my friends had a close call, almost falling and spraining their foot. So, please exercise caution and pay attention to where you're stepping. Wearing comfortable shoes with good traction is advisable for extra safety.

Despite these minor considerations, the overall experience at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens was nothing short of magnificent. The serenity of the natural setting, combined with the captivating beauty of the flora and fauna, created a truly awe-inspiring atmosphere. As I wandered the grounds for four hours, I couldn't help but be in awe of the wonders of nature.

In conclusion, if you're a lover of nature and appreciate the splendor of well-maintained gardens, Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is definitely worth a visit. Just remember to come prepared for the heat, apply bug repellent, watch your step, and wear appropriate footwear. The breathtaking beauty of this place will leave you with a sense of wonder and appreciation for the wonders of the...

We chose to come to Magnolia Plantation of our cooperation agreement with our membership at the NC Arboretum and because of the reviews.

My cooperation agreement did get me in with no additional fee for entry, however, it still cost us $80 for this activity. We added on the "tram" ride, the boat ride, and the house tour. Although their website said each of those activities would be $8 a piece, they have increased their prices now to $10 each.

The "tram" ride was a golf cart with passenger cars on it. It was a great way to see a lot of the gardens, especially for me with bad knees. However, the seats were very overfilled, making for a tight fit. The tour guide was okay, he needs to work on his presentation. He stumbles over his words and mumbles at times.

The boat ride was really the best tour of the day. The tour guide was personable and had a good presentation. We saw a lot of alligators, egrets, and other birds. It was interesting and informative.

The house tour was kind of a let down. Because there were so many people they split the tour into 3 groups. Which meant the tours weren't able to be presented in chronological order. I agree with other reviewers that the home is underwhelming.

The conservatory was LOVELY! Wow so many beautiful plants. The trails are nice, with lots to see and even plaques to read.

We wish there was more than 1 place to go to the bathroom. We also wish they would have had refreshment carts throughout the park so we could have gotten some water or other beverage. Walking the trails past the boats and realizing there's neither water or a restroom was an unfortunate surprise.

Overall we thought it was somewhat overpriced and the gardens are pretty but not epic ... not a $100 per couple experience. (With the add ons) Because of the price we probably won't do the tours again, if/when we go back. However, it is a lovely...