Go Back in Time and Explore History in and Around Charleston, South Carolina

Nothing says history like the Cities and Towns of South Carolina. From the time before there was a United States, South Carolina was a center piece in the complex puzzle that was commerce in the colonies. Take a trip back to the history of South Carolina, learn about the commerce and the everyday lives of the people who conducted the commerce when you set out to explore along the Ashley River Road of South Carolina. The history will come alive in the historic buildings and the stately gardens of the mansions of that time. If you like antiquing, you will be in second heaven. The area is rich with antique shops, where you can purchase a bit of the history you are about to explore.

There is no better place to begin than in one of the most beautiful cities in the country, Charleston, South Carolina. It is worth it to spend a couple of days here, and even that will not give you the chance to see everything Charleston has to offer, not by a long shot. You will for sure make plans to come back again and make Charleston a vacation in itself. During your stay this time, hit the antique shops and museums and have a nice dinner out in one of their world class restaurants. Since the entire Ashley River Road trip is a total of about twenty miles, you might want to make Charleston your home port, spend a weekend here, take a day or two to visit the other attractions, depending on how much time you devote to each one, and then come back to Charleston and finish out the week exploring it in depth. If you only have a weekend, you can still see everything on the list. And still get a taste of the Charleston hospitality.

The first stop will take you back to a time before the Revolution, when plantation homes like Drayton Hall were common place. Today it is the only one left, and fortunately you can take a guided tour and learn about every aspect of plantation life in that time. As you tour the house, remember at one time it was a private residence. They have hands on activities for the kids and you can easily spend an hour just roaming the gardens. If you want a really moving experience, visit the African Cemetery. It is the way it was back then and a real chance to explore history.

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
3550 Ashley River Road
Charleston, South Carolina 29414
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens are 100 years older than the United States, having been built in 1676. You can tour both the house and the gardens and they have train and boat tours. This is a nature lover paradise with age-old trees spreading their branches over the manicured lawns and lakes. It is one of the most peaceful of places to explore.

Middleton Place
4300 Ashley River Road,
Charleston, South Carolina 29414
It is easy to spend a whole day here alone. The grounds are so beautiful and they have so many things to do, including horseback riding, that you will have a hard time deciding what to do first. And with a great restaurant for lunch and dinner, you do not have to leave until you want to.