Boone Hall Plantation

After going over all the plantations in the Charleston area, and there are many, we settled on the Boone Hall Plantation. It was a bit out of the way, but it also gave us a good reason to ride over the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge. I was iffy on paying so much to see any plantation. It seemed like a waste of money to pay $15 to walk around the outside of a house and another $10 to go inside. That's why I was so happy to find this one! The $20 admission covers so much. You get access to the grounds, avenue of oaks, a house tour, a coach tour of the agricultural side of plantation, and much more that can be found on their website.

The charm just riding up to house is amazing. The Avenue of Oaks is beautiful and just a breathtaking drive. Some of the trees that line the drive are around 300 years old. 

The house is the third to be built on the property. It was built in 1936 partially with recovered materials from the previous farm houses and with bricks made on site. It is a Georgian style home an the interior is decorated in the antebellum style (and air conditioned). The tour was very informative and enjoyable. 

The front walk to the house is lined on either side by beautiful gardens, the shaded areas of which are more than welcome on an extremely hot summer day. The flowers were absolutely gorgeous.

The row of slave quarters in the front of the home has a great self guided tour. Each cabin presents a different chapter in African-American history. It focuses on their daily lives, work, and struggles in a time period ranging from the beginning of slavery in the U.S. to the present day. 

The coach tour takes you back through the agricultural part of the plantation. It is a working plantation, which is very unique. They have been continually growing crops on the property for over 330 years! The coach tour is a must. Our guide was awesome and I learned so much. Plus, sitting on the coach for a bit, out of the sun, with a nice breeze, was great. 

We almost missed the Cotton Dock.  Our tour guide on the coach pointed it out. It has been rebuilt, but it has a great view of the tidal marsh.

We closed out our day here and it was a great way to end it, overlooking such a huge part of the Lowcountry.