Charleston & Middleton Place: Small Group Tour with Hotel Pickup

4.78

(113 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to laugh so much before noon. Mike picked us up right at our hotel — he’s got that dry Charleston humor, the kind you only get from someone who’s lived here forever. We rolled through the Old and Historic District, windows down because the morning was warm and sticky (but not unbearable). He pointed out Rainbow Row just as a couple of kids zipped by on bikes, yelling something about boiled peanuts. I still don’t know what makes them so obsessed with those. The houses are huge — Williams Mansion looks like it could swallow my whole apartment building. Mike tossed in stories about duels and midnight parties; I’m not sure which were facts and which were just good tales, but honestly, that’s half the fun.

After twenty minutes or so we left the city behind — Spanish moss started showing up everywhere, hanging in thick curtains off the oaks. Middleton Place itself feels old in a way you can smell: earth after rain, wood warmed by sun. Our guide (Nancy this time) led us past the formal gardens; she made me touch the camellia leaves — waxy and cool even though it was getting hot out. There were horses somewhere nearby (you could hear them snorting), and a couple of peacocks strutting around like they owned the place. Nancy explained how this is one of the only original plantation homes open to visitors. I kept thinking about all those generations who walked these same gravel paths.

Lunch was an option but we just grabbed lemonade from the restaurant porch — tart enough to make my mouth pucker. Honestly, if you’re into history or just want three hours away from downtown noise, this day trip to Middleton Place from Charleston is worth it for that alone. I keep thinking about those gardens; there’s something quiet there that sticks with you long after you leave.