Magnolia Plantation & Gardens is a beautiful place to visit. No matter what season it is. If you are local or visiting the Charleston area check it out. Various events happen all year long. It’s a very popular place for weddings and engagement photos. The huge oak and cypress trees with stringy moss draping from its branches are visible throughout the plantation and gardens. Vivid, pleasantly scented flowers like camellias are present all over the gardens as well. To my surprise tall bamboos are here too. There’s a beautiful white bridge that will leave you in awe upon eye contact. The unique thing about it is that you will see the bridge’s reflection in the pond. Speaking of water, there’s a great view of the Ashley River and a sitting area if you need a short break from walking.
So I told you how the scenery looks. I mentioned Magnolia Plantation & Gardens being a wedding venue, but many public events involving food, wine, and gardening occur here. Examples: SC Reggae Jerk Wine Festival, Keeper of the Wild Annual Oyster Roast, and Spring Market and Symposium. I will be completely honest. The Jerk Festival wasn’t good. There wasn’t enough wine to even be called a wine festival. Maybe 2019 will be better. However, there is one event that I did enjoy, the Valentine’s Chocolate Walk.
Valentine’s Chocolate Walk
The event occurs the weekend before Valentine’s Day on Saturday and Sunday. You gain access to the event with a general admission ticket. Today, Sunday February 10th is the last day for you to check it out. You can go with your boo or go by yourself. It’s a short walk throughout the garden to collect candies from different countries around the world and view the gardens.
After the chocolate walk, you have the option of taking a guided tour via an extended golf cart like vehicle around the plantation. That’s what my husband and I did. It was a nice learning experience. It comes with a discounted fee though. Depending upon your availability you can do additional tours, or come back and see the following:
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens
Audubon Swamp
Slave Cabins
The Plantation House
Rice Fields
More Pictures at Magnolia Plantation & Gardens
On the Valentine’s Chocolate Walk Trail with a few goodies in the bag.