The tour will begin with a short drive through the Charlestonwne neighborhood. There you will see St. Michaels Church. Built in 1761, George Washington prayed in that church in 1791. You will also see the oldest part of Charleston and the largest homes including the Williams Mansion, at 24,000 sq. ft. the largest home in Charleston. Finally, you will see the Lather Home. It’s the second biggest home in Charleston. In 1920 there was a meeting in this grand home and the Society for the Preservation of Old Dwellings was formed. It was the birth of the preservation movement in this country. Then on to two of the finest plantations in the Charleston area open to the public.

Middleton Place Plantation in Charleston, South Carolina, is a remarkable destination for visitors who want to experience Southern history, culture, and natural beauty. Known as America’s oldest landscaped gardens, the grounds are breathtaking year-round, featuring terraces, camellias, azaleas, and centuries-old oaks draped in Spanish moss. The historic house museum offers a glimpse into the Middleton family, one of Charleston’s most influential dynasties, and their role in shaping the Low country. Visitors can explore stories of both the family and the enslaved people who built and maintained the estate, making it a place of reflection as well as beauty. The stable yards bring history to life with demonstrations of 18th-century crafts and animal husbandry. With its combination of stunning gardens, historical interpretation, and preserved architecture, Middleton Place offers tourists an immersive journey into the past, making it one of the most memorable stops in Charleston.

Drayton Hall Plantation, located along the Ashley River near Charleston, South Carolina, is one of the finest surviving examples of Palladian architecture in North America. Built in the mid-18th century, its design reflects the influence of Andrea Palladio, the Italian Renaissance architect whose style emphasized symmetry, proportion, and classical details. The house is perfectly balanced, with a central entrance flanked by evenly spaced windows and rooms arranged with harmonious precision. Notably, Drayton Hall was never modernized with electricity, plumbing, or major alterations, leaving its original design remarkably intact. The grand double portico, soaring ceilings, and finely crafted woodwork showcase both elegance and restraint, hallmarks of Palladian ideals. Unlike more ornate plantation homes, Drayton Hall’s beauty lies in its simplicity, symmetry, and timeless classical proportions. Today, it stands as a rare and authentic window into colonial architecture.