Drayton Hall, Charleston

One of very few surviving plantation homes in the area post civil war period. Took the audio tour rather than a guided one which was great as you can wander at your own pace and listen to the guide, pausing her when you want to stay in one area a little longer. Having some info is a must though, to understand what went on in and around the estate and the architecture of the building. Staff were very friendly and informative too.

Exceptionally interesting and well-preserved area offering fascinating insights into the world of a southern plantation. Unlike similar sites, the focus here is on preservation rather than restoration, meaning the old buildings, including the main house, have had minimal work done on them since the 1800s. The guided audio tours were informative and well-paced, guiding you both through the main house and the grounds. The only downside to an audio tour vs a guided tour would be the inability to visit the top floor of the house, although I don't think one is missing too much there. On the Sunday I went in September, there were hardly any other people on the grounds, so crowds weren't an issue. There were two historians on site in the main house available to answer additional questions, which was a great feature. Moreover, despite much of what we know about the location coming from the former owner's diaries, I appreciated how the audio tour did what it could to speak from the perspective of the enslaved peoples forced to work the plantation, as well. For $26 per person, I thought this was a very worthwhile place to visit.