Drayton Hall is the earliest (and possibly the finest) example of Palladian architecture in the U.S.. Exhibits tell the stories of the family who built and lived in the house as well as the enslaved people who worked on the plantation and the area’s Native Americans.
Take a guided house tour (included with the price of admission), learn about the work archeologists are doing to uncover the undocumented lives of many of the people who lived and worked on the estate, and spend time on the grounds, which extend all the way to the Ashley River.
The entry fee includes access to the grounds and the Gates Gallery as well as educational activities, so make sure to leave a few hours to explore.
There is on-site café, located in the Sally Reahard Visitor Center.
Guided house tours typically last about 40 minutes, and it takes about an hour to explore the exhibition spaces.
Families should stop by the museum shop before the house tour to pick up an I Spy kids game that will make the experience more fun for little ones.
Drayton Hall's garden, exhibits, and trails are handicap accessible, though house tours are not.
Most visitors drive to Drayton Hall, which is about 13 miles (21 kilometers) from downtown Charleston. Take US-17 to SC-61, then turn right through the white gates onto Magnolia Ferry Road, and Drayton Hall will be straight ahead.
Drayton Hall is open every day except for major holidays. Charleston area traffic can impact drive time, so plan to leave a little extra time to find parking and check in for your tour.
If you are curious about archaeological preservation, visit during one of Drayton Hall’s monthly archaeology demonstrations. Hosted in Hill Hall on the second Thursday of the month, these events allow you to explore an active archaeological site and see the objects uncovered through the diligent work of the staff archaeologists. Demonstrations are included in the hall’s admission price.
