47 miles NE of Charleston
This elegant Georgian plantation house makes for a fascinating half-day trip, just under 50 miles northeast of downtown Charleston on U.S. 17. The Hampton Plantation, 1950 Rutledge Rd., McClellanville, was owned by five generations of the Horry/Rutledge family from the mid 1700s until 1971. It boomed thanks to rice and indigo, and at its peak in 1790, the plantation owned 340 slaves. Today the grand facade remains but the rooms are bare and unrestored, left as a slightly eerie memorial to antebellum Carolina. Regular 40-minute guided tours (adults $8, children ages 6–15 $4, free ages 5 and under), the only way to get inside, provide background and explain some of the architectural details on display. Tours usually take place Saturday and Sunday at 10am, noon, and 2pm; and on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday at noon and 2pm. The grounds also contain nature trails where you might spot the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker or swallow-tail kite. Admission to the park is free. The grounds are open daily April to October 9am to 6pm, and November to March 9am to 5pm.
Visit www.southcarolinaparks.com/hampton or call tel. 843/546-9361 for more information.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
