Charleston Gardens
Charleston is home to some of the most scenic gardens in the South.
From small back alley gardens to huge professionally landscaped plantations, you could spend practically your entire trip touring Charleston gardens.
Discover the best gardens in and around Charleston to visit, how to reach them, and if you need an admission ticket to enter.
Best Ways to Visit Charleston’s Gardens
Most of the gardens on this list are located outside of the city of Charleston, so you may need to rent a car or hire a driver to reach them.
Some sites allow you to wander the grounds by yourself; at others, you may need to book a guided tour to visit the property.
If you want to visit some of Charleston’s stunning courtyard gardens, there are a few ways to do so.
We offer public tours that will take you past some of the most spectacular greenery in the city.
Our history tour of Charleston will take you through White Point Gardens, past Marion Square, and along some of the city’s major thoroughfares. If you want a more “behind-the-scenes” look at the city’s gardens, you could always book our tour of Charleston’s alleys and passages.
You can also book a private tour, which will be led by one of our knowledgeable local guides. We can curate a tour that will take you through some of the most scenic courtyards and past the city’s most celebrated gardens.
Must-See Charleston Gardens
While many of Charleston’s Gardens are located outside the city center, there are plenty of gardens you can visit in Downtown Charleston.
Our favorite gardens in the city proper include the Emily Whaley Garden, the Heart Garden, and Gateway Walk.
If you’re willing to venture outside of the city, take a drive to Cypress Gardens, Magnolia Gardens, or Middleton Place.
Need a lift? Book a private tour with us and we’ll take you to the Charleston gardens that are within driving distance from the city.
Magnolia Plantation
Emily Whaley Garden
One of the gardens on this list that’s in Charleston proper is the Emily Whaley Garden, located at Church Street. This garden is open Thursday through Sunday.
The cost is $10 and is on the honor system (you’ll need to pay in cash and use exact change).
The subject of the book Mrs. Whaley and Her Charleston Garden, the Emily Whaley Garden was designed in 1940. It features fountains, sculptures, and (of course) the plants Emily Whaley tended to for more than 50 years.
Photo Credit: Olivia Rae James
Cypress Gardens
Our first garden outside of Charleston City limits is Cypress Gardens.
Probably one of the most popular and iconic gardens in South Carolina, Cypress Gardens sits just a 45-minute drive north of Charleston in Moncks Corner.
It’s open seven days a week (except for certain holidays) and costs $10 for adults.
One of the best ways to see the gardens is by boat and you can take a guided tour for $5 or a self-guided boat tour for free.
In addition to the Cypress Garden swamp, there’s also a butterfly house and a Swamparium, a museum featuring fish and reptiles.
The Heart Garden
Behind St. John’s Reformed Episcopal Church sits “The Heart Garden”, which was built to honor local ironworker legend, Philip Simmons.
Since this garden is part of church property it is free to visit and you can stop by during the hours in which the church is open.
To enter the garden, you’ll pass through the heart gate, which was crafted by Simmons himself.
Philip Simmons by Tom Pich
Magnolia Gardens/Audobon Swamp Garden
At Magnolia Plantation, you can visit the Magnolia Gardens, including the Audobon Swamp Garden.
Tickets cost $32 per person if purchased online and include entry to the gardens, the Audobon Swamp Garden, the Wildlife Center, and biking trails.
There’s also a 45-minute nature train tour that will lead you through the property.
Gateway Walk
This Garden, maintained by the Garden Club of Charleston, offers three blocks of beautifully maintained greenery.
You can access the garden from St. John’s Lutheran Church on King Street.
If you love the idea of walking through more of Charleston’s alleyways and passages, we have a tour that’ll be right up your alley — pun intended!
Our Alleys and Hidden Passages tour will guide you through some of the city’s most storied back alleyways.
Learn about the Charlestonians who once used these passages to get through the city — both the city’s elite and commoners.
Middleton Place
The Middleton Place Plantation is the site of the city’s oldest garden.
These pristine gardens feature both local species and plants introduced to the property by the Middleton family. Originally designed in 1741, Middleton Place Gardens was created to mimic the grand gardens in Europe at the time.
Your ticket to the Middleton Place Plantation also includes access to the gardens and costs $29 for adults when purchased online ($32 if purchased on the property).
Middleton Place
Charleston Gardens FAQs
Here are some of the most common questions when it comes to visiting Charleston’s lush garden landscape.
How far is Cypress Gardens from Charleston?
Cypress Gardens is about a 40-minute drive and about 28 miles from Downtown Charleston. This means you’ll need to rent a car or book a private driver if you want to visit this garden.
There is no public transit that runs between Charleston and Cypress Gardens.
What’s the best way to visit Charleston’s Gardens?
If you’re planning on visiting any gardens within Charleston city limits, you could possibly walk.
Although most of Charleston’s most famous gardens are located outside of the city proper, the Garden Club of Charleston operates an annual home and garden tour each spring, allowing visitors entry into some of the most pristine courtyards in the city.
Is there a fee to visit the gardens in Charleston?
Yes, in most cases, you’ll need to pay a fee to see the gardens on this list; however, the fees aren’t very high — in most cases, you’ll need to pay around $10 to see some of the most impressive plants and wildlife in South Carolina.
What is the best time of year to visit Charleston if I want to visit its gardens?
Spring is the best time of year to see the gardens start to bloom; you may also want to visit in the summer if you don’t mind spending a little time outdoors in the South Carolina heat.