Drayton Hall
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Everything You Need to Know

Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get to Drayton Hall from downtown Charleston?
Traffic can cause travel times to vary, but it usually takes between 25-30 minutes to get to Drayton Hall. Be sure to leave yourself some extra time to get situated once you arrive – to park, use the restrooms, grab a snack, or visit the Museum Shop.
What's included with admission?
General admission includes the professionally guided tour of the main house, the African-American history program called Connections: From Africa to America, the two self-guided nature walks, entrance to the African-American cemetery, the Museum Shop, and use of the picnic facilities. We also offer The Voices of Drayton Hall: An Interactive Landscape Tour on DVD – the rental fee is $7.00 and provides all-day access for two adults or a family of four.
How much time should we allot for our visit?
House tours last 50 to 60 minutes. Our African-American history program, Connections: From Africa to America, lasts approximately 45 minutes. Each of the self-guided nature walks takes about 30 minutes, and our new “Voices of Drayton Hall” Interactive Landscape Tour on DVD is also self-directed so you can spend as little or as long as your time allows. Whether for an hour or a day, we look forward to making your visit a memorable one.
How big are the tours?
Tour sizes vary, but we never take more than 30 people on a house tour so that there is enough space to observe the extraordinary architectural elements and to absorb the many colorful stories and historic details provided by your professional guide. There are no space limits for the self-guided nature walks, the African-American cemetery, or for our Connections: From Africa to America program. Our “Voices” Interactive Landscape Tour on DVD and user-friendly DVD player comfortably accommodates two adults or a family of four.
Is there a place to buy food and drinks?
We sell bottled water and snacks at our Museum Shop and there is a soda machine nearby the parking area. During warmer months we'll have complimentary water available for you at coolers located where your tour begins and ends and throughout the grounds.
What should I wear?
Wear comfortable clothing so that you can enjoy both the house tour and grounds; we recommend wearing flat-soled shoes. Remember, Drayton Hall is preserved and not restored, so there is no heating or air-conditioning to regulate the indoor temperature in the main house. However, Charleston has a pleasant climate, our winters aren't too cold during the day (though you’ll want to bring a jacket), and there is often a cooling breeze during the summer months.
Is Drayton Hall handicap accessible?
Accessibility is important to everyone at Drayton Hall, and we look forward to making your trip as easy and comfortable as possible. The grounds, rest rooms, Museum Shop, and the raised English basement and first floor of the main house are accessible to individuals with physical disabilities. With advance notice, an available staff member will be happy to take you from your car to the house in one of our golf carts. Then we have a special system called Stair-Trac that lifts the Stair-Trac wheelchair from the ground level to the first floor of the house. The Stair-Trac accommodates a maximum weight of 250 lbs. Individuals should be willing and able to transfer from their wheelchair to the Stair-Trac system.

If you have any questions about your visit or if you anticipate needing any type of special assistance, we encourage you to call us at 843-769-2600 or email us at info@draytonhall.org so that we can be ready as soon as you arrive.
What should I bring when I come to Drayton Hall?
Make sure to bring a camera. We welcome pictures of the house-both inside and outside-and if you'd like, you can use your video camera too.

During summer months, it's a good idea to have some water with you so that you don't get dehydrated. During cooler months, make sure to have a jacket.
May I take pictures?
We hope that Drayton Hall will inspire you the way that it inspires us every day. You’re welcome to take photographs and videos of the house - both inside and outside - and of the grounds and nature walks.
May I bring food or drinks on the house tours?
Think of the main house not as a structure of brick and limestone but as a rare artifact – one of just a handful of pre-Revolutionary houses that remain in near original condition. Because of Drayton Hall’s special preserved state, we ask you to take special care. Please do not bring food or beverages inside the main house at any time. Also, you can help prevent original finishes and delicate layers of time from being brushed away or damaged by not leaning against or touching the interior walls, woodwork, or windows. Your grandchildren's grandchildren will thank you.
Is Drayton Hall family-friendly?
We welcome children of all ages to Drayton Hall – in fact, over 12,000 students take part in our education programs each year. Our guides will do their best to make sure that the children in your party feel included – often, it's our youngest visitors who ask some of the most intriguing questions. Please help us protect this American treasure for future generations by leaving your strollers outside of the main house and by keeping young visitors by your side during tours.
Can I bring my pet to Drayton Hall?
Well-behaved pets on leashes are welcome – in fact, we actually have a few four-legged members enrolled as Friends of Drayton Hall. Pets especially like our two self-guided nature walks and our self-directed landscape tour on DVD. Others have been known to enjoy a nice nap under the outdoor “Connections” tent while their family attends the program. We do ask, however, that pets not be part of our house tours and, for the safety and comfort of other visitors, that pets be kept under control at all times and that you pick up after your pet.

Things to Do

Marsh and River Walks


The sandy soil has seen oceans come and go, been shaken by earthquakes and hurricanes, been planted and replanted, and felt the footsteps of people for the last 10,000 years.

On the Marsh and River Walks, you'll see the layers of history carefully preserved on the 125 acres that surround the main house: the central axis and clear view to the Ashley River, planned by John Drayton over 265 years ago, and the striking, defined allee of azaleas conceived by his 20th century descendants.

On both the Marsh and River Walks, you'll have plenty of opportunities for bird-watching. On the River Walk, you'll walk past the 18th-century privy, down the allee toward the Ashley River, across the ha-ha, past Richmond Bowen's camellia, and to the garden house before ending at the site of Nipper's grave. Start the Marsh Walk by the reflecting pond and traverses the salt marsh and 18th-century rice fields where you'll see an ecosystem teeming with life all year round.
"We were impressed with the new additions to your program, including the use of the physical site with the river and marsh walks - truly an outstanding experience."
David G. Vanderstel
Executive Director, National Council on Public History

Hours

WINTER: November 1 - February 28/29

Gates: 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
(Exit gate closes at 5:30 p.m.)
Museum Shop: 9:30am - 5:00pm
First Tour: 10:00 a.m.
Last Tour: 3:30 p.m.

SUMMER: March 1 - October 31

Gates: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
(Exit gate closes at 6 p.m.)
Museum Shop: 8:30am - 5:45pm
First Tour: 9:00 a.m.
Last Tour: 4:30 p.m.

House Tours:
Every hour, on the hour. Last tour of the day on the half hour.

Connections:
From Africa to America:
11:15 a.m., 1:15 p.m., 3:15 p.m.

Voices of Drayton Hall:
An Interactive Landscape Tour on DVD: Available for rental throughout the day; enjoy at your own pace.

Prices

Adults: $15
Youth (12-18): $8
Child (6-11): $6
Child (5 and under): Free
Grounds only: $8
DVD Tour & Player rental: Free with paid admission

We also proudly offer discounts to military personnel ($2 off) and for members of AAA ($1 off).

Remember, members of the Friends of Drayton Hall always get in free. What's more, as a member you can bring up to four guests every time you come. Your membership will pay for itself in as few as one or two visits, and you’ll save when you visit other National Trust Historic Sites across the country too!