touring hopsewee plantation with kids
Hopsewee Plantation is just 15 minutes past historic Georgetown, making it an easy day trip from anywhere in the Grand Strand. We recently toured Hopsewee with kids and have some tips. But first, the big info you’ll need to know.
ADDRESS: 494 Hopsewee Road Georgetown, SC
HOURS: Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-3pm. The property also closes in late December and re-opens in February. Note that they also hold special events so check the website before going to ensure that isn’t the case for your date.
ADMISSION: If you’re just coming to appreciate the property they request a $7.50 grounds fee. The house tour is $22 for adults and $15 for kids 5+.
BEST FOR: All ages will enjoy the grounds but the tour is better for kids 6+.
things to know before you go
I love visiting plantations. The chance to be on a site nearly 300 years old is something I deeply appreciate. It’s beautiful, powerful, weighty, and awe-inspiring. I love being able to have conversations with my oldest as she sees first-hand what life was like a few hundred years ago. We loved Hopsewee and recommend it as a great educational day trip. Here are our tips.
BRING YOUR FAV MOSQUITO REPELLANT | I am not kidding, it was a full-on assault the moment we opened our car doors in the parking lot. The place is a hot-bed for mosquitos. They’re a little less bad by the buildings and house and the staff does have bug spray available. But we have a fav brand that does wonders and I really wished that we’d brought it.
THE TOUR IS BETTER FOR OLDER KIDS | We didn’t even try to bring our 3 year old on the tour. Thankfully he was plenty happy roaming around outside by the river and checking out the other buildings with my husband. The tour is 50-55 minutes long and goes through 4-5 rooms of the house and the cellar. It covers the history of the family who occupied the home, their wealth and livelihood through rice cultivation, and the general role that this part of South Carolina and it’s people/military played in the history of our country.
My 6-year-old did really great on the tour but I’m not sure that all kids would. I’d only recommend bringing older and more patient or history-loving kids inside the house.
ENJOY THE TEA ROOM | The River Oaks Tea Room is rated in the top three in the state and it is just lovely! The restaurant has a full lunch menu but the Southern Tea service is fantastic and kids love this!
We were seated right at 11am, when the tea room opens, and still had to wait about 15 minutes for them to be ready to serve us. The tea service is 3 rounds with savories, scones, and tea sweets PLUS a new pot of tea each time. Whoa. That is a lot of effort and time. We ended up running short on time and asking for the last round in a to-go box as did other guests. So if you go then either anticipate this for plan for about 90-100 minutes to complete the whole tea service.
NEXT YEAR THE PROPERTY IS UNDERGOING A MASSIVE SHIFT | They’re in the process of converting the property into a non profit and expanding to include a museum and open up more of the grounds. Right now the property is still privately owned. We’re excited to go back and visit once this happens! They already take the history and preservation of the property very seriously, and that is evident through the tour guides and all the artifacts they have on hand in the cellar.
other plantations and day trip ideas
We’ve visited Hampton Plantation and loved it. We’ve got a half dozen more on our list and will cover them all too! If you’re looking for more day trip (or road trip) ideas then check here.