While Charlestonians do not typically get to experience a white Christmas, we are lucky in our relatively mild winter and our ability to stay outdoors throughout most of the season. While we may not be at the beach, there are plenty of wonderful activities to take advantage of here in Charleston that can keep you outside in the sunshine, even if it is a bit chilly. One of our favorites is strolling the grounds at Middleton Place Plantation.

The Plantation, which is located outside of Charleston on the Ashley River Road, is famed for its gardens, which are America’s oldest landscaped gardens. As a result, a popular time to visit Middleton Place is in the spring, when all the flowers are blooming and the landscape is awash with color.

Despite the rave reviews the gardens get in the spring, there is something very special about Middleton Place in the winter. The color of the winter light in the Lowcountry as it reflects off the water and illuminates the terraced gardens is absolutely stunning, and the lack of an overabundance of color allows the visitor to really appreciate the architecture of the landscape without distraction.

It is a wonderful activity tfor the whole family to enjoy together because the adults can appreciate the landscape, and the children will enjoy meeting all the animals – horses, pigs, water buffalo, goats, sheep – the sheep are our favorite, as they roam free across the front lawn throughout the day.

So next time you’re looking for a family friendly outdoor activity this winter, think about visiting Middleton Place … and enjoy walking in a Lowcountry winter wonderland.