Lowcountry History

Explore these places through the programs at the Wall Lowcountry Center, by walking the Lowcountry Trail, and by taking an excursion on our boat or overland vehicle deep into the Preserve.

Tickets can be purchased day of only, in person, at the Gardener’s Cottage one hour before departure and from the Lowcountry Center up until 15 minutes before departure.

Excursion schedules are subject to change based on weather conditions.

Brookgreen 101 Tour

Brookgreen 101 runs daily at 11 am, 12:30 pm, and 2 pm.

Join us for Brookgreen 101, an engaging one-hour tour that takes you through our lush landscapes and rich history. This interpreter-led excursion aboard a comfortable electric vehicle offers a unique opportunity to explore the expansive grounds of Brookgreen Gardens. As you travel along our scenic roadways, you'll discover fascinating stories about the property's history and the influential figures who have shaped our legacy.

You'll enjoy close-up views of our stunning art collection, diverse plant life, and a few of the captivating animals that call Brookgreen home. You'll also see some of the iconic structures that make our gardens a must-visit destination. 

Tickets can be purchased day of only, from the Purdy Center, Gardeners Cottage, or Campbell Nature Center up until 30 minutes before departure. They are $12 for adults and $8 for children.

Silent Cities Cemetery Tour (January 7 - February 28)

Silent Cities runs daily 12 pm, and 2:30 pm.

The popular excursion ‘Silent Cities’ offers a rare opportunity to travel on back roads to explore cemeteries at Brookgreen and learn about the historical burial customs of European and African origin. Tickets are $15 in addition to garden admission for this two-hour excursion.  Based on availability, tickets may be purchased at the Purdy Center, Gardeners Cottage, or Campbell Nature Center at least 30 minutes prior to departure time.

Important information about this tour

• This tour involves traveling over rough dirt roads. It is not recommended for people with back problems or other physical issues.
• The Tour is 2 hours and involves getting in and out of a vehicle several times.
• There is approximately a mile of walking over dirt roads, paths, and through wooded areas.
• Due to the nature of this tour, children under the age of 12 are not allowed.

The Creek Excursion 

2025 Season Over - Resumes March 7th, 2026

The Creek Excursion runs daily at 11 am, 12 pm, 2 pm and 3 pm

Beginning on March 7 and running through November 22nd, our Creek Excursion will allow you to cruise the creeks on a 48-foot pontoon boat. You will pass historic rice fields, now home to alligators, waterfowl, and osprey, as an interpreter helps you see the distinctive landscape of the rice plantations and understand the role of enslaved Africans in cultivating the rice crop and shaping the history of the Lowcountry. The Creek Excursion lasts approximately 45 minutes.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for children, in addition to Gardens admission. Boat rides often sell out, and we strongly recommend purchasing tickets as soon as possible when you arrive at the Gardens. Tickets are available at the Gardener's Cottage Information Center and the Lowcountry Center Information Desk for same-day purchase. Tickets must be purchased at least 1 hour before the tour from the Gardener's Cottage and at least 15 minutes in advance from the Lowcountry Center. Boat tickets are not sold online or by telephone. 

Daily at 11 am, 12:00 pm, & 2 pm.

Laurel Hill & Springfield Excursion

2025 Season Over - Resumes March 7th, 2026

The Laurel Hill & Springfield Excursion

Ride with an interpreter along an avenue of historic Live Oaks to a plantation cemetery and a historic rice mill chimney. From the top of one of the area's highest bluffs, see a panoramic view of the Waccamaw River.

Tickets are $12 in addition to the Gardens admission and must be purchased at the Wall Lowcountry Center at least 15 minutes before tour time. Excursions last approximately 50 minutes.

Since this excursion goes over rough terrain it is not recommended for children under six years of age. For their safety, children age 3 and under will not be allowed on this trip.  All children are required to be secured in their own seat.

(Important Note: this tour travels over dirt roads which are quite bumpy in places. If you have a physical condition that may be affected by riding over rough terrain, we suggest you consider an alternate tour such as the Creek excursion.) 

The Oaks Excursion

2025 Season Over - Resumes March 7th, 2026

The Oaks Excursion runs daily at 11:30 am, 1 pm & 2:30 pm. 

Ride in our mini bus to the site of the Oaks Plantation. Learn the history of the prominent Alston family during the colonial and antebellum eras. Visit the Alston family cemetery and grounds of the slave village. Along the way, see the natural beauty of a protected Long Leaf Pine Forest. 

Tickets are $12 in addition to garden admission. Children aged 3 and under are not allowed. All children must be secured in their own seat. Purchase tickets at the Lowcountry Center Ticket Counter or the Gardener's Cottage Ticket and Information Center at least 15 minutes before tour time. Excursions last approximately 1.3 hours

Brookgreen Gardens is a National Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is part of the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor and the Eastern South Carolina Heritage Region.

(Important Note: the Oaks excursion travels over dirt roads which are quite bumpy in places. If you have a physical condition that may be affected by riding over rough terrain, we suggest you consider an alternate tour such as the Creek excursion.)