Magnolia Cemetery

Magnolia Cemetery, established in 1850, is a peaceful 100-acre burial ground located along the Cooper River in Charleston. As you walk through the gates, you're greeted by moss-draped live oaks and a quiet atmosphere that feels removed from the city's bustle. The cemetery is the final resting place for many notable Charlestonians, including Civil War generals, poets, and politicians. The landscape features winding paths, reflecting ponds, and a mix of Victorian-era headstones, obelisks, and family mausoleums. The Confederate section contains over 2,000 graves, with a memorial to the Hunley submarine crew. Visitors often come for the historical significance, the artistic stonework, and the chance to see egrets and herons along the marsh edges. It's a place for quiet reflection and photography, especially in the soft light of late afternoon.

Don't miss

• Confederate Soldiers' Section with over 2,000 graves and the Hunley memorial
• Ornate Victorian-era monuments and family mausoleums
• Moss-draped live oaks and peaceful ponds with wildlife
• Graves of notable figures like poet Henry Timrod and Governor William Aiken
• The reflecting pool and the 'Angel of the Waters' statue

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit Magnolia Cemetery

Cheapest way inCharleston History & Mystery: Interactive Walking Tour Game4.3★ · 30 travelers~2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$7 per personSee dates →Most bookedCharleston’s Old South Carriage Historic Horse & Carriage Tour4.8★ · 10,786 travelers~1 hourFree cancellationFrom$50 per personSee dates →Top ratedNew Orleans St. Louis Cemetery No. 3 Walking Tour5★ · 475 travelers~2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$25 per personSee dates →

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Know before you go

• Open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM; gates close promptly. No entry after 4:30 PM.
• Photography is allowed, but be respectful of funerals and visitors.
• Wear comfortable shoes; the cemetery is large with many paths.
• Pets are allowed on leashes; clean up after them.

A bit of history

Magnolia Cemetery was founded in 1849 on the site of a former plantation, with the first interment in 1850. It became a primary burial ground for Charleston's elite and Civil War soldiers. The cemetery's design follows the rural cemetery movement, emphasizing natural landscaping. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.