The South is well known for its beautiful plantation homes, especially here in Alabama. While driving through our great state, you’ll likely discover several plantation homes. While some of these historic homes are in disrepair, others have been fully restored and operate as a museum. Some of them are also private residences. Listed below are seven of Alabama’s most popular plantation sites and/or homes that offer tours, each of which is perfect for a day trip.
- Gaineswood — Demopolis
google/Gary Lazar Gaineswood, which sits on five acres, was constructed from 1843 to 1861 and is one of Alabama’s most recognizable plantation homes. It’s a true example of Greek Revival-style architecture and is currently operated as a museum. It features many original furnishings, and guided tours are available. You can visit Gaineswood at 805 South Cedar Ave., Demopolis, Alabama 36732. For more information, click here.
- Belle Mont Mansion — Tuscumbia
google/Stephen McNair The Belle Mont Mansion was constructed from 1828-1832. Over the years, this historic mansion has been restored to its original pre-Civil War appearance. It’s currently operated as a museum, and tours are available. You can visit the historic Belle Mont Mansion at 1569 Cook Ln., Tuscumbia, Alabama 35674. For more information, click here.
- Magnolia Grove — Greensboro
wikipedia/Carol M. Highsmith Magnolia Grove, which sits on 12 acres, was built circa 1840 and is the true definition of Southern charm. This Greek Revival-style home features original furnishings and family portraits, and regular admission lets you tour it. You can visit Magnolia Grove at 1002 Hobson St., Greensboro, Alabama 36744. For more information, click here.
- Arlington Antebellum Home and Gardens — Birmingham
wikipedia/Jet Lowe Alabama’s Arlington Antebellum Home and Gardens sits on six acres. The historic Arlington Home is a former plantation house that was built from 1845 to 1850. It’s currently a museum that features a collection of 19th-century furnishings, silver, textiles, and paintings. Tours are available. You can visit Arlington Antebellum Home and Gardens at 331 Cotton SW, Birmingham, Alabama 35211. For more information, click here.
- Moore-Webb-Holmes Plantation — Marion
tripadvisor/ATLJos The Moore-Webb-Holmes Plantation is one of Alabama’s last active plantations, and it’s been in the same family since the early 1800s. Most of the buildings — which consist of a blacksmith shop, a smokehouse, and more — are original to the site. Unfortunately, the family home burned down in 1927. The Moore-Webb-Holmes Plantation is located at 28011 AL-14, Marion, Alabama 36756. Tours are available by appointment. For more information, click here.
- Pond Spring: General Joe Wheeler Home — Hillsboro
tripadvisor/coastermeister The historic General Joe Wheeler Home, which is best known as “Pond Spring,” sits on 50 acres and was built during the 1870s. This plantation site includes 12 historic buildings, gardens, and rare architectural features. Both guided house tours and self-guided tours are available. You can visit Pond Spring at 12280 Alabama Hwy. 20, Hillsboro, Alabama 35643. For more information, click here.
- Oakleigh — Mobile
wikipedia/Altairisfar Oakleigh, which was built in 1833, is one of Mobile’s most popular historic attractions. It’s also one of the city’s oldest homes. This historic landmark sits on 30 acres and currently operates as a house museum. It features antique furnishings, a variety of artifacts, and one of the South’s finest art collections. Tours are available. You can visit Oakleigh at 350 Oakleigh Pl., Mobile, Alabama 36604. For more information, click here.
If you’ve toured any of these historic plantations and/or homes, please share your experience(s) with us in the comments.
google/Gary Lazar
Gaineswood, which sits on five acres, was constructed from 1843 to 1861 and is one of Alabama’s most recognizable plantation homes. It’s a true example of Greek Revival-style architecture and is currently operated as a museum. It features many original furnishings, and guided tours are available. You can visit Gaineswood at 805 South Cedar Ave., Demopolis, Alabama 36732. For more information, click here.
google/Stephen McNair
The Belle Mont Mansion was constructed from 1828-1832. Over the years, this historic mansion has been restored to its original pre-Civil War appearance. It’s currently operated as a museum, and tours are available. You can visit the historic Belle Mont Mansion at 1569 Cook Ln., Tuscumbia, Alabama 35674. For more information, click here.
wikipedia/Carol M. Highsmith
Magnolia Grove, which sits on 12 acres, was built circa 1840 and is the true definition of Southern charm. This Greek Revival-style home features original furnishings and family portraits, and regular admission lets you tour it. You can visit Magnolia Grove at 1002 Hobson St., Greensboro, Alabama 36744. For more information, click here.
wikipedia/Jet Lowe
Alabama’s Arlington Antebellum Home and Gardens sits on six acres. The historic Arlington Home is a former plantation house that was built from 1845 to 1850. It’s currently a museum that features a collection of 19th-century furnishings, silver, textiles, and paintings. Tours are available. You can visit Arlington Antebellum Home and Gardens at 331 Cotton SW, Birmingham, Alabama 35211. For more information, click here.
tripadvisor/ATLJos
The Moore-Webb-Holmes Plantation is one of Alabama’s last active plantations, and it’s been in the same family since the early 1800s. Most of the buildings — which consist of a blacksmith shop, a smokehouse, and more — are original to the site. Unfortunately, the family home burned down in 1927. The Moore-Webb-Holmes Plantation is located at 28011 AL-14, Marion, Alabama 36756. Tours are available by appointment. For more information, click here.
tripadvisor/coastermeister
The historic General Joe Wheeler Home, which is best known as “Pond Spring,” sits on 50 acres and was built during the 1870s. This plantation site includes 12 historic buildings, gardens, and rare architectural features. Both guided house tours and self-guided tours are available. You can visit Pond Spring at 12280 Alabama Hwy. 20, Hillsboro, Alabama 35643. For more information, click here.
wikipedia/Altairisfar
Oakleigh, which was built in 1833, is one of Mobile’s most popular historic attractions. It’s also one of the city’s oldest homes. This historic landmark sits on 30 acres and currently operates as a house museum. It features antique furnishings, a variety of artifacts, and one of the South’s finest art collections. Tours are available. You can visit Oakleigh at 350 Oakleigh Pl., Mobile, Alabama 36604. For more information, click here.
For a list of nine historic homes in Alabama that truly define Southern charm, click here.
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