Charleston Tea Plantation - Wadmalaw Island, South Carolina

There is only one place in North America where tea is grown: The Charleston Tea Plantation. What was once a research station for Lipton Tea was purchased in 1987 by tea taster William Barclay Hall, who later partnered with the Bigelow Co. Now, this 127-acre plantation is a thriving and growing tea producer. (Its brand, American Classic, is currently available only in the state, but its territory is expanding.) And it's open year-round to visitors, who may take a trolley ride through the tea fields and a free tour of the factory where the tea is processed. And of course, buy some fine tea and related merchandise in the gift shop.

If you go:
The best time to visit is during harvest season, May through September, when you can watch harvesters and processors at work. There is also a big festival to celebrate the first flush (harvest) in May.

Phone Numbers:

Office
+1 (843) 559-0383