Blooms of all seasons form floral allées (alleys) along terraced lawns, and around ornamental lakes shaped like butterfly wings. Much of the year, the landscaped gardens, begun in 1741, are ablaze with camellia, magnolia, azalea, and rose blossoms. A large part of the mansion was destroyed during the Civil War, but the gentlemen's wing has been restored and houses impressive collections of silver, furniture, paintings, and historic documents. In the stable yard craftspeople use authentic tools to demonstrate spinning, weaving, and other skills from the plantation era. Farm animals, peacocks, and other creatures roam freely. The Middleton Place restaurant serves Lowcountry specialties for lunch and dinner. There are also a delightful gift shop that carries local arts, crafts, and souvenirs, and a garden shop that sells rare seedlings. You can sign up for kayak, bike, wagon, or horseback tours, and you can stay overnight at the inn, where floor-to-ceiling windows splendidly frame the Ashley River.