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Summerville is a town of about 50,000 people in the South Carolina Lowcountry, about 25 miles northwest of Charleston. It began in the 1700s as a summer retreat where planters and their families escaped the heat and fevers of the coast among tall pines, and its nickname, Flower Town in the Pines, still fits its shady streets of azaleas, live oaks and dogwoods.
The historic district around downtown has one of the state's best collections of 19th-century cottages and Victorian homes with deep porches and gingerbread trim. Hutchinson Square, the town green beside Town Hall, hosts farmers markets and events, and the streets around it are lined with local shops and cafes. Azalea Park is the center of the Flowertown Festival each spring, one of the largest arts and crafts festivals in the Southeast. Summerville also calls itself the birthplace of sweet tea, and a Sweet Tea Trail links local spots that serve it.
The Summerville Dorchester Museum covers local history, and the Sawmill Branch Trail runs for miles through town for walking and biking. Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site, on the Ashley River, preserves the ruins of a colonial town, including a tabby fort and church tower. Middleton Place, with its landscaped 18th-century gardens, and Magnolia Plantation and Gardens are a short drive down Ashley River Road.
A popular park near downtown Summerville with ponds, fountains, walking paths, bridges and thousands of azaleas that bloom in spring, plus a playground and an amphitheater. It hosts the Flowertown Festival and outdoor sculptures. Visit in late March or early April when the azaleas are at their peak.
A large historic district of winding streets and old homes, many built in the 1800s as summer retreats for Charleston families escaping the coastal heat. Tall pines, live oaks and gardens line the streets. Walk or drive around the neighborhoods north of the town square to see the houses and gardens.
The town square at the center of Summerville, a green with benches, trees and a gazebo, surrounded by restaurants, cafes and shops in older buildings. It hosts concerts, holiday events and a farmers market nearby. It is an easy and pleasant place to start a walk around downtown, with free parking close by.
One of the largest arts and crafts festivals in the Southeast, held each spring in Azalea Park when the azaleas bloom, with hundreds of artists and crafters, food vendors and a children's area. It draws huge crowds. Arrive early, use the shuttle or remote parking, and wear comfortable shoes for the walking.
An annual sculpture show and sale held in Summerville each spring, with works by artists from across the country. Summerville has also gathered a large collection of permanent outdoor sculptures placed around Azalea Park and downtown. Pick up a map to find the sculptures on a self-guided walking tour.
A self-guided trail celebrating Summerville as the birthplace of sweet tea, with stops at local restaurants, cafes and shops serving their own sweet tea and tea-themed treats. The town also has a large sweet tea glass replica for photos. Pick up a trail map at the visitor center and enjoy several stops.
A historic pharmacy in downtown Summerville, said to be the oldest in South Carolina, with an old-fashioned soda fountain serving milkshakes, floats, hot dogs and sandwiches at the counter. It keeps its classic look with vintage fixtures. It is a fun lunch or snack stop, especially with kids.
A local history museum in Summerville's former police station, with exhibits on the area's Native American history, colonial Dorchester, the town's past as a health resort and the region's natural history. Admission is free or by small donation. Check the hours and ask about historic walking tours.
A charming historic subscription library founded in 1897 and housed in a small cottage downtown, named after the poet Henry Timrod. It still lends books to members and welcomes visitors to look around its cozy rooms and garden. It is a short walk from Hutchinson Square and worth a quick stop.
The site of a colonial town founded in 1697 on the Ashley River near Summerville, with the ruins of a tabby fort and the brick bell tower of St. George's Anglican Church. Short trails and signs explain the town's history and archaeology. A small entrance fee applies; the site is peaceful and shady.
A paved multi-use trail of about six miles following Sawmill Branch through Summerville, with bridges, boardwalks and shaded wooded sections. It is good for walking, running and biking and connects several neighborhoods. Access it near downtown or at trailheads with parking; bring water in the summer heat.
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South Carolina, United States
South Carolina, United States
South Carolina, United States
South Carolina, United States
South Carolina, United States
South Carolina, United States
South Carolina, United States
South Carolina, United States
Photo: Thunder60447, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Photo: RJ Matthews, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: RJ Matthews, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: RJ Matthews, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: RJ Matthews, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: RJ Matthews, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: RJ Matthews, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Thunder60447, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Sergiy Galyonkin from Raleigh, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Nick Amoscato, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
