Day Trip to Picturesque Summerville
Travel to the picturesque village of Summerville and discover a world of small town values and historic roots. Only thirty minutes from downtown Charleston, Summerville, known as the “Flowertown in the Pines,” was once an escape for plantation owners from the mosquito-laden marshes. As one of America’s first resorts dating back to the early 1800s, the kind of charm and hospitality one expects from a small Southern town are still very much alive today.
The Summerville of today has a revitalized historic downtown with over 700 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, including the surrounding neighborhoods of distinctly Victorian homes and delightful parks and gardens. Stop by the Summerville Visitor Center on Main Street, and pick up some free brochures and your free guided tour map of the historic district. This tour will give you a glimpse of some striking Southern architecture and beautiful Azalea Park, which is filled with breathtaking flowers of all colors in the spring.
Historic downtown has restaurants to satisfy most every palate. Mild spring weather is perfect for dining under Eclectic Café’s market-style umbrellas or, for a real taste of the past, stop by Guerin’s Pharmacy and have an old-fashioned cherry coke or root beer float at the soda fountain located at the rear of the pharmacy.
Art and culture, as well as history, are important to Summerville. The Theater on the Square in downtown Summerville provides entertainment year-round. Built in 1935, the theater was a thriving movie house until the early 1960s. The Flowertown Players, established in 1976, bought and renovated the 209-seat theater and present more than 90 performances to more than 15,000 people every season.
There is always something fun to see and do in Summerville. April 3-5 brings the annual Flowertown Festival, where more than 200 craft artisans and vendors display their creative wares throughout Azalea Park. Sculpture in the South, May 16-17, is another springtime annual event that takes place in the beautiful setting of Azalea Park. The event promotes the appreciation of sculpture through education and demonstrations.
Visit www.visitsummerville.com for more information and help in planning your visit to beautiful, historic Summerville.