Summerville, South Carolina, is located 25 miles from Charleston and is only 35 miles from the beach. Summerville is part of the Charleston-North Charleston area. Like many other southern cities, it is known for its charm, good sweet tea, and historic beauty. There is no wonder why hundreds of thousands of people visit Summerville every year. Whether you are only passing through or you’re planning to stay awhile, here is a list of things to do in Summerville, SC.
Middleton Place
If you are looking for a place that captures what the South was like from the Colonial era through the Civil War years, then Middleton Place hits the mark. One of the things that makes Middleton Place great is that not only does it provide an immense amount of history to enjoy, but the landscaping is also picturesque. Many choose Middleton Place to get married because of this beauty. Middleton Place has the Nation’s oldest landscaped gardens, an attraction that locals and tourists appreciate. Through live storytelling, visitors can learn about the Middleton family, one of the wealthiest and prominent families in the South. Visitors learn the hard truth about slavery and its role in creating and sustaining the Middleton’s and other family’s wealth. Experience the Middleton estate by taking a walk through the stable yards, old slave quarters, and the house museum. Middleton Place is open 7 days a week and only closed for Christmas. Admission is free for kids 5 and under, $10 for teens and students, and $26 for adults when purchased before arriving. If you are looking to be even more immersed in the history and experience Middleton Place on a different level, you can also spend a night or 3 on their estate. This is a very popular option for many, so be sure to call or go online to check reservations before arriving.
https://www.middletonplace.org
Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site
This is another must-see for any history lover. From 1697 up to the start of the Revolutionary War, Dorchester was a central trading hub. Trading routes ran from the Ashley river through Charleston and provided a means for many to earn their living. As the revolutionary war began, the town of Dorchester became a ghost-town. Today what remains of this once bustling travel town is currently being unearthed by local archeologists in order to get a better understanding of what life was like back then. One prominent structure that still stands for visitors to enjoy is St. George’s Anglican Church’s brick bell tower. So far, archeologists have uncovered a cemetery, old shipping remains, and a ton of other artifacts. There are over 300 acres that they are tirelessly working to uncover. They are open daily, and the admission price is free for kids under 5, $1 for kids 6-15, and $3 for 16 and up. They also allow pets as long as they are leashed.
https://southcarolinaparks.com/colonial-dorchester
Summerville Dorchester Museum
The Summerville Dorchester Museum is not the biggest, but they have a lot of local history worth exploring. They are located in downtown Summerville next to the Icehouse Restaurant (they have some of the best shrimp and grits around). The museum opened in 1991 with local citizens’ help, concerned that the local history was not being maintained for present and future generations. From 1991 to the present, the number of artifacts has grown significantly. Currently, the local historian Dr. West leads the team responsible for maintaining all the museum artifacts. They also have a kids history club where there are great kids activities planned every month. Admission is free for kids 3 and below, $2 for 4-12, and 5 for 13 and up.
Music in Motion Family Fun Center
If you are looking for some all-around good family fun in a great environment, then the Music in Motion Family Fun Center is sure to be a great time. They have been a staple for the Summerville community, with over 20 years in business. They offer skating, laser tag, bowling, arcade games, and bumper cars. They also have a food court area where they serve pizza, wings, nachos, and coke products. They even have after-school care and summer camp for parents looking for something fun and safe for kids to do when school is out. Their building is massive and can easily accommodate birthday parties of all sizes. They run specials all the time for kids and adults, so check their website to see what specials they are running when you are thinking about going.
Azalea Park
If you are looking for something to do that gets you outside and is peaceful, you definitely want to check out Azalea Park. Azalea Park is centrally located in Summerville, just outside of the business district. With its beautifully landscaped gardens and well-maintained ponds, this is the perfect place to come and experience the outdoors. It is typically not crowded, and you can often find people walking, jogging, playing ultimate frisbee, tennis, or fishing. They are open every day, and the only thing to be mindful of here is there are no public restrooms, so make sure to take care of that before coming. Other than that, this is one of the best free, lowkey things to do in Summerville. Oh, and in case you were wondering, pets are welcome.
https://scgreatoutdoors.com/park-azalea.html
World’s Largest Sweet Tea
If you have ever been in the South, then you know about their love of sweet tea or, as it is often referred to, “The Champagne of the south.” Summerville locals claim that sweet tea was actually created in Summerville. If this is true or not is hard to tell, but one thing for sure is there is definitely a love for sweet tea here. From being just a tad sweet to so syrupy sweet, it might cause an instant cavity, there are different degrees of sweetness, depending on your preference. This attraction is in the Guinness Book of World Records by the way, “The World’s Largest Sweet Tea” is located on Sweet Tea Trail and is an homage to this Champagne of the South. This attraction draws thousands of tourists every year to witness this mammoth 15ft tall mason jar that holds over 2,000 gallons of sweet tea. It reportedly took 210 pounds of local tea and 1,700 pounds of sugar to get this brew up to a southern standard for all to witness. If you go to their website, you can see the tea making in action and then go and see it in person.
https://www.visitsummerville.com/sweet-tea-trail
Gahagan Park
This is another free thing to do in Summerville. Gahagan Park is a very popular park in the area and frequently hosts baseball, softball, and football games. There is also a really lovely playground that kids and adults can appreciate called the Plantation Playground. There is a huge castle that is great to climb as well as walkways and paths to explore. Unlike Azalea park that was mentioned earlier, this park has public restrooms to use should nature call while you are out there. If you are looking for someplace to have a birthday party or a family reunion, this could be a great choice. They have a grilling area and lots of picnic tables to sit down, eat and have a good time.
https://scgreatoutdoors.com/park-gahaganpark.html
3Quest Challenge
If you are looking for a fun and interactive way to see and explore the city that is appropriate for all ages, then 3Quest Challenge is what you are looking for. 3Quest Challenge is an interactive scavenger hunt that must be completed before the time runs out. The entire challenge is performed outdoors, so it encourages you to get out and about for those who prefer indoor activities. You are given 3 challenges/missions that you can complete solo or do as a team. You receive all the challenge details via an app that you download on your smartphone. You are given a suggested starting location, and then you have 2 hours to complete all 3 challenges. You have a guide that works remotely should you get absolutely stumped on one of the clues and need to phone a friend. There 5 different categories/themes of challenges. There is the original challenge, a birthday-themed challenge, a date-themed challenge, a bachelorette-themed challenge, and a team-building challenge. 3quest is open 11am-5pm Wednesday-Sunday, and reservations are required. Ticket prices are from $20 per person up to $22 per person.
https://www.3questchallenge.com
FAQ
Q: What is the population of Summerville SC?
A: The population of Summerville was estimated to be 43,392 as of July 1, 2019 by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Q: What is the median home value in Summerville SC?
A: The median home value in Summerville is $232,200.Summerville home values have gone up 4.8% over the past year and Zillow predicts they will rise 2.5% within the next year. The median list price per square foot in Summerville is $140, which is lower than the Charleston-North Charleston Metro average of $163. The median price of homes currently listed in Summerville is $269,900.
Q: What are the schools like in Summerville?
A:Summerville is served by Dorchester School District Two. Schools in the district include both public and private options. Some of the public schools in Summerville include Ashley Ridge High School, Oakbrook Middle School, and Rollings Middle School of the Arts. Private school options in Summerville include Pinewood Preparatory School and Dorchester Academy.
Q: What are the crime rates like in Summerville?
A: The crime rate in Summerville is lower than the national average, with a violent crime rate of 2.53 per 1,000 residents and a property crime rate of 14.71 per 1,000 residents. The most common types of crime in Summerville are theft and burglary.
Q: What is the cost of living in Summerville?
A: The cost of living in Summerville is higher than the national average, with a cost of living index of 102.5. The main contributors to this higher cost of living are housing costs, which are an average of 26% higher than the national average, and transportation costs, which are an average of 10% higher than the national average.
Q: What is there to do in Summerville?
A: There are plenty of things to do in Summerville! For nature lovers, there are several parks and trails, such as Azalea Park, Sawmill Branch Trail, and Gahagan Nature Preserve. For those interested in history, there are several museums and historic sites, such as the Summerville Dorchester Museum and the Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. For those who like to shop, there are several shopping centers and districts, such as Downtown Summerville and the Azalea Square Shopping Center.
No matter what time of year it is, there’s always something to enjoy in Summerville. From the beauty of the blooming flowers and lush greenery of Laurel Hill Plantation to the top-notch golf courses that offer breathtaking views, Summerville has no shortage of activities to engage in. Whether you’re looking for outdoor recreation or just want to explore the city’s rich history, make sure you visit this charming town and experience all that it has to offer!
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