Historic District of Summerville, SC

Summerville is a charming town known for its small-town coziness, rich history, and beautiful surroundings. The historic district of Summerville, SC, is especially walkable and inviting. Its vibrant downtown is filled with boutiques, restaurants, and parks, making it a delightful place to explore. This quaint town is also known as Flower Town in the Pines and the Birthplace of Sweet Tea, both reflecting its rich Southern traditions.

Summerville is about 20 miles from Charleston, with the beaches and outer islands just a little farther away.

Explore the Area

Restaurants

You’ll find plenty of dining options, from quick service to fine dining, in Summerville, Nexton, and Charleston.

Adult Beverage Experiences:

Wine: Accent on Wine, accentonwine.com, located at Hutchinson Square
Distillery: Firefly Distillery, fireflydistillery.com (Owned by one of my cousins.)

Brewery: Stones Throw Brewing, stonesthrow.beer

Plantations

Middleton Gardens, middletownplace.org
Magnolia, magnoliaplantation.com
Drayton Hall, draytonhall.org
Boone Hall Plantation, boonehallplantation.com

Events & Festivals

There’s always something happening in Summerville throughout the year! While dates vary, here’s a bird’s-eye view of some of the events to look forward to. Please check websites and posting boards for the latest details.

March:

Annual Summerville Historic Homes & Gardens Tours, www.summervillemuseum.org

April:

Summerville Farmers Market (Every Saturday through October, 8 a.m.–1 p.m. (218 S Main Street)

You’ll find fresh fruits and vegetables, beautiful fresh flowers, homemade meals, arts and crafts, seasoning blends, homemade soaps, and so much more.

The farmers market is especially near and dear to my heart. Several of my cousins came together decades ago to create this wonderful weekly event.

Summerville YMCA Flowertown Festival in Azalea Park, flowertownfestival.com

September:

Sweet Tea Cocktail Contest & Hold My Tea Bar Crawl, https://www.visitsummerville.com/sweet-tea-trail#HoldMyTeaBarCrawl
Sweet Tea Festival, summervilledream.org

October:

Southern Songwriter Festival and Country Music Collective on Hutchinson Square, www.summervillesc.gov
Scarecrows on the Square on Hutchinson Square, www.summervillesc.gov
Summerville Wine & Food Festival, 162 Cherry Street, www.summervillewinefest.com/
Gus Moody Tournament of Bands, www.summervillesc.gov
Salsa in the Park, www.summervillesc.gov
Gift & Gourmet Market at Bethany UMC, www.visitsummerville.com/local-events
Ghostwalk by the Junior Service League of Summerville, jslsummerville.com/

December:

Old Time Summerville Christmas Celebration, www.summervillesc.gov/673/Old-Time-Christmas-Celebration
Christmas on the Square, Hutchinson Square, www.summervillesc.gov
Summerville Christmas Parade, www.summervilledream.org

Performing Arts:

Flowertown Players Theatre, flowertownplayers.org
Summerville Orchestra, summervillesc.gov

Public Art:

http://www.sculptureinthesouth.com/

Summerville is home to numerous outdoor sculptures, with collections in Hutchinson Square, Azalea Park, and other areas around town. Through Sculpture in the South, public art has become part of Summerville’s identity—not hidden away inside galleries, but placed where people live, work, gather, and grow. What began as a commitment to public art has grown into a nationally recognized sculpture initiative, connecting artists, residents, students, and visitors through pieces that live permanently throughout town. These works aren’t temporary attractions; they become part of the landscape.

Public art changes how a place feels. It sparks curiosity. It encourages people to slow down. It gives people something to talk about and makes a town feel thoughtfully designed. For a place like Summerville, where community identity matters deeply, these details shape how people experience “home.” They remind us that culture belongs to everyone—not just ticket holders or gallery visitors, but everyone.

One of my newly discovered favorites is The B.I.R.D.S. of Downtown: A Local Treasure Hunt.

There are more than 20 hidden bronze birds perched in unexpected places, each representing a species native to South Carolina. Finding them means slowing down, looking up, and noticing the little details you might otherwise miss.

It turns a simple stroll into an artistic adventure. If you’re looking for something fun to do with the family this weekend, grab the B.I.R.D.S. sculpture trail brochure (usually available at the Visitor Center) and follow the limerick clues. It’s a delightful way to see downtown through a different lens.

My Recommendations

Best Sunset: Daniel Island

Worth the Drive: The Angel Oak Tree, www.angeloaktree.com
Perfect Rainy Day: Sit on The Front Porch and Take in the Smell of the Rain
Date Night: LaRustica (My favorite Italian restaurant in Summerville.)
Quirky Restaurant & Bar: Poe’s Tavern on Sullivan’s Island

Other sources for events, activities, restaurants, etc.

What’s Up Summerville, www.WhatsUpSummerville.com
Summerville Visitors Center, www.visitsummerville.com/
Summerville Town Site, www.VisitSummerville.com

My wish for you as you spend time at The Farmhouse is that you’ll enjoy it as much as I do and take time to explore Summerville. Enjoy the local events, savor meals at the restaurants, experience the performing arts, and make wonderful memories along the way.