Featured Image: Middleton Place
In the heart of the Lowcountry, Summerville, South Carolina offers the quaintness of a small southern town while still featuring plenty of fun activities and sights to see. Located right down the road from Charleston, it’s easy to take a trip up to Summerville and spend an afternoon in “Flowertown.”
Before you decide how to spend your afternoon in Summerville, also known as the Birthplace of Sweet Tea, it’s important to know that a whole day could be spent on the Sweet Tea Trail! Experience some of the greatest cups of this classic southern drink as you wander through Summerville and explore its history. If you don’t want to spend the whole day on the Sweet Tea Trail, you can always feel free to sprinkle parts of this trail into your afternoon in Summerville as you go!
Start your afternoon in Summerville off strong with lunch at Swig & Swine off Old Trolley Road. This local chain has received national recognition for its perfect execution of smoked meats. From brisket to macaroni and cheese, this southern soul food will keep the hunger away so you can spend the rest of the afternoon exploring.
After lunch, it’s time for some sightseeing. With so many historical sights in Summerville, it’s hard to choose just one to visit. While you can visit Colonial Dorchester, Drayton Hall or the Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, we recommend stopping by Middleton Place for a peaceful walk through the oldest landscaped gardens in America.
Next, we head to another historical sight: downtown Summerville. Not only is the scenic downtown a beautiful place to stroll through, but it also has some of the best places to shop as well. With DIY woodshops, wine stores and clothing boutiques, downtown Summerville has options to entertain everyone, including a farmer’s market with fresh, local produce and live music every Saturday.
As the day cools off, it’s time to move to nature. Your next stop could include kayaking the Edisto River or simply birdwatching at one of the many nature hotspots that Summerville offers. The Jessen Boat Landing on the Ashley River is another great place to visit, offering walking trails and a fishing pier to spend some time on until your day is coming to a close.
Finish your afternoon with dinner at the best of Summerville, Oscar’s. Oscar’s has been serving up locals for over 35 years with a sure-fire menu full of southern classics. Whether you’re craving fresh-caught seafood or a fancy twist on your side of grits, this upscale casual restaurant is the perfect way to end your afternoon in Summerville.