Charleston FYI

Menu

Summerville

Summerville

Summerville Bed and Breakfasts

4 Charming And Cozy Summerville Bed And Breakfast For Any Staycation Or Vacation

Featured Image: FB/Flowertown Bed and Breakfast

The Lowcountry is full of southern charm and rich history and Summerville, SC is no exception. Those that live here know how much character is in this charming historic town and those that don’t, well, it’s time to book your stay and explore the town that is credit as the “Birthplace of Sweet Tea”. And, while Charleston might be known for its grand hotels, Summerville is known for its welcoming, small-town bed and breakfasts.

Book your stay at one of these bed and breakfasts and explore the wonder that is Summerville.

Flowertown Bed and Breakfast

A three-story Victorian home turned bed and breakfast, Flowertown is the perfect stay to get the full Summerville experience. With French and Victorian-style designs, this elegant inn will make you feel right at home with fireplaces in your rooms, two Southern porches, landscaped gardens, and a great room where you can start your day off with a gourmet breakfast each morning.

Caroline’s Bed and Breakfast

This charming and cozy inn sits in the heart of Summerville, prioritizing an experience for every visitor that will show them true Southern hospitality. The owners, Carol and Jerry, hope that everyone who stays at this quaint bed and breakfast will come as a guest and leave a friend while resting in a luxurious and relaxing environment.

The Pink Dolphin 

Built in 1881, this historic house was turned into a bed and breakfast in 2003. Just two blocks from downtown Summerville, the Pink Dolphin is a stay you will not forget. With coffee and tea service to your room before breakfast, you will get to know everyone at the inn, even joining them for breakfast in the kitchen so you can get to know the people serving you during your stay!

Bed and Breakfast of Summerville

Bed and Breakfast of Summerville sits in the Historic District with moss-draped streets, lush outdoor parks, and restaurants to satisfy any craving. At this country-style furnished Guest House, you’ll enjoy a continental breakfast, a peaceful porch under a giant oak tree, a stocked fridge and all of the Southern charm you could hope for.

 

Featured

Dorchester Residents Get Second Chance To Bring New Parks And Libraries To The Area

A group of local residents are asking for Dorchester residents to “Vote Yes” to Dorchester County Parks + Libraries.

The group, led by a few friends from the Summerville area, is hoping Dorchester County residents will turn out to the polls on November 5 and approve funding for new parks and libraries.

Back in 2016, residents voted in favor of a referendum to build new parks and libraries in Dorchester County. However, it was thrown out by the South Carolina Supreme Court, stating it was illegal for both the parks and libraries to be one combined referendum.

Instead, the court said voters should have the ability to approve one without the other.

Now, three years later, residents will have the chance to vote on two separate referendums and once again approve funding for new parks and libraries.

So, what exactly are the two referendums?

Parks

According to the “Vote Yes” website, the parks “preserve more green space, stops more development and creates recreation facilities” for residents to enjoy.

If approved, the parks referendum will preserve open space, create a trail system, control flooding, and protect the Ashley River. Additionally, it will build and improve the Davis-Bailey Park in St. George and the Ashley River and Pine Track Parks in Summerville.

Among those developments and improvements of the park include baseball fields, playgrounds, adult fitness facilities, ponds, paved walking trails, and more.

Libraries

If approved, the libraries referendum will include the design and construction of new library facilities in the Summerville, North Charleston, and Ridgeville areas.

The library network will include study areas, public meeting rooms, family-friendly zones, and provide opportunities for early literacy, test preparation, and workforce development.

Voting is less than a month away, what are your thoughts on the new referendums?

Featured

An Afternoon in Summerville

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.

Featured

Summerville Town Council Candidate Terry Jenkins Says He’s ‘Fed Up’ With Political Games

It’s Fall, y’all — which, for better or worse, means it is officially campaign season for politicians and would-be elected officials.

And while our radios, televisions, and our streaming devices will almost certainly be inundated with political content and advertisements over the weeks ahead, it appears atleast one local candidate will be focusing on traditional methods by hitting the streets (literally) with good old-fashioned yard signs.

Terry Jenkins, Summerville native and former Town Council member, has evidently had it with the political games — and it looks like he will no longer be sitting on the sidelines this election season. In fact, over the weekend, Summerville residents noticed the following signs popping up all around the area…

A quick Terry Jenkins search will bring you to his campaign website, where the following snippet stood out…

“I’m running for Summerville Town Council because I’m completely fed up with what I’m seeing from our “leaders.” They have way more interest in playing politics than getting things done for our town.

Summerville is amazing. Everyone wants to be here. But that’s causing a lot of problems. More people are coming whether we like it or not and the politicians are not preparing our town for growth. That’s why you’re sitting in traffic for hours every week.

Let’s stop the political games being played and work harder to fix the problems being created by astronomical growth.”

Jenkin’s hopes to show he is a candidate with a plan to help manage the Lowcountry’s exploding population and to tackle the task of fixing our roads.

Take a look at the website yourself and let us know what you think.

Events

The 8th Annual Summerville Sweet Tea Festival

Featured Image: Post and Courier

For the 8th year in a row, the Sweet Tea Festival will be hitting the streets of downtown Summerville on Saturday, September 21. Just 8 years ago, a small event held on the lawn of Hutchinson Square has grown into a premier event in the Lowcountry.

Wearing the title of The Birthplace of Sweet Tea, Summerville’s iconic downtown is the perfect setting for the festival. Already known for its hospitable, charming nature, Summerville takes great pride as the birthplace of the iconic Southern beverage. The Sweet Tea Trail winds through the town and gives visitors a personal experience learning about the history of the town and its ties to sweet tea.

Summerville’s sweet tea history begins in the 1700s when tea plants were imported into the area from China. It wasn’t until 1888 when Dr. Charles Sheperd created the Pinehurst Tea Plantation in Summerville which became the first prosperous tea plantation to produce American grown tea. Long after the death of Dr. Sheperd in 1915, these plants were transported to Wadmalaw Island in 1963 and became the original tea plants at the Charleston Tea Plantation which continues to be in full operation to this day.

The event is in the same location as when it was first held in Hutchinson Square, on West Richardson, and on Short Central. Mugs will be sold at the event so visitors can try all of the teas and then cast their vote in the tea tasting contest for the People’s Choice for Best Sweet Tea. Come out and enjoy historic Downtown Summerville with some sweet tea and live music!

News

Summerville Residents Receive Invitation In Mail From State Senator Sean Bennett

If you’re a resident in the Summerville area you might’ve received an invite in the mail from your State Senator to attend informal discussions at local coffeehouses and breweries in the area.

State Senator Sean Bennett is behind the mailer “Beer or Coffee?” and hopes by inviting residents to attend these casual discussions he can open up the conversation with his constituents and discuss the issues that matter most to them.

The informal, dialogue-driven “town halls” will be held at casual settings across the Summerville and North Charleston areas. In the mailer, Sen. Bennett promises there is no hidden agenda- he simply wants to know what matters and what he can do to help.

Bennett plans to continue hosting monthly meet-ups during the legislative session, but currently, there are four opportunities to attend a “Pub Politics” or “Coffeehouse Caucus” this year.

You can find the event info below…. And maybe in your mailbox, too

Eat & Drink

Summerville eat and drink

9 Must-Try Places To Eat And Drink In Summerville

Featured Image Source: Pinterest

Just over 25 miles from the Holy City sits historic Summerville. And while Summerville is known as “The Birthplace of Sweet Tea” there are many reasons to visit this charming Charleston suburb. Besides the sugary sweet tea and rich history, the town of Summerville offers some great spots to grab drinks and a bite to eat at.

We know exploring a new area can be a bit daunting so we’re choosing our favorites for you to try.

Icehouse

A true local favorite, Icehouse always finds itself topping any of the “best restaurants in Summerville” lists. Whether you’re in the mood for a delicious filet mignon or just some wine and pimento cheese, you can find it at Icehouse. They never disappoint and seriously, their pimento cheese is a MUST.

Homegrown Brewhouse

With over 40 local beers on tap, this is your one-stop-shop for South Carolina beer. Their ultimate goal is to have every beer made in South Carolina at their brewhouse. So whether you want to sample some of the locally brewed beer or have a favorite you just can’t get enough of, Homegrown Brewhouse is your spot.

Accent On Wine

With two locations, one in Park Circle and the other on Main Street in Summerville, Accent on Wine offers a wide selection of reds and whites for you to choose from. Visit on Thursday’s when they introduce two new wines if you’re in the mood to try something new.  Not a wine drinker? No worries – they also have a beer selection and savory and sweet bites.

Coastal Coffee Roasters

Next time you’re in the mood for a cup of joe skip the Starbucks line and head here. Since 2010, Coastal Coffee Roasters has been using a unique roasting process to brew some of the best fresh, organic coffee in the Lowcountry. Every batch of coffee is roasted as they need it, which means you can bet your coffee is definitely fresh.

Oak Road Brewery

Summerville’s first brewery, Oak Road, specializes in small-batch, German beers. And while we love the beer, we love the atmosphere even more. At Oak Road Brewery you’re always hanging out with friends, drinking great beer, with a smile on your face.

Taco Boy

A visit to Taco Boy is a sneak peek at what it’s like to visit Mexico. Filled with a ton of fun details and delicious Mexican food (and drinks), Taco Boy never disappoints. Us locals love it so much, we now have three locations to choose from – Summerville, Downtown, or the original, Folly Beach.

Hall’s Chophouse

The long-awaited grand opening of Hall’s Chophouse in Summerville has finally happened. A favorite steakhouse amongst Charlestonians and visitors, Hall’s Chophouse is the go-to spot for high-end steaks, mouthwatering family sides, and a delicious handcrafted cocktail. Hall’s expanded to their fourth location in the Nexton development in September.

Pad Thai I

Don’t trust us? Just take one look at the reviews. Pad Thai I is the best Thai food in the area. And if you don’t feel like dining out, Pad Thai I offers takeout so you can enjoy classic Thai dishes at home. It is a cornerstone in the Summerville community and you won’t be disappointed.

Swig and Swine

Swig and Swine is a barbecue lover’s destination. Choose from any of the all-wood smoked meat options including pulled pork, beef briscuit, smoke turkey or smoked pork belly and grab a Southern side to enjoy with it. While you’re grabbing a bite to eat, sip (or should we say swig) on one of the 60 craft beers they have.

Try one or try them all. Then let us know what your favorite is.

Featured

Hall's Chophouse Summerville

Hall’s Chophouse Officially Opens Fourth Location In Summerville

Featured Image: Hall’s Chophouse

If you ask any Charleston local (or visitor) what their favorite steakhouse is, odds are they’ll say Hall’s Chophouse. With high-end steaks, handcrafted cocktails, and family sides to drool over, we can’t help but agree.

Obviously doing something right in the kitchen, the family-owned restaurant now has four locations, including Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, and as of today, Summerville. The new location opened Wednesday, September 18 at 4 p.m. in the Nexton development and is a whopping 6,800 square feet.

The local favorite is one of many favorited Charleston restaurants to expand to the Nexton development.

Earlier in the year, Taco Boy, opened in the area making it the restaurant’s third location. Other locations include Huger Street downtown and Center Street on Folly Beach.

Soon to follow with their grand opening is Paige’s Okra Grill of Mount Pleasant and Poogan’s Hospitality.

Poogan’s, known for Poogan’s Porch and Poogan’s Smokehouse in the Holy City, will welcome their third location, dubbed Poogan’s Southern Kitchen, to the Nexton development in early 2020 along with Paige’s Okra Grill. And, while you can’t make a reservation to either until 2020, reservations can be made for Hall’s Chophouse Summerville now!