Just Like Home for the Holidays

November 24, 2022

Experience Summerville's Southern Ho-Ho-Hospitality

Making you feel right at home is exactly what Summerville's hosts do best because they understand that where you stay is just as important as where you go. After a stay in our sweet town, you'll find that "Southern hospitality" and "Summerville" are nearly synonymous.

As the saying goes, "There are no strangers, just friends we haven't met yet."

Enjoy the charm of Summerville’s downtown, fine dining, and shopping while being only minutes away from Charleston. You can do it all from Summerville — the center of your Lowcountry experience through the holidays. And once you're done adventuring for the day, Summerville will give you something wonderful to come home to.

Plan your trip!

WHERE TO STAY

Bed & Breakfast s & Inns

Looking for a cozy spot to nest for a spell? A Bed & Breakfast is the answer. Live like a local while you enjoy the hospitality of your gracious hosts, take in the charm of a sprawling porch or beautiful garden, and rest peacefully on the comfy bed made up just for you. Many of the inns and bed & breakfasts are within walking distance to Downtown Summerville.

Bed & Breakfasts

Hotels

If the familiarity of a hotel is your preference, Summerville offers several options. With many located close to the interstate, you can lay your head down for the night and then get up and go wherever your itinerary leads you. Some of these hotels are pet-friendly, many offering breakfast and pools - and all providing a warm welcome and helpful assistance from the front desk.

Hotels

SEE & DO

Whether you're looking to get away for a quiet holiday with your family or seeking out a busy day trip full of festive cheer, Summerville's magical setting is sure to fill you with the Christmas Spirit.

Make your season bright by attending a local event:
Summerville’s Tree Lighting Ceremony and Live Windows Display, The Holiday Market and the Summerville Christmas Parade are just a few events coming up.

Get more information and details here:

Local Events

Shop Historic Downtown
With decorated window displays and decor wherever you look, historic downtown of Summerville looks like it belongs in a Hallmark movie, with the locals just as sweet. Shop, sip and eat to your heart's content - there's something for everyone!

Hint: Check out Hutchinson Square in the evening and get photos at the light displays! Be sure to tag us #visitsummerville so we can follow along!

Arts and Performing Arts

Peruse the galleries of the Public Works Art Center, catch a performance with The Flowertown Players or the Summerville Orchestra, or plan a stroll through our parks to admire the sculptures installed by Sculpture in the South.

Historic Sites

History buffs and garden lovers can enjoy all that the Summerville and Charleston area has to offer. The Sue Sanders Memorial Historic Homes & Flowers Walking Tour is a great way to explore Summerville’s historic homes. The oldest home on the tour is the Gelzer Brothers House, c. 1819.

Middleton Place, located on the Ashley River is just 8 miles from downtown Summerville; you can take a stroll along 65 acres of garden paths that are more than a quarter millennium old.

Stop by Colonial Dorchester State Park where you can take a peek into the early history of life in colonial South Carolina. The Bell Tower is a great place for photos!

Museums and Libraries

A quiet respite, the libraries and museums are wonderful places to take in local history. The Timrod Library is located in historic downtown Summerville, and is one of only

two membership libraries still in existence in South Carolina. The Summerville Dorchester Museum features displays upstairs, downstairs and a tour of the small courtyard, including the Saul Alexander garden.

Day Trips

These day trips are perfect for the person who doesn’t want to travel far from “home” base. The Charleston Tea Garden is the place to go if you like history and tea. Nature lovers and children love The Francis Biedler Forest.

Antiquing

Summerville has no shortage of antique and vintage treasures just waiting to be discovered. Pick up a unique gift or take home a trinket to remember your trip!

Outdoor Recreation

With temperate weather year-round, you can find plenty to do outside.
Bird watching, golf, nature trails, the Edisto and Ashley Rivers, parks, and local walking tours all offer the outdoors person an adventure to remember.

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As September brings cooler weather and a shift in seasonal activities, Summerville, South Carolina, offers the perfect blend of events and outdoor adventures. Whether you're a local or planning a trip, here are ten things you can enjoy this month in Summerville. 1. Sweet Tea Festival No September visit to Summerville is complete without attending the Sweet Tea Festival , held annually in the downtown district. Known as the Birthplace of Sweet Tea , Summerville celebrates with sweet tea tastings, live music, and local vendors. This is a must-attend for both residents and visitors alike. 2. Explore the Historic Downtown With the temperatures beginning to drop, take a leisurely stroll through Summerville's historic downtown. Browse through quaint boutiques, antique stores , and local art center . The Summerville Farmers Market is also in full swing every Saturday morning, offering fresh local produce and handmade goods. 3. Visit Azalea Park Azalea Park is a year-round gem, but September is one of the best times to visit as the temperatures become more pleasant. With its walking paths, ponds, and sculptures , it’s an ideal spot for a quiet afternoon. Don’t forget to check out the sculptures that dot the park, offering a mix of art and nature in one peaceful setting.

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When the forecast calls for inclement weather in Summerville, it's the perfect excuse to explore the town's hidden indoor gems. From hands-on crafts to entertaining theater performances, there's something for everyone to enjoy – rain or shine. Get Your Hands Busy Pepper Jack Pottery Studio: A great rainy day activity! Create your very one one-of-a-kind piece of art at Pepper Jack Pottery Studio. This local favorite offers walk-in pottery painting for all skill levels and ages. They also offer classes and camps, so be sure to check those out, too! https://www.pepperjackpottery.com Nailed It DIY Studio: Get hands-on at Nailed It DIY Studio. Located on Hutchinson Square, make an afternoon of crafting with your friends. Book your studio time and choose your project- they have everything you need to create something beautiful for you home. Simple Treasures, a beloved sweets shop, has recently joined this space, moving from their spot on Central Ave, so get some gourmet popcorn or homemade ice cream while you’re here! https://summerville.naileditdiy.com People Places and Quilts: Celebrating the beginning of their 35th year this May, People Places and Quilts is a Summerville staple. They have also been recognized as one of the nation’s top ten quilt shops. Browse their extensive fabric collection (including sweet tea fabrics!), take home a quilt kit, get inspiration for your next project, or chat with their knowledgeable staff. https://peopleplacesquilts.com

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Sweet tea is more than just a refreshing beverage - it's a symbol of Southern hospitality and tradition. For many years, this iconic drink has been a staple of Southern cuisine, and nowhere is its history more celebrated than in Summerville, South Carolina, the Birthplace of Sweet Tea. The History of Tea Tea has a rich history in America, with its roots dating back to the late 1700s when French explorer and botanist Andre Michaux first planted tea at Middleton Place Plantation, which is in modern-day Summerville. Beginning in 1880, despite two failed attempts to grow tea in South Carolina, the federal government became interested in this new tea experiment. It established an experimental tea farm at the former Newington Plantation, leasing 200 acres from Henry Middleton. In 1888, Dr. Charles Shepard, a philanthropist and professor at the Medical College of SC acquired 600 acres of the Newington Plantation property. He established the Pinehurst Tea Plantation using plants from the government’s farm. He cultivated about 100 acres, built a factory, and began to sell his tea commercially, becoming the first successful commercial tea farm operation in the United States. After Dr. Shepard's passing in 1915, his plantation became deserted and remained so for over four decades until the Lipton Company purchased it in 1960. They salvaged the remaining plants from Pinehurst and utilized them to open a research facility spanning 127 acres on Wadmalaw Island. In 1987, an expert third-generation tea taster trained in London named William B. Hall, purchased the tea farm to establish what is now the Charleston Tea Garden. In 2003, Bigelow Tea Co. purchased the farm and partnered with Hall. The tea from the Charleston Tea Garden, all derivatives of Dr. Shepard's Camellia sinensis, is still growing there today and has earned the honor of the Official White House Tea and the Official Hospitality Beverage of South Carolina. You can also see specimens of the tea plants from the Pinehurst Tea Gardens in the garden of the Summerville Museum .

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July 1, 2023

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