Things to Do in Summerville, SC

Whether you’re looking for something to do or are simply trying to learn more about the area, you’ll find below 7 of the top things to do in Summerville, SC.

1)  Shopping:  Some of the best shopping will be at Azalea Square, which is just off Highway 17 (also called North Main Street).  This outdoor shopping center is like Summerville’s version of the Towne Centre in Mt. Pleasant.  For shops, you’ll find everything from Dick’s Sporting Goods to Ross and TJ Maxx, Petsmart, World Market, Pier 1 Imports, and more.  If you’re hungry, you can get a burrito at Moe’s Southwest Grill, a sandwich at McAlister’s Deli, a burger at O’Charley’s, or a steak at Logan’s Road House.  If there is still room after that, you can stop by Marble Slab Creamery for an ice cream – all in Azalea Square shopping center.

2)  Visit downtown Summerville:  Summerville has a very charming downtown area with stores and restaurants.  This section has a very different feel than the Azalea Square shopping center which is brand new (and quite large).  The downtown section of Summerville has more locally owned shops and restaurants.  You can even go “antiquing” (looking at antique stores) in downtown Summerville.

3)  Go see a movie:  The Regal Movie Theater at Azalea Square has 16 individual stadium theaters, so you’ll find a good mix of movies showing throughout the day or night.

4)  Summerville Farmers Market:  This farmers market is only open from early spring to late fall.  It is up and running every Saturday morning, though.  You can get fresh local produce, baked goods, flowers, and other specialty items.  It’s located on West Doty between Main Street and Cedar Street.

5)  Spend time outdoors:  Charleston has one of the best county park systems in South Carolina.  The two closest options to Summerville are the Caw Caw Center and Wannamaker.  It’s about a 30 to 40 minute drive to the Caw Caw Nature and History Interpretive Center in Ravenel.  This nature center used to be home to rice plantations, but it’s now part of the Charleston County Park system and is open to the public.  There are more than 6 miles of walking trails, including elevated boardwalks.  You can see wildlife, visit 18th century rice fields, or go canoeing.  And, if you don’t want to drive all the way out to Caw Caw, you can go just 10 minutes to the North Charleston Wannamaker County Park, which has 2 playgrounds, intramural fields, a dog park, picnic sites, and over a thousand acres of preserved woodlands and wetlands.  Admission to both parks is one dollar per person, so these options are about the least expensive entertainment you’ll find. 

6)  Flowertown Festival:  Every year in April, Summerville hosts the Flowertown Festival.  This is the largest arts and crafts festival in the state.  The festival gets its name from the numerous azaleas downtown, which are always in full bloom during the weekend of the festival.

7)  Francis Beidler Forest:  This is owned by the National Audubon Society and was established to preserve an old growth swamp forest.  You’ll find Bald cypress trees that are about a thousand years old!  There are lots of hiking trails as well and guided canoe tours.  The park is more than 15,000 acres, and it’s about a 30 minute drive from Summerville.