Summerville

Summerville, South Carolina (known as "The Flower Town in the Pines") is located only 24 miles from Charleston, and is well worth the trip to see Summerville's quaint Southern charm and over 700 homes and buildings that are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. In early Spring there are millions of blossoms, particularly azaleas, in private and public gardens. There is an annual Flowertown Festival in Azalea Park. Azalea Park is also the location for Sculpture in the South, Taste of the Town, etc. and is 12 acres of paths, fountains, sculptures, tennis courts, etc. For July 4 there is a Red, White & Blue on the Green at the Town Square with a parade of decorated bikes, baby carriages, little red wagons, etc. together with music, food, and fun. Summerville is also the location of The Woodlands Inn which has been named by Charleston as the 2009 Restaurant of the Year. and is one of the most award-winning hotel and restaurants in the United States. The property for this restored and refurbished plantation home (now a luxury hotel with a splendid dining room) was originally bought by railroad baron Robert W. Parsons in 1906, and was later owned by several people including Alan White, an international chess expert and botanist. Joe Whitmore, a later owner, had 18 months of restoration and reconstruction performed as well as the decor accomplished by a New York interior designer.