8 Best Things To Do In Sumter, South Carolina

things to do in sumter south carolina
Dianne
Dianne 
Published
| 3 min read

Nestled between beaches and mountains, Sumter, South Carolina boasts the stunning, well kept Swan Lake Iris Gardens, one of their biggest attractions. Along with the beauty of the natural environment, there are many cultural activities to occupy yourself with here, such as the town’s opera house and art gallery. Whatever your preferences, discover the best things to do in Sumter, South Carolina, by reading this list and make the most of your visit.

1. Sumter Gallery of Art

Posted by Sumter County Gallery Of Art on Tuesday, 18 July 2017

If you want to immerse yourself in a bit of culture, make sure you visit the Sumter Art Gallery. Presenting many local artists’ works, it has three galleries downstairs and both permanent and temporary collections. Upstairs, you’ll find no less than seven classrooms, where educational events take place, so keep an eye out what’s on during your time in Sumter. And if you need a souvenir to remind you of your travels, there’s an excellent gift shop on-site.

Sumter Gallery of Art

Address: 200 Hasel St, Sumter, SC 29150-4506

Website: Sumter Gallery of Art

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2. Swan Lake Iris Gardens

Sumter, South Carolina, USA. Canadian Geese swim in swan lake. The Iris Gardens 100414-F-8430J-046
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user U.S. Air Force ph... used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

Be prepared to be amazed by the beautiful black water of Swan Lake and their spectacular iris gardens. It’s the only public park in America that houses all eight swan species, so you’re in for a treat if you manage to see them all! It’s also home to the most intensive collection of Japanese irises, with more than 120 varieties, which bloom yearly in mid to late May and last until the beginning of June, when thousands of visitors descend on the area.

While you’re here, make sure you check out the Butterfly Garden and the Chocolate Garden. The lake is dotted with colorful islands, turtles on bridges and wildlife everywhere.

Swan Lake Iris Gardens

Address: 822 W Liberty St, Sumter, SC 29150-4729

Website: Swan Lake Iris Gardens

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3. Sumter County Museum

Posted by Sumter County Museum on Wednesday, 24 May 2017

If you’re interested in the Civil War and history from this era, make sure you add a visit to the Sumter County Museum to your list. Here, you’ll find the preservation of objects, manuscripts, and documents, which relay the story of this area of South Carolina. The museum also includes the Williams-Brice House (1916), the Heritage Education Center (2003) and the Carolina Backcountry Homestead.

Sumter County Museum

Address: 122 N Washington St, Sumter, SC 29151

Website: Sumter County Museum

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4. Sumter Opera House

Posted by Sumter Opera House on Tuesday, 29 January 2013

The Sumter Opera House is a beautiful, historic building, with a rich past dating back to 1895. A popular venue with excellent acoustics and a proscenium decorated in Art Deco gold-leaf, it’s a great place to see a concert. Check out their events program and if you can, go and see one of their high-class performances while you’re in town.

Accommodating 550 seats, performances are an intimate affair, so you’ll get to enjoy watching a comedy or listening to music, easily. It also happens to be Sumter’s tallest building, with its Gothic towers standing over 100 feet (30.5 meters)!

Sumter Opera House

Address: 21 N Main St, Sumter, SC 29150-4945

Website: Sumter Opera House

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5. The Links at Lakewood

Posted by The Links At Lakewood on Monday, 31 March 2014

The Links at Lakewood is one of the most popular golf courses in the area, which is great news if you want to play a round. Although some aspects of the course can be quite challenging, the design of the course will appeal to players of all levels. With the combination of excellent greens, a water feature, four different sets of tees and strategically placed sand traps to contend with, it’s bound to be a fun day out for any lover of the game.

The Links at Lakewood

Address: 3600 Green View Pkwy, Sumter, SC 29150-7060

Facebook: The Links at Lakewood

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6. Battle of Dingle Mill Marker

Posted by Joe Dawson II on Tuesday, 20 December 2016

If you’re keen on learning more about the Civil War and its history, then stop off at the Battle of Dingle Mill Marker. Although the war had ended, it was where one of the last battles took place. After the treaty had been signed, poor communication meant that they hadn’t been told, in time. In honor of the significance of the area and all who fought here, there are markers and information alongside the unmarked graves on the battlefield.

Battle of Dingle Mill Marker

Address: Manning Road, Sumter, SC

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7. Second Mill Pond

Beautiful sunset ... thank you God 󾍛

Posted by Keli Hill Walker on Monday, 16 March 2015

Just a couple of miles outside South Sumter, you’ll find the Second Mill Pond, home to a variety of fish, including bream, bluegill, crappie and largemouth bass. This is an ideal spot to while away a few hours, fishing in the tranquility of nature and wildlife. If you’re planning a visit, then refer to their website for the Fishing Times Chart, to determine when the fish will be most active.

Second Mill Pond

Address: 1046 W Liberty St Sumter, SC 29151

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8. Sumter Speedway

Posted by Sumter Speedway on Tuesday, 24 May 2016

Being over 50 years old, the Sumter Speedway is one of the oldest tracks in South Carolina and is a great opportunity for an evening out, during your travels. Every Saturday, from March to September, you’ll get the chance to feel the thrill of the cars roaring around the track. Seats can be purchased for either the bleachers or a pit pass and at an affordable price, there’ll be plenty of fun to be had.

Sumter Speedway

Address: 3150 Wedgefield Hwy Sumter, South Carolina 29154

Website: Sumter Speedway

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Have some fun times in Sumter

If you’re planning a day out or just a few days getaway and you’re wanting to explore Sumter, you’ll find plenty to fill up your days. Try your hand at fishing or golf, visit the museum or opera house and take in the peaceful atmosphere of the surrounding countryside and lakeside views.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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