Sumter, SC Road Trips

From the world famous Swan Lake Iris Garden to the historic Sumter Opera House, Sumter boasts of unique sights and a colorful lifestyle. A rather perfect blend of antebellum era and 21st century, you'll find plantation-style homes juxtaposed with entities like Shaw Air Force Base. Sports and cultural events are also a draw, and the city's location within a couple of hours from the mountains and sea, makes its motto "In the Middle of Everything” fairly correct.

1 Swan Lake Iris Gardens, 822 W Liberty St, ☏ +1 803 436-2640. Daily 7:30AM-8:30PM. In this unlikely example of an aberration gone aright, this natural spectacle arose after a local entrepreneur dumped all of his Japanese irises from his failed garden into this pond in 1927, only to become the city's star attraction. Here you can amble along cypress-tree canopied boardwalks, or feed swans and admire the irises of course. (updated Sep 2021) 2 Sumter County Museum, 122 N Washington St, ☏ +1 803 775-0908. Th-Sa 10AM-5PM. Historical exhibits on the area displayed in an Edwardian-style building, with a little log cabin and some reenactments out back. (updated Sep 2021)

1 Sumter Opera House, 21 N Main St, ☏ +1 803 436-2616. Performing arts available in this opulent building. (updated Sep 2021) 2 Palmetto Tennis Center, 400 Theatre Dr, ☏ +1 803 774-3969. A pretty serious tennis complex, next to the Univ of South Carolina Sumter Campus. (updated Sep 2021)

1 Sylvia Jo's, 541 E Liberty St, ☏ +1 803 775-9809. M-F 7AM-2PM. The neighborhood may not be exactly enchanting, but this restaurant features homestyle cooking, with appetizing items like strawberry shortcake and hot breakfasts and a lunch buffet. (updated Sep 2021) 2 The Restaurant at Second Mill Bar and Lounge, 2390 Broad St, ☏ +1 803 774 0270. (updated Sep 2024)

1 Hampton Inn, 1370 Broad Street, ☏ +1 803-469-2222. 2 Super 8 by Wyndham Sumter, 1050 Broad St, ☏ +1 803 757-4513. Pool and typical Super 8 look. (updated Sep 2021)