We were told that an average of over a half million visitors visit Sumter
each year. Tourism is one of the primary industries in Sumter County and
they are certainly set up to make your visit enjoyable.
Sumter's Swan Lake Visitors Center is open Monday through Friday
from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. For more information please feel free to call
1-800-688-4748 or e-mail the Visitor Information Coordinator, Dianne
Vermeland, at
tourism@sumter-sc.com. They have a lot of printed
material about Sumter, its history and attractions of interest to visitors.
Briefly, we have found the following of most interest. Tastes vary
and you may find other points of interest you would prefer.
Dillon Park
— Located at
1210 Clara Louise Kellogg Dr, this is primarily a recreational facility. In
addition to the usual children's play equipment, a variety of sports
facilities and some bicycling trails, the park has a very attractive wooded
area with excellent walking paths. There are also some picnic tables and
restrooms so this is an excellent place to get out of the car, relax, and
try out some different muscles.
Genealogical Society
— Located
at 219 W Liberty St in upper floor of the historic Carnegie Library, the
facility is usually open from 10a to 1p and 2p to 5p Tuesday through
Saturday. For more information, phone 803-774-3901.
The building was built in 1917 with one of many Carnegie grants to
build libraries across the United States. It did function as a public
library until 1968 when the library was moved into larger facilities.
Patriot Hall
— A fairly new (ca 1986)
auditorium and concert hall, the building is a virtual art gallery.
Intricately carved moldings with well maintained polished railings, the
auditorium is set off with exquisite chandeliers. Not only is the auditorium
a work of art in itself, we are told that the acoustics are 'state of the
art'. Located at 135 Haynsworth Street. It is possible to tour the facility
but we recommend you telephone first: 803-436-2260.
Sumter County Exhibition Center
— Not exactly a tourist attraction in itself but the frequent, varied events
may be enticing. Located at 700 W Liberty Street (just a few blocks from the
Carnegie Library building). For information on upcoming events, phone
803-436-2640.
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Sumter County Museum
— The
museum is actually a complex consisting of 14 buildings on Washington and
Liberty Streets. These include the Williams-Brice House, the Old Carnegie
Public Library (see write-up on the
Genealogical Society),
and the Carolina Backcountry Homestead.
Hours are 10a to 5p Tuesday through Saturday except legal holidays.
There is a small admission charge. For more information, phone 803-775-0908.
Swan Lake Iris Gardens
—
Forty-five acres of Japanese Iris create this exotic setting of multicolored
water lilies in a tranquil black water lake studded swans: from the noisy
Whooper and Trumpeter Swans, the more sedate Black Australian Swans, to the
quiet Royal White Mute Swans.
The site is an old cypress swamp and is marked by the wonderful
bald cypress trees planted and growing natural. Shot Pouch Creek flows into
the ponds and out into Green Swamp.
Self-guiding tours on easy-to-negotiate walks throughout the
gardens make the unique setting very easy to enjoy. Open from 7:30a until
dusk. FREE. The visitors' center hours are 8:30a to 5p Monday through Friday
except legal holidays. Located at Liberty St. & Alice Dr. in Sumter on the
west side of Sumter.
For more information, phone 803-436-2652 or (toll free)
800-688-4748.
Sumter Opera House
— Considered
the 'crown jewel' of Sumter, this imposing building is also Sumter's City
Hall. The facility functions well beyond operas and balets. Currently, each
Friday night, the 'House of Comedy' provides a great opportunity to forget
the day's pains and laugh it all away.
Once a month the County Library presents a classic film (complete
with a prelude of cartoons to bring back memories of the old days and movie
theaters).
Located at 21 N Main Street, corner of Liberty, the old building
stands tall like a European castle. You can't miss it. For more information,
phone 803-436-2640 or (toll free) 888-688-4748.
Airline Access —
Sumter is served by the Columbia Metropolitan Airport in Cayce which is just
south of West Columbia, both across the river from Columbia. This is about
84 miles southeast of Abbeville. For
on-line flight ticketing,
»
click here «
For car rentals,
»
click here «
Finding
and reserving a hotel room with the amenities and at a price that best suits you
is very easy here on Hotels-near-Airports.com. Using the
maps, or the text directories, let your mouse quickly provide you with a
very useful selection of possibilities. We can show you hotels near the
Columbia airport or hotels offering
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Sumter. |
