Sumter Tourism

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Welcome to Sumter--South Carolina at its beautiful best!  From the world famous Swan Lake Iris Gardens to the historic Sumter Opera House, you'll find a host of unique sights and sounds right here "In the Middle of Everything."  Only 90 minutes from the beaches and three hours from the mountains, Sumter is nestled in the center of it all. 

Tourism is associated with the mountains or beaches but in Sumter, South Carolina it is Swan Lake Iris Gardens. Swan Lake Iris Garden has more than 150 Acres beautifully landscaped and is the only public gardens with all 8 known species of Swan.  The gardens from mid-May through June illuminate in beautiful color with more than 120 variety of iris.  While walking the board walk through the tall breath taking cypress and over the black waters it is hard to believe this tourist destination with about 15,000 visitors per week during the tourism season is nestled in the heart of the City.  Swan Lake Iris Gardens in Sumter, South Carolina is where you can enjoy Sumter’s peaceful beauty.

For departmental information, or to obtain a comprehensive Sumter Visitor's Guide, please give us a call at 1-800-688-4748, (803) 436-2640 or send us an e-mail at tourism@sumter-sc.com.

Swan Lake Visitors Center
Swan Lake - Iris Gardens
822 W. Liberty Street
PO Box 1449
Sumter, SC 29150
tel 803-436-2640 / 1-800-688-4748
fax 803-436-2652
tourism@sumter-sc.com

MEET THE STAFF

MEET THE PARK PATROL

SUMTER CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

Sumter County Welcome Center Located on I-95

Welcome to South Carolina's "Gamecock City"! Two hours from the beach, three hours from the mountains, and an easy day trip from some of the South's major metropolitan centers, we are truly "in the middle of everything." Enjoy exploring this unique community that combines the charm of the antebellum era with the exciting advances of the 21st century--from Civil War battlegrounds that recollect the past, to international industrial parks where technological advances are changing the way we live today. With important military and industrial advances taking place in a community where neighbors spend evenings on shaded front porches and the iced tea is served sweet, Sumter proudly reflects our heritage, while racing fearlessly toward the future.

Sumter County Welcome Center Located on I-95

From the bright yellow gingko and burgundy dogwood leaves of autumn to the rich purples of Swan Lake's late-blooming Japanese iris, Sumter offers a cornucopia of visual delights. Mild winters mean that we rarely have the hassle of ice and snow, and our four distinct seasons provide a perfect atmosphere for a variety of outdoor activities.

The Sumter Convention & Visitors Bureau's mission is to identify and evaluate all sources of present and future tourism, and to make every effort to encourage, promote, advertise and foster the growth of tourism throughout the private and public sectors. Golf, outdoor activities, historical sites and attractions, cultural events and many other exciting opportunities await visitors to Sumter, where our "delightful stays and Southern ways" attract travelers from all over the United States and Canada.