Swan Lake Iris Gardens, Sumter: Hours, Address, Swan Lake Iris Gardens Reviews: 4.5/5
Swan Lake Iris Gardens
Swan Lake Iris Gardens
4.5
7:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
7:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
7:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
7:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
7:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
7:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
7:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
7:30 AM - 7:00 PM
About
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
117 within 3 miles
Pizza Hut
2
0.2 mi
Captain D's
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0.7 miAmerican • Seafood
Guignard Diner
18
0.7 mi$ • American • Diner
Restaurant at Second Mill
2
0.8 mi
Papa Johns Pizza
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0.7 mi
Ginza Japanese Grill
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0.9 mi$$ - $$$
Hardee's
7
0.8 mi$ • American
China Chef
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0.9 miChinese
Liberty Seafood
7
0.9 miSeafood
Johnny's Garden juice bar
19
1.1 mi$ • Dessert • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Attractions
12 within 6 miles
Sumter Farmers Market
1
0.9 miFarmers Markets
Sumter Gallery of Art
16
1.2 miArt Museums
Patriot Hall
3
1.1 miConvention Centers
Sumter Little Theatre
3
1.1 miTheaters
Sumter County Museum
19
1.5 miSpeciality Museums
Sumter Opera House
22
1.7 miTheaters
Palmetto Park
12
1.5 miPlaygrounds
Temple Sinai Jewish History Center
3
1.4 miReligious Sites
Battle of Dingle's Mill Historical Site
16
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Patriot Park Sportsplex
2
Sports Complexes • Jogging Paths & Tracks
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
354 reviews
Excellent
270
Very good
66
Average
13
Poor
1
Terrible
4
Suz C
Concord, NC52 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
A hidden treasure when you take the backroads to Charleston from Charlotte. It is absolutely stunning park to have a picnic or get out and stretch your legs. The irises blooming in June are beautiful. The swans are magical on the brackish water from the beautiful cedar trees. Make sure you cross over the bridge to the other side if time allows.
Written June 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Jane C
2 contributions
Dec 2020 • Couples
From my house it’s an hour & a half drive to Sumter but we don’t mind. Swan Lake never disappoints. Especially at the holidays with the light displays. Fun and imaginative. Takes about 10 minutes to round the whole thing. But don’t be fooled, the beginning routes you through the tiny parking area and back out to the street but then you make a right onto the little side street that takes you through the rest of the pretty lights. Best part? It’s free to the public. Enjoy!
Written December 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
geomom01
Leesville, SC1,314 contributions
Mar 2022
Wonderful small park in Sumter. The park is actually on both sides of the road and you can cross over a bridge to get back and forth. The main side with all the swans is a short loop around and you see many swans from all over the world. The other side is less landscaped but also nice to visit. The park rangers are very nice and will stop and talk to you. We went in March and some flowers were blooming, but April would probably be better. It is a very nice way to spend an afternoon.
Written April 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Janet W
Ooltewah, TN6 contributions
Jul 2021 • Friends
Visited in July And even though the weather was very warm it was lovely to walk around and see all the beautiful birds. There are swans there that are only living in that particular place other than their natural habitat. It was a beautiful experience and I would return. Friends recently got married there.
Written September 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Brenda
Kearney, NE46 contributions
Aug 2020
Just a lovely place to spend a few hours or so on a leisurely walk around the lake. This garden is noted for it's rehabilitation of injured swans. They do a great job! There are many different types and colors of swans - little did I know. It's a beautiful tree lined setting with many benches to sit, relax, and enjoy the swans and other fowl. There were a lot of families - great way for the kids to get out and get some exercise during this era of COVID. There is no fee.
Written August 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Natca M
25 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
Looking for something to do with your family? This is it! We spent two hours in the Swan Lake Iris Gardens. It wasn’t packed, it was free, and simply beautiful. My youngest enjoyed the walking tree paths as they were very educational. Great place for photography, picnics, and family bonding.
Written August 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
jlantern3
Columbia, SC11,995 contributions
Jul 2021
What a beautiful spot in the city of Sumter. Free park with 6 different species of swans. So clean and maintained. Signage is great. nice boardwalk. The wildlife is so amazing to see. The trees and flowers=wow!. This is a great place to visit, relax and enjoy natures beauty. Plenty of picnic tables. A small food restaurant and visitors center.
Written July 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
RosieJC
Hendersonville, NC125 contributions
Sep 2020
What a surprise to learn about this lovely place as we passed through Sumter on our way to the coast. Spent a couple of hours walking and watching various water birds. Even though there wasn't a lot in bloom, it was still very much worth the visit. There's no admission and a lot of places to stroll or sit and enjoy the garden.
Written September 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
travelwriter52
Clinton, SC3,221 contributions
May 2021
I had heard about the Iris festival a year ago and wanted to attend. But it was canceled this year. So I just went. I really expected more Iris flowers, when you consider they have a festival named after then. I came to see also the swans. They have every single breed of swans (8). It was a pretty big garden and it was hot, so I decided to just see the swans under the shade and the iris flowers. I'll come back to see the rest next year when it is cooler.
Written June 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Jack B
36 contributions
Dec 2019
Lovely picturesque area with lots of swan varieties as you would expect. Well kept and plenty of information around the paths. An excellent feature is a scented garden built especially for people with a sight problem, the signs are in braille as well as normal. Render very helpful.
Written January 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Brenda P.
North Myrtle Beach, SC3 contributions
Is this place and the trails wheel chair accessible?
Is Swan Lake Iris Gardens open to the public?
cityofsumter
Sumter, SC
The gardens and trails have reopened; however, neither the playground or any facilities, including shelters and restrooms are not available at this time. Group events and rentals are not allowed at this time either. We are posting updates on our website swanlakeirisgardens . com, as things change. Thank you.
Sharon C
Waxhaw1 contribution
What restaurants are nearby?
cityofsumter
Sumter, SC
Iris Market (Cafe) on the grounds of Swan Lake is open:
Thursday & Friday, 11 AM-2 PM
Saturday, 12-5 PM;
Sunday, 1-5 PM
Closed December-March
Just a few others nearby (dozens of local and chains within a mile of the lake), some local suggestions are:
Guignard Diner (southern)
SideBar (BBQ)
J O'Gradys (specialty burgers/tacos/sandwiches)
Baker's Sweets (desserts and mix of southern and sandwiches)
more listed at: sumter tourism
christine h
Lexington, SC20 contributions
Are dogs allowed?
cityofsumter
Sumter, SC
Thank you for the question. Pets are not allowed inside the walking gates of Swan Lake, not even on a leash. This is for the safety of your pet and our birds. The only area where they are allowed is in the parking areas and on the lawn bedside the visitors center, but a leash is required. Thank you.
Megan Rambo
2 contributions
How much would it be to get married in the butterfly garden?
cityofsumter
Sumter, SC
Sorry for the delay. We only allow weddings at certain facilities within the gardens. The Butterfly garden is not a facility. The reason... it's a public park and we do not allow any part of the gardens to put shut off from the public (unless it poses a danger). We do have a Japanese style gazebo, visitors center, and several pavilions that allow events. Photos are permitted anytime in the gardens; however, if you are a photographer that intends to sell your photos of Swan Lake, you must possess a current business license through the City of Sumter. Thank you.
tadams75
Greenwood, SC10 contributions
was planning a motorcycle ride here with the hubby.Do you need alot of time to walk the park? Do you need to walk all of it to enjoy it? Thanks
Dawnella66
Orangeburg, SC13 contributions
Hi you dont have to walk the entire park to be able to enjoy some of it. As you go in the entrance there is a nice pond and places to sit and enjoy the scenery through out the park..you could stay as long or as short as you like, but to see the whole park, I'd put aside about 2 hours or so..
When is the best time of year to visit Swan Lake?
Mariln A
19 contributions
Memorial Day wknd is our Iris Festival. Beautiful florets and swans are very visible.
Are dogs allowed on the grounds?
cityofsumter
Sumter, SC
Pets are only allowed in the green space between the Visitors Center and Iris Market, however, they are not allowed anywhere inside the walk-in gates in the gardens or children's area. Thanks and hope to see you at Swan Lake Iris Gardens.
shortrose
Langley, SC
When are the Iris's in bloom and when is the best time to visit?
cityofsumter
Sumter, SC
April-May
Frequently Asked Questions about Swan Lake Iris Gardens
- Swan Lake Iris Gardens is open:
- Sun - Sat 7:30 AM - 7:00 PM
- Hotels near Swan Lake Iris Gardens:
- (1.67 mi) Hyatt Place Sumter/Downtown
- (1.65 mi) 1912 Bed and Breakfast
- (2.73 mi) Hampton Inn Sumter
- (2.05 mi) Affordable Suites of America Sumter
- (3.34 mi) SpringHill Suites by Marriott Sumter
- Restaurants near Swan Lake Iris Gardens:
- (0.17 mi) Pizza Hut
- (2.20 mi) Simply Southern Bistro
- (1.53 mi) Baker's Sweets
- (0.74 mi) Guignard Diner
- (1.69 mi) Hamptons