Goose Creek - Summerville, SC Area Guide

Goose Creek was established in 1961, though its history dates back several centuries. During early colonial times, a group of colonists settled in a tributary of the Cooper River called Goose Creek. The Goose Creek men quickly became leaders in the early Indian trade. Many members of the Goose Creek men held important office in the colonial government. At first, most of the leaders dealt mainly in the Indian slave market, later converting to deerskin trading. As the times changed across the United States, this former trade market developed into an urbanized community with deep military ties.

In today’s world, Goose Creek proudly houses the Charleston Naval Shipyard, Naval Weapons Station Charleston and Joint Base Charleston. While the interesting history of Goose Creek has not led to museums in the area, the Otranto Plantation Indigo Vats and St. James Church rank on the National Register of Historic Places.

Goose Creek offers residents a wide array of options for eating and entertainment. After you finish shopping along St. James Avenue, take a moment to check out the diverse selection of restaurants in the area. With choices ranging from classic American burgers to Japanese sushi bars to the best slice of pizza in town, St. James Avenue offers something for everyone.

Whether you want to sit down and eat the best slice of pizza in Goose Creek or you want it delivered to your door, call or drive to Vinny's Pizza at 214 St. James Avenue. This popular pizza shop has a five-star reputation throughout the town of Goose Creek because it serves the best New York-style pizza in South Carolina. Vinny's hand tosses its pizzas, covers the dough with a thin layer of tomato sauce, and adds mozzarella cheese and the toppings of your choice.

Sushi 101 wins the hearts of foodies with a plentiful sushi bar, sashimi, and hibachi foods. The authentic Japan cuisine leaves food lovers in awe of the tuna tataki, with its seven generous slices of tuna laid gently across a bed of cucumber and wakame seaweed salad. Start off with a bowl of fresh miso soup, and follow it with the goyza appetizer and California roll. After your meal, don't forget about dessert. Satisfy your sweet tooth with the red bean mocha ice cream topped with Cool Whip. You can't beat the price, presentation, quality, or service at this popular Japanese restaurant.

For a fun family night, Royal Lanes provides food, bowling, and a bar for adults. Take your family out for an evening of fun any night of the week. On Fridays, Saturdays, and Mondays, the bar stays open late so you can enjoy a late night of bowling and beer.

When the locals are not bowling the night away, they frequent JR's Pub or Sapphires Bar and Grill to grab a beer after work. For a night of dancing, you have to head into the city and visit one of Charleston's popular clubs.

For convenient, easy commuting around Goose Creek and the city of Charleston, driving by car is best. The quiet little neighborhoods prove walkable and safe for bike riders. However, if you are going shopping, out to your favorite restaurant or heading into the city, walking and biking are not safe means of transportation. Bike riders are advised to stick to the bike trails constructed around the various parks. TriCountry Link works with CARTA public transportation to provide public transportation via buses. The locals usually do not buy single one-way bus tickets. TriCounty Link offers weekly bus passes for $18, one-month passes for $70 and a booklet of 10 one-way bus passes for $22.50.

Taxi cabs are not as common in Goose Creek and Charleston as they are in larger cities. In order to get a ride one must call ahead or request an Uber.

Highway 52 runs straight through the center of Goose Creek, providing quick and easy access to Highway 176. Traveling along either of these expressways offers easy access to other highways.

Goose Creek offers a variety of parks for residents and tourists to visit. Many parks, such as the Wannamaker North Trail and community center, prove popular for running trails, biking trails, playgrounds and sporting activities.

The Wannamaker North Trail offers a variety of running trails to choose from for the low cost of $1. Locals rave about the scenic, cross-country type trails.

Every year, the city of Goose Creeks hosts an annual Goose Creek Fall Festival and Lake Light Display for residents and tourists to enjoy.

The cost of living in Goose Creek proves to be lower than the city of Charleston. A typical one-bedroom apartment rents for approximately $695 a month. Traveling around Goose Creek is rather inexpensive compared to the city of Charleston and other parts of the country. Gas consistently runs about 9 percent lower than the national average.

Goose Creek does not host a variety of boutique or specialty shops. The closest thing to specialty shops found in town remain the seafood shops. Locals frequent H & J Seafood for fresh seafood including a great selection of oysters. The town also has a variety of chain auto parts, home improvement and consignment shops, such as O'Reilly Auto Parts, Lowe's and Goodwill, for your other needs.

When it comes to grocery shopping, Goose Creek does not offer a wide variety of options. The residents purchase groceries at the local Bi-Lo, Food Lion, and Walmart. D.C. Burbage Retail Meats LLC hosts a farmer's market from the end of April through the end of October.

For all other shopping needs, the residents of Goose Creek visit the North Woods Mall in North Charleston.