Chesnut Cottage Inn Blog
Discover the charm of Columbia, SC
Here, we share insider tips, stories and resources to enjoy the area of Columbia, SC and your stay at Chesnut Cottage Inn. Whether you're interested in our rich Civil War history, Southern hospitality, or hidden gems around town, our blog is your go-to resource for inspiration and information. The purpose of this page is to connect with guests past and future, offer travel advice, and showcase all that makes Chesnut Cottage Inn—and Columbia—so special.
Fifteen years ago we were two California health-insurance veterans who thought our futures were claims, premiums, and conference rooms. Christal had built an agency. Ken had spent 37 years inside a Fortune 50 brand, then a national general agency. We… Read more
The Quiet Power of a Mental Reset Modern life moves quickly. Schedules fill, screens stay on, and the pressure to keep producing rarely pauses. Many people now seek something different when they travel: not more stimulation, but less. They look for s… Read more
There Is Nothing Quite Like an SEC Saturday College football saturates the South every fall, but SEC football sits in a category of its own. The crowds are louder. The stakes feel higher. The entire city seems to lean into the weekend. In Columbia, t… Read more
The way professionals travel is changing. More and more people are no longer separating work trips from personal time. Instead, they’re blending the two into what’s now known as bleisure travel — business travel combined with leisure. Whether you’re … Read more
Columbia, South Carolina offers a wonderful mix of Southern charm, walkable historic areas, excellent restaurants, and relaxed vibes — making it an ideal destination for a romantic getaway. Whether you’re celebrating an anniversary, a birthday, or ch… Read more
Columbia, South Carolina has plenty of great restaurants, but most visitors tend to stick to the same popular downtown spots. If you’re staying at Chesnut Cottage Inn and want to eat where locals actually go, there are some excellent hidden gems wort… Read more
As summer winds down and Fall 2026 quickly approaches, thousands of families across the country are preparing to send their children to the University of South Carolina. For many parents, the excitement of this new chapter is mixed with a quiet nervo… Read more
Most people completely wreck their Columbia summer. They fight traffic, deal with packed parking lots, rent equipment from overpriced outfitters, then collapse at night in a loud, generic hotel room with screaming kids down the hall and a 7 a.m. chec… Read more
If you travel for business regularly, you already know the drill. You check into a hotel that looks fine online. The room is clean enough. The bed is acceptable. But then the noise starts — doors slamming in the hallway, the ice machine humming outsi… Read more
The Best Father’s Day Gift in Columbia SC Isn’t What You Think Most people get Father’s Day completely wrong. They buy another tie, another tool, another box of golf balls, or drag the family to a crowded restaurant where everyone waits an hour for a… Read more