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. checkout breathing down their neck.
They call it “vacation.”
I call it self-inflicted misery.
There’s a much smarter, far more enjoyable way to experience the best summer activities Columbia has to offer.
Stay at Chesnut Cottage Inn — the quiet, historic 5-room bed and breakfast in the heart of Columbia — and make it your private, civilized headquarters.
Here are the four activities worth doing this summer — and why Chesnut Cottage is the only place that makes them truly worth it.
1. Lake Murray Boating
Rent a boat from Lake Murray Boat Rentals and spend the day on one of South Carolina’s most beautiful lakes. Swim, tube, or just cruise the open water.
Then come back to Chesnut Cottage for a cold drink on the porch and a gourmet breakfast the next morning. No resort fees. No chaos. Just peace.
2. The Purple Martin Spectacle at Lake Murray
Every evening from mid-July through early August, tens of thousands of Purple Martins perform one of nature’s greatest shows as they roost on Bomb Island.
Most people drive home afterward. Smart ones return to a rocking chair at Chesnut Cottage and watch the sunset in total quiet.
3. Floating & Tubing on the Saluda & Broad Rivers
Grab tubes or kayaks from Palmetto Outdoor and float the cool, scenic Saluda or Broad Rivers. You’ll pass the Riverbanks Zoo and the luxury homes of The Reserve on the Saluda, and you can even take the Saluda Skyride for an unforgettable view from above.
After a full day on the water, you don’t want to fight traffic back to a noisy hotel. You want to come home to Chesnut Cottage.
4. Kayaking in Congaree National Park
Paddle through the ancient cypress swamp at Congaree — one of the most unique ecosystems in the Southeast.
Then return to a historic inn where the service is personal, the beds are comfortable, and the only sound at night is the gentle creak of the porch.
This is the difference between surviving a Columbia summer and actually enjoying it.
At Chesnut Cottage Inn you get:
-
A quiet, historic home instead of a noisy chain hotel
-
Personalized service instead of self-service chaos
-
A peaceful porch and gourmet breakfast instead of long lines and mediocre food
-
The freedom to enjoy Lake Murray, the Saluda River, and Congaree without the usual headaches
Limited dates are still available in June, July, and August.
If you’re tired of the usual tourist grind and want a real Columbia summer experience, comment “SUMMER” below or send me a message. I’ll send you the Summer Staycation package rates before they’re gone.
Chesnut Cottage Inn
Your peaceful, luxurious home base for the best Columbia has to offer.
Ken Doyle, Chief Experience Officer
Chesnut Cottage Inn
Columbia, South Carolina