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.
Category: History
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
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
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
Who Was Mary Chesnut? Mary Chesnut (1823-1886), was a South Carolina author and diarist best known for her firsthand account of Southern life during the Civil War. Her father was Stephen Decatur Miller, a prominent South Carolina politician who serve… Read more
Who is this for? Travelers, families, history buffs, and curious locals who want to explore the rich art, culture, and heritage of Columbia, SC. What are the ingredients to a perfect family vacation? Do they include history? Art? How about some old-f… Read more