Skip to main content
Logo of Chesnut Cottage Inn, established in 1850.

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: SEC Football
A smiling woman in colorful attire holds large decorative ornaments on a porch adorned with pumpkins and autumn foliage.

Fallcation in Columbia SC: Why Shoulder Season Is the New Peak

Someone coined “shoulder season” for the weeks the beach towns go quiet and the ski towns have not opened. Luxury advisors spent the last two years trying to retire that phrase. Virtuoso’s 2026 numbers did the job: September bookings up 55 percent, S… Read more
A vase of yellow roses and daisies sits on a table next to a pink upholstered chair in a cozy, well-lit room.

Boutique Hotels vs Hotels vs Airbnb: Why Inns Are Back

By Ken & Christal Doyle · Chesnut Cottage Inn, Columbia, SC Someone always asks us the same question at breakfast, usually after the second cup of coffee, once they have figured out we actually live here. “So… is this like an Airbnb? Or more like a h… Read more
A vibrant stadium filled with fans celebrates under fireworks during a night football game.

Game Day in Columbia: Why SEC Football Weekends at Williams-Brice Are Unforgettable

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