Old Sheldon Church Ruins (Photo: Caroline Eubanks)
In honor of Columbus Day, why don't you take a road trip and see some other beautiful parts of the state? Here are some ideas to get you started:
Beaufort
- Stay: Comfort Suites Beaufort is very close to Parris Island and is only $80/night for two people and a king-sized bed.
- Eat: Dukes BBQ is said to be the best buffet in the area with some of the best barbecue; Barbara Jean’s is a Lowcountry chain (other locations in Mt. Pleasant, SC; St. Simon's Island, GA; Amelia Island, FL; Ponte Vedra Beach, FL; and Palm Coast, FL), but their breakfasts are to die for. Must try items include crab cakes, biscuits and gravy, and chicken fried chicken.
- Play: Old Sheldon Church Ruins are my favorite thing to see in Beaufort. The beautiful ruins are interesting to kids and adults alike. St. Helena Island is definitely worth checking out because of it's rich Gullah culture and home of the Penn School for freed slaves.
Myrtle Beach
- Stay: Snag an oceanfront room at Hampton Inn & Suites for only $119/night.
- Eat: If you're going to eat in the Dirty Myrtle, you have to eat at River City Café. The graffiti and license plate-covered walls are just the tip of the iceberg. The hand-cut fries and fried shrimp are delicious, as are the huge burgers. Sam’s Corner is the late-night hot dog legend of the Grand Strand. They also serve beer and cocktails with their assortment of dogs. But remember to bring cash. If hot dogs and fried foods aren't you thing, Dagwood’s offers fresh deli sandwiches. My personal favorite is The Gamecock, chicken layered with cheese, lettuce, tomato, bacon, and ranch.
- Play: When in the beach music capital of the world, you have to go shag dancing. Studebaker’s is the only place to be, which you know is true because of it's older, often senior citizen, clientele. They also play some of the best classic rock and motown. Driving the boulevard is also necessary because the people wandering the strip are always entertaining. Brookgreen Gardens, outside of town on the way back towards Georgetown, is a former plantation that has been transformed into beautiful gardens with sculptures throughout.
Columbia
- Stay: The Embassy Suites Greystone may be out of the downtown area, but it's the only place I stay in the Capital City. Located near the Columbia Zoo, the $135/night hotel boasts an indoor pool and happy hour every day.
- Eat: Yesterday’s is a 5 Points classic that serves up cold beers and American classics like lasanga, meatloaf, popcorn shrimp, buffalo wings, and more. Groucho’s is another crowd-pleaser with it's deli sandwiches and mysterious 45 sauce. The dippers are very popular, but I am addicted to the BLC Chicken Critter. Liberty Tap Room, owned by South Carolina's TBonz restaurant group, is a place where the star is the beer. Each menu item, whether it be steaks, burgers, pizzas, and seafood, are created around the 50 brews, many of which are house made.
- Play: Riverbanks Zoo is fun for the whole family, with nine exhibits and a botanical gardens. The South Carolina State Museum, has art, artifacts, and fossils from around the state. A visit to the state house is also a must, especially if the legislature is in session. You can sit in the gallery and see where your tax dollars are going. If you're not with the family, 5 Points is the home to the bar scene in Columbia. The Vista, fairly new to Columbia, is an area of refurbished warehouses and train depots that now houses hip clothing boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, and bars.
Greenville
- Stay: Drury Inn & Suites Greenville has rooms for only $79/night. The hotel is inside the perimeter near the airport and has happy hour daily.
- Eat: Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria is another beer-lover's favorite with 31 beers on tap, many of which are micro brews or from independent breweries. The New York-style pizza isn't too shabby either. They also have pita wraps and vegetarian options.
- Play: Bob Jones Art Gallery is an underrated spot in the city. Although it is housed in an ultra-conservative Christian university, the art gallery has some of the best works from Rubens and van Dyck, as well as Egyptian artifacts, Russian icons, and English portraiture. Falls Park on the Reedy is Greenville's best place for pictures. The waterfalls, gardens, and Liberty Bridge are just some of the sights. Bring a picnic and enjoy the day.
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