Staying in Columbia this summer? Feeling like you're going to be stuck going to the same old restaurants and doing the same weekend activities? Fear not! Here are a couple of my favorite road-trip-distance locations and ways to get the biggest bang for your buck while you're there.
Charleston, SC
This destination holds a special place in my heart as it's where I grew up, and while I'm not an expert on where to go and what to do there, I like to think I'm pretty close. To start out, you'll want to go on a weekday if you can, because tourist attractions won't be as busy, and give yourself about two hours to get there.
Whether you like history or just enjoy good, breezy weather, The Battery is a good place to start. There's free parking along Murray Boulevard, and if you go on an off day or get there early enough on a weekend, you can almost definitely find a spot. Once there, you can walk along the sea wall and look out at Fort Sumter or walk through White Point Gardens and climb on a few cannons.
If you are looking to spend a little money, the city market is only about a half-hour walk away on Meeting Street. A multitude of vendors sell their unique, often handmade products at incredibly reasonable prices throughout the week. You can find everything from beachy toe rings to sassy signs to the traditional sweet grass baskets and roses. And who says you have to buy anything? There's nothing wrong with window shopping, especially at the market.
If you decide to keep your prime parking spot at The Battery and walk to the market, you'll likely pass by Waterfront Park and get a chance to splash around in the pineapple fountain. That has been one of my favorite ways to spend a hot afternoon ever since I was a kid.
Overall, Charleston is full of ways to have fun for free, and I didn't even mention going to the beach!
Asheville, NC
From the few times I've been to Asheville, I've gotten a much more modern vibe than I've ever gotten from Charleston, so if "hip" is more your thing than historic charm, Asheville is the road trip destination for you. If you're leaving from Columbia, give yourself a little over two and a half hours to get there.
I've only ever been to downtown Asheville at night, so I have yet to unlock its daytime charms, but my favorite place to have dinner when I'm there is Farm Burger. The beef is grass-fed and the fries are fantastic. While it is not necessarily a bargain, the cool, rustic decor and atmosphere—and the fact that it will definitely keep you full for a while—make it well worth the price.
If you're not feeling up to a full meal, or want a coffee or dessert later in the night, Double D's Coffee & Desserts or the French Broad Chocolate Lounge are prime places to get your fix. I haven't been to the former, but not because I haven't tried—the fact that it's located in a double-decker bus, combined with the rumored quality of their delicacies, makes it very appealing to everyone within a 100-mile radius.
If you end up heading to the double-decker bus cafe, be sure to check out the "Before I Die..." wall that's just up the street. Whether you choose to add your own bucket list item or read what others have left behind, it's an inspiring sight to see and could make for some great conversation over those desserts you're about to have.
As for French Broad Chocolate Lounge, I can speak from experience about its quality and atmosphere. Of all the hipster places I've been, this one outdoes them all. The decor is comfortable, but in a very chic way. Anyway, the desserts—if you can even classify the heavenly flavors as such—are out of this world. From the nontraditional ice cream flavors to the rich cookies and other various pastries, this cute little cafe has a dessert for everyone.
While Asheville is less familiar to me, I can definitely say I have enjoyed every experience I've had there and am excited to see what other bargains I can find there in the future.
