<p>Hello everybody, our two trips down to USC we stayed in the Inn at USC, very nice but can be pricey. Does anybody have any other recommendations, including B&B's?. What about the surrounding area around Columbia, like Lake Murray? What are some good day trips? We will be an OOS family but would like to get to know the area!</p>
<p>the Columbia Marriott has a discount code from the Admissions/Visitor's Center,call them for it,sorry I cant remember it.We used it for move-in and I think it was about 100/night.
For Orientation,they will let you stay overnight in Capstone dorm ,last year it was $25.H and S stayed at the Holiday Inn right next to the Coliseum but it has closed and will reopen in the Fall as a Hilton and will probably be pricier.
There's all kinds of chain hotels.If you'll have a car, look in the Harbison Road area for chain hotels at cheaper rates.You can find a list of hotels on hotels.com and reviews at TripAdvisor.com.The Convention and Visitors Bureau site from Columbia also lists the hotels,including the chains.
Sorry, we didnt have time for day trips as it was an interview weekend,then Orientation,then move in...but after dropping S off we did go to Charleston for a few days,it was wonderful.Its about two hours away and might be worth tacking on an extra day or two to visit.</p>
<p>We stay in a Ramada for about $60 a night, about a 10minute drive. It got bad reviews on hotels.com, but when we stayed, it was just fine.</p>
<p>In fact that's where my wife and s are staying this weekend.</p>
<p>The Riverbanks Zoo is quite close to campus and is a nice little zoo with a botanical garden as well. Definitely a nice place to spend an afternoon! We got a membership for our daughter so she can go there to get away from campus anytime she wants.</p>
<p>If you like B&Bs, and you like good food, I highly recommend The 1425 Inn - located right downtown. The owners also own a downtown restaurant and the Inn food is great. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.the1425inn.com/%5B/url%5D">http://www.the1425inn.com/</a></p>
<p>BBVienna
I found the code..its D56..
if you go through the Visitors Center USC page, the code pops up automatically for the Columbia Marriott and an Embassy suites.</p>
<p>BBVienna
We live on the Chapin side of Lake Murray. It is very rural. Not much to see if you are visiting. Across the Dam, on the Lexington side, there are alot of shops and a public "beach" area. I'm not sure if it is open because of all the construction going on around the area. One of my fondest memories while at USC (20 some years ago) was going to Lake Murray with friends and spending the day on the lake.
I'll second the zoo.<br>
There are alot of hotels on Harbison, that might be a little less expensive.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for this good info, especially the code, Cathymee. We're from out of state and don't know the area. Son just made his decision and we sent in deposit today. You all have been very helpful.</p>
<p>there's a well priced Hampton Inn in the Harbison area,which is away from campus but close to where yu'll need to shop (Wal Mart,Target,etc)
free breakfast included</p>
<p>and welcome,Scout83's S.Let us know if you have any other questions</p>
<p>Scout, where are you from? S is also OOS, we are from Northern VA</p>
<p>BB, we're from Columbia, Maryland; not far from you, however, it feels really far from the other Columbia.
Although I'm a bit worried about having my son so far, I do feel the students at USC are very friendly and welcoming. Our tour guide was OOS and she said she was never made to feel like an outsider.</p>
<p>My d has never experienced any "go home yankee" type attitude from anybody at USC LOL. She has many in-state as well as OOS friends and has always felt welcomed.
Hope you love USC as much as she does!
FYI- She was just home for Easter and we were discussing her younger D's college choices. I asked her specifically if she had any regrets about her choice now that she is here at the end of her freshman year and she emphatically said no. She said she is at a school that allows her to enjoy the entire college experience ( good classes, great sports, lots of great activities, good intramurals, opportunities for leadership, friendly students in a non-cut-throat environment, and a pretty nice location). I was relieved that her answer was so definitive and that she is so satisfied with her choice!</p>
<p>Good luck to all who are in this process now - I am just hoping my younger d gets her first choice school next year now and I will have it easy!</p>
<p>Congaree National Park is just a few miles outside Columbia.</p>
<p>Cathymee, wanted to thank you for giving me the code. I tried to book the Marriott online for orientation dates. Found out they had no rooms left for that special offer. I then called the Columbia Marriott and asked about the University special rates. Was told they were $124 and there were rooms available. I started giving her all my info, then gave the "special code". She wasn't familiar with that code. Looked it up and said, oh that's a special Admissions Office code. The price is $115. Thank you very much.</p>
<p>you are welcome,enjoy the Orientation!
I think if you use the webpage for the Visitors Center on USC and click on accomodations, it lists the Marriott with that code already on it.Could be it would come up as "no availability" so I'm glad you got it with the call.
The only thing we found wrong with the Marriott was breakfast...either it was too crowded, or too slow (one day of each).Its easier to go elsewhere,especially as its not free breakfast!
Also, they send you to an attached parking garage (with a charge) but we were able to park on the street with a little searching.Otherwise, its a nice hotel.
By august, there will be a new Hilton open next to the Convention Center, and the Holiday Inn is becoming a Courtyard by Marriott,which will bwe great b/c its location is super convenient (across the street from Koger/Coliseum).</p>
<p>If anyone is touring this weekend, the Garnet and Black Spring Game is at 2:00 Saturday. It will be on ESPNU too. Also, placement test are at 3 pm on Sunday.</p>
<p>the football game is free and is preceeded at 1:00 by a Hootie and the Blowfish (alumni) concert,also free,also at the stadium.They will also play at halftime.
Their drummer,who lives locally,was one of the judges last night at the USC Idol event on campus.</p>
<p>Cathymee, I hate to bring bad news...the game isn't free. Advance tickets are $10. $12 the day of the game. Students get in for less, can't remember exactly, but around $4. Cheap enough for me.</p>
<p>Opps! Currents students do get in free. I was thinking about my future gamecock daughter.</p>