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Around the Midlands . . .
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There's plenty to see and do in the Midlands if you've left your clubs or desire to play golf behind. Don't believe it? Read on. In Columbia, the Greater Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau at 301 Gervais Street should be your first stop. (803) 254-0479 or (800) 264-4884. There's plenty of information and advice as well as historical and audiovisual exhibits. This is also the site of the South Carolina State Museum. By appointment only, you can tour the Governor's Mansion, 800 Richland Street, free on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays; call (803) 737-3000. On weekdays, you can take a free tour of the State House, (803) 734-2323, where the state legislature convenes. The Columbia Museum of Art, (803) 799-2810, is at the junction of Senate and Bull streets. There's also the Movietonews Film Library, (803) 777-7000, in the McKissick Museum at the University of South Carolina. The Fort Jackson Museum, (803) 782-7668, in Fort Jackson is open from Tuesday through Sunday. And if you've got the kids with you, don't miss one of the finest zoos in the country. Columbia Riverbanks Zoo, (803) 779-8730, is about a mile west of Columbia off I-126/U.S. Highway 76 (take the Greystone Riverbanks exit). No one is admitted after 4 PM. Two steeplechase races take place in Camden each year--one in the fall and one in the spring. (Camden is a beautiful small town with quaint shops and restaurants.) Cheraw is another picturesque town, with a number of historical buildings. Old St. David's Episcopal Church on Market Street, (803) 537-3832, for example, dates back to 1770. Cheraw State Park on U.S. 1 offers camping, fishing, picnicking, lake swimming, rental boats, a bridle trail (that's horses, not newlyweds) and rental cottages. Call (803) 537-3033 for more information. If you're in Aiken, and you like horses, visit the Thoroughbred Hall of Fame, (803) 649-7770, in Hopeland Gardens (the city park) at the junction of Whiskey Road and Dupree Place. You might also enjoy the Aiken County Museum, (803) 642-2015. For more information about the Aiken area, contact Thoroughbred Country, P.O. Box 850, Aiken, South Carolina 29802, (803) 649-2248. If you're in the Pee Dee area on Labor Day, spend a day at the Southern 500 NASCAR race that's held at Darlington Raceway on Hartsville Highway, Darlington, (803) 393-5442--the track known as "The Lady in Black." While you're there, check out the NMPA Stock Car Hall of Fame/Joe Weatherly Museum, (803) 393-2103, on S.C. Highway 34 next to the raceway. Darlington also hosts a NASCAR race in the spring. In Florence, there's the Florence Air and Missile Museum on U.S. Highway 301 N., (803) 665-5118, the Florence Museum at Spruce Street, (803) 662-3351, and the Francis Marion College Planetarium on U.S. 301 N., (803) 661-1362. For more information about the Pee Dee area, contact the Pee Dee Tourism Commission at (803) 669-0950. In the Santee-Cooper area, Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie offer some of the best fishing and watersports opportunities in South Carolina, and fish camps dot the region. In Orangeburg, visit the Orangeburg Arts Center, (803) 536-4074, on Riverside Drive and the Orangeburg National Fish Hatchery, (803) 534-4828, on U.S. Highway 21 bypass south of Orangeburg. Sumter offers car racing at the Sumter Speedway on Wedgefield Road, (803) 481-3499, the Sumter County Museum on N. Washington Street, (803) 775-0908, and the Sumter Gallery of Art on N. Main Street, (803) 775-0543. For further information about the Santee-Cooper area, contact the Santee-Cooper Counties Promotion Commission at (803) 854-2131. Call toll-free from outside South Carolina, (800) 227-8510.
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The following are some restaurants that provide a welcome flair and diversion from the chain-run culinary scene, which tends to dominate this area. Refer to our Preface for an explanation of the pricing code. Blue Marlin Bill Duke's (of Longhorn Steaks; see subsequent entry) latest effort is this retro-ambiance restaurant with dark wood paneling and some of the best Lowcountry cooking you'll find outside the Lowcountry. You'll also find steaks and pasta on the menu. How about shrimp and grits for your out-of-town guests? Or you might try the deviled crab or plump oysters. Finish the meal with homemade cobbler. You won't need a reservation at this dinner spot--and you should dress down, not up. Relax. The Capitol Cafe Just a smooth wedge from the shadow of the State Capitol building sits The Capitol Cafe, where you'll feel like you've stepped back in time a few years. You get the sense that the comfortable booths have hosted many a heated political conversation or that quite a few "I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine... and pass the mustard" deals have been made here. The menu offers home favorites, ranging from toast to K.C. Sirloin steak (how's that for spanning the gastronomic gamut?). Conversation here centers of the fortunes of the University of South Carolina football team, debauchery, politics and the latest news from The Citadel. Lunch and dinner are served daily. Hennessy's Restaurant and Lounge At Hennessy's, you'll be instantly impressed with the fine ambiance created by white tablecloths and linens. This is a downtown restaurant where you can have a good old-fashioned culinary blowout. And you won't be disappointed. Begin with Oysters Rockefeller or Maryland crab cake. Move on to she-crab soup, then to Steak au Poivre or Shrimp Hennessy. Follow it all with something from the dessert tray. You won't be disappointed. There's also a variety of beer, wine and liquor. Go for it for lunch or dinner. But before you do, make a reservation. Longhorn Steaks, Restaurantand
Saloon This Texas-style eatery is perfect for a casual evening in a fun and laughter-filled environment. Devour a steak or try some uniquely prepared salmon--Longhorn style. Longhorn is open daily for lunch and dinner. The Sherlock Holmes Head down a short flight of stairs and you might think you're walking onto the set of Cheers--only, this place is slightly smaller and without the highly paid actors. Relax with a cold beer or engage in somewhat raucous conversation. Or hunker down and munch a tasty lunch or dinner from the pub-fare menu. Sherlock's specialty is a juicy pot roast, thinly sliced, served on a French roll with melted Swiss cheese and accompanied by dipping sauce. Or you might try the veggie lasagna. Wash it down with a couple of Killian's Red ales. Good food, I presume, Watson? Goodfella's Food and Spirits A sports-themed establishment, Goodfella's is an excellent place to catch a post-round football game on TV, or better still, catch up on your favorite soap opera, which seems to be a pretty popular lunchtime activity. This might be the only sports bar in the world where All My Children takes precedence over ESPN. Our advice is not to ask the predominantly large soap addicts if you can change the channel. Instead, you should partake of a dish from a dizzying array of standard American fare for lunch or dinner: wings, fried mushrooms, hamburgers and the like. The chicken cordon bleu sandwich is particularly good, so long as it's smothered with Dijon mustard. No. 10 Downing Street This is not an English restaurant, despite the fact that the previous owners named this place after the official residence of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom due to their fondness for Sir Winston Churchill (a fellow alum of one of us). The ambiance of No. 10 is defined by the four cozy dining rooms with fireplaces. The culinary excellence is defined by a menu that changes monthly. No. 10 Downing Street is famous for lunchtime soups and desserts, rack of lamb and shrimp, scallops and feta served over linguine. You'll also find an excellent range of fresh fish entrees for dinner. The restaurant offers a full wine list and mixed drinks too. Olive Oils Restaurant Italian fare dominates the menu at Olive Oils. You'll find staple basics such as lasagna, spaghetti, fettuccine and the like. But if you're feeling more adventuresome, try something like the Trout Italiano (baked trout served with anchovies, onions, carrots and a special selection of secret seasonings). Or have a go at the stuffed veal chops or the filet mignon. The menu also includes a full range of fresh seafood. Olive Oils is open for dinner only. The Chestnut Grill The Chestnut Grill used to be called Mr. Steak and, as that name implied, red meat is one of the more popular menu options. You'll find USDA choice steaks and prime rib plus tasty seafood and a remarkably extensive wine list, a full range of beer and spirits. There's a children's menu as well. Dinner is served daily. Cole's Family Restaurantand
Cafeteria Cole's is something of a Sumter institution. It's one of those wonderful (and inexpensive) restaurants where you'll find large helpings of home-cooked meals plus a number of super-friendly waitresses who probably served the parents of the current generation of Cole's attendees. Sit down and enjoy a hearty breakfast of bacon and pancakes, or settle in for an evening feast consisting of the prime rib, steak, seafood, chicken, Italian dishes or the tasty pork chops. There's a banquet room and a full selection of basic beer and wine offerings. Breakfast is full-service from 6 to 10 AM. The cafeteria option is open for lunch and dinner Monday to Saturday and for brunch on Sunday. Georgio's Pizza Georgio's has been a local pizza and pasta hangout since 1978. Plenty of locals have taken out one of the wonderful and extensive 5-foot-long party subs that can be the centerpiece of any party. Or better still, you should sit down to a wonderful pizza with a thin crust and just about any type of topping imaginable. The menu says that the dough here is made from an "old recipe." That must be what makes it so tasty. The menu includes a variety of subs and gyros in addition to a number of delicious pasta dishes including lasagna and spaghetti. Try the souvlaki if you're not completely satiated after consuming a large pizza. Or try a salad or one of the other Greek or Italian items on the menu. Georgio's serves lunch and dinner and offers a full beer and wine selection. House of Pizza Greek-owned and operated, the "Kali Orexi" is a great lunch and dinner place for pizza as well as subs, sandwiches, salads, gyros, souvlaki, shish kebab and baklava. Round out your meal with a draft beer or glass of Italian wine. You'll find another House of Pizza in Orangeburg at 1338 Grove Park Road. Corona Mexican food in Florence? You'd better believe it! After your round of golf, what better way to spend your winnings than on a large Margarita followed by a really massive bowl of chips and salsa and capped off with a creme burrito. Your winnings don't have to be too great to enjoy yourself to the max here. We believe Corona might be the only Mexican restaurant in the Florence area. In addition to Mexican meat-based favorites, the menu also offers a full range of vegetarian dishes. It's open for lunch Monday and Friday and dinner every night of the week. The Country Barn Restaurant The Country Barn restaurant presents an array of country cooking in its Country Cooking BUFFET (their caps). It's open 11 AM to 9 PM Thursday through Saturday and 11 AM to 3 PM on Sundays. Also sample the salad bar and dessert bar. Things get really exciting on Friday for the sumptuous seafood buffet. The Country Barn also claims to be a "BBQ Specialist." Bring all the appetite you can muster. Town House Restaurant Adjacent to the public library, the Town House Restaurant is a fine place to enjoy a variety of standard favorites. The menu includes grilled chicken, fried chicken, flounder, shrimp, juicy hamburgers, barbecue, steaks, sandwiches and deep-fried onion rings. We can't guarantee that you'll lose weight here, but you'll certainly leave full. Town House is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Lui's Inn Chinese Restaurant You might not think of Cheraw as a place to find an outstanding, albeit small, Chinese restaurant; but Lui's Inn fits the bill. Just a few minutes from the challenging golf course at Cheraw State Park (see the entry in the "Olde English District" section of golf courses), you'll find all your favorite Chinese dishes such as hot and sour soup and General Tso chicken. We suggest you try the surprisingly good shrimp curry. For those of you who love cheap (and tasty) Chinese cuisine for lunch or dinner, you'll be right at home. The Paddock Restaurant and Pub Camden is well known for its steeplechase, so it makes perfect sense that one of its better restaurants is called The Paddock. In addition to a range of drinking options, The Paddock offers a diverse menu that includes soups, salads, pizza, steaks, seafood (try the linguine in clam sauce) and chicken dishes--even lamb chops. If you can't find anything on the lunch and dinner menu that excites you, you'd better check your pulse.
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There is no shortage of places to stay in the Midlands. Every motel chain you've ever heard of has a large presence, and you'll find some independent players as well. Refer to our Preface for an explanation of the pricing code. Adam's Mark Hotel This large (301 rooms) full-service hotel is in the heart of downtown Columbia. You'll find a spacious room complete with one king-size or two double beds, color cable TV and a concierge lounge where continental breakfast is served daily. You'll also find a pool and a Jacuzzi. On-site meeting facilities, a gift shop, secretarial services and a health club round out the amenities. Inquire about golf packages. Claussen's Inn Claussen's is a Columbia landmark. This bed and breakfast inn is in the heart of Five Points near the USC campus and the State Capitol. Rates include continental breakfast and turndown service, with chocolates and complimentary wine, sherry and brandy in the lobby. All 29 rooms have private baths. Courtyard by Marriott This no-frills, down-to-earth lodging with 149 rooms is convenient to Columbia's main thoroughfares. Amenities include a whirlpool, an outdoor pool, in-room coffee makers and ironing boards, cable TVs with pay-per-view movies plus a restaurant that's open for lunch and dinner. If you want to do some laundry, your detergent is free. Embassy Suites The seven-story atrium makes this one of the most visually arresting hotels in the Columbia area. There's a complimentary cocktail reception in the evening, and breakfast is included in your room rate. In each suite--there are 214 in all--you'll find a coffee maker and color cable TV. The hotel offers golf packages. Super 8 Motel Clean, sensibly priced and convenient to Downtown Columbia and the University of South Carolina, West Columbia's Super 8 Motel boasts 88 rooms, which must make it popular among numerologists and bingo players everywhere. You can choose from rooms with either two double beds or a king-size bed. The room rate includes cable TV with free Showtime and ESPN plus access to the swimming pool. Group rates and senior-citizen discounts are available as well. Super 8 Motel Four miles from Downtown Columbia and 4 miles from Fort Jackson is Columbia's newest Super 8 Motel, built in mid-1996. Most importantly, it's fewer than 2 miles from one of Columbia's better public golf courses: Oak Hill (see this chapter's entry in the "Columbia Area" section). Golf packages are available. The motel offers 43 rooms, including a Jacuzzi suite, whirlpool suite and several king suites. Nonsmoking rooms are available. The reasonable room rate includes continental breakfast plus cable TV (with HBO and ESPN). Best Western Aiken Within easy striking distance of beautiful downtown Aiken, this Best Western offers 60 rooms with microwaves, TVs, refrigerators and coffee makers as well as VCRs and movie rentals. Some rooms even have Jacuzzis. Amenities include a lounge, continental breakfast and meeting facilities. Note that the price increases somewhat the week The Masters is played. Comfort Suites Aiken Tired after a long day in business meetings? Have a bad day on the course? Consider the small extra investment to get a Jacuzzi suite. You'll also find an in-room cable TV, and your room rate includes access to the swimming pool and weight room. The 68-room hotel offers full corporate meeting facilities. Holley Inn When in Aiken, check out the charming Holley Inn--a place so old that the elevator is hand-operated and the floorboards in the hallways are uneven, creating quite a challenge should you, yourself, be uneven after a visit with the bartender. Each of the 30 rooms includes cable TV and private bath. Relax in the courtyard or sip a drink in the bar. The service in the Holley Inn Restaurant will remind you of a bygone era when hotel guests were treated like royalty. Best Western Orangeburg The Best Western Orangeburg is a modern and convenient motel with 104 rooms. The room rate includes continental breakfast, cable TV with Showtime and access to the swimming pool. A conference room is also available should you want to organize a meeting. The Inn Downtown The Inn Downtown is yet another of Florence's many hotels and motels offering good value. This 110-unit property offers spacious rooms and suites, fax service, a restaurant that's open for lunch and dinner, a bar, transportation to the airport, banquet rooms and cable TV with HBO and ESPN. As the name implies, the Inn Downtown is extremely close to downtown Florence. Swamp Fox Inn The Swamp Fox Inn is a self-confessed "mom and pop" hotel where you'll find a clean, comfortable room at an extraordinary price: Approximately $25 scores you one of the 60 rooms. You'll also get free cable TV (with HBO and ESPN) and access to the restaurant, which serves meals from 6 in the morning until 9 at night. There's an on-site pool, and the hotel can help book golf packages at many of the fine local courses. Days Inn Cheraw The Days Inn Cheraw offers 50 comfortable rooms in the town that's best known in the jazz world as the birthplace of the late, great Dizzy Gillespie. You won't find much about Dizzy here at the Days Inn, but you will be provided with a clean room and all the cable TV (with HBO) you care to watch. Other amenities include an outdoor pool and a daily continental breakfast. Holiday Inn of Camden The 117-room Holiday Inn of Camden is actually just down the road in Lugoff, but it's near enough to Camden to warrant its name. Your room rate includes cable TV, access to an exercise room and a full breakfast buffet. If you're hungry, thirsty and in the mood for a dance in the evening, head for Plum's Restaurant and Lounge. |
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