Columbia, SC or Charlotte, NC?
May 14th, 2007, 08:52 AM
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Columbia, SC or Charlotte, NC?
What would you pick to see for one day? Columbia or Charlotte? My husband and I will be driving through both cities on our way to Mt Airy in October. What do you like best about both places? Thanks.
May 14th, 2007, 10:47 AM
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I saw your other post about Jacksonville FL versus Myrtle Beach.
And you're going to end up in Mt. Airy? Is this all the same trip?
Anyway, not sure if it fits your schedule, but Charleston SC might be the highlight of your trip if you stop there. You won't say that about Charlotte or Columbia I don't think.
And you're going to end up in Mt. Airy? Is this all the same trip?
Anyway, not sure if it fits your schedule, but Charleston SC might be the highlight of your trip if you stop there. You won't say that about Charlotte or Columbia I don't think.
May 14th, 2007, 10:54 AM
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What are your plans for Mt. Airy? I live in that area and think you will enjoy it.
Picking between Columbia or Charlotte would really depend on your interests. They both have some good shopping options (though CLT is the clear winner here), Columbia has a great zoo, and CLT has Discovery Place.
Picking between Columbia or Charlotte would really depend on your interests. They both have some good shopping options (though CLT is the clear winner here), Columbia has a great zoo, and CLT has Discovery Place.
May 14th, 2007, 08:47 PM
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Hi Beach and Cmcfong.
Thanks for your suggestions. Hubby/I will be going to Charleston and yes this will be on the same trip. Also will visit: Raliegh, (flying into)Savannah, Bristol, and Asheville. Possibly Winston/Salem and Greensboro.
Cmcfong: I am a big Andy Griffith fan. Been wanting to see the area for a long time. Plan on seeing all the sights and even staying one night at Andy's homeplace (where he grew up). Do you know anything about the house? Looked nice on the net when I saw the picture. The other two nights we are booked at WolfCreek B/B Farm in Ararat VA. Is there a store in town that sells clothing and collectibles from the TV show? Also plan on attending the Autumn Leaves Festival. Have you ever been? Just wondering, are you m/f? Do you live in the town of Mount Airy? Any other suggestions on places to see and things to do? Thanks.
Thanks for your suggestions. Hubby/I will be going to Charleston and yes this will be on the same trip. Also will visit: Raliegh, (flying into)Savannah, Bristol, and Asheville. Possibly Winston/Salem and Greensboro.
Cmcfong: I am a big Andy Griffith fan. Been wanting to see the area for a long time. Plan on seeing all the sights and even staying one night at Andy's homeplace (where he grew up). Do you know anything about the house? Looked nice on the net when I saw the picture. The other two nights we are booked at WolfCreek B/B Farm in Ararat VA. Is there a store in town that sells clothing and collectibles from the TV show? Also plan on attending the Autumn Leaves Festival. Have you ever been? Just wondering, are you m/f? Do you live in the town of Mount Airy? Any other suggestions on places to see and things to do? Thanks.
May 15th, 2007, 03:24 AM
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Ah, gluvscats, we are big Andy fans around here. Black and white episodes are the best....we LOVE Barney!
The Autumn Leaves Festival is fun. Stop in the Meadows of Dan shop for some good buys and ask if they have any of their special jams this year (the guy is an MIT chemist who retired to our mountains and whips up a batch or two of the most amazing jams and salsas which he sells during the festival at Meadows of Dan, a very nice shop). Many of the stores sell collectibles and Mayberry related items. You will find at least five or six stores with those items on Main St. where Autumn Leaves is held. Be sure and walk down to the Emporium on the corner of Main and Oak. They have a great Andy display on the third floor (the one you enter from Main St.) You can visit Wally's gas station, the Mayberry jail, the visitors center, see the Barney "look alike",and take a town tour in the squad car. Have you checked out www.visitmayberry.com?
I have not been inside the Andy homestead bed and breakfast. There are several very nice b and b's in Mt.Airy (Sobotta House) and two very good ones in Pilot Mountain (Dr. Flippin's in town and the Pilot Mountain cabins, converted tobacco sheds, at the base of Pilot Mountain). Pilot Mountain (where Barney and Andy met the "fast" girls...no, I am not one but I live in Pinnacle nearby) is a small town near the state park about twenty minutes south of Mt. Airy on 52. The mountain itself is very pretty and unique.Certainly take a walk around Jomeokee Trail at the top...you can drive to the top.
I have not visited nor even heard of the Wolf Farm in Arat. Sorry.
Restaurants: A must is a pork chop sandwich from Snappy Lunch. Scuppernongs in the North State Winery (that's our other big business these days...tons of wineries in the Yadkin Valley several with good restaurants within a thirty minute drive of Mt. Airy), Chili Verde, Mexican, and Goobers, for good shakes and a very eclectic menu with a New Orleans flavor.
If you are in the area it would be a great shame not to visit Old Salem in Winston Salem. It is the jewel of North Carolina historical interest tourist destinations. It is exceedingly well done.
US 52N out of Mt. Airy will take you on to the Blue Ridge Parkway, which is a splendid sight in October. Just after crossing over into VA on 52 before reaching the parkway, look for signs to the Levering Orchards. Frank Levering runs a family orchard which has cherries, peaches, and apples. My grandparents went there to buy fruit in the forties...I still do.
I love this part of North Carolina. I hope you enjoy your visit.
The Autumn Leaves Festival is fun. Stop in the Meadows of Dan shop for some good buys and ask if they have any of their special jams this year (the guy is an MIT chemist who retired to our mountains and whips up a batch or two of the most amazing jams and salsas which he sells during the festival at Meadows of Dan, a very nice shop). Many of the stores sell collectibles and Mayberry related items. You will find at least five or six stores with those items on Main St. where Autumn Leaves is held. Be sure and walk down to the Emporium on the corner of Main and Oak. They have a great Andy display on the third floor (the one you enter from Main St.) You can visit Wally's gas station, the Mayberry jail, the visitors center, see the Barney "look alike",and take a town tour in the squad car. Have you checked out www.visitmayberry.com?
I have not been inside the Andy homestead bed and breakfast. There are several very nice b and b's in Mt.Airy (Sobotta House) and two very good ones in Pilot Mountain (Dr. Flippin's in town and the Pilot Mountain cabins, converted tobacco sheds, at the base of Pilot Mountain). Pilot Mountain (where Barney and Andy met the "fast" girls...no, I am not one but I live in Pinnacle nearby) is a small town near the state park about twenty minutes south of Mt. Airy on 52. The mountain itself is very pretty and unique.Certainly take a walk around Jomeokee Trail at the top...you can drive to the top.
I have not visited nor even heard of the Wolf Farm in Arat. Sorry.
Restaurants: A must is a pork chop sandwich from Snappy Lunch. Scuppernongs in the North State Winery (that's our other big business these days...tons of wineries in the Yadkin Valley several with good restaurants within a thirty minute drive of Mt. Airy), Chili Verde, Mexican, and Goobers, for good shakes and a very eclectic menu with a New Orleans flavor.
If you are in the area it would be a great shame not to visit Old Salem in Winston Salem. It is the jewel of North Carolina historical interest tourist destinations. It is exceedingly well done.
US 52N out of Mt. Airy will take you on to the Blue Ridge Parkway, which is a splendid sight in October. Just after crossing over into VA on 52 before reaching the parkway, look for signs to the Levering Orchards. Frank Levering runs a family orchard which has cherries, peaches, and apples. My grandparents went there to buy fruit in the forties...I still do.
I love this part of North Carolina. I hope you enjoy your visit.
May 15th, 2007, 03:31 AM
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PS I should mention that there is a street festival "Mayberry Days" in September which is devoted to the show and its fans. It isn't as large as Autumn Leaves, but it frequently draws some of the characters (Betty Lynn,aka Thelma Lou, and George Lindsay, Goober, in particular).
May 16th, 2007, 05:52 PM
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I live in the Columbia area and, while I love living here, I just don't see this as a hot vacation spot. On the other hand I am not all that excited about Charlotte either. They both have museums and such but noting overly exciting. If I were you I would choose to overnight someplace else entirely as there are many more areas that are much more attractive and fun to visit. There is much better shopping in Charlotte if that interests you on vacation but nothing that I would deem extraordinary either.
May 28th, 2007, 10:30 PM
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I agree that neither city is known as a popular vacation spot, but here are some highlights from both cities.
Charlotte:
Carowinds (amusement park)
Levine Musuem of the New South (HIGHLY recommended)
Discovery Place
Afro American Cultural Center
Mint Museum of Art
Charlotte Museum of History
Columbia:
SC State Museum
EdVenture Children's Museum
Columbia Museum of Art
Finlay Park
Riverfront Park
West Columbia Riverwalk
Historic Columbia Tour
Congaree National Park
I'm also a big fan of viewing cities as they are, away from the tourist destinations, so I would also encourage you to spend some time in neighborhoods/villages such as SouthEnd and NoDa (north Davidson) in Charlotte and the Vista and Five Points in Columbia.
Charlotte:
Carowinds (amusement park)
Levine Musuem of the New South (HIGHLY recommended)
Discovery Place
Afro American Cultural Center
Mint Museum of Art
Charlotte Museum of History
Columbia:
SC State Museum
EdVenture Children's Museum
Columbia Museum of Art
Finlay Park
Riverfront Park
West Columbia Riverwalk
Historic Columbia Tour
Congaree National Park
I'm also a big fan of viewing cities as they are, away from the tourist destinations, so I would also encourage you to spend some time in neighborhoods/villages such as SouthEnd and NoDa (north Davidson) in Charlotte and the Vista and Five Points in Columbia.
Jun 1st, 2007, 08:46 AM
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I live in Columbia and I agree that this is not an area to where you would think to make a special stop, but there is one place you'll really enjoy. Riverbanks Zoo, I think is a gem, and it's just off of the Greystone Blvd. exit from Interstate 26. I love Charlotte too, for shopping, dining, etc.
