South Carolina Small Town Named Best for a Summer Vacation by Experts
There’s something extra special about taking a summer vacation at a small town. For those who want to escape the rat race, adventuring to a small town is a great idea. Now, one South Carolina small town has been named one of the best for a summer vacation in America by travel experts. It’s a cozy spot that’s tucked away, so if you’re looking for a trip that has lots of charm and not much craziness, then this might be your choice spot.
South Carolina Small Town is the Best for a Summer Vacation
The experts at Travel and Leisure magazine have put together a list of the 15 best U.S. small towns for a summer vacation. In it, they call these towns that “put you under their summertime spell,” which is a cute way to put it. “There’s just something about a small town in summer that hits a little differently,” they write. “Perhaps it’s the community festivals, the balmy evening strolls along Main Street, or an ice cream truck rumbling through a leafy neighborhood blaring that all too familiar tune.”
Before we get to our state, let’s look at the small town they have at the top of the list. It’s Narrowsburg, New York, which sits along the Delaware River. This town has just around 390 residents and is “one of the best small towns in New York and a hot spot for tubing, kayaking, and canoeing.” They also suggest trying local tour operator Lander’s River Trips, which give you “a range of half-day and full-day river excursions — stop by Narrowsburg Proper general store for snacks and sundries before your outing.”
So, which South Carolina small town is considered one of the best for a summer vacation in America by the experts at Travel and Leisure magazine? It’s Travelers Rest, South Carolina. Travel and Leisure calls it “one of the most idyllic small towns in South Carolina.” As for hotspots, they recommend “popular restaurants like Top Soil, Monkey Wrench Smokehouse and Tandem Crêperie & Coffeehouse.” They also say this is a popular spot for people driving over the Blue Ridge Mountains. Finally, for those who love the great outdoors, the experts at Travel and Leisure say to try hiking or mountain biking the lengthy Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail or explore Paris Mountain State Park and Jones Gap State Park. I’m so happy to see the South Carolina small town make this national list of the best small towns for a summer vacation in America.
Secret Tips to Save Money on Your Next Vacation
1. Try to Negotiate Your Lodging
Did you know that hotel fees can be negotiable? Fidelity.com points out that, “You may be able to negotiate the online price by calling a hotel directly, or asking if they have any discounts for students, government employees, or members of certain groups, such as AAA.” So, don’t settle for that price you see on your laptop. Try to do better. It’s a secret tip that can pay off bigtime.
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2. Get Smart with Your Lodging
Did you know some hotels that are virtually the same, including the same brand, can be cheaper just a few miles apart? As a general rule, hotels that are near the airport are more expensive. So, you can look at the hotels you want to stay at and their multiple locations in the area for the best rate. “Some hotels that are under construction may rent rooms at a discount, which is a great option if you can deal with the noise,” Fidelity.com points out.
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3. Snack Your Way to a Cheaper Trip
Going out to eat on vacation can be one of the most exciting things about the trip. But, if you want to save on cash, skip a few meals out and opt for healthy, hearty snacks. Pack (or buy at a local store) some protein-rich snacks, like protein bars and meal bars, and limit your dining out. You can still enjoy some of the best food the area has to offer, just not as much of it. This is a way to stay fit on your trip, too. A lot of people don’t think of this tip, so it’s a bit of a secret.
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4. Timing is Everything
You’ve heard it so many times in life: Timing is everything. That’s true for travel, too. Research to find the least-busy times to visit your destination. If you travel during those downtimes, you’ll save big. While this is a common tip, something people forget is that every vacation destination has its own peak time. So, be specific for your travel spot.
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5. Travel with a Friend
If you’re thinking of traveling solo to a place you’ve always wanted to visit, go cheaper by traveling with a friend. You two can share lodging fees. Also, sometimes there are more deals and discounts for those traveling with multiple people. I always do this when going to a big music festival, if it’s far away. I’ll usually meet my friend there, and we share lodging costs. It also makes the trip more fun.
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6. Find Free Spots to Travel
Look for some free attractions in your travel area. Chances are, they won’t be as packed as the big-named places, too. You can still visit some of the popular landmarks. But, if you add a trip to a national park or free museum to your itinerary, it will save you some cash.
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7. Max Out Your Memberships
Are you a member of any random groups? You might have travel deals just waiting for you. Check everything, from your college alumni membership to your credit cards, for travel discounts. You may be surprised what you find.
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8. Don't Get Picky
Say you just want to get out on a fantastic trip, but you don’t really have a place in mind. That’s actually a good thing. Take an hour to look at flight specials happening right now. If you aren’t picky on where to travel, chances are you’ll find a great rate on airfare and lodging somewhere. Once you find the most reasonable place to travel, then you can start looking at what to do when you’re there.
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9. Go Popular
This is a bit ironic, but often times, the most popular tourist destinations are also the cheapest. That’s because there is a lot of competition for all those travelers. So, big-named destinations like Orlando, Florida, or Las Vegas, Nevada, tend to have really good travel deals. Go popular, or go home.
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