Hotels along 95 in Florence or Manning safe to stop for 1 night? (Columbia: restaurants, outlet mall)

[pa2az2012]

Hotels along 95 in Florence or Manning safe to stop for 1 night with dog on the way to fl? Do you think this will a good stop area for night?

[waccamatt]

You should probably post on the main South Carolina forum since Florence and Manning are not really that close to Columbia. I doubt you'd have any problems in either town, though, as long as you're at a decent hotel.

[pa2az2012]

Thanks Waccamatt

[eureka1]

What Waccamatt said. Also you might consider going an hour further to Santee which is charmless but has MANY motels and restaurants and lots of people around. We like Clarke's but they have all the chains as well. ANY freeway town requires a little vigilance. Safe journey!

[Mary Ann789]

Originally Posted by pa2az2012

Hotels along 95 in Florence or Manning safe to stop for 1 night with dog on the way to fl? Do you think this will a good stop area for night?

If I was choosing between Manning and Florence, I would choose Florence. Right off the interstate are some hotels along with a decent selection of restaurants (chains) and the Florence mall. Mellow Mushroom opened up there not too long ago...good pizza. There's also a Petsmart.

[Ceezer]

Originally Posted by eureka1

Also you might consider going an hour further to Santee which is charmless but has MANY motels and restaurants and lots of people around.

I would echo this. If you're willing to drive to Manning before stopping, then Santee is only 20 more minutes (exit 98; I think Manning is exit 119). There are several hotels right there by the Interstate, so they're not hard to find and they're not isolated, and this exit is a popular destination so good hospitality service is important.

While you're there you can walk across the old bridge and look out over Lake Marion, or even stop by Santee State Park, which butts right up against the same lake.

Stop by the Santee General Store if you've got a taste for some local goods (chow chow, jelly & jam, etc).Don't bother stopping at the outlet mall, it's mostly abandoned now...