The excitement is palpable in Clemson as students have started the new school year and fall athletes are getting ready for big games. Here at Lakeside Lodge, we’re taking care of all the preparations to ensure your stay will be stress-free. All you’ll have to do is check-in and relax in your beautiful suite.

School may be back in session, but summer temps are still sizzling! A weekend visit to see your student is a great opportunity to grab some dinner on the patio at Traditions on the Lake, lounge around the pool with cold beverages, or gather around the fire pit for a bonding session before the kids go back to the dorms.

There is no better time to reserve your suite at Lakeside Lodge. Football season starts Sept. 4 - and around here, we know that means available rooms won't last long. While you're making plans for parent weekends and sibling visits, we are so ready to welcome you and your family.

Feel like exploring Lake Hartwell or the areas around campus? Check out some of Clemson’s offerings:

• Clemson Farmers Market -Every Thursday from 3-6 p.m. through September, find fresh fruits and veggies to take back home from the area’s farmers and growers. The Market is located at Patrick Square Village Green, 578 Issaqueena Trail.
• The South Carolina Botanical Garden is a 295-acre garden located on the campus of Clemson University. Once you enter through the Fran Hanson Visitor's Center, you’ve got access to numerous different gardens, including the Camellia Garden, Wildlife Habitat Garden, Xeriscape Garden, Hosta Garden, 70-acre Schoenike Arboretum, Heritage Gardens, and nature trails.
• Another popular attraction on campus is the Bob Campbell Geology Museum, which houses more than 10,000 minerals, rocks and fossils, as well as a wide variety of geological and paleontological exhibits. You’ll see one of Clemson’s first “tigers” - a Saber-tooth Tiger named Smiley, and the skull of a T-rex.
• At the Brooks Center for the Performing Arts, see world-class professional dance, music, and theater performances in the large facility with numerous theatre spaces. Find out what performances are scheduled on the website.
• The Clemson Marina offers boat rentals for short trips around Lake Hartwell, as well as boat sales, storage, and access to the members-only Freedom Boat Club.
• Prefer a day at the park? Clemson’s largest is Nettles Park, with baseball, soccer, and softball fields, as well as tennis courts and a dog park. It’s located at 102 Nettles Park Rd.
• Twelve Mile Recreation Area offers 26 acres of picnic sites and shelters, boat launches, playgrounds, and a beach. It’s a nice place for a large family gathering before saying "goodbye" to your Clemson student.