A local favorite! Every Saturday morning (spring through fall), this open-air market fills Main Street with local produce, handmade crafts, food vendors, and live music — a great way to experience Columbia’s community vibe.
Consistently ranked as one of the best small zoos in the country. Great for families, great for couples—it’s just a fun day out.
A great stop for families or anyone curious about South Carolina history. Four floors of fun: history, science, art, and even a planetarium.
Perfect if you are bringing kids! Hands-on exhibits and creative play spaces make it the kind of museum you wish you could have visited when you were a kid.
At the edge of downtown Columbia and at the convergence of the Broad, Saluda, and Congaree Rivers. This scenic greenway follows the river shore from downtown to the outskirts of Columbia. It’s ideal for a sunset walk or casual bike ride. You’ll pass waterfront seating, art installations, and often local events — a lovely way to unwind after exploring downtown.
Newly renovated park with winding streams and paved walkways, grassy fields, a huge playground, a concert stage, and a waterfall fed by the park's signature fountain, which you will recognize from Crystl and Kevin's "Save the Date" photo!
Beautiful, modern, and thoughtfully curated—perfect for art lovers or anyone who likes a peaceful way to spend an afternoon downtown. Exhibits rotate often, so new works are always available to see.
Just minutes from the wedding venue, Harbison Forest offers peaceful walking trails through towering pines and Carolina hardwoods, fit for a morning stroll or a quiet nature break. The nearby Saluda River trails and parks weave alongside the water for scenic views and fresh air.
Capitols are a must for Crystl, and this one is worth a visit. Take a free tour, explore the grounds, and enjoy the architecture and history. It’s right in the heart of downtown, close to restaurants and shops.
For foodies! Beer, restaurants, and shops line this two-story, open-air food court (we love the tacos from Los Chicanos). Enjoy the casual local vibe, highly recommended if you want something delicious and unfussy.
If you know, you know. 🐔 Stroll across the historic Horseshoe, visit McKissick Museum, grab USC merch at the Russell House, and catch the Gamecock spirit. The next time you see Kevin, "hold up your spurs" 🤙 and crow like a Gamecock!
A little unofficial “beer trail” around Columbia: WECO Bottle & Beer Garden: Casual, community atmosphere and where we met — so it’s automatically awesome. Hazelwood Brewing: A laid-back local brewery with great beer, plenty of outdoor seating, and an easygoing neighborhood atmosphere. Fourteen Mile Taphouse: Dozens of draft beers; home of "Bills Backers of the Midlands SC." Great gameday spot for any Bills fans staying through Sunday. Hunter-Gatherer: A brewery inside a historic airplane hangar at Owens Field Airport. Great beer and cool aviation history. Savage Craft: Brewery with rooftop views, fire pits, and live music. Steel Hands Brewing: Original location in Cayce with live music and plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Steel Hands Distilling: Smaller venue in Columbia with beer and liquor (whisky, gin, and vodka). Art Bar - Funky, eclectic, and full of personality. Great if you want something fun, weird (in the best way), and unforgettable.