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Things To Do
Riverbanks Zoo & Garden
We went here on our first date. Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is home to more than 2,000 magnificent and fascinating animals and one of the nation’s most beautiful and inspiring botanical gardens. The lush 170-acre site features dynamic natural habitat exhibits, scenic river views, spectacular valley overlooks and significant historic landmarks.
Nickelodeon Theatre
Founded in 1979 as South Carolina’s only non-profit arthouse cinema, the Nickelodeon for over forty years has played a critical role in the development and growth of the arts space in the region. From its beginnings as a one-screen theatre in a converted bank building, the Nickelodeon has served since 2012 as a major cultural anchor on Columbia’s blossoming Main Street, drawing over 70,000 attendees into the heart of our city annually.
Frankie's Fun Park
Family Fun Park
South Carolina State Museum
Along the banks of the Congaree River, in the heart of SC, the South Carolina State Museum houses treasures from near and far, with something new to discover around every corner of the state-of-the-art facility. Boasting the largest and most comprehensive museum in the state, and the largest in the Southeast, the SCSM experience is one that will ignite your curiosity and leave you inspired. The museum houses four floors of permanent and changing exhibits. The influx of one-of-a-kind, new exhibits coming through the State Museum makes each visit unique and special. Not to mention, the facility houses four museums in one – art, history, natural history, and science and technology – the perfect stop for the knowledge-seeker who can’t decide which subject fascinates them more. There’s no need to choose; it’s all there for you to explore.
Hampton-Preston Mansion and Gardens
One of Columbia's oldest historic houses, the Hampton-Preston Mansion is situated on four-acres in the city center. Established in 1818 by an enslaved work force for a wealthy planter-class family, the site features a single structure and expansive gardens that have been recreated to represent the antebellum era. The house has had many uses over the years, including a private residence, a governor’s mansion, Union Army headquarters, a convent, educational institutions and commercial space. Rehabilitated in the late 1960s, the historic mansion opened in 1970 as the centerpiece of the Midlands Tricentennial Exposition Center. Tours of the Hampton-Preston Mansion are available Wednesday - Saturday at 12 p.m. and on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. Purchase all house tickets in the Gift Shop on the grounds of the Robert Mills House, located at 1616 Blanding Street. Admission is free to all children under 6 years old and all Historic Columbia Foundation members.
Woodrow Wilson Family Home
The nation's only museum dedicated to interpreting the post-Civil War Reconstruction period and South Carolina's only remaining presidential site, this distinctive circa-1871 Italian villa-style residence was home to a 14-year-old boy named "Tommy" Woodrow Wilson. The site is operated as a museum by Historic Columbia and explores the racial, social and political landscape of Columbia and Richland County from 1865 through 1877. Tours of The Museum of the Reconstruction Era at Woodrow Wilson Family Home are available Wednesday - Saturday at 10:30 a.m. and on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. Purchase all house tickets in the Gift Shop on the grounds of the Robert Mills House, located at 1616 Blanding Street. Admission is free to all children under 6 years old and all Historic Columbia Foundation members.
Columbia Museum of Art
Nestled in the Main Street district, the Columbia Museum of Art brings vibrant energy and inspiration to the capital city through its internationally renowned collection and exhibitions. This 21st-century museum believes that art is meant to be experienced, not just gazed upon, and more than 150,000 art lovers make their way to the CMA each year to experience the highly awarded museum for themselves. Every few months, the CMA hosts a new, one-of-a-kind traveling show or exhibition, but it’s the museum’s permanent collection that’s truly a sight to behold. One of the largest in the Southeast, this international collection houses an incredibly diverse number of pieces spanning across many eras.
South Carolina Military Museum
Admission and parking completely free!
South Carolina Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum
Founded in 1896, the SC Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum is the oldest history museum in the state. The museum focuses on South Carolina's military history from the Revolutionary War to the present. Visitors to the museum can explore South Carolina's distinguished martial tradition in exhibits covering the Revolutionary War, Mexican War, Civil War, Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, Vietnam War, the War on Terror, and other American conflicts. The museum offers a unique opportunity to discover and explore the state"s military history through informative and award-winning exhibits, featuring many rare and one-of-a-kind artifacts. The museum’s evolving permanent exhibits and changing exhibit galleries make each visit a new experience!
Koger Center for the Arts
JERSEY BOYS BY BROADWAY July 31, 2022 Location: Koger Center for the Arts Address: 1051 Greene Street, Columbia, SC 29201 Time: 7:30 PM Price: $43-63
Soda City Market
Soda City Market is a producer-only market — vendors must make or grow their own products (including out of season/exotic fruits and vegetables, antiques, and vintage items). Everything sold at our market is unique, hand crafted, and produced in the Southeast. The market fields an average of 150 vendors per week, and over 400 unique vendors throughout the year!
Carolina Children's Garden
Children and gardens are natural duets. Environmental theme gardens such as the Carolina Fence Garden, the bird garden, and the butterfly garden, provide a place for investigation, experimentation, and imaginative play. The Children's Garden may be visited for a self-guided experience at any time during open hours.
Click the link to find all the unique features of Columbia SC
In the heart of South Carolina, tradition and tomorrow pair perfectly. As a creative hub that's fed by university and capital city communities, a gritty spirit and vibrant energy can be felt all around. It's a city where stately buildings buzz with new businesses and centuries-old sites give rise to fresh perspectives - all this in the midst of surrounding natural beauty. With an unexpected food & drink scene, festivals year-round and a local shopping scene, Columbia SC will leave you looking forward to what's next. When you're ready to plan your safe getaway, we'll be waiting with a glass of sweet tea, unless of course you prefer something barrel-aged or bacon-infused.
Il Giorgione
HOURS OF OPERATION (RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED) Tuesday through Friday 5:30pm - 10:00pm Saturday Brunch 11:00am - 2:00pm Saturday Dinner 5:30pm - 10:00pm TAKE OUT available at all times except Friday and Saturday night between 6:30pm and 8:30pm. Closed Sunday/Monday HAPPY HOUR Tuesday through Friday 5:30pm to 7pm Telephone: 803.521.5063
Motor Supply Company Bistro
Our farm-to-table menu changes daily for lunch and dinner, offering diners something new and delicious every time they come through the door. 920 Gervais St. Columbia, SC (803) 256-6687 @motorsupply Lunch Tuesday - Friday: 11:00 - 2:00 Dinner Tuesday - Thursday: 5:00 - 9:00 Friday - Saturday: 5:00 - 10:00 Sunday: 5:00 - 9:00 Brunch Saturday: 11:00-2:00 Sunday: 10:00 - 2:00
Lula Drake Wine Parlour
WINES THAT REVEAL A SENSE OF PLACE BEERS CAREFULLY CRAFTED & ARTFULLY CURATED PAIRINGS & BITES
Kiki's Chicken and Waffles
Owned by Kitwanda “Kiki” and Tyrone Cyrus, Kiki’s opened its doors in 2012 and has been serving delicious, homemade soul food dishes to raving customers ever since. Best known for our signature dish — four crispy fried chicken wings seasoned to perfection on top of a warm, Belgian waffle — we also serve a variety of home-cooked meals, from fried green beans and sweet cream corn nuggets to smothered pork chops and salmon patties. And don’t forget dessert! Our famous red velvet waffle with cream cheese frosting is unmatched.
Little Pigs Barbecue
You haven't tasted real Carolina barbecue until you have experienced Little Pigs Barbecue. We offer a full-service, dine-in buffet and take-out. The Buffet includes barbecue, ribs, brisket, pork chops, chicken, wings, fish, rice, hash, collards, beans, tomato pie, macaroni and cheese, and many more of your favorite home-cooked sides, desserts, and your drink! We feature the three popular styles of barbecue: Tomato-based, Mustard-based, and Vinegar-Pepper. If you don't have time to sit a spell and enjoy the buffet, stop by and select from our Take-Out or Bulk Menu.
Sesquicentennial State Park
This 1,419-acre park, situated in the middle of the sandhills region, features a beautiful 30-acre lake surrounded by trails, playgrounds, splash pad, dog-park, picnic areas and over 80 RV/tent site campground.