Columbia is the capital city and second largest city in South Carolina. It is home to the main campus of the University of South Carolina, and to the Army's Fort Jackson. It is in the approximate geographic center of the state, and was one of the first planned cities in the United States.
Columbia's recent rapid growth indicates South Carolina's capital city is beginning to blossom as other Southern cities have in the 21st century. As of 2018, the estimated population of the city was 133,000, with an urban core population of about 550,000, and 833,000 in the metro area.
To get from the airport to downtown using public transport, Comet Bus Route #28 operates weekday-only service from the Midland Tech Airport campus, a few blocks from the airport. The bus leaves 3 times per day: at 7:39AM, 1:04PM, and 4:59PM. The journey downtown costs $1.50 and takes 30 minutes.
An Amtrak station is located at 850 Pulaski Street in the Vista. Columbia sits on the main north-south line on the East Coast. Trains depart daily for Miami and New York; however, most of the trains pass though Columbia at night and are frequently delayed.
The COMET. The city's local transit system and the main way to travel by bus within the metropolitan area with routes in downtown Columbia and parts of Richland and Lexington Counties. Though the on-campus routes are useful to University of South Carolina students and other routes to those downtown, car-dependency makes driving the only viable option for most others.
Most people use a car to get around Columbia, but more pedestrian-friendly areas of the city include downtown, The Vista, the University Hill/USC area, and Five Points. There is bus service around town and nearby provided by provided by the COMET. The free Soda Cap Connector, provides bus transit between downtown hotspots. Taxi service is also available 24/7 if you call in advance, and can usually be hailed on the street in Five Points and The Vista at night. Columbia also has an active Uber and Lyft population.
Siebels House and Garden One of the best gardens in the city. It's free to walk through and surrounds the oldest house in Columbia.
34.04216-80.9309291Fort Jackson(off I-77; non-military-affiliated civilians must enter through gate 4 on Boyden Arbor Rd, Exit 13 Decker Blvd going north or Exit 15 Percival Rd going south).Fort Jackson is one of the major draws of visitors to Columbia. Essentially, there are three types of visitors to Fort Jackson: 1. the miserable private going through Basic Combat Training; 2. friends and family of graduating basic trainees; 3. A.I.T. (Advanced Individual Training) students. For those visiting for B.C.T graduation, graduation will be held at Hilton Field or, in the case of inclement weather, the Solomon Center. You should not surprise the soldier you're visiting, because he/she must report whether he/she is going home with a family member or by government expense. Failure to alert your soldier will cause him/her to be required to leave on government transportation. Furthermore, leave contact info with your soldier, so his/her drill sergeants can alert you to any changes in plans.
34.010278-81.0294442Hampton-Preston Mansion and Gardens,1615 Blanding Street,☏ +1 803 252-1770.Tu-Sa 10AM-3PM; Su 1-4PM.One of the few houses left from antebellum Columbia, it was built in 1818 and has many authentic furnishings.For house: adults $5; age 65+, college students and military $4, ages 6-17 $3.
34.000433-81.0331473South Carolina Statehouse,1100 Gervais St,☏ +1 803 734-2430.With a copper dome and bronze stars marking places where Sherman's cannonballs struck, the Statehouse is well worth the trip for fans of history and architecture alike. Though the Confederate flag no longer flies on the top of the dome, it stands atop a memorial directly in front of the building at the intersection of Gervais and Main. The grounds include several monuments and a small Italianate rose garden.
34.0097-81.07244Riverbanks Zoo,500 Wildlife Parkway(Located about a mile outside of downtown, and easily accessible by Interstate 126).Riverbanks Zoo has grown tremendously in the past decade. Recent additions include a gorilla habitat and koala bears donated from their native Queensland. Considered to be in the top ten US zoos, it has the added benefit of being small enough for those with difficulty walking to manage. Children will enjoy the petting zoo, pony rides, and demonstrations.
South Carolina State Museum
33.998611-81.0480565South Carolina State Museum,301 Gervais Street(near the corner of Huger and Gervais (US 1) streets in a renovated textile mill),☏ +1 803 898-4921,PublicRelations@scmuseum.org.Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 1-5PM. Open Mondays Memorial Day through Labor Day.This museum is often visited by South Carolina school groups, and tourists on rainy days. Children may enjoy the hands-on exhibits, but parents will note that this place is long on reproductions and short on explanations. Come prepared for lessons on history, geography, industry, and economics. The gift shop has many South Carolina-themed items.
34.005833-81.0361118Columbia Museum of Art,☏ +1 803 799-2810.South Carolina's premier international art museum has 25 galleries of extraordinary collections of European, American and Asian fine and decorative art that span centuries. The museum's collection includes masterpieces of the Italian Renaissance through the 18th century from the Samuel H. Kress Collection, a strong collection of European and American furniture and decorative arts, as well as modern and contemporary art, art glass, and 20th-century design. Of particular interest are Sandro Botticelli's Nativity, Canaletto’s View of the Molo, Claude Monet's The Seine at Giverny, and art glass by Louis Comfort Tiffany. The museum’s collection of Asian art and Antiquities has grown through generous gifts to the collection, including an impressive collection of Korean and Chinese ceramics and Roman portrait heads. The museum also offers changing exhibitions from renowned museums and educational programs that include group and public tours, lectures, films, and concert series. The Museum Shop is open during museum hours.
Williams-Brice Stadium in 1998South Carolina Gamecocks,Rice Athletics Center, 1304 Heyward St. (central ticket office),☏ +1 803 777-4274,toll-free: +1 800 472-3267.M–F 8:30AM–5PM.One of Columbia's great institutions is University of South Carolina sports. The Gamecocks compete in 9 men's and 12 women's sports, almost all in the Southeastern Conference. As with most large schools, their hot-button sports are traditionally football and men's basketball, although their most nationally competitive have been women's basketball (in which they routinely lead the entire NCAA in attendance, and often outdraw the men) and baseball. Most athletic facilities are on campus, with the best-known venues being Williams-Brice Stadium (football), Colonial Life Arena (both basketball teams), and Founders Park (baseball).
Columbia Fireflies,Segra Park, 1640 Freed St,☏ +1 803 726-4487.The City of Columbia's Minor League Baseball team with single-game tickets starting as low as $6.(updated May 2024)
Nickelodeon,1607 Main Street,☏ +1 803 254-3433.For independent film in Columbia, this is your place. Also has several film festivals throughout the year and is a comfortable movie theater.
Kayaking. Columbia has some of the best kayaking available in an urban area in the US. Put in the Saluda River at north end of the Riverbanks Zoo parking lot, get out in the Congaree just past the Gervais Street bridge, on either side.
St Patrick Day Festival An Irish celebration that is in Five Points. Features an elaborate parade. There's a wide variety of family entertainment like petting zoos and rides for kids. There's three stages of music by local and national musicians, and great food from local restaurants and caterers.
33.9975-81.02641Melton Memorial Observatory,1429 Greene St.(Greene St at Bull St on the University of South Carolina campus, across from Russell House),☏ +1 803 777-4180.M 9:30-11:30PM.The Melton Observatory is open to the public every Monday night when the sky is clear. Drop by to see planets, stars, nebulae, or whatever else is visible in the night sky.Free.
Ganden Kadampa Buddhist Center,1202 Main St. #200,☏ +1 803 256-0150.Ganden Buddhist Center is a great place to learn about meditation and Buddhism. The center is right across from the state capitol building and offers classes nearly every day of the week.
Three Rivers Greenway(Riverfront Park)(Along both sides of the Congaree River).This series of trails is popular with joggers, dog walkers, bikers, skaters, etc. One can walk along almost the entire riverfront on the east and west sides of the river. Access via Laurel Street or Gervais Street. Beautiful views of the 3 rivers (Saluda and Broad combine to form the Congaree).(updated Feb 2016)
Craft Axe Throwing(Axe, Hatchet or Tomahawk Throwing),700 Gervais St b2,,☏ +1 803 281-3803,columbia@craftaxethrowing.com.A destination for axe-throwing, tomahawk, and hatchet enthusiasts. Craft beverages are available. Groups and parties welcome. Experts will guide you through axe-throwing, ensuring a safe and entertaining experience for all skill levels.(updated Oct 2023)
Famously Hot SC Pride,info@scpride.org.Annual LGBT pride festival held in downtown Columbia in October along with Outfest, a block party held in June coinciding with pride month. SC Pride also supports Brave The Rainbow, an initiative for businesses in the Midlands showing support of the LGBT community on their storefronts.(updated May 2024)
33.9975-81.0252781University of South Carolina(USC),info@sc.edu.The campus is just south of the Statehouse. The oldest part of campus, known as "The Horseshoe", survived the burning of Columbia and has lovely buildings dating from 1805.
Five Points,532 Congaree Avenue.District of Columbia that features a wide selection of primarily locally-owned shops and boutiques, including a unique bookstore and music store. A must-visit for shoppers in Columbia.(updated May 2017)
Dutch Square Mall,421 Bush River Rd.Older, smaller mall that is good for bargain hunters at stores such as Burlington Coat Factory.(updated May 2017)
34.0789-81.15751Columbiana Centre,100 Columbiana Circle(Off Harbison Blvd).Columbia's largest shopping mall, anchor stores include Belk, Dillard's and J.C. Penney. The former Sears anchor is now occupied by a Dave & Buster's and a Belk men's store.(updated Sep 2024)
34.0659-80.96162Columbia Place Mall,7201 Two Notch Rd(Off Parklane Road),☏ +1 803 788-4678.Mid-market mall on Columbia's north-central side, including Sears, Burlington Coat Factory and the only Macy's department store in the region.(updated Nov 2017)
Some of the most popular restaurants include, the Blue Marlin, which features seafood prepared in the South Carolina Lowcountry tradition; the Hampton Street Vineyard, best known for its extensive selection in fine wines; and SakiTumi Grill & Sushi, which specializes in Pacific Rim cuisine. In all, Columbia offers over 450 dining options. Terra in the West Bank/State St. area in West Columbia is a new upscale eatery that has caught the attention of locals.
Rockaway's,2719 Rosewood Drive.11:30AM-midnight.Columbia Institution, best burgers in town and pimiento cheese fries. It's an unassuming brick building with metal shutters on Rosewood across from the Rite Aid. The service sucks and the wait staff is lacking but that is part of the experience.under $10.
Passable regional chain restaurants have locations in and near town, including Mellow Mushroom Pizza and Moe's Southwest Grill.
Other cheap eats include:
Beezer's,919 Sumter St. #B(USC campus, across from the Horseshoe),☏ +1 803 771-7771.Undergrad guilty pleasure, features cheap salads and variety of simple but decent subs. Open late, usually until 3AM, also delivers.under $10.
Groucho's Deli,611 Harden St.(Five Points, across from Sharky's Bar and Red Hot Tomatoes).Original store of the mainly S.C.-based chain, serves liberally decorated deli sandwiches with tart dipping sauces.around $10.
Delhi Palace,542 St Andrews Rd(On Broad River Rd just off I-20),☏ +1 803-580-6596.Su-Th 11:30AM-10PM; F Sa 11:30AM-10:30PM.Those in the know visit for the inexpensive but tasty Indian buffet.
Pasta Fresca,3405 Forest Dr.M-Th 11AM-9PM; F Sa 11AM-10PM; Su 5-9PM.Large portions of superior Italian fare at reasonable prices make this one popular with people who dine out for food rather than linen tablecloths.
Columbia has a diverse, extensive array of restaurants to choose from, most notably those in the historic Congaree Vista district, Five Points, and along Devine Street.
Blue Marlin,1200 Lincoln St(In the Vista),☏ +1 803 799-3838.Su 11:30AM-9PM; M-Th 11:30AM-2:30PM, 5-10PM; F 11:30AM-2:30PM, 5-11PM; Sa 4-11PM.One of the better seafood restaurants in Columbia, Blue Marlin specializes in Lowcountry style seafood such as shrimp and grits as well as she-crab soup.
California Dreaming,401 Main St,☏ +1 803 254-6767.Su-Th 11AM-10PM; F Sa 11AM-11PM.Good service; excellent salads and steaks, in addition to good desserts and a nice bar.
Ristorante Divino,803 Gervais St(in the Vista),☏ +1 803 799-4550.Su-Th 5-10PM; F Sa 5-11PM.Fabulous Northern Italian cuisine. Wine cellar on premises. Jackets recommended. Reservations are suggested.
Hampton Street Vineyard,1201 Hampton St,☏ +1 803 252-0850.M-F 11:30AM-2PM, 6-10PM; Sa 6-10PM.Outstanding food selection. Also has an excellent wine service and good service in general. Reservations are recommended for the restaurant is fairly small inside and is pretty popular.
Mr. Friendly’s,2001-A Greene St,☏ +1 803 254-7828.M-Th 11:30AM-2:30PM, 5:30-10PM; F 11:30AM-2:30PM, 5:30-10:30PM; Sa 5:30-10:30PM.People dress up to visit the celebrated (and busy) Mr. Friendly’s, known for its meaty Southern cuisine.
Terra,100 State St., West Columbia(in the West Bank),☏ +1 803 791-3443.Tu-Sa 5-11PM.Winner 2008 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. Makes a strong effort to support local farmers and uses as many locally grown ingredients as possible.
Five Points. Located around the intersection of Harden Street, Greene Street and Saluda Avenue, this neighborhood has numerous bars and eateries catering to the University of South Carolina students. It gets especially boisterous on Thursday nights. There are a few bars in this area that you'll find a more mature crowd and not so much the college scene. Places such as BarNone and Group Therapy generally cater to the recently graduated drinkers.
The Vista. For the more mature crowd, dozens of bars and restaurants centered on the corner of Lincoln and Gervais. Carolina Ale House Rooftop Bar and Wild Wing Cafe make for a great place to go and watch sporting events as well as some great live music.
33.969625-80.9496371Comfort Inn & Suites(Comfort Inn & Suites Ft. Jackson Main Gate),7337 Garner's Ferry Road(Exit 9 off of I-77),☏ +1 803 695-5555.Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM.Comfortable hotel with an exercise room, pool, and free Wi-Fi connection..
33.998313-81.0365784Hilton Columbia Center,924 Senate Street,☏ +1 803 744-7800.This hotel is in the Vista in walking distance of bars, restaurants, the State Museum, the Convention Center, and the central business district. It is a 4 diamond-rated AAA hotel and the on-site restaurant is Ruth's Chris.
34.075286-81.159485Holiday Inn Express Harbison,211 Lanneau Court(Junction I-26 and Harbison Blvd (Exit 103)),☏ +1 803-732-2229.Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon.Amenities include free breakfast, free internet, a business center and a fitness center. Microwave and refrigerator in each guest room. Free pass to Gold's Gym, across the street from Columbiana mall, directly next door to Bailey's Sports Grill and Carmike movie theater
34.004245-81.034556Sheraton Columbia Downtown Hotel,1400 Main Street,☏ +1 803 988-1400.Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon.Located in an architecturally pleasing building, but that's about the only good view of the hotel - the area surrounding the hotel essentially offers views of parking garages. Located in the central downtown area of Columbia.
34.007711-81.0497757Staybridge Suites Columbia,1911 Huger St,toll-free: +1-866-406-4650.Extended-stay suites. Free breakfast, 24-hour fitness center, indoor pool. Free internet, free evening reception Monday - Thursday, business center. Spacious guest rooms offer a fully equipped kitchen (microwave, refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, cooking utensils), flat screen TV and free internet.
Columbia is less than a two-hour drive away from the cities of Greenville and Charleston. Congaree National Park, South Carolina's only national park, is even closer, about 20 miles to the south, and makes for a good day trip. Columbia is also close to two seemingly forever-growing metros, Atlanta and Charlotte.
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