COLUMBIA 2016 OFFICIAL VISITORS GUIDE
Congaree National Park
YOUR GUIDE TO COLUMBIA’S HOTTEST ATTRACTIONS
FROM BARBECUE TO BISTRO: DINING IN COLUMBIA
PAGE 9
PAGE 55
COLUMBIA’S GREAT GETAWAY. 924 Senate Street, Columbia, SC 29201 (803) 744-7800 • www.hiltoncolumbia.com Featuring
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Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide
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the neW South Carolina
State MuSeuM
Four exhibit FloorS oF South Carolina art, history, naturaL history anD science anD technoLogy
2 2
FuLL DigitaL Dome pLanetarium
Largest 4D theater in South Carolina
observatory with soLar viewing and night sky observing
visit purchase tickets. Columbia 2016 scmuseum.org Official Offi cial Visitors Guide Guide for more information or to experiencecolumbia.com Located in the Historic Congaree Vista, Columbia, SC. • 803.898.4921
Contents
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE HOUSE
Welcome to Columbia 4
Things to Do 36
Sally Salamander Tour 5
Dining 55
Planning Essentials 6
Accommodations 64
Columbia’s Hot Spots 9
City and Regional Maps 72
Local Districts and Shopping 18
Signature Events 78 Index of Advertisers 80
Connect with Us! To find the latest on what’s “famously hot” in Columbia, SC, be sure to connect with us online.
facebook.com/columbiasc twitter.com/columbiasc #famouslyhot experiencecolumbia.com
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Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide
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Throughout the Columbia region, everyone’s buzzing about … “… the ongoing revitalization. The city center and Vista districts have seen a great renaissance over the past few years and continue to flourish. Everyone is excited about the development along North Main Street and throughout Richland and Lexington Counties. Riverbanks Zoo & Garden is wrapping up a major expansion. Their new Sea Lion Landing is modeled after San Francisco’s Pier 39. Also, we’re establishing ourselves as a baseball community with Spirit Communications Ballpark and Lexington County Baseball Stadium. Go Fireflies! Go Blowfish!”
Bill Ellen PRESIDENT & CEO, MIDLANDS AUTHORITY FOR CONVENTIONS, SPORTS & TOURISM
“… the new Columbia Fireflies baseball team playing in the center of the Bull Street Common development. Columbia is a true city of the 21st century. But we’re also a city of heart. Here gentlemen still open doors for ladies. We serve sweet tea in every restaurant, and we remember that the two most important words in the English language are, ‘Thank you.’”
The Honorable Steve Benjamin
Columbia Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau 1101 Lincoln St., Columbia, SC 29201 800-264-4884; Fax: 803-545-0013 experiencecolumbia.com PRESIDENT & CEO Bill Ellen V.P. OF SALES & MARKETING Kelly Barbrey DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS Andrea Mensink DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Renée Williamson Chow CVB EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Jason Outman PARTNERSHIP SERVICES MANAGER Judie VanPatten VISITORS CENTER MANAGER Jill Asouzu
MAYOR, CITY OF COLUMBIA
“… how fantastic people are here in Richland County. It’s no wonder our business community is thriving, our schools are top-notch, our neighborhoods are welcoming and our natural resources are cherished. We’re proud of our position as the state’s Capital County and we work to balance growth, while protecting our ‘rich land.’ Our county slogan, ‘Uniquely Urban ... Uniquely Rural,’ captures the spirit of what makes Richland County the place it is. Whether you’re a visitor, newcomer or longtime resident, my advice is the same: Discover something new about Richland County.”
Torrey Rush CHAIRMAN, RICHLAND COUNTY COUNCIL
“… the good life. Not only is our county thriving, it’s the place to experience the leisure of Lake Murray and Saluda Shoals or golf one of our beautiful courses; live healthy by walking our parks and trails or shop at our various farmers’ markets; and explore our family-friendly activities with a visit to Riverbanks Gardens or a Blowfish baseball game at Lexington County Stadium. We WELCOME you to our community and to the good life!”
Johnny Jeffcoat CHAIRMAN, LEXINGTON COUNTY COUNCIL
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Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide
Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide PUBLISHER Charlie Nutt EDITOR Dan Cook SALES MANAGER Hyatt Drake GENERAL MANAGER Jen Coody PRODUCTION MANAGER Lisa Heinz CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS John Carlos, Brett Flashnick, Thomas Hammond, Kevin Kyzer, Sean Rayford, Jonathan Sharpe ON THE COVER: Congaree National Park celebrates the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service in 2016. The Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide is published by Resorts Media, LLC of Columbia for the Columbia Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau. For advertising or other information about the Visitors Guide, contact Resorts Media, LLC, 1534 Main St., Columbia, SC 29201. 803-765-0707 or by email at publisher@free-times.com. © Copyright 2015 Resorts Media LLC and the Columbia Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau. Portions may be reproduced with written permission. All rights reserved.
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Sally Salamander Downtown Walking Tour
Meet Sally, potted salamanders salamanders can can potted be hard hard to to see, see, but but it’s it’s Columbia’s be worth the the search search to to find find worth Sally Newest Salamander — because — because Sally Salamander she’ll help help you you learn learn about about she’ll and enjoy enjoy Columbia. Columbia. The The Ambassador! and
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South Carolina Carolina State State House House 22 I South
(Salamanderat atFirst FirstCitizens CitizensComplex, Complex,1230 1230Main MainSt) St) (Salamander Atthe thecorner cornerof ofMain Mainand andGervais, Gervais,Sally Sallynotices noticesthe the At home of democracy at the State House located in the home of democracy at the State House located in the heartof ofColumbia, Columbia,the thePalmetto PalmettoState’s State’sCapital. Capital.ItItisis heart anhistoric historicbuilding buildingwith withaastoried storiedpast pastof ofwar, war,struggle struggle an and accomplishment. The State House grounds are and accomplishment. The State House grounds are hometo tomore morethan thantwo twodozen dozenmonuments. monuments.Can Canyou you home findall all66bronze bronzestars? stars? find 1100Gervais GervaisStreet Street 1100
Arcade Mall Mall 33 I Arcade
Builtin in1912, 1912,the theArcade Arcadewas wasColumbia’s Columbia’sfirst firstindoor indoor Built mall.The Thearchitecture architecturefeatures featuresterra terracotta cottaand andmarble marble mall. detailing.ItItwas wasplaced placedon onthe theNational NationalRegister Registerof of detailing. HistoricPlaces Placeson onNovember November17, 17,1982. 1982. Historic 1332Main MainStreet Street 1332
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Put the power of play to work and build a bridge to the joy of hands-on learning.
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Columbia 2016 2016 Official Official Visitors Visitors Guide Guide Columbia
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Planning Essentials COLUMBIA METROPOLITAN CONVENTION CENTER
VISITOR INFORMATION The greater Columbia area consists of six counties: Richland (which includes the City of Columbia), Lexington, Kershaw, Calhoun, Fairfield and Saluda. With nearly 135,000 residents, Columbia is the largest city in the state. The greater metropolitan area has a population of approximately 800,000.
VISITORS CENTERS Columbia Regional Visitors Center 1101 Lincoln St., (803) 545-0002 800-264-4884 columbiacvb.com/visitorscenter Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Conveniently located at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center in the historic Congaree Vista district, just blocks away from the South Carolina State House and numerous dining and entertainment options. 6
Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide
Capital City/Lake Murray Country Visitors Center 2184 N. Lake Dr., (803) 781-5940, 1-866-SC-JEWEL lakemurraycountry.com Mon-Thu 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Fri 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sat 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Sun Noon-3 p.m.
Lake Murray offers 650 miles of shoreline, hosts major national fishing tournaments and is one of the region’s top attractions.
University of South Carolina Visitors Center 945 Bull St., (803) 777-0169, 800-922-9755 sc.edu/visit Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Offers 90-minute tours for prospective students. Tours run Mon-Fri.
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COLUMBIA COLUMBIA DOWNTOWN DOWNTOWN SKYLINE SKYLINE
CLIMATE
GETTING HERE
It’s It’s true, true, Columbia Columbia is is famously famously hot hot — — but but that that doesn’t doesn’t slow slow the the city city down. down. Springtime Springtime brings brings lots lots of of outdoor outdoor festivals, festivals, and and the the city city is is gorgeous gorgeous when when the the azaleas azaleas bloom. bloom. The The summer summer is is aa great great time time to to hit hit Lake Lake Murray Murray — — and and 45 45 inches inches of of annual annual rainfall rainfall help help cool cool the the summer summer afternoons afternoons down. down. Fall Fall is is beautiful beautiful and and winters winters are are short short and and mild. mild.
▶ BY AIR Columbia Metropolitan Airport
Average Highs and Lows (In (In Fahrenheit) Fahrenheit)
January January February February March March April April May May June June July July August August September September October October November November December December
HIGH HIGH LOW LOW
58 58 37 37 63 63 41 41 71 71 47 47 80 80 54 54 87 87 63 63 92 92 70 70 95 95 73 73 93 93 72 72 88 88 67 67 78 78 55 55 69 69 47 47 60 60 39 39
Source: Source: Weather.com Weather.com
▶ BY RAIL Amtrak
3250 3250 Airport Airport Blvd., Blvd., (803) (803) 822-5000 822-5000 columbiaairport.com columbiaairport.com
850 850 Pulaski Pulaski St., St., (800) (800) 872-7245 872-7245 amtrak.com amtrak.com
Airlines Airlines serving serving Columbia Columbia include include American, American, Delta Delta and and United. United.
Distance and Driving Times
MILES MILES HRS HRS
▶ BY CAR
Asheville, Asheville, NC NC
158 158 2.5 2.5
Columbia Columbia is is located located near near three three major major interstates: interstates: I-77, I-77, I-26 I-26 and and I-20. I-20.
▶ BY BUS Greyhound 701 701 Buckner Buckner Rd., Rd., (803) (803) 256-6465, 256-6465, (800) (800) 231-2222 231-2222 greyhound.com greyhound.com
Atlanta, Atlanta, GA GA
221 221 3.5 3.5
Birmingham, Birmingham, AL AL
366 366
66
Charleston, SC Charleston, SC
115 115
22
Charlotte, NC Charlotte, NC
94 94 1.5 1.5
Cleveland, Cleveland, OH OH
610 610 10 10
Gainesville, Gainesville, FL FL
454 454 7.5 7.5
Hilton Hilton Head, Head, SC SC
160 160 2.5 2.5
Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN IN
610 610 10 10
Jackson, Jackson, MS MS
595 595 10 10
Knoxville, Knoxville, TN TN
264 264 4.5 4.5
Louisville, Louisville, KY KY
505 505 8.5 8.5
Myrtle Myrtle Beach, Beach, SC SC
150 150 2.5 2.5
Nashville, Nashville, TN TN
420 420
1780 1780 Sumter Sumter St., St., 1-877-462-6342 1-877-462-6342 megabus.com megabus.com
New York, NY NY New York,
690 690 11.5 11.5
Philadelphia, PA PA Philadelphia,
610 610
Raleigh, NC NC Raleigh,
210 210 3.5 3.5
Low-cost Low-cost bus bus service service opoperating erating between between Columbia Columbia and and several several area area cities. cities.
Savannah, GA GA Savannah,
146 2.5 2.5 146
Washington, DC DC Washington,
470 470
Megabus
77 10 10
88
#FlyWithEase Easy Is:
Getting where you need to be in only a stop or two. Columbia Metropolitan Airport has been ranked in the top 25% of airports for connectivity to quality destinations. www.columbiaairport.com
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Columbia Columbia 2016 2016 Official Official Visitors Visitors Guide Guide
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DOWNTOWN COLUMBIA
AROUND TOWN ▶ BUS The COMET
(803) 255-7100 catchthecomet.org
Columbia’s regional bus system. App has maps, schedules.
8 8
▶ TAXI Blue Ribbon
(803) 754-8163 originalblueribbontaxi.com
Capitol City Cab (803) 794-2225 capitolcitycab.com
comet_007951.11_FreeTimes_mobile_ad_00.indd Guide 1 Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide
Checker Yellow
(803) 799-3311 checkeryellowcab.com
Uber
uber.com
App-based rideshare service.
12/9/15 4:06 PM experiencecolumbia.com
TUBING ON THE CONGAREE RIVER
THE NEW
adventure
HOT SPOT
Congaree National Park (on the cover) joins this year in the national park system’s centennial celebration. (Learn more at findyourpark.com.) The park is the largest old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the United States and features an elevated boardwalk, guided canoe trips and hiking paths, including the new Bates Ferry Trail. The Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is the largest tourist attraction in the state, with more than 1 million visitors each year. The zoo is home to more than 2,000 creatures — including gorillas — living in natural habitats free of bars and cages. It also features a climbing wall, a 44-foot-high ropes course and — for the daring — Zip Line Canopy Tours across the Saluda River. Not to be experiencecolumbia.com
missed, the Riverbanks’ gorgeous 70-acre botanical garden has been named one of the Top 20 public gardens by HGTV. Lake Murray offers a chance to sail, fish, waterski, camp or just lie on the beach. Waterfront dining and cruises are popular, and Lake Murray often hosts major fishing tournaments. For camping and cabin rentals, check out the Dreher Island State Park, which consists of three islands and 12 miles of shoreline. Housed in the historic Columbia Mill building (built in 1893), the South Carolina State Museum has a planetarium, observatory and 4-D theater, as well as permanent and rotating exhibitions covering South Carolina’s cultural history, natural history, science, Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide
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RIVERBANKS ZOO AND GARDEN
technology and art. Also brings in nonS.C.-related blockbuster exhibitions.
The Fort Jackson Passage runs 16.2 miles and is easily walkable.
Harbison State Forest, popular for biking, is one of the largest public green spaces within a metropolitan area, while Sesquicentennial State Park offers a 30-acre lake in the Northeast region of Columbia.
The Three Rivers Greenway includes miles of paved trails and boardwalks for hiking, biking and blading along the Congaree, Broad and Saluda rivers. Plus it has restrooms, it’s accessible to strollers and wheelchairs, and it’s dog-friendly.
The Saluda and Broad rivers join to form the Congaree River and offer great opportunities for kayaking, canoeing and tubing. Hike, bike or ride horses on the trails at Saluda Shoals Park, enjoy some of the best trout fishing in the state, or hop in a kayak or canoe. There’s even a kid-friendly splash pad. Conceived in 1994 as a statewide series of linked trails, the Palmetto Trail features 350 miles of completed paths in 14 South Carolina counties. 10 Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide
Fort Jackson, the U.S. Army’s largest basic training base, hosts thousands of visitors each year for graduation ceremonies. Among its most popular attractions in the summer is the Palmetto Falls Water Park. Museums on base include the Basic Combat Training Museum, the U.S. Army Chaplain Museum, the Finance Corps Museum and the Adjutant General Museum; admission to all of the fort’s museums is free. (Base access is limited, so make sure to call for details in advance.) experiencecolumbia.com
S.C. STATE MUSEUM’S COTTON MILL EXCHANGE
THE NEW
home-grown
HOT SPOT
Want to remember your stay in South Carolina? Check out the Cotton Mill Exchange at the S.C. State Museum, a 4,000-square-foot shop filled with South Carolina-themed gift items. The bustling Soda City Market brings local food and craft vendors to Main Street every Saturday morning. It’s just one of many area farmers markets. Nest on Main Street is a makers’ market featuring arts and crafts from Southern artisans, as well as books from the University of South Carolina Press. Founded in 2009, the annual Crafty Feast independent craft fair is held in December and features unique artisans from throughout the Southeast. experiencecolumbia.com
The neon Adluh Flour sign in the heart of the Vista points to a cultural icon of Columbia. Founded in 1900, the mill is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Columbia’s two most iconic artists are Blue Sky and Ernest Lee, aka “The Chicken Man.” Blue Sky painted the famous 1975 photorealistic mural Tunnelvision at the corner of Taylor and Marion streets. Lee can often be found selling his outsider art at the corner of Gervais and Harden streets. For handmade local lamps, check out Lewis+Clark in the Vista. While you’re in the area, make sure to visit 302 Artisans.
Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide 11
FIRST THURSDAY AT TAPP’S ARTS CENTER
THE NEW
artistic
HOT SPOT
Columbia is home to a vibrant local arts and entertainment scene, and it’s only getting more active. Both Main Street and the Vista offer monthly art crawls — Main Street’s First Thursday series and Vista Nights on the third Thursday of each month. Drink wine, see art and mingle with the people who created it. For touring acts ranging from rock and rap to bluegrass and EDM, the Music Farm in the Vista is a key local spot. Music fans should also check out the Township Auditorium (R&B, rock), the Colonial Life Arena (major touring acts and shows) and New Brookland Tavern (punk, rock, metal). 12 Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide
The city’s blossoming local comedy scene includes a weekly open-mic standup night at the Art Bar (Tuesdays), Third Thursday Comedy at the Tapp’s Arts Center and touring acts at the Comedy House. When it comes to film, look no further than Columbia’s Nickelodeon Theatre on the 1600 block of Main Street downtown. In addition to its packed screening schedule, it produces the popular Indie Grits festival each spring. Exhibitions! Concerts! Beer! The traveling exhibitions at the Columbia Museum of Art span the full range of art history, while its permanent collection emphasizes European art. The museum experiencecolumbia.com
ARTS & DRAUGHTS AT THE COLUMBIA MUSEUM OF ART
also presents films, lectures, chamber and jazz music series and the popular Arts & Draughts series, which features live music, DIY art projects and craft beer. In addition to the art museum, Columbia’s visual arts scene includes a contemporary art center (the 701 Center for Contemporary Art on Whaley Street), the Tapp’s Arts Center (on Main Street) and numerous high-quality galleries. Three of the city’s key galleries are in the Vista: City Art, if ART Gallery and Gallery 80808. From symphony orchestras (the South Carolina Philharmonic, USC Symphony Orchestra and Lake Murray Symphony Orchestra) to touring Broadway productions and more, you’ll find plenty happening on the stages of the Koger Center and the Harbison Theatre. Columbia hosts lots of exciting annual events: Depending on when you’re in experiencecolumbia.com
town, make sure to check out St. Pat’s in Five Points (March), the Rosewood Crawfish Festival (May), Jubilee: Festival of Heritage (September) and the South Carolina State Fair (October). Popular outdoor concert series include Rhythm on the River (spring and fall), Five After Five (April through August) and Rooftop Rhythms (spring and fall). Columbia is home to a thriving theater community. Trustus Theatre is known for presenting new and innovative works, but it also knows how to stage popular musicals. Town Theatre, the oldest continuously operating community theatre in the country, offers productions both classic and kid-friendly. Newcomers are often excited to discover the city’s robust dance scene, which includes the Columbia City Ballet, Columbia Classical Ballet, USC Dance Company and more. Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide 13
MOTOR SUPPLY CO. BISTRO
THE NEW
culinary
HOT SPOT
Columbia’s dynamic and growing culinary culture serves up everything from Southern classics like barbecue (often mustard-based in Columbia), and shrimp and grits (try Blue Marlin) to fine dining and ethnic restaurants. Craft beer is taking off in Columbia, with three breweries so far — River Rat, Conquest and Swamp Cabbage — and more sure to follow. The Columbia Brew Bus leads brewery tours. You can sample and buy at Craft and Draft (Devine Street) — and if you visit in January, don’t miss the World Beer Festival. The city’s first brew pub, Hunter-Gatherer, is also launching a production brewery. Copper Horse Distilling, located in the historic Vista, makes distinctive, handcrafted spirits exclusively from grains milled locally. Crouch Distilling, founded in 2014, produces a unique batch of small-batch craft whiskeys. Anson Mills produces handmade mill goods from organic, heirloom 14 Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide
grains. The company’s grits, rice and flour can be found in some of the top restaurants in the country. If you’re looking for Southern barbecue, try Hudson’s, Little Pigs, Big-T Barbecue, Doc’s, Maurice’s or True BBQ. Want a classic Southern meat-andthree (that’s one meat and three vegetables)? Try Yesterdays or Lizard’s Thicket. Want something more upscale? You might want to try such top-notch spots as Terra, Motor Supply Co. Bistro, Bourbon, Mr. Friendly’s or The Oak Table. Columbia is also home to great food trucks, including Bone-In Artisan BBQ on Wheels, The Wurst Wagen (a German sausage cart), Pawleys Front Porch (serving burgers once seen on Diners, DriveIns and Dives) and 2Fat 2Fly, which has its own reality show on the Oprah Winfrey Network. experiencecolumbia.com
LEXINGTON COUNTY BLOWFISH’S BLOWIE AND USC’S COCKY
THE NEW
sports
HOT SPOT
Visiting teams know WilliamsBrice Stadium: On game days, it becomes the third-largest city in South Carolina, as some 80,000 Gamecock fans flock to the scene. The roar of the crowd can be heard far outside the stadium’s walls, and the pre-game tailgating parties are legendary. Led by Coach Dawn Staley, the University of South Carolina’s women’s basketball team won the Southeast Conference Championship in 2014 and made it to the NCAA Final Four in 2015. Plays at the 18,000-seat Colonial Life Arena, the tenth-largest on-campus basketball venue in the nation. The newest addition to Columbia’s sports family, the Columbia Fireflies are a South Atlantic minor league team affiliated with the New York experiencecolumbia.com
Mets. They play in the brand new Spirit Communications Park. The USC Gamecock baseball team is one of only six NCAA teams ever to win back-to-back national titles, which it did in 2010 and 2011. Its games at Carolina Stadium — ranked as the No. 1 college stadium in the country by Stadium Journey — regularly draw thousands of fans. The beloved Lexington County Blowfish play in a brand new 2,500-capacity stadium. With strong attendance and community involvement, the team was named Coastal Plain League Organization of the Year in 2015. The Palmetto Capital City Classic is an annual tradition pitting the Benedict College Tigers against a rotating cast of rivals. Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide 15
EDVENTURE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
THE NEW
kid-friendly
HOT SPOT
EdVenture Children’s Museum is the largest children’s museum in the South, with more than 70,000 square feet of cool stuff to keep the kids occupied. The centerpiece of the museum is Eddie, the world’s largest child — a 40-foot-tall, hands-on exhibit that kids love to climb through. The Columbia Children’s Theatre is a professional theater company presenting productions aimed at young audiences and families. Children love art, and they often see things in it that adults don’t. The Columbia Museum of Art offers kid-friendly tours, Art Explorer 16 Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide
backpacks, an interactive education gallery and many more familyfriendly events and programs. Founded in 1988 by famed puppeteer Allie Scollon and her son John, the Columbia Marionette Theatre has established itself as a premiere children’s theater in South Carolina. Palmetto Falls Water Park is off the beaten path, but a great place for family fun. Located inside Fort Jackson, the water park is the largest of its kind in the region, with two water slides, a huge family pool, a splashdown pool and a lazy river. Non-military access is available but limited. experiencecolumbia.com
AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY MONUMENT
THE NEW
historic
HOT SPOT
Columbia has several notable historic homes, including the Robert Mills House & Gardens (Mills designed the Washington Monument), the Mann-Simons Site (an important center of the African-American community) and the Woodrow Wilson Family Home, the only museum in the country dedicated to history of the Reconstruction era. Columbia has an often-overlooked civil rights history that includes three major Supreme Court rulings. Signs along Main Street commemorate key local events and people. Want to impress your date? Take a walk around the beautifully historic Horseshoe at the University of South Carolina, whose design was influenced by Robert Mills. Founded in 1896, the South Carolina Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum presents artifacts experiencecolumbia.com
and programming not only from the Civil War, but also from the Colonial era to current times. Housed in the former Columbia Mills building with the South Carolina State Museum. The South Carolina Military Museum is one of the largest National Guard museums in the country. See weapons, uniforms and fighting vehicles our citizen-soldiers have used since the colony’s founding in 1670. The African-American History Monument on the State House grounds is a 12-panel sculpture representing key aspects of the African-American experience. Dedicated in 2001. Founded in 1970, the Lexington County Museum complex encompasses seven acres and features 36 historic structures focusing on the early history of Lexington County, from 1770 until the Civil War. Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide 17
Columbia’s Districts FINLAY PARK
C
olumbia has three primary downtown districts — City Center (Main Street), the Vista and Five Points. Beyond these three, you’ll find Harbison/Irmo, the Northeast, Lexington, Forest Acres and numerous other distinct regions of the greater metro area, each with its own unique charms. Take a look at the following pages and you’ll find that Columbia’s districts offer something for everyone, from shopping and dining to sightseeing and recreation.
Chapin Harbison/Irmo
Northeast
Lake Murray
North Main Forest Acres
Lexington
Downtown West Congaree Five Points Columbia Vista Devine/ Rosewood Cayce
Lower Richland 18 Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide
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Devine StreetStreet features a unique blend blend Devine features a unique of boutiques, eclectic diningdining of boutiques, eclectic establishments, and traditional establishments, and traditional businesses. This mile-long, tree-lined businesses. This mile-long, tree-lined avenue ers the opportunity to visit ers the opportunity to visit avenue more more than 100 thanlocally-owned 100 locally-owned businesses artfully interspersed with with businesses artfully interspersed strong, community-minded corporate strong, community-minded corporate ventures. ventures.
SHOP SHOP DINE DINE LIVE LIVE DEVINE DEVINE
City Center/ Downtown
MAIN STREET AS SEEN FROM THE SOUTH CAROLINA STATE HOUSE
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL From the State House to City Hall, Main Street is the historic heart and power center of downtown Columbia. The area offers a vibrant museum, an independent theater, a burgeoning restaurant scene and various living options.
DON’T MISS The Columbia Museum of Art on Main and Hampton Streets has a strong Renaissance collection, impressive touring exhibitions and an excellent gift shop. The State House is dotted with bronze stars that mark where Union cannonballs struck during the Civil War; open for tours Monday through Saturday. The Woodrow Wilson Family Home, built in 1871, tells the story of Reconstruction and is South Carolina’s only presidential site. 20 Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide
Civil rights markers along Main Street commemorate the city’s transition to desegregation in 1963. The markers are part of the Columbia SC 63 project, which documents the city’s civil rights history. The independent Nickelodeon Theatre is a hub for great film and the popular Indie Grits festival. The Robert Mills House exemplifies the talents of the Charleston-born architect who also designed the Washington Monument. Offers lush gardens, too. Each Saturday morning, local food and craft vendors fill the 1400 and 1500 blocks of Main Street for the Soda City Market.
LIFESTYLE Columbia’s downtown renaissance is driven in part by apartments and condos, which are popular not only among young professionals and college students but also retirees. experiencecolumbia.com
COLUMBIA MUSEUM OF ART
SHOPPING Mast General Store at the corner of Main and Taylor stocks everything from outdoor gear to kitchen items and gifts. Of particular note: barrels of classic candies. Sylvan’s at the corner of Main and Hampton streets has been selling fine jewelry since 1897 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Uptown on Main near Gervais Street carries gifts, accessories and lots of University of South Carolina-branded merchandise.
FOOD & DRINK Start your day at Drip on Main for what many say is the best cup of coffee in the city. Hampton Street Vineyard, Bourbon, The Oak Table and Cowboy Brazilian Steakhouse are among the most popular downtown restaurants. experiencecolumbia.com
Among the many downtown restaurants with outdoor seating are Michael’s and Good Life Café. Hampton Place Café and Greek Boys, next to each other on Hampton Street, are popular spots for a quick sandwich, burger or gyro. Into ethnic food? Try Al-Amir (Mediterranean) or Cantina 76 (Mexican) on Main Street or Camon Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar (Assembly Street). More into beer and a casual atmosphere? The Whig, downstairs from the ABC studio at Main and Gervais, and HunterGatherer Brewery & Ale House, two blocks south of the State House, are local favorites. The Rooftop Lounge at the Sheraton Columbia Downtown Hotel is a nice spot for a nightcap.
Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide 21
Congaree Vista CAROL SAUNDERS GALLERY
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL Once marked by textile mills and rail lines, the area between the State House and the Congaree River is now a premier dining, shopping, nightlife and cultural district. With a careful eye toward historic preservation, this area is brimming with vibrancy even as it honors Columbia’s past.
DON’T MISS The South Carolina State Museum, which occupies a former mill, features a 4-D multi-sensory theater, a digital planetarium and an observatory. The museum also brings touring exhibitions and showcases permanent South Carolinathemed exhibitions. EdVenture Children’s Museum is a 92,000-square-foot wonderland for children and families, offering fun and engaging hands-on exhibits.
22 Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide
The 18,000-seat Colonial Life Arena brings major entertainment acts and serves as home to University of South Carolina basketball. Looking for a night of top-notch theater? Trustus Theatre is where you want to be. The 1,000-person capacity Music Farm brings in top bands of all genres, while Social Bar & Lounge hosts club-sized EDM artists. The interactive Gong in the Vista, on Lincoln Street, is dedicated to the late businessman and arts supporter Marvin Chernoff, and is one of several public art projects in the district.
LIFESTYLE The Vista offers a variety of condos and townhomes, including Vista Commons, Renaissance Plaza and Canalside Lofts. Also home to several luxury private student housing apartments. experiencecolumbia.com
ONE EARED EARED COW COW GLASS GLASS ONE
SHOPPING Whether you’re you’re looking looking for for vintage vintage Whether fashion or or the the latest latest styles, styles, the the Vista’s Vista’s fashion many boutiques boutiques have have much much to to offer. offer. many DoubleTakes Takes serves serves up up classic classic styles styles Double from casual casual to to formal formal wear, wear, while while from Entourage specializes specializes in in fresh, fresh, trendy trendy Entourage women’s clothing clothing and and accessories. accessories. women’s You’ll find find thoughtful, thoughtful, contemporary contemporary gifts gifts You’ll at Carol CarolSaunders SaundersGallery. Gallery. at The Vista Vista is is known known for for its its art art galleries; galleries; The visit City City Art Art and and if if ART ART Gallery, Gallery, both both visit on Lincoln Lincoln Street, Street, and and Gallery Gallery 80808 80808 on right around around the the corner corner on on Lady Lady Street. Street. right Hip clothing clothing store store Urban UrbanOutfitters Outfitters Hip draws retail retail foot foot traffic traffic to to Gervais Gervais Street, Street, draws which is is also also home home to to such such shops shops as as which EllenTaylor TaylorInteriors Interiors and and the the boutique boutique Ellen MahoganyMe. Me. Mahogany For one-of-a-kind, one-of-a-kind, hand-blown hand-blown glass glass art, art, For stop by by One One Eared Eared Cow Cow Glass Glass stop on Huger Huger Street. Street. on
Also on on Huger Huger Street, Street, artist artist and and Vista Vista Also pioneer Clark Clark Ellefson Ellefson makes makes beautiful beautiful pioneer lamps out out of of paper, paper, steel, steel, glass glass and and wood wood lamps in the the Lewis Lewis ++ Clark Clark studio. studio. in
FOOD & DRINK The shrimp shrimp & & grits grits at at Blue Blue Marlin Marlin on on The Lincoln Street Street are are one one of of the the most most popular popular Lincoln menu items items in in town. town. menu Motor Supply Supply Company Company Bistro, Bistro, Motor founded in in the the Vista Vista in in 1989, 1989, offers offers founded innovative farm-to-table farm-to-table cuisine cuisine and and innovative top-notch cocktails. cocktails. top-notch MVista Vista and and M M Grille Grille serve serve deliciously deliciously M creative Asian Asian fusion fusion cuisine cuisine and and sushi. sushi. creative Some other other popular popular Vista Vista dining dining spots spots Some include Colas, Colas, Gervais Gervais & & Vine Vine and and include PearlzOyster OysterBar. Bar. Pearlz For an an after-dinner after-dinner dessert, dessert, you you can’t can’t go go For wrong with with Nonnah’s, Nonnah’s, Kaminsky’s Kaminsky’s wrong or Cupcake. Cupcake. or
1215 Wayne St. in The Vista Columbia, SC 29201 608B Longpoint Rd. Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
2015
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Columbia 2016 2016 Official Official Visitors Visitors Guide Guide 23 23 Columbia
Five Points FIVE POINTS FOUNTAIN
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL From its genesis in 1915, Five Points has grown into an eclectic and bustling district brimming with the energy generated by a steady stream of visitors from the nearby University of South Carolina and surrounding neighborhoods. In the daytime, college students, shoppers and professionals occupy the area’s mix of coffee shops, boutiques and restaurants. At night, the area’s bars and clubs get busy. Five Points is also close to the tree-lined streets and bungalows of Shandon, whose residents help support the area’s many boutiques.
DON’T MISS The Five Points Fountain is the focal point of the popular Five After Five concert series, which runs April through August and features live music, food and craft beer. The fountain is also an attraction in its own right, offering 24 Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide
a relaxing place to sit down with a sandwich, ice cream or a cup of coffee. The sculpted steel Hootie Monument sits atop a large guitar pick-shaped black granite panel documenting the exploits of the homegrown band Hootie & the Blowfish, which played Five Points bars for years before breaking big in 1994. The St. Pat’s in Five Points festival is one of the Southeast’s largest annual St. Patrick’s Day events, regularly drawing 40,000 people each spring.
LIFESTYLE Five Points has several apartment and condo options for students, including the new Station at Five Points on the corner of Gervais and Harden streets. Nearby Shandon serves as home to many professionals and university professors. Other nearby neighborhoods include cozy Rosewood, and the upscale historic homes of University Hill and Wales Garden. experiencecolumbia.com
THE GOURMET SHOP
SHOPPING Among Five Points’ many charming clothing boutiques are Bohemian, Revente and Petal, all on Saluda Avenue. Loose Lucy’s is a magnet for Grateful Dead and Phish fans, while Natural Vibrations caters to the reggae crowd and Hip-Wa-Zee offers vintage clothing and costumes for all occasions. The Portfolio Art Gallery has been selling handmade American crafts for 30 years. Papa Jazz is a small record store that boasts an international reputation. Best known for jazz vinyl, it also stocks plenty of other genres, both new and used.
FOOD & DRINK Mr. Friendly’s is a popular bistro serving New Southern cuisine at reasonable prices. experiencecolumbia.com
A landmark since 1978, Yesterdays serves hearty Southern fare. Rise Gourmet Goods & Bake Shop is a recent and welcome addition to Five Points, presenting a Southern-inspired, thoughtfully conceived menu. Blue Cactus specializes in KoreanSouthwestern cuisine made slowly to perfection, while Baan Sawan offers innovative Thai food in an exquisite atmosphere. The Gourmet Shop on Saluda Avenue is a popular destination for sidewalk dining with an extensive cafe menu. Classic sandwich shop Groucho’s was founded by Harold “Groucho” Miller in 1941 and has multiple locations throughout the region. Scoopy Doo serves up small-batch, locally sourced gelato and sorbetto in creative flavors. Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide 25
Devine / Rosewood CRAFT & DRAFT
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL Situated on either side of the popular Shandon neighborhood, Devine Street and Rosewood Drive offer everything from charming upscale boutiques to fresh local dining and nightlife spots. Living options range from historic bungalows to apartments, condos and new home construction.
DON’T MISS Craft & Draft on Devine Street offers a tastefully chosen selection of craft beer onsite, in growlers or by the bottle.
A Devine Night Out is the premiere holiday shopping event for the Devine Street area each December, during which some 40 businesses open their doors. The Rosewood Crawfish Festival attracts thousands of attendees for food, drink and music each May. Natural health food store Rosewood Market has been serving Columbia since long before organic become chic. The Crescent Olive on Devine Street is a neat spot for aged balsamic vinegars and premium olive oils.
Cantina 76 serves up fresh, creative tacos and margaritas.
Mediterranean Tea Room on Devine Street offers authentic Middle Eastern and Greek cuisine.
Bohemian Home is a must-stop not only for its discriminating contemporary furniture, but also for the handmade goods and local artwork it carries alongside it.
The Kraken Gastropub and the Cock N’ Bull Pub, both on Rosewood Drive, are among the top spots in town to grab a beer or catch a soccer game.
LaRoque on Devine Street is a homegrown success story in women’s fashion, offering Southern style in modern designs. 26 Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide
Dano’s Pizza, Pizza Man and Rockaway Athletic Club are popular mainstays on Rosewood Drive.
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Cayce West Columbia
TIMMERMAN TRAIL
ZESTO
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL
The small City of Cayce, with 15,000 residents, features the Cayce Riverwalk, with miles of pathways along the Congaree River.
West Columbia, with 16,000 residents, has its own riverwalk, as well as the popular Riverwalk Amphitheater. Known for its many antique outlets and eclectic, locally owned shops.
DON’T MISS The Cayce Historical Museum looks back at the first European settlement in Midlands; exhibits include a replica trading post from the mid-1700s. The beautiful Cayce Tennis Center not only houses tennis courts, but also a state-of-the-art gym. The Timmerman Trail begins just west of the 12th Street extension near I-77. The paved trail offers views of the Congaree Creek and area wildlife. The Cayce Riverwalk features lighted paths, playgrounds and scenic overlooks
DON’T MISS The South Carolina Farmers Market offers fresh farm products, plus a restaurant and bakery, and occasional entertainment. State Street in West Columbia offers everything from antiques at the Old Mill Antique Mall and contemporary crafts at Gallery West to rock ‘n’ roll at New Brookland Tavern. The West Columbia Riverwalk Amphitheater hosts the popular Rhythm on the River concert series.
The Congaree Bluegrass Festival, held each fall, brings top regional performers.
Café Strudel is a popular casual restaurant known for its eclectic décor and creative cuisine.
The annual Tartan Day South festival is a fun-filled celebration of Celtic culture, with music, food, games and more.
Terra is one of the region’s finest restaurants.
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Known for its giant, iconic ice cream cone, Zesto has been a favorite spot for old-school burgers and soft-serve ice cream since 1949. Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide 27
Forest Acres IVY & LEO
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL Nestled on the eastern border of the City of Columbia, Forest Acres is known as a city within a city. You’ll find treelined streets, lakefront properties, neighborhood parks and top-notch shopping destinations such as Whole Foods and J. Crew.
DON’T MISS Rooftop Rhythms is a family-friendly concert series held on top of Richland Mall. Held each May, the Forest Acres Festival offers everything from magic shows and petting zoos to live music, arts and crafts and food from local restaurants. Columbia Children’s Theatre presents kid-friendly shows by adult actors in its spot at Richland Mall; the theater’s YouTheatre program gives kids a chance to be on stage, too. Trenholm Plaza in Forest Acres is one of the most popular retail spots in the 28 Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide
Columbia area, with anchor retailers such as Anthropologie along with boutique grocery store The Fresh Market, upscale Italian restaurant Rosso, and small shops like MACK Home, Gwen Rawls Shoes and Ivy & Leo. Cross Hill Market, on Fort Jackson Boulevard near Forest Acres, is anchored by Whole Foods and houses the popular Charleston-based Basil Thai restaurant. With two water slides, a lazy river and a 10,000-square-foot family pool, the enormous Palmetto Falls Water Park, at Fort Jackson off Forest Drive, is a great spot for the family during summer months. Open to the public Tuesdays through Fridays; call 803-751-3475 for details.
LIFESTYLE Located near Fort Jackson, Forest Acres is home to a wide-ranging mix of residents, from young professionals and growing families to empty nesters and retirees.
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Northeast SESQUICENTENNIAL STATE PARK
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL Once a rural area, the Northeast is now an expansive region of reasonably priced homes, good schools and thriving retail.
DON’T MISS “Building the future from the past” is the motto of the Sparkleberry Country Fair, and the annual festival lives up to it, serving as an important reminder of the area’s agricultural past. Held in April. The Village at Sandhill is a 300-acre retail and residential development featur ing top national retailers — including Aeropostale, Books-A-Million, Gymboree and Old Navy — and a steady stream of outdoor events. Sesquicentennial State Park offers 1,419 acres of recreation, including a 30acre lake surrounded by trails, campsites and picnic areas. Located in Eau Claire, the EnsorKeenan House is one of the few local structures with Italianate influences. Once served as the home of Dr. Joshua Fulton experiencecolumbia.com
Ensor, who became the second medical superintendent of the State Asylum in 1870. The Sandhill Farmers Market on Clemson Road, open each Tuesday afternoon from May through November, draws farmers from throughout the region offering fresh produce, meat, honey, plants, baked goods and more. If you’re looking for fine dining in the Northeast, look to Solstice Kitchen & Wine Bar, which offers seasonally changing and beautifully prepared New American cuisine. Big T Bar-B-Cue on Sparkleberry Lane and Little Pigs on Alpine Road serve up some of the best barbecue in town. Chicken and waffles is a Southern favorite, and Kiki’s Chicken and Waffles serves them up to perfection. If you like original ethnic foods, Decker Boulevard is a good bet. With its proximity to Fort Jackson, the area supports Vietnamese cuisine at Pho Viet, Korean at Arirang and more. Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide 29
Lexington GIBSON POND
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL Lexington County, just west of the City of Columbia, has transformed from a rural area dotted with small communities into a bustling region. The Town of Lexington features a charming downtown shopping district. The presence of the Columbia Metropolitan Airport also makes Lexington a gateway to the Columbia region.
DON’T MISS The popular Lexington County Blowfish baseball team, part of the summer collegiate Coastal Plain League, kicked off its season in the spring of 2015 in a brand new stadium. The 15-acre Gibson Pond is a quiet spot to relax, take a nature walk or have a picnic. Get a taste of Lexington’s agricultural roots — including its delicious collards, the state vegetable — at The Farmer’s Shed. 30 Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide
The Shoppes at Flight Deck is home to World War II-themed casual dining spot Flight Deck and several retail shops. Enjoy craft beer along with a burger, chicken panini, crab pretzel or fish & chips at the Old Mill Brewpub. Arkos Mojo Grill and Martini bar features ceviche, paella, tacos, fancy salsas, plus a swank bar menu. Located in downtown Lexington, Keg Cowboy serves up specialty craft beers and offers a sophisticated and creative menu.
LIFESTYLE With one of the fastest-growing populations in the state, Lexington offers lifestyles ranging from open farmlands to lake life to small towns and cities with reasonably priced housing. The school districts serving parts of Lexington County are among the best in South Carolina.
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Lake Murray & Chapin LIBERTY ON THE LAKE
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL Often called the Jewel of South Carolina, Lake Murray is a major recreation area with more than 500 miles of shoreline situated just a few miles northwest of downtown Columbia. The 50,000-acre lake offers sailing, fishing, pontoon tours, paddle boarding, water skiing, camping, picnic spots and much more.
DON’T MISS Lake Murray hosts several popular annual events, including a Fourth of July Boat Parade (followed by fireworks), the Drift Jam Festival (music on the lake) and the Stand-Up Paddleboard Classic. Also hosts major fishing tournaments. Enjoy the natural beauty of the lake with a ride on The Sprit of Lake Murray, a dinner cruise yacht. The small but quickly growing town of Chapin, with a population of less than 2,000, is popularly known as the capital of Lake Murray. Features a variety of shops experiencecolumbia.com
galleries and restaurants, and its annual Labor Day Festival is a signature event throughout the region. The dam at the southern tip of the lake and Dreher Island State Park are popular recreation areas. Liberty on the Lake and Rusty Anchor are inviting spots for dining on Lake Murray, both offering waterfront views. In the heart of downtown Chapin, the Tipsy Toad Tavern offers a warm pub atmosphere, an impressive beer list and a menu ranging from burgers and quesadillas to ribeye.
LIFESTYLE There are many options for those looking for a home on or near the lake, including lots to build on, small cottages and new construction at a wide variety of price ranges.
Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide 31
Harbison & Irmo SALUDA SHOALS PARK
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL A big draw in the Harbison & Irmo area is its extensive retail sector, including the Columbiana Centre indoor mall and big names like Nordstrom Rack and Dick’s Sporting Goods, as well as movie theaters and restaurants. But there are natural attractions here, too, including Saluda Shoals Park, with access to the Saluda River, and Harbison State Forest, with trails weaving through a pine and hardwood forest.
DON’T MISS No matter what you need shoppingwise, you’re likely to find it along Harbison Boulevard or Bower Parkway. Columbiana Centre, on Harbison, features 820,000 square feet of retail space. Situated on 270 acres downstream from the Lake Murray Dam, Saluda Shoals Park features canoe and kayak trips, nature hikes, biking trails, fishing spots and more. 32 Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide
The 2,177 acres of Harbison State Forest make it one of the largest public green spaces within city limits in the eastern United States. Features more than 16 miles of roads and trails; especially popular for biking. One of the area’s biggest annual events is the Irmo Okra Strut, which features a parade, live music and an okra-eating contest. The 400-seat Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College is one of the region’s cultural gems, offering everything from symphonic performances to touring comedians.
LIFESTYLE Known as the gateway to Lake Murray, the 12,000-resident Town of Irmo is located not just close to the lake, but also just 10 minutes from downtown Columbia, giving it easy proximity to both water-based recreational activities and the vibrant entertainment and dining offerings of the downtown area. experiencecolumbia.com
North Main EAU CLAIRE TOWN HALL
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL Encompassing a diverse swath of Columbia north of Elmwood Avenue — including the town of Eau Claire, which merged with Columbia in 1955 — the North Main area is home to beautiful historic neighborhoods, several institutions of higher education and a major development-in-progress at Bull Street.
DON’T MISS The 180-acre Bull Street Common development was long one of the largest tracts of undeveloped land in a downtown metro area in the country; now it’s being developed, starting with a brand new stadium and minor-league baseball team, the Columbia Fireflies. The historic Eau Claire Town Hall, a brick building that includes a fourstory tower, sits at the intersection of North Main Street and Monticello Road. The building was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. experiencecolumbia.com
The North Main area is home to the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, Columbia International University, Ben Lippen School (pre-k to 12th grade) and Columbia College, a women’s college affiliated with the Methodist Church and founded in 1854. Carolina Imports, in the Trestle Building on North Main Street, carries beautiful handmade wood furniture and accessories. Next door, Classical Glass of South Carolina makes stained glass windows that can be found in churches throughout the world; stop in to see how they’re made. The Wine Garage on North Main Street offers astute recommendations on wines and craft beers. Lamb’s Bread Vegan Café and The War Mouth, both on North Main Street, are very different restaurants, but both serving up creative and delicious meals.
Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide 33
Lower Richland
CONGAREE NATIONAL PARK
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL An area of rich cultural history and natural resources, Lower Richland is home to Congaree National Park, historical sites, military facilities and several major employers. More than half its land is used for farming and timber.
DON’T MISS Congaree National Park is South Carolina’s only national park and boasts the largest old-growth floodplain forest in North America. Activities include hiking, camping, fishing, kayaking, nature walks and more. Part of the Lower Richland Heritage Corridor, Wavering Place Plantation off Congaree Road features a bed and breakfast and is a popular wedding venue. Built in the late 19th century, the Harriet Barber House is associated with the South Carolina Land Commission, a unique attempt by a Southern state to give freedmen a chance to own land.
34 Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Goodwill Plantation was first developed around 1795; among the site’s buildings are a blacksmith shop and slave cabins. With an elevation of 372 feet, Cook’s Mountain — named for 18th-century cartographer James Cook — is the highest point in this low-lying area. Military installations include Fort Jackson (the Army’s largest basic training facility), the McCrady Training Center (part of Fort Jackson) and the McEntire Joint National Guard Base. The annual Swampfest brings gospel, jazz, blues, barbecue and more, plus activities at Congaree National Park. SERCO (South East Rural Community Outreach, sercosc.org) leads tours of the Lower Richland Heritage Corridor, with stops at key churches and other sites. If you’re looking for Southern comfort food, try Mr. Bunky’s Restaurant and Market. For barbecue, you won’t want to miss Big T Bar-B-Cue.
experiencecolumbia.com
Shopping MACK HOME AT TRENHOLM PLAZA
MALLS AND OPEN-AIR CENTERS Columbia Place Mall
Home to many popular shops, including Zales, Burlington Coat Factory, Sears and the only Macy’s in Columbia.
and Interstate 77, this open-air retail powerhouse offers a vibrant retail mixture including Target, Bed Bath & Beyond and World Market, as well as local and regional retailers, Starbucks, Panera Bread and more.
Columbiana Centre
Trenholm Plaza
7201 Two Notch Rd., 803-788-4678 shopcolumbiaplace.com
100 Columbiana Cir, 803-732-6255 columbianacentre.com
Located in the prime shopping area of Harbison, Columbiana Centre is anchored by JCPenney, Dillard’s and Belk. Among its many other tenants are Aeropostale, Forever 21 and Williams-Sonoma. Cross Hill Market
4840 Forest Drive, facebook.com/TrenholmPlaza
From major retail anchors such as J. Crew, Anthropologie and Publix, along with boutiques Scout & Molly, fab’rik and Ivy & Leo to fine dining at Rosso Trattoria and speciality foods at The Fresh Market, Trenholm Plaza is a top shopping destination.
710 Cross Hill Road, 803-509-6700 edens.com/centers/SC/Columbia/ Cross-Hill-Market
Village at Sandhill
Shoppes at Woodhill
An expansive lifestyle center in Columbia’s Northeast, the Village at Sandhill features Aeropostale, Ann Taylor LOFT, Belk, Sephora, Jos. A. Bank, Academy Sports+Outdoors, Ulta Beauty, JCPenney, Books-A-Million and other local and national specialty stores and restaurants.
Whole Foods anchors this center, which includes the popular Basil Thai restaurant and specialty stores like Nadeau Furniture, Hand & Stone and ULTA Beauty. 6090 Garners Ferry Rd., 803-779-4420 edens.com/centers/SC/Columbia/ Shoppes-at-Woodhill
Located on Garners Ferry Road just minutes from downtown Columbia experiencecolumbia.com
481-2 Town Center Pl. (at Two Notch Road and Clemson Parkway), 803-419-0235 villageatsandhill.com
Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide 35
THINGS TO DO
Things to Do COLUMBIA SC 63 WALKING TOUR
AFRICANAMERICAN HERITAGE African-American History Monument
The first of its kind on any of the nation’s State House grounds, this 12-panel sculpture tells the rich history of African-Americans and their contributions to South Carolina from arrival in Charleston to the 21st century. (803) 734-2430 1100 Gervais St., Columbia discoversouthcarolina.com/ products/3783
Big Apple
Built as the House of Peace Synagogue in 1915, it became an African-American dance hall in 1936, where the Big Apple dance craze started. Now popular for events, receptions, ballroom dancing and more. (803) 252-7742 1000 Hampton St., Columbia historiccolumbia.org
Booker T. Washington High School Operating from 1916 until 1974 as a public school for African-Americans, this building was an educational, cultural and social center for Columbia’s black community.
The property is now part of the University of South Carolina. Blossom, Wheat & Marion on USC Campus, Columbia bookertwashingtonfoundationsc.org
Columbia SC 63 Walking Tour
Columbia has a rich but littleknown civil rights history that includes three major cases that went to the U.S. Supreme Court. The Columbia SC 63 walking tour begins at Main & Gervais streets and continues up Main Street toward Elmwood Street. Wayside signs tell the story of State House protests, lunch counter sit-ins and the precedentsetting public bus lawsuit involving Sarah Mae Fleming. Various Locations columbiasc63.com
Harriet Barber House
Built on land purchased in 1872 by former slaves Samuel and Harriet Barber, the home is significant for its association with the S.C. Land Commission, which was established in 1869 as a unique attempt by a Southern state to give freedmen the opportunity to own land. (803) 695-7669 116 Barberville Loop, Hopkins harrietbarberhouse.org
36 Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide
Ladson Presbyterian Church
The oldest African-American church in the city (1838) began as a mission of the First Presbyterian Church. Under Rev. Mark G. Johnson (1876-1921), Ladson became a center for religion, education and community service. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998. (803) 765-9192 1720 Sumter St., Columbia ladsonpres.org
Mann-Simons Site
Located on the northeast corner of Richland and Marion streets within the heart of downtown, this property was the home, workplace, spiritual center and a source of pride for members of the same African-American family from 1843 through 1970. Currently closed for renovations. (803) 252-1770 1403 Richland St., Columbia historiccolumbia.org
Modjeska Monteith Simkins House
Home to South Carolina civil rights matriarch Modjeska Monteith Simkins from 1932 until her death in 1992, this one-story cottage was used for lodging and as a meeting space for local and national civil rights experiencecolumbia.com
THINGS THINGS TOTO DO DO leaders and NAACP lawyers such as Thurgood Marshall during a time when blacks were excluded from city hotels. (803) 252-1770 2025 Marion St., Columbia historiccolumbia.org
Randolph Cemetery
Founded by local AfricanAmerican leaders in 1871, Randolph Cemetery is the first cemetery established specifically for Columbia’s black community. Named in honor of Benjamin A. Randolph, a member of the Reconstructionera General Assembly who was assassinated in Abbeville in 1868. (803) 603-6078 Adjacent to Elmwood Cemetery Columbia historicrandolphcemetery.org
Historic Bethel AME
Bethel AME Church was built in 1921 by James Anderson Lankford, the first registered African-American architect in the United States. (803) 733-5634 1247 Sumter St., Columbia
SERCO
The South East Rural Community Outreach organization leads tours of the Lower Richland Heritage Corridor, which includes the Harriet Barber House, Congaree National Park, Kensington Mansion and more. Also organizes the annual Swampfest. info@serco-sc.org, sercosc.org
Waverly Historic District
Columbia’s first suburb evolved into a community of black artisans, professionals and social reformers with a concentration of educational facilities that served the South’s African-Americans when racial discrimination denied them opportunities for higher education. Roughly bounded by Hampton, Harden, Laurel and Oak streets, Columbia nationalregister.sc.gov/ richland/S10817740098
Zion Baptist Church
Oldest African-American Baptist Church in Columbia, originally experiencecolumbia.com
founded in the basement of a house on the corner of Hampton and Gadsden Streets in 1861. Served as a hub of local civil rights movement. (803) 779-2809 801 Washington St., Columbia zion-baptist-church.com
ART CRAWLS First Thursday on Main
Monthly art crawl on Main Street held on the first Thursday of each month. Galleries and businesses open their doors from 6 to 10 p.m. Numerous street performances, too. Columbia firstthursdaysonmain.com
Vista Nights
Monthly art crawl in the Vista held on the third Thursday of each month. Galleries and businesses open their doors from 5 to 8 p.m. Columbia vistacolumbia.com/ vistanights.aspx
COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES Allen University
Probably the first private black school in the state. Established in 1870 primarily to educate clergy for the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Five buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. (803) 376-5700 1530 Harden St., Columbia allenuniversity.edu
Benedict College
Founded in 1870, Benedict College has the second-largest undergraduate enrollment among private S.C. highereducation institutions. In 2011, the college received the National Civic Engagement Award from The Washington Center; it has also been named one of the top 100 institutions in the nation graduating AfricanAmerican scholars by Diverse Magazine. Annual economic impact of $106.7 million. (803) 253-5000 1600 Harden St., Columbia benedict.edu
Columbia College
A private, liberal arts, women’s college with a coeducational evening program and graduate programs. Founded in 1854, it is the 11th oldest women’s college in the United States. Among those artists who have taught at Columbia College is Georgia O’Keeffe. (800) 277-1301 1301 Columbia College Dr., Columbia columbiasc.edu
Columbia International University
Columbia International University educates people from a biblical worldview to impact the nations with the message of Christ. Accredited undergraduate, graduate and seminary programs focus on academic excellence, professional competence and spiritual formation. (803) 754-4100 7435 Monticello Rd., Columbia ciu.edu
Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary / Lenoir Rhyne University
A seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and campus of Lenoir-Rhyne University. One of the oldest seminaries in North America and a fully accredited graduate school of theology. (803) 786-5150 4201 North Main St., Columbia ltss.lr.edu
Midlands Technical College
Comprehensive two-year college offering more than 100 programs of study designed to give students hands-on skills. Six campuses serving the Midlands. (803) 738-8324 316 S. Beltline Blvd., Columbia midlandstech.edu
University of South Carolina
A major teaching and research institution on nearly 400 acres in the heart of Columbia with numerous nationally-ranked academic disciplines and a diverse student body. (803) 777-0169 945 Bull St., Columbia sc.edu
Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide 37
THINGS TO DO
MUSIC FARM
ENTERTAINMENT VENUES Bill’s Music Shop & Pickin’ Parlor
Specializing in acoustic stringed instruments with bluegrass jam sessions on Fridays and classic country jamborees on Saturdays. (803) 796-6477 710 Meeting St., West Columbia billsmusicshop.com
Le Café Jazz
Operated by the Skipp Pearson Jazz Foundation, offers a bistro menu and live jazz. Pearson is the official ambassador of jazz music for South Carolina. (803) 400-1879 930 Laurel St. (edge of Finlay Park), Columbia skpfoundation.org
Colonial Life Arena
With 18,000 seats, this is the largest arena in South Carolina and presents major concert acts, Cirque du Soleil shows and more, and serves as the home of University of South Carolina basketball. (803) 576-9200 801 Lincoln St., Columbia coloniallifearena.com
Columbia Children’s Theatre
Founded to serve a need in the Midlands and surrounding areas of Columbia for professional live theater for young audiences. (803) 691-4548 3400 Forest Dr., Columbia columbiachildrenstheatre.com
Columbia Marionette Theatre
Entertaining the children and families of South Carolina through the unique art of puppetry. Shows at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturdays. (803) 252-7366 401 Laurel St., Columbia columbiachildrenstheatre.com
Comedy House
Has offered great food, excellent drinks and a hilarious variety of nationally touring stand-up comedians since 1993. A great choice for a birthday, graduation or office party. (803) 798-9898 2768 Decker Blvd., Columbia comedyhouse.us
Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College
Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College offers world-class theater, music, dance, comedy and literary arts programs and productions
38 Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide
that provide entertainment, education and opportunity to professionals, learners and community members in all stages of life. (803) 407-5011 7300 College St., Irmo harbisontheatre.org
Jamil Shrine Center
Hosts everything from roller derby to reptile conventions; the center is a nonprofit that supports the Shriner’s hospitals for children. (803) 772-9380 206 Jamil Rd., Columbia jamilshrinetemple.com
Koger Center for the Arts
The primary venue for performing arts in the city; hosts performances from the South Carolina Philharmonic, the Columbia City Ballet and the Broadway in Columbia series. (803) 777-7500 1051 Greene St., Columbia kogercenterforthearts.com
Music Farm
A welcome addition to the local music scene, the 1,000-personcapacity Music Farm offers a steady calendar of rock, bluegrass, country, hip-hop, EDM, blues and more. (843) 471-2779 1022 Senate St., Columbia musicfarm.com experiencecolumbia.com
THINGS TO DO Newberry Opera House A renovated 1881 opera house that boasts a robust schedule ranging from country and bluegrass to classical, theater, opera and dance throughout the year. (803) 276-5179 1201 McKibben St., Newberry newberryoperahouse.com
Nickelodeon Theatre
South Carolina’s only nonprofit, art-house theater presents top-notch independent films and hosts the nationally renowned Indie Grits Festival each April. Also offers media education programs. (803) 254-8234 1607 Main St., Columbia nickelodeon.org
Theatre South Carolina Part of the University of South Carolina Department of Theatre & Dance. Productions feature performances by student and guest actors backed by professional direction and design in three theaters: Drayton Hall, historic Longstreet Theatre and the Lab Theater, which presents cutting-edge productions. (803) 777-4288 Longstreet Theatre, Columbia artsandsciences.sc.edu/thea/
Town Theatre
Community theater with an emphasis on familyoriented musicals and comedies presented in the oldest community theater building in continuous use in the United States. (803) 799-2510 1012 Sumter St., Columbia towntheatre.com
Township Auditorium This historic 3,122-seat auditorium presents major rock, blues, and R&B artists, as well as comedy, gospel plays and more. (803) 576-2350 1703 Taylor St., Columbia thetownship.org
Trustus Theatre
The Columbia region’s award-winning professional theater presents a wide range of works, from cuttingedge contemporary works to
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Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide Guide 39
THINGS TO DO
SODA CITY MARKET popular musicals. Located in the historic Congaree Vista. (803) 254-9732 520 Lady St., Columbia trustus.org
Village Square Theatre Presents musicals, comedies and more to Lexingtonarea audiences. (803) 359-1436 105 Caughman Rd., Lexington villagesquaretheatre.com
Workshop Theatre
Founded in 1967, Workshop is a creative hub for many of the area’s actors, directors and technicians. All shows at 701 Whaley. (803) 799-4876 701 Whaley St., Columbia workshoptheatre.com
FARMERS MARKETS Cayce Farmers Market Open from March to the first week of January with seasonal fruits, vegetables, jams, jellies, fudge, honey, boiled peanuts and decorations from local farmers. (803) 791-1009 2329 Charleston Hwy., Cayce
Cottle Strawberry Farm
Great-tasting strawberries you can pick by the basket. Open every spring. (803) 695-1714 2533 Trotter Rd,. Columbia cottlestrawberryfarm.com
check website for seasonal openings and closings. (803) 873-8337 Lake Carolina Town Center, Columbia facebook.com/ lakecarolinafarmersmarket
The Farmers Shed
Sandhill Farmers Market
James R. Sease Farms Inc.
Soda City Market
Family owned produce market and restaurant once featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Fruits, vegetables, jams, flowers, pickles, cheese, gift baskets, grits, homestyle meals, corn maze (seasonal), SC-specialty products. Open year-round. (803) 996-9122 2514 Augusta Hwy., Lexington farmersshed.com
Fresh strawberries available April and May. Peaches and mixed vegetables available June through mid-August. Call ahead. (803) 359-3276 Hwy 1, Gilbert
Lake Carolina Farmers Market
Fresh fruits, vegetables, freerange meats, flowers/plants, baked goods, honey, organics, farm-fresh eggs, cheese and more at Lake Carolina Town Center. Open Thursdays 3 to 7 p.m., May through October;
40 Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide
Popular market across from the Village at Sandhill. Fresh local produce, meat, poultry, eggs, butter, milk, cheese, honey, plants, flowers, shrubs, and baked goods. Many products are organic. Open Tuesdays from 2:30 to 7 p.m., May through November. (803) 699-3187 900 Clemson Rd., Columbia clemson.edu/public/rec/ sandhill/programs/market/ Food, produce and craft vendors set up shop in the heart of downtown Main Street each Saturday (rain or shine). Open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; rain location is the Taylor Street Garage. 1500 block of Main St., Columbia sodacitysc.com
South Carolina State Farmers Market
Consumers can shop year round for fresh produce, specialty products, and artisan items. The peak season for locally experiencecolumbia.com
THINGS TO DO grown produce runs from April through early October. Climatecontrolled retail building houses a restaurant and more. Open Mon-Sat 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sun noon to 6 p.m. (803) 737-4664 3483 Charleston Hwy., West Columbia facebook.com/ facebook.om/scfarmersmarket scfarmersmarket
Paths of Destruction S h e rman ’s Fin al Campaign
Town of Lexington’s Town of Lexington’s Farmers Market Farmers Market Farmer and local artisan market
See a life-size diorama of Columbia in flames, excavated relics, weapons, interactives & much more on display until May 28, 2016!
located at Lexington Square Farmer and local artisan market Park on at downtown Lexington’s located Lexington Square Main Street. Supports local Park on downtown Lexington’s production healthylocal eating. Main Street.and Supports Every Saturday 9 a.m. to production and from healthy eating. noon, May through Every Saturday fromSeptember 9 a.m. to (check website for exact dates). noon, May through September (check356-8238 website for exact dates). (803) (803)E.356-8238 205 Main St., Lexington 205 E. Main St., Lexington lex-sc.com lex-sc.com
HISTORIC SITES HISTORIC SITES
Adluh Flour Mills Adluh inFlour Opened 1900, Mills Adluh is the
only flourinmill still Adluh operating Opened 1900, is the in South Produces only flourCarolina. mill still operating flinour andCarolina. cornmealProduces products South in a plant that is listed on flour and cornmeal products the in a National plant thatRegister is listedofon Historic Properties. the National Register of Historic Properties. (803) 779-2460 (803)1/2 779-2460 804 Gervais St., Columbia 804 1/2 Gervais St., Columbia adluh.com adluh.com
Chesnut Cottage Chesnut Cottage Bed & Breakfast Bedwartime & Breakfast The home of
www.crr.sc.gov
803-737-8095
Visit the oldest history museum in the state to discover and explore South Carolina’s military history from the Revolutionary War to the present. The SC Confederate Relic Room & Military Museum offers a unique opportunity to learn about the state’s distinguished martial tradition. Courtesy Russell S. Wolfe, Jr.
Confederate Gen. James The wartime home of Chesnut and Gen. his wife, Mary Confederate James Boykin author of ChesnutChesnut, and his wife, Mary Diary Dixie. author Confederate Boykinfrom Chesnut, of President Davis Diary fromJefferson Dixie. Confederate visited in 1864. Tours President Jefferson Davis by appointment. visited in 1864. Tours by appointment. (803) 256-1718 (803) Hampton 256-1718St., Columbia 1718 1718 Hampton St., Columbia chesnutcottage.com chesnutcottage.com
SC Confederate Relic Room & Military Museum
Ebenezer Lutheran Ebenezer Lutheran Church Church Dedicated as Columbia’s first
Lutheran in 1830,first the DedicatedChurch as Columbia’s original burned in 1865. Lutheranchurch Church in 1830, the Call for tour information. original church burned in 1865. Call for765-9430 tour information. (803) (803) 765-9430 1301 Richland St., Columbia 1301 Richland St., Columbia ebenezerlutheran.org ebenezerlutheran.org
Elmwood Cemetery & Gardens Founded in 1854, this is the metropolitan area’s
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Official Guide 41 Columbia 2016 Offi cial Visitors Guide
THINGS TO DO
HAMPTON-PRESTON MANSION
Elmwood Cemetery & Gardens
Founded in 1854, this is the metropolitan area’s most prestigious cemetery. It features a Confederate cemetery within its boundaries including two veterans gardens, two additional bronze marker sections, and numerous family monument sections. (803) 252-2133 501 Elmwood Ave., Columbia
Ensor Keenan House
A delightful, historic, post-Civil War structure centered on eight acres blanketed with gorgeous oaks. Great venue for small private functions, garden parties, large group entertaining and more. Call for tour information. (803) 733-8510 801 Wildwood Ave., Columbia
Equitable Arcade Building
Columbia’s first indoor shopping center was constructed in 1912 by the Equitable Real Estate Company, a group of Columbia businessmen. Serves as the home of several retail outlets, restaurants and artists’ studios. Listed on National Register of Historic Places. 1332 Main Street/ 1216 Washington St., Columbia
First Baptist Church
Site of the first Secession Convention in December 1860. The church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Stop by the office for tours. (803) 256-4251 1306 Hampton St., Columbia firstbaptistcolumbia.com
First Presbyterian Church
Presbyterians organized their first congregation in Columbia in 1795. The 188-foot steeple was once Columbia’s tallest structure. Churchyard tours available. Call for reservations. (803) 799-9062 1324 Marion St., Columbia firstprescolumbia.org
First Responders Remembrance Memorial
A memorial to all South Carolina Midlands firefighters, law enforcement, emergency medical services, and all branches of the military who have lost their lives in the line of duty since 9/11/01. 1101 Lincoln St., Columbia scremembersny911.com
Fort Jackson National Cemetery
The 585-acre national cemetery, located off of I-20 in Richland County on property
42 Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide
formerly held by Fort Jackson, will serve veterans’ needs well into the next century. (803) 699-2246 4170 Percival Rd., Columbia www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/ ftjackson.asp
Hampton-Preston Mansion & Gardens
Built in 1818, the HamptonPreston Mansion is one of Columbia’s oldest remaining historic houses. Guided historic House Museum tours offered Tuesday through Sunday. Tickets available in the Museum Shop at 1616 Blanding Street. (803) 252-1770 1615 Blanding St., Columbia historiccolumbia.org
Kensington Mansion
An Italianate Revival mansion completed in 1854 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. Closed for renovations. (803) 353-0456 Hwy. 601 South, Eastover kensingtonmansion.org
Robert Mills House & Gardens
Built in 1823 and designed by South Carolina’s most famous architect, Robert Mills. Guided historic House Museum tours offered Tuesday through Sunday. Tickets
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THINGS THINGS TO TO DO DO available in the Museum Seibels House Shop at 1616 Blanding St. and (803) Garden 252-1770 Possibly the oldest house 1616 Blanding St., Columbia in Columbia, dating from historiccolumbia.org approximately 1796, the interior is accentuated by Seibels House Colonial Revival details. and Garden Serves as the office of Historic Possibly oldest Columbiathe and is onehouse of the in Columbia, dating venues from for city’s most popular approximately 1796,corporate the wedding festivities, interior is accentuated by and meetings, holiday parties Colonial Revival details. other special occasions. Serves as the office of Historic (803) 252-7742 Columbia and isSt., one of the 1601 Richland Columbia city’s most popular venues for historiccolumbia.org wedding festivities, corporate meetings, holiday parties and South Carolina other special occasions. Governor’s Mansion (803) 252-7742 Built in 1855 as a residence 1601 Richland St., Columbia for the officers of the historiccolumbia.org Arsenal Military Academy, the Governor’s Mansion South Carolina has served as home of Governor’s Mansion the governor since 1868. Built in 1855 a residence Reservations as required. Free. for the737-1710 officers of the (803) Arsenal Military Academy, 800 Richland St., Columbia the Governor’s Mansion scgovernorsmansion.org has served as home of the governor since 1868. Reservations required. Free. (803) 737-1710
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800 Richland St., Columbia South Carolina scgovernorsmansion.org
State House One of Columbia’s and South South Carolina Carolina’s most historic State House buildings. Construction began
One of Columbia’s and South in 1855 and withstood Gen. Carolina’s historic Sherman’smost march on Columbia buildings. Construction began in 1865. The building was in 1855 andinwithstood completed 1907. FreeGen. tours Sherman’s march through on Columbia available Monday in 1865. The building was Saturday; call to reserve a spot. completed in 1907. Free tours (803) 734-2430 available Monday through 1100 Gervais St.,reserve Columbia Saturday; call to a spot. scstatehouse.gov, (803) 734-2430 southcarolinaparks.com 1100 Gervais St., Columbia scstatehouse.gov, South Caroliniana southcarolinaparks.com
Library Completed in 1840, this South Caroliniana structure, designed by Robert Library Mills, marked the first use of a
Completed in 1840, thislibrary free-standing academic structure, Robert building indesigned the UnitedbyStates. Mills, theare first use ofdue a Somemarked materials off-site free-standing library to renovations;academic call for details. building in the United States. (803) 777-3131 Some materials are off-site due USC Horseshoe,call Columbia to renovations; for details. library.sc.edu/p/Collections/SCL (803) 777-3131 USC Horseshoe, Columbia library.sc.edu/p/Collections/SCL
St. St. Peter’s Peter’s Catholic Catholic Church Church
This church This stunning stunning renovated renovated church won from the the won a a Merit Merit Award Award from American American Institute Institute of of Architects; Architects; it Catholic it is is the the oldest oldest Catholic Church in the Midlands. Call Church in the Midlands. Call to arrange free group tours. to arrange free group tours. (803) (803) 779-0036 779-0036 1529 1529 Assembly Assembly St., St., Columbia Columbia visitstpeters.org visitstpeters.org
Supreme of Supreme Court Court of South Carolina South Carolina
Guided Guided tours tours appropriate appropriate for for seventh and above above seventh grade grade and are available by appointment are available by appointment only. When When court court is is not not in in only. session, session, tours tours include include the the courtroom the seal seal of of the the courtroom where where the Supreme Court is Supreme Court is displayed. displayed. (803) 734-1080 734-1080 (803) 1231 Gervais St., St., Columbia Columbia 1231 Gervais judicial.state.sc.us/supreme/ judicial.state.sc.us/supreme
Trinity Trinity Episcopal Episcopal Cathedral Cathedral
Built Built in in 1846, 1846, Trinity Trinity was was spared in in 1865 1865 when when Gen. Gen. spared Sherman’s Sherman’s troops troops burned burned much of Columbia. Columbia. Six Six former former much of governors buried in in the the governors are are buried
Columbia 2016 2016 Official Official Visitors Visitors Guide Guide 43 43 Columbia
THINGS TO DO churchyard. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. (803) 771-7300 1100 Sumter St., Columbia trinitysc.org
University of South Carolina Horseshoe
Listed on the National Registry of Historic Sites, the USC Horseshoe features fully restored 19th-century buildings among beautiful gardens and century-old trees. Robert Mills, the nation’s first federal architect, appointed by President Andrew Jackson, designed several buildings there, as well as the Maxcy Monument, named for the first president of the college, Jonathan Maxcy. (803) 777-0169 Four city blocks between Bull and Sumter streets, Columbia sc.edu
Washington Street United Methodist Church
Built in 1872, the current structure replaced the church that was destroyed in Gen. Sherman’s burning of Columbia on Feb. 17, 1865. Please call for tour information. (803) 256-2417 1401 Washington St., Columbia wsmethodist.org
Woodrow Wilson Family Home
Built by his parents in 1871, the nation’s 28th president spent four years of his youth living here with his family. Newly renovated, the home reopened in February 2014 and tells the story of Reconstruction in Columbia and Richland County. Tickets available in the museum shop at 1616 Blanding St. (803) 252-1770 1705 Hampton St., Columbia historiccolumbia.org
MUSEUMS & LEARNING CENTERS 701 Center for Contemporary Art
Visual arts center that promotes the understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of
contemporary art, the creative process and the role of art and artists in the community via its gallery and artist-in-residence program. Also encourages interaction between visual arts and other art forms. (803) 319-9949 701 Whaley St., Columbia 701cca.org
Associated Model Railroads of Columbia Promotes the great hobby of model railroading. Open to the public on Thursday evenings. 1800 Lincoln St., Columbia amroc.org
Cayce Historical Museum
The museum interprets the architectural, social and cultural heritage of Old SaxeGotha, Granby, Cayce and West Columbia areas with exhibits depicting periods of Colonial trade, Indians, agricultural development and transportation. (803) 739-5385 1800 12th St., Cayce cityofcayce-sc.gov/museum.asp
Challenger Learning Center
An aeronautics and spacethemed educational program operated through Richland County School District One. Provides interactive learning experiences, integrating science and math curricula with information and technology. (803) 929-3951 2600-A Barhamville Rd., Columbia thechallengercenter.net
Columbia Fire Department Museum
Highlights the importance of the Columbia Fire Department with exhibits of historical data, photos and equipment to enlighten the public about the heroic traditions and the men and women within its service. (803) 545-3700 1800 Laurel St., Columbia columbiascfire.net/ ColaFireMuseum.htm
Columbia Museum of Art
South Carolina’s premier international art museum. Find Botticelli, Monet and
44 Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide
Chihuly all under one roof in the heart of downtown Columbia. Offers high-quality touring exhibitions, a strong permanent collection and numerous programs and events, including Arts & Draughts and the Chamber on Main series. (803) 799-2810 1515 Main St., Columbia columbiamuseum.org
EdVenture Children’s Museum
The South’s largest children’s museum. The 92,000-squarefoot facility houses nine worldclass exhibit galleries, a library, learning laboratories, 350 individual hands-on exhibits and the world’s largest child, Eddie. (803) 779-3100 211 Gervais St., Columbia edventure.org
Lexington County Museum
A seven-acre complex of 30 18th- and 19thcentury buildings depicting everyday life in Lexington County in the Colonial and Antebellum periods. Collections include locally made furniture and textiles. (803) 359-8369 231 Fox St., Lexington lex-co.sc.gov
McKissick Museum
Located at the head of the University’s historic Horseshoe, featuring changing exhibitions of art, science and regional history and folk art. Permanent collections include Natural Curiosity and the Baruch Silver Collection. (803) 777-7251 USC Horseshoe, Columbia artsandsciences.sc.edu/ mckissickmuseum
Richland Library
Spectacular 242,000-squarefoot-main library. The Children’s Room is highlighted by a whimsical, 46-foot mural and two freestanding figures from Maurice Sendak’s picture book classic, Where the Wild Things Are. Features a Teen Center and a Business and Job Center. (803) 799-9084 1431 Assembly St., Columbia richlandlibrary.com
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THINGS TO DO
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE MUSEUM OBSERVATORY
Riverbanks Zoo and Garden
Ranked fourth-best zoo in the United States by TripAdvisor, Riverbanks Zoo and Garden attracts 1 million visitors per year and is home to more than 2,000 animals and one of the nation’s most inspiring botanical gardens. Features the Sky-High Safari ropes course, a zip line, demonstrations, rides, gift shops, restaurants and more. (803) 779-8717 500 Wildlife Parkway, Columbia riverbanks.org
SC Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame Exhibits on historical and contemporary aspects of South Carolina law enforcement. Guided tours by prior arrangement. (803) 896-8199 5400 Broad River Rd., Columbia scdps.gov/hof
South Carolina Archives and History Center
A great resource for genealogical research. Building houses public records of the state of South Carolina, including reference room, experiencecolumbia.com
exhibit gallery and gift shop. Meeting facilities available. (803) 896-6196 8301 Parklane Rd., Columbia scdah.sc.gov
South Carolina Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum
Founded in 1896, this is the oldest museum in Columbia. Focuses on South Carolina’s military history from the Revolutionary War to the present. (803) 737-8095 301 Gervais St., Columbia crr.sc.gov
South Carolina Military Museum
The rich history of the South Carolina National Guard is captured in the many exhibits of weapons and artifacts from the Colonial Wars though current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. (803) 299-4440 1225 Bluff Rd., Columbia scmilitarymuseum.com
South Carolina Railroad Museum
(803) 712-4135 110 Industrial Park Rd., Winnsboro scrm.org
South Carolina State Museum
Features a 4-D theater, observatory and planetarium. A comprehensive museum with extensive exhibits in the disciplines of art, science and technology, cultural history and natural history. In one stop, it encompasses all that South Carolina was, is and can be. (803) 898-4921 301 Gervais St., Columbia scmuseum.org
University of South Carolina Melton Memorial Observatory
The observatory offers views of many of the night sky’s wonders. Public viewing sessions are held on clear Monday nights year-round beginning 30 minutes after sunset during Eastern Daylight Time and from 9 to 11 p.m. during Eastern Standard Time (803) 777-4180 1429 Greene St., Columbia boson.physics.sc.edu/~melton
Home of the Rockton, Rion, & Western Railroad. Please check website for schedule. Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide 45
THINGS TO DO
BOTANICAL GARDEN AT RIVERBANKS ZOO
PARKS & GARDENS Botanical Garden at Riverbanks Zoo
The lush Botanical Garden encompasses 170 acres and includes 4,200 species of native and exotic plants in numerous themed gardens, including an Asian Garden, Old Rose Garden, Walled Garden, Shade Garden and more. (803) 779-8717 500 Wildlife Parkway riverbanks.org
Carolina Children’s Garden
Located at the Clemson Institute for Economic & Community Development at the Sandhill Research & Education Center. Many theme gardens designed for children are on approximately 2 acres of land. (803) 333-0608 900 Clemson Rd., Columbia carolinachildrensgarden.org
Congaree National Park
Just 20 minutes from Columbia, Congaree National Park encompasses almost 27,000 acres of floodplain forest. Escape the city life amid towering trees and astonishing biodiversity. (803) 776-4396 100 National Park Rd., Hopkins nps.gov/cong
Crooked Creek Park
Community recreation center with athletic fields, walking trails, picnic shelters and playgrounds. (803) 345-6181 1098 Old Lexington Hwy., Chapin icrc.net
Dreher Island State Park
Located on Lake Murray, its 348 acres and 12 miles of shoreline make this an ideal place for water recreation and family outings. (803) 364-4152 3677 State Park Rd., Prosperity southcarolinaparks.com/ dreherisland
Finlay Park
An oasis in the heart of downtown Columbia featuring a walking path surrounding a large pond. Site of popular events including a city-sponsored summer concert series. (803) 545-3100 930 Laurel St., Columbia columbiasc.net/ parks-recreation
Guignard Park
A wooded park, located in the heart of Cayce, providing a relaxing getaway for adults and children. Visitors will find a stream running through the middle of the park. (803) 796-9020 199 Knox Abbott Dr., Cayce cityofcayce-sc.gov/parks.asp
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Harbison State Forest
Bounded along its northeastern edge by the Broad River, the state forest encompasses 2,177 acres of forestland only 9 miles from downtown Columbia. (803) 896-8890 5600 Broad River Rd., Columbia state.sc.us/forest/ refharb.htm
Martin Luther King Park
Community center, gymnasium, baseball diamond, beautiful water fountain, picnic tables, playground. Also site of an annual blues festival. (803) 733-8452 2300 Greene St., Columbia columbiasc.net/ parks-recreation
Maxcy Gregg Park
Located near the University of South Carolina and Five Points, this scenic treasure features a labyrinth, creek-side walking path. Home to the Cancer Survivor’s Garden. (803) 545-3100 1806 Blossom St., Columbia columbiasc.net/ parks-recreation
Memorial Park
This 7-acre park in the Congaree Vista is dedicated to the memory of those who have fought and died in service to their country and features the SC Vietnam Memorial Monument and many other monuments. experiencecolumbia.com
THINGS TO DO (803) 545-3100 700 Hampton St., Columbia columbiasc.net/ parks-recreation
Owens Field Skate Park
A 15,000-square-foot outdoor skate park featuring a street plaza, stairs, metal-plated rails, and pool bowls ranging in depth from 4 to 12 feet. Open to skateboards, in-line skates and bicycles. (803) 545-3100 1351 Jim Hamilton Blvd., Columbia columbiasc.net/ parks-recreation
Saluda Shoals Park
Visitors discover an escape from the hustle and bustle of life within 300 acres of pristine forest along the banks of the Saluda River, offering a variety of recreational, educational and cultural opportunities. (803) 772-1228 5605 Old Bush River Rd., Columbia icrc.net/saluda-shoals-park
US Army Adjutant General Corps Museum
Dedicated to the history of the Army’s Adujutant General’s Corps from 1775 to present. The diverse history of the corps includes recruiting, band, postal, morale, and personnel operations of the Army. (803) 751-1747 Building 4392, Strom Thurmond Blvd., Fort Jackson ags.army.mil/Museum.pdf
US Army Basic Combat Training Museum
The museum covers the history of basic combat training from 1917 to present day Fort Jackson. (803) 751-7419 Building 4442, Jackson Blvd., Fort Jackson jackson.armylive.dodlive.mil/ post/museum/
US Army Chaplain Corps Museum
Established in 1957, this museum chronicles the men and women who have aided and served the Army, spiritually and militarily, from the Chaplain Corps in 1775 to the Pentagon wall on 9/11. (803) 751-8079 10100 Lee Rd., Fort Jackson
US Army Finance Corps Museum
Traces the 221-year history of the Finance Corps, one of the Army’s oldest branches. Exhibits cover military pay and how it affects military life from the American Revolution to the present. (803) 751-3771 Building 4392, Strom Thurmond Blvd. Fort Jackson finance.army.mil/Museum/ index.html Access to Fort Jackson is limited; be sure to call ahead.
It doesn’t get any better than this!
• • • • • •
400 Acre Riverfront Park Canoe, Kayak, Tube & Bike Rentals Picnic Shelter Rentals Saluda Splash & Playground Walking & Biking Trails Barking Lot Dog Park
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Call 803-772-1228 or visit www.icrc.net Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide Guide 47
THINGS TO DO
COLUMBIA CITY BALLET
Sesquicentennial State Park
This 1,419-acre park is situated in the middle of the Sandhills region. Originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, it features a beautiful 30-acre lake surrounded by trails and picnic areas. (803) 788-2706 9564 Two Notch Rd., Columbia southcarolinaparks.com/ sesqui/introduction.aspx
South Carolina Governor’s Mansion Gardens
Home to some of the largest trees and to a few impressive fountains, the gardens are true to history, complete with paths of unique crushed stone. Call ahead. (803) 737-1710 800 Richland St., Columbia scgovernorsmansion.org
Virginia Hylton Park
Located behind Town Hall in downtown Lexington, amenities include a paved 1,980-foot path, playground, special needs playground, koi pond, brook, daylily garden and three covered gazebos with grills. (803) 359-4164 111 Maiden Lane, Lexington lexsc.com/parks_virginia_ hylton.htm
W. Gordon Belser Arboretum
The arboretum serves as an outdoor field laboratory and lecture site for students at the University of South Carolina. It also functions as a conservation outreach center for the general public. (803) 777-3934 4080 Bloomwood Rd., Columbia arboretum.biol.sc.edu
PERFORMING ARTS Árpád Darázs Singers A unique choral ensemble in the Midlands; a group of talented musicians who create a superior blend of mixed voices performing a varied repertoire of classical and contemporary works. (803) 926-7306, Columbia adsingers.org
Benedict College Gospel Choir
A nationally recognized choir specializing in music from the black religious experience. 803-705-4525, Columbia benedict.edu
Broadway in Columbia Popular touring Broadway series with performances at the Koger Center for the Arts.
48 Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide
(803) 251-2222, Columbia broadwayincolumbia.com
Chapin Theatre Company
Presenting comedies, classics, thrillers and original works. Performances held at Harbison Theatre. (803) 240-8544, Chapin chapintheatre.org
Carolina Ballet
Ann Brodie’s Carolina Ballet is a pre-professional civic ballet company known for producing exceptional performers. Annual Nutcracker production at the Township Auditorium. (803) 771-6303 914 Pulaski St., Columbia carolinaballet.net
Columbia Baroque
Specializing in the performance of 17th and 18th century European Baroque vocal and instrumental chamber music. (803) 727-8555, Columbia columbiabaroque.com
Columbia Choral Society
Founded in 1930 as the Shandon Choral Society, the ensemble’s mission is to perform the world’s great choral music and stimulate interest in the choral tradition. (803) 933-9060, Columbia columbiachoralsociety.org experiencecolumbia.com
THINGS TO DO Columbia City Ballet
Columbia’s largest performing arts organization and the state’s premier professional ballet company. Founded in 1961, the company performs throughout the state and beyond. (803) 799-7605 1545 Main St., Columbia columbiacityballet.com
Columbia City Jazz Dance Company
A nonprofit, pre-professional jazz dance troupe named by Dance Spirit as one of the Top 50 Companies in the United States. Brings in top guest instructors. (803) 252-0252 550 Rivermont Dr., Columbia columbiacityjazz.com
Columbia Classical Ballet
Provides South Carolina audiences with the experience of classical ballet, as well as select contemporary works. Actively supports the community through its annual
LifeChance production and an extensive outreach program. (803) 252-9112 2418 Devine St., Columbia columbiaclassicalballet.com
Columbia Community Concert Band
Founded in 1981, this is an allvolunteer, nonprofit organization with more than 80 musicians that present an average of five concerts each season. (803) 781-9781, Columbia cccb.bandlink.org
Dutch Fork Choral Society
Formed in 2001, the Dutch Fork Choral Society is a community choir serving the Irmo/Chapin area. Repertoire ranges from sprirituals to Broadway. (803) 345-2801 Chapin United Methodist Church, Chapin facebook.com/ dutchforkchoralsociety
Dick Goodwin Big Band Goodwin has written hundreds of works, from jingle to opera, jazz band to symphony orchestra. (803) 799-8235, Columbia goodwinmusics.com
Greater Columbia Children’s Choir
Since 1987, the GCCC has sung to the glory of God and served the community by offering quality music instruction, significant music making and numerous performing opportunities. (803) 776-0544 100 Hampton’s Grant Ct., Columbia columbiachildrenschoir.com
Lexington County Choral Society
A community choral group that specializes not only in major choral works, but also in the vast repertoire of choral anthems. (803) 348-7445, Lexington lexcochoralsoc.org
Hampton-Preston Mansion & Gardens
Robert Mills House & Gardens
Mann-Simons Site
Woodrow Wilson Family Home
Discover Historic Columbia
803.252.1770 / historiccolumbia.org / Open Tuesday - Sunday experiencecolumbia.com experiencecolumbia.com
Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide Guide 49
THINGS TO DO
MORIHIKO NAKAHARA, SOUTH CAROLINA PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
Main Street Harmonizers
Recreational singing at Lexington Baptist Church, as well as local and regional shows. Barbershop Harmony Society affiliate. c/o Lexington Baptist Church Lexington mainstreetharmonizers.com
Opera at USC
High-caliber opera company at the University of South Carolina, one of only a handful of colleges and universities offering special training and practice for aspiring opera stage directors. (803) 777-0058, Columbia sc.edu/music/ensembles/ opera_at_usc
Palmetto Mastersingers
Founded in 1981 by Árpád Darázs to promote the male chorus repertoire beyond the college walls. This 50-member group has performed at the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, the White House, Carnegie Hall, the National Cathedral in Washington and St. Peters Basilica in the Vatican. (803) 765-0777, Columbia palmettomastersingers.org
Palmetto Opera
Presents professional opera to the Midlands and South Carolina. In addition to full-scale productions, presents Opera Thursday at local restaurants. (803) 776-9499, Columbia palmettoopera.org
Power Company Collaborative
Contemporary dance artists committed to creative engagement through collaborations, performances, dance education, and community outreach. (803) 786-3825 1301 Columbia College Dr., Columbia thepowercompany collaborative.org
Sandlapper Singers
Performs the best in American choral music with performances designed to engage your mind, energize your body and inspire your spirit. (803) 381-5481, Columbia sandlappersingers.org
Shamelessly Hot
Brings vaudeville and alternative circus arts to Columbia. (803) 988-1065, Columbia twitter.com/shamelesslyhot
Southern Exposure New Music Series
Winner of an ASCAP award for innovative programming, this series brings world-class contemporary classical groups to the University of South Carolina School of Music. Past performers include Brooklyn Rider, So Percussion, the JACK Quartet and Alarm Will Sound. (803) 777-4421, Columbia sc.edu/music
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South Carolina Philharmonic Orchestra
Led by dynamic conductor Morihiko Nakahara, the Philharmonic entertains, educates, enriches and excites diverse audiences throughout the Midlands and beyond with a broad range of classical repertoire. (803) 254-7445 721 Lady St., Suite B, Columbia scphilharmonic.com
South Carolina Shakespeare Company
Composed of classically trained actors who have honed their talents on a worldwide stage, the company wants the citizens of Columbia and South Carolina to benefit directly from their talent. (803) 787-2273, Columbia shakespearesc.org
Unbound
Unbound is an edgy, athletic young company often seen at the city’s hippest or biggest events. They even did a Zombie Crawl at the State Fair. (803) 386-8608 701 Gervais St., Columbia unbounddance.com
USC Dance Company
Part of the University of South Carolina’s dance department, this high-quality company presents both traditional and cutting-edge choreography. (803) 777-5636 324 Sumter St., Columbia artsandsciences.sc.edu/dance experiencecolumbia.com
THINGS TO DO TOURS Capital City Haunts
An intimate 90-minute guided walking tour filled with stories, legends, and accounts of paranormal experiences, combined with the fascinating history of South Carolina’s capital. (800) 979-3370 capitalcityhaunts.com
Columbia Brew Bus
A guided tour of Columbia’s burgeoning craft beer scene. (757) 871-8150 columbiabrewbus.com
Columbia SC 63 Walking Tour
Wayside signs tell the story of Columbia’s rich but little-known civil rights history. Various locations, most on Main Street between Gervais and Elmwood. columbiasc63.com
Columbia Food Tours This walking tour features cuisine from five to seven top locally owned, downtown restaurants. Tours meet
experiencecolumbia.com experiencecolumbia.com
on State House steps at 1100 Gervais St. (803) 760-2618 columbiafoodtours.com
Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center Self-Guided Art Tour
To view art created by local artists who drew inspiration from the region’s three rivers and the brick masonry facade, pick up a brochure in the Columbia Regional Visitors Center. (803) 545-0002 1101 Lincoln St., Columbia columbiaconventioncenter.com
Columbia River Walk
The UpState PathFinders Club is South Carolina’s only American Volkssport Association (AVA) club. Volksmarches (people’s walk) are leisurely walks through scenic, historic, or interesting areas over a pre-determined route. (803) 315-0934 Start Point: 511 Lady St., Columbia upstatepathfinders.com
General Sherman’s March on Columbia, South Carolina — Self-Guided Walking Tour
Having successfully completed his march to the sea by capturing Savannah in December of 1864, Union Maj. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman planned his invasion of South Carolina. His target was Columbia, the state capital. shermansmarch.com
The Great Five Points Leprechaun Hunt
Take some time while you are in Five Points to walk around and visit with Logan, the official mascot of the St. Pat’s in Five Points festival. Visit website for clues as to where the miniature bronze art pieces are hiding around the village. (803) 748-7373 2002 Blossom St., Columbia fivepointscolumbia.com
Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide Guide 51
THINGS TO DO Historic Capital City Volkswalk
A 5k or 10k self-guided walking tour that takes you around the State House grounds, through the University of South Carolina campus, past the Governor’s Mansion and along historic sections of downtown Columbia. (803) 545-0002 1101 Lincoln St., Columbia
Historic Columbia
Bus, walking and virtual tours of historic Columbia house museums as well as key city districts and sites. Heritage education programs and complete heritage packages offered. Stop by the Gift Shop at Robert Mills at 1616 Blanding St. for details. (803) 252-7742 1601 Richland St., Columbia historiccolumbia.org
Sally Salamander Walking Tour
• Available for weddings and special events • Bed and breakfast Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
427 Adam Hayne Rd. (803) 269-7761 waveringplaceplantation.com
Ed’s Editions hard to find, out of print, used and rare books FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED IN BUSINESS 15+ YEARS
Large Collection of Art, History and Sci-Fi Books • Great Prices Excellent Book-Reading Atmosphere
406 Meeting St., West Columbia just across the bridge from downtown Columbia
edseditions.com
Sharing Famously Hot Columbia, one step, one bite, one morsel of history at a time!
(803) 360-0578 twogalsfoodtours.com
TRAILS Cayce Riverwalk
Nearly eight miles of paved and lighted paths along the west bank of the Congaree River, with picnic and seating areas along the way. Popular for walking, jogging, bicycling and observing nature. (803) 765-2200 Axtell Dr. and Naples Ave., Cayce cityofcayce-sc.gov/ riverwalk.asp
Stop by the Columbia Regional Visitors Center to pick up a map for this walking tour of downtown Columbia featuring numbered, bronze statues of South Carolina’s state amphibian, the spotted salamander. (803) 545-0002 1101 Lincoln St., Columbia columbiacvb.com/salamander
Fourteen Mile Creek Trail
South Carolina State House Grounds
Located at the end of Catawba Street, this is the southernmost segment of the Three Rivers Greenway. (803) 545-3100 100 Catawba Cir., Columbia scgreatoutdoors.com/ park-granby.html
The South Carolina State House and grounds of the Capital Complex are home to many beautiful portraits, monuments, plaques and other works of art. State House tours weekdays and Saturdays. (803) 734-2430 1100 Gervais St., Columbia scstatehouse.gov
Two Gals and a Fork Food Tours
From tasting tours and pub crawls to art walks, progressive dinners, cooking demonstrations, beer schools and bartending classes, Two Gals and a Fork provide entertaining and educational food-and-drink experiences in famously hot Columbia. 803-360-0578 twogalsfoodtours.com
University of South Carolina Visitor Center Student ambassadors offer campus tours Monday-Friday. You can also pick up a selfguided walking map directing you to buildings on the National Register of Historic Places and much more. (800) 922-9755 945 Bull St., Columbia sc.edu/visitorcenter
52 52 Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide Guide
A three-quarter-mile loop featuring bridges, educational kiosks and an outdoor learning center. (803) 359-1027 N. Lake Dr. and Old Cherokee Rd., Lexington
Granby Park
Palmetto Trail
A statewide series of linked trails, the Palmetto Trail features 350 miles of completed paths in 14 counties thus far. In the Midlands, the 7.5-mile Capital City Passage is an urban section of the trail going from Riverfront Park to Fort Jackson. Palmetto Conservation Foundation teaches outdoor skills via outings and educational programs. (803) 771-0870 722 King St., Columbia palmettoconservation.org
Peachtree Rock Nature Preserve
Peachtree Rock — a triangularshaped top-heavy sandstone formation — is no longer standing, but you can still see the formation lying on its side, as well as Little Peachtree Rock and the rest of this beautiful 460-acre preserve. (803) 254-9049 Highway 6, Lexington scgreatoutdoors.com/ park-peachtree.html experiencecolumbia.com
THINGS TO DO
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE HOUSE
Riverfront Park
The Canal Embankment section of the Three Rivers Greenway runs from the Gervais Street bridge near the State Museum and EdVenture area to the Canal locks on the Broad River. (803) 545-3100 3 Rivers Greenway, Columbia scgreatoutdoors.com/ park-riverfront.html
Three Rivers Greenway Providing boardwalks, ďŹ shing, overlooks, bank fishing, and lighted central paths that accommodate all levels of physical access, including strollers, bicycles, and wheelchairs, along the Saluda, Broad and Congaree riverfronts. Dog-friendly. Maps available on website. (803) 765-2200 3 Rivers Greenway, Columbia riveralliance.org/project/threerivers-greenway/
West Columbia Riverwalk
ďŹ shing hot Boasts outstanding fishing spots and beautiful views of the Congaree River and Columbia skyline amid the tranquil sounds of water rippling over large river boulders. Amphitheater available for rentals. (803) 781-1880 Alexander St., West Columbia westcolumbiasc.gov/ recreation/riverwalk-parkamphitheater/
CamdenSChistory.com experiencecolumbia.com experiencecolumbia.com
Columbia 2016 Official Official Visitors Guide Guide 53
THINGS TO DO GOLF COURSES PRIVATE Check with your club for potential reciprocal access.
Columbia Country Club (803) 754-8100 135 Columbia Club Dr., Blythewood columbiacountryclub.com
Forest Lake Club (803) 787-2177 340 Country Club Dr., Columbia forestlakeclub.com
Fort Jackson Golf Club (803) 787-4344 3652 Semmes Rd., Fort Jackson fortjacksonmwr.com/golf
Spring Valley Country Club
GOLF COURSES PUBLIC Charwood Country Club (803) 755-2000 222 Clubhouse Dr., West Columbia charwood.com
Cobblestone Park (803) 714-2620 1298 University Parkway, Blythewood cobblestoneparkgolfclub.com
Golden Hills Golf & Country Club (803) 957-3355 100 Scotland Dr., Lexington goldenhillsgolf.com
Golf Course of SC at Crickentree
(803) 788-3080 300 Spring Valley Rd., Columbia springvalleycc.com
(803) 754-8600 1084 Langford Rd., Blythewood golfclubsc.com
The Country Club of Lexington
Hidden Valley Golf Club
(803) 359-2515 1066 Barr Rd., Lexington ccoflexington.com
The Members Club at Woodcreek & WildeWood (803) 239-0290 301 Club Ridge Road 90 Mallet Hill Road wildewoodwoodcreek.com
The Windermere Club (803) 786-7888 1101 Longtown Rd. East, Blythewood windermereclubsc.com
(803) 794-8087 147 Excaliber Ct., Gaston hvgolf.com
Indian River Golf Club (803) 955-0080 200 Indian River Dr., West Columbia indianrivergolfclubsc.com
Indian Trail Golf Course (803) 532-9010 1304 Willis St., Batesburg-Leesville golfindiantrail.com
Lake Murray Golf Center
Par 3 course (803) 345-0199 2032 Old Hilton Rd., Chapin
LinRick Golf Course (803) 754-6331 356 Campground Rd., Columbia richlandcountyrecreation.com
Northwoods Golf Course (803) 786-9242 201 Powell Rd., Columbia northwoodsgolfsc.com
Oak Hills Golf Club (803) 735-9830 7629 Fairfield Rd., Columbia oakhillsgolf.com
Riverside Golf Center
Par 3 course (803) 750-1015 1600 Garner Ln., Columbia riversidegolfandreccenter.com
Sedgewood Country Club
(803) 776-2177 9560 Garners Ferry Rd., Hopkins
Stonebridge Golf Club Par 3 course (803) 356-4653 381 Pilgrim Church Rd., Lexington mycaddyshak.com
The Club at Rawls Creek (803) 781-0114 2121 Lake Murray Blvd., Columbia golfrawlscreek.com
The Woodlands Golf & Country Club (803) 788-7771 100 Norse Way, Columbia woodlandscc.com
TimberLake Country Club (803) 345-9909 222 Timberlake Dr., Chapin timberlakecountryclub.com
Visit the Best
Every year readers of Free Times, Columbia’s free weekly newspaper, vote on the best things the greater Columbia area has to offer in hundreds of categories — restaurants, shops, night spots, museums and lots more. Visit free-times.com and click on the Best of Columbia symbol to see the full list of winners. And while you’re visiting, pick up a copy of Free Times for the latest in news and entertainment. 54 Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide
experiencecolumbia.com
DINING
Dining BLUE MARLIN For a complete list of Columbia’s more than 500 restaurants, visit experiencecolumbia.com.
@116 State
West Columbia/Cayce: 116 State St., (803) 791-5663, 116state.com
standards like pad thai and curries, but also offers dishes you won’t find elsewhere and inventive seafood creations. Classy setting and staff, too.
Combine a chill coffee-shop atmosphere with great wine and food, and you have @116. Daily specials range from soups to seafood to steaks to specialty pizzas, many with Mediterranean and Southern influences. Lots of fabulous Spanish wines and a famed White Russian menu. Brunch usually runs the gamut from omelets to pancakes to stuffed French toast — with splendid Bloody Marys.
Big T Barbecue
Al Amir
Blue Cactus
Al-Amir has a reputation for authentic and well-prepared Middle Eastern cuisine. Signature dishes include hummus, falafel, lamb kabob, mujadara and shawarma. The flatbreads are exceptional.
This unassuming, family-run little eatery boasts a serious culinary reputation, specializing in homestyle Korean food mixed with Southwestern and other influences to create a sizzling menu that is especially vegetarian-friendly. Quality takes time, however, so don’t go if you’re impatient.
Downtown: 1734 Main St., (803) 401-5882 facebook.com/alamirofcolumbia
Baan Sawan
Five Points: 2135 Devine St., (803) 252-8992 baansawan.blogspot.com
Gadsden: 2520 Congaree Rd., (803) 353-0488 Southeast: 7535 Garners Ferry Rd., (803) 776-7132 Northeast: 1061 Sparkleberry Ln., (803) 788-4295 bigtbbq.com
Big T’s turns out some of the best barbecue in town. Pit-cooked pulled pork is the standout, served with hot or mild, slightly sweet mustard-based sauce. The sides are first-rate. Friendly people, generous portions. Five Points: 2002 Greene St., (803) 929-0782 bluecactuscafe.com
Not your typical Thai restaurant. Baan Sawan serves expertly prepared Thai experiencecolumbia.com
Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide 55
DINING
HAMPTON STREET VINEYARD
Blue Marlin
Vista: 1200 Lincoln St., (803) 799-3838 bluemarlincolumbia.com
Specializing in creative seafood dishes with a decidedly Lowcountry flair, Blue Marlin also serves hand-cut steaks and prime rib. Shrimp and grits is a top seller, with the grits coming from right across the street at Adluh Flour. Don’t overlook other tasty options such as the Crispy Firecracker Flounder served with a jalapeño salsa. Bourbon
Downtown: 1214 Main St., (803) 403-1404 bourboncolumbia.com
Go for the bourbon, stay for the whiskey. Serves higher-end Cajun-Creole cuisine like squash jambalaya, bayou burgers, seared duck breast, steaks and more. Updates on lunch and dinner menus posted through Facebook. Tasty Sunday brunch. Camon
Downtown: 1332 Assembly St., (803) 254-5400 camonsushi.wordpress.com
Since 1985, Camon has prepared authentic Japanese cuisine and presented customers with the freshest and finest sushi. Quiet, discreet and beloved by devoted regulars for its outstanding food, service and atmosphere. 56 Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide
Cellar on Greene
Five Points: 2001D Greene St. , (803) 343-3303 cellarongreene.com
Part wine shop, part tapas bar, the Cellar on Greene is the place to go for wines by the glass or bottle and an ever-changing menu of Continental, Mediterranean, and bistro-style dishes: seafood and steaks, salads, hummus, pizzas, pastas and more. The truffle parmesan raw fries are exceptional. Columbo’s (at DoubleTree by Hilton)
St. Andrews: 2100 Bush River Rd., (803) 744-2200 columbos.net
Not content to stay in place, Columbo’s is continually evolving and refining. Serves steak, classic Italian, Southern-inspired cuisine and more. Open 365 days a year for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Cowboy Brazilian Steakhouse Downtown: 1508 Main St., (803) 728-0887 cowboybraziliansteakhouse.com
Visit the enormous salad bar, and then partake in the never-ending parade of sizzling grilled meats being carried around the dining room. With cuts as diverse as filet mignon, chicken wing, pork sausage, lamb shoulder and beef picanha — a special Brazilian cut — there’s something to please everyone. experiencecolumbia.com
DINING DiPrato’s Delicatessen
Five Points: 342 Pickens St., (803) 779-0606 dipratos.com
DiPrato’s brings a New York attitude to its gourmet deli selections. Choose from its 17 signature sandwiches, build your own or explore the paninis and salads. The menu also offers 10 to 12 dinner entrées, including crab cakes and salmon. Also well loved for its fabulous brunch and famously good pimento cheese. Gervais & Vine
Vista: 620-A Gervais St., (803) 799-8463 gervine.com
True Mediterranean wine and tapas bar with more than 40 wines by the glass and a wide selection of appetizers. Dishes prepared in open kitchen are a fusion of Greek, Italian and Spanish cuisine with Southern influences. A Vista gem. Groucho’s
Five Points: 611 Harden St., (803) 799-5708 grouchos.com
Open since 1941, Groucho’s uses only the highest quality ingredients and is the premier lunchtime meeting place of
students and business people of Columbia. The Apollo and the STP Dippers are locally famous for good reason. Numerous locations; see website for details. Hampton Street Vineyard 1201 Hampton St., (803) 252-0850 hamptonstreetvineyard.com
Innovative American cuisine with seasonal menu changes, featuring fresh seafood, hand cut steaks and more — with accommodating and professional service in a cool urban space below the sidewalk in the historic Sylvan Building. Harambe Ethiopian Restaurant Five Points: 2006 Senate St., (803) 764-5510
Wonderful stews, veggies and curries are served atop injera, a sourdough flatbread made from teff, a North African grain. A warm and inviting restaurant with a large bar, too. Hudson’s Smokehouse and Saloon Lexington: 4952 Sunset Blvd., (803) 356-1070 hudsonssmokehouse.com
In a town full of barbecue joints, Hudson’s distinguishes itself with Cheerwine and
1200 Lincoln St. • 799.3838 bluemarlincolumbia.com signaturecateringsc.com
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Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide Guide 57
DINING
LIBERTY ON THE LAKE
a mean and lean tender brisket. Was spotlighted by Turner South as a Blue Ribbon Barbecue Joint. Offers mustardbased, ketchup-based and vinegar-andpepper options. Kaminsky’s Dessert Café
Vista: 930 Gervais St., (803) 550-9979 kaminskys.com
Dessert bar featuring milkshakes, spiked coffees, dessert martinis, cakes, cider and more. Liberty on the Lake
Harbison/Irmo: 1602 Marina Rd., (803) 667-9715 libertytaproom.com
With sweeping, scenic views of Lake Murray from its multiple decks, Liberty on the Lake is a gorgeous place to knock back a few beers and some tasty, freshcaught fish or a burger. Some of the same great salads, sandwiches and apps you’ll find at the popular Liberty in the Vista. Liberty Tap Room & Grill
Vista: 828 Gervais St., (803) 461-4677 libertytaproom.com
Liberty begins with sturdy American fare (mmm ... burgers!) but doesn’t end there. Known for its delicious salads, you’ll also find an array of appetizers, succulent soups and colorful entrees.
58 Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide
Little Pigs
Northeast: 4927 Alpine Rd., (803) 788-8238 littlepigs.biz
Amazing spread of lunch buffet offerings including yams, corn, baked beans, fried okra, onion rings, hush puppies, green beans and more. The three varieties of barbecue are nothing to sneeze at, either. Lizard’s Thicket
Downtown: 818 Elmwood Ave., (803) 779-6407 lizardsthicket.com
Meat loaf, fried chicken, mac and cheese, fried okra. Good lord, what more could you want? A true local institution that thrives on the meat-and-veggies formula. This is what Southern cooking is all about. See website for full list of locations. M Grille, M Vista, M Kitchen and Miyo’s
Forest Acres: 3250 Forest Dr., (803) 743-9996 Harbison/Irmo: 1220 E-2 Bower Pkwy., (803) 781-7788 Harbison/Irmo: 340 Columbiana Dr., (803) 764-1285 Northeast: 715 Fashion Dr., Ste. 1, Village at Sandhill, (803) 788-8878 Lexington: 5594 Sunset Blvd., (803) 957-9888 Vista: 531 Lady St., (803) 708-8881 Vista: 701-C Lady St., (803) 255-8884 miyos.com
A mix of Asian and bistro influences — Chinese stir fry dishes, including vegetarian options, reasonably priced grilled items like salmon or flank steak and more. Sushi, too. experiencecolumbia.com
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Maurice’s Maurice’s Piggie Piggie Park Park
West WestColumbia: Columbia:1600 1600Charleston CharlestonHwy., Hwy., (803) (803)796-0220 796-0220 piggiepark.com piggiepark.com
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Vista: Vista:1009 1009Gervais GervaisSt., St.,(803) (803)933-9201 933-9201 Lexington: Lexington:5364 5364Sunset SunsetBlvd., Blvd.,(803) (803)359-0778 359-0778 mellowmushroomcolumbia.com mellowmushroomcolumbia.com
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Motor Motor Supply Supply Co. Co. Bistro Bistro
Vista: Vista:920 920Gervais GervaisSt., St.,(803) (803)256-6687 256-6687 motorsupplycobistro.com motorsupplycobistro.com
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Five FivePoints: Points:2001-A 2001-AGreene GreeneSt., St.,(803) (803)254-7828 254-7828 mrfriendlys.com mrfriendlys.com
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E N J OY A LO C A L TRADITION. Join us for a meal at Midlands’ for contemporary takes on traditional Southern plates. We use fresh, locally-sourced ingredients to create seasonal menus ripe with our heritage. Indulge in small plates and inventive cocktails, or dine formally with a multi-course dinner and extensive wine selection.
Marriott Marriott
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and only steps from the State Capitol, Midlands’ brings inspired local cuisine to the heart of Columbia. LEARN MORE AT MIDLANDSRESTAURANT.COM OR CALL 803.771.7000.
LOCATED INSIDE THE COLUMBIA MARRIOTT 1200 HAMPTON STREET COLUMBIA, SC 29201 803.771.7000 COLUMBIAMARRIOTT.COM © 2015 Marriott International, Inc.
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DINING DINING Nonnah’s Nonnah’s
Vista: Vista:930 930Gervais GervaisSt., St.,(803) (803)779-9599 779-9599 nonnahs.com nonnahs.com
Long Long considered considered Columbia’s Columbia’s best best place place for for dessert dessert (seriously, (seriously, itit wins wins Free Free Times’ Times’ Best Best of of Columbia Columbia dessert dessert category category year year after after year), year), Nonnah’s Nonnah’s also also offers offers lunch lunch and and dinner dinner menus, menus, including including sandwiches, sandwiches, salads, salads, soups soups and and crepes. crepes. The The Oak Oak Table Table
Downtown: Downtown:1221 1221Main MainSt., St.,(803) (803)563-5066 563-5066 theoaktablesc.com theoaktablesc.com
A A fantastic fantastic view view of of the the State State House, House, not not to to mention mention excellent excellent high-end high-end fine fine dining dining fare, fare, from from deep-fried deep-fried whole whole lobster lobster to to steaks steaks to to fresh fresh local local seafood seafood and and other other seasonal seasonal dishes. dishes. Sundays Sundays feature feature aa great great brunch. brunch. Pawleys Pawleys Front Front Porch Porch
Five FivePoints: Points:827 827Harden HardenSt., St.,(803) (803)771-8001 771-8001 pawleys5pts.com pawleys5pts.com
Ever Ever since since its its burgers burgers were were featured featured in in February February 2010 2010 on on the the Food Food Network Network show show Diners, Diners, Drive-Ins Drive-Ins and and Dives, Dives, the the lines lines outside outside Pawleys Pawleys Front Front Porch Porch have have grown grown much much longer. longer. There’s There’s more more to to the the menu menu than than burgers burgers and and shoestring shoestring fries fries — — for for example, example, fried fried oysters, oysters, fish fish tacos tacos and and aa gourmet gourmet BLT BLT — — but but make make no no mistake: mistake: it’s it’s the the all-beef all-beef behemoths behemoths and and atypical atypical toppers toppers that that keep keep people people lining lining up up at at this this Five Five Points Points bar bar and and grill. grill.
P.O.S.H. P.O.S.H. (at (at Downtown Downtown Sheraton) Sheraton) Downtown: Downtown:1400 1400Main MainSt., St.,(803) (803)988-1400 988-1400
Located Located inside inside the the downtown downtown Sheraton Sheraton lobby, lobby, P.O.S.H. P.O.S.H. serves serves up up cooked-to-order cooked-to-order breakfast breakfast seven seven days days aa week. week. Publico Publico Kitchen Kitchen and and Tap Tap
Five FivePoints: Points:2013 2013Greene GreeneSt., St.,615-429-7371 615-429-7371 publicokitchenandtap.com publicokitchenandtap.com
When When the the long-running long-running Italian Italian restaurant restaurant Garibaldi’s Garibaldi’s closed, closed, itit left left aa vacant vacant space space in in the the heart heart of of Five Five Points. Points. Now Now that that space space has has been been filled: filled: Publico Publico Kitchen Kitchen and and Tap Tap isis aa fresh, fresh, contemporary contemporary restaurant restaurant serving serving tacos, tacos, burritos, burritos, burgers, burgers, salads salads — — all all made made with with seasonal, seasonal, local local produce produce and and hormone-free, hormone-free, humanely humanely raised raised meats meats — — along along with with fusion fusion cuisine cuisine and and craft craft beer. beer. Rioz Rioz Brazilian Brazilian Steakhouse Steakhouse Harbison/Irmo: Harbison/Irmo:410 410Columbiana ColumbianaDr., Dr., (803) (803)708-3151, 708-3151,rioz.com rioz.com
Offers Offers Brazilian-style Brazilian-style tableside tableside service service of of more more than than 15 15 cuts cuts of of beef, beef, pork, pork, lamb lamb and and poultry. poultry. Also Also features features extensive extensive salad salad bar, bar, which which includes includes seafood seafood and and sushi. sushi. Rise Rise Gourmet Gourmet Goods Goods and and Bakeshop Bakeshop Five 926 Harden FivePoints: Points: 926 HardenSt., St.,(803) (803)851-1248 851-1248 risebakeshop.com risebakeshop.com
Neighborhood Neighborhood bakery bakery meets meets upscale upscale sandwich sandwich shop, shop, with with aa truly truly amazing amazing array array of of baked baked goods. goods. Offers Offers gourmet gourmet tailgating tailgating boxes boxes and and much much more. more.
Pearlz Pearlz Oyster Oyster Bar Bar
Ristorante Ristorante Divino Divino
Pearlz Pearlz specializes specializes in in fresh fresh oysters, oysters, regional regional seafood seafood and and Lowcountry Lowcountry recipes. recipes. But But its its hip hip ambience ambience and and signature signature martinis martinis also also make make itit aa hotspot hotspot for for Columbia’s Columbia’s young young professionals. professionals.
Classic Classic fine fine dining. dining. You’ll You’ll find find Northern Northern Italian Italian dishes dishes here, here, including including the the signature signature rack rack of of lamb lamb — — and and newer, newer, seasonally seasonally informed informed touches, touches, too. too. The The gnocchi gnocchi isis heavenly. heavenly. Wine Wine list list consistently consistently wins wins Wine Wine Spectator Spectator awards. awards.
Vista: Vista:936 936Gervais GervaisSt., St.,(803) (803)661-7741 661-7741 pearlzoysterbar.com pearlzoysterbar.com
Vista: Vista:803 803Gervais GervaisSt., St.,(803) (803)799-4550 799-4550 ristorantedivino.com ristorantedivino.com
AMAZING BRAZILIAN STEAKHOUSE IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN COLUMBIA SERVING 16 DIFFERENT TYPES OF MEATS, 7 NIGHTS A WEEK. COME IN AND ENJOY TONIGHT! LUNCH Mon - Fri 11:30am- 2pm DINNER Mon - Fri Open at 5pm Sat & Sun Open at 4pm
60 60 Columbia Columbia 2016 2016 Official Official Visitors Visitors Guide Guide
1508 Main Street 803.722.0887 www.cowboybraziliansteakhouse.com experiencecolumbia.com experiencecolumbia.com
DINING
RISTORANTE DIVINO
Rosso Trattoria Italia
Forest Acres: 4840 Forest Dr., (803) 787-3949 rossocolumbia.com
Part lush bistro, part Old World rustic, this Forest Acres restaurant is a Columbia gem. Out-of-this-world seafood highlights the excellent Italian-Mediterranean menu, but don’t miss out on the wood-fired traditional pizzas. Entrées include Rosso Bucco, wood-grilled meats and seafood, rich pastas and sea scallops with lemonsaffron risotto. A winner all the way around. Ruth’s Chris Steak House Vista: 924-A Senate St. (Hilton Hotel), (803) 212-6666, ruthschris.com
There’s a reason their motto is “This Is How It’s Done” — because this is how it’s done. Hands down, their sizzling steaks are among the best on planet Earth. Their seafood rocks, too. SakiTumi Grill & Sushi Bar Vista: 807 Gervais St., (803) 931-0700 sakifresh.com
This upscale Vista hotspot includes a popular bar area and a separate sushi bar. Extensive sake list complements beer and wine offerings, and SakiTumi also has weekly sushi and drink specials that are easy on the wallet. Plenty of non-sushi items on menu, including grilled items and tasty appetizers such as the lotus root chips. experiencecolumbia.com
Saluda’s
Five Points: 751 Saluda Ave., (803) 799-9500 saludas.com
This casual fine-dining establishment offers cutting-edge culinary styles that blend Italian, French and Lowcountry influences. Serves seafood, beef, chicken and vegetarian entrees. Also hosts wine dinners. Solstice Kitchen & Wine Bar
Northeast Columbia: 841-4 Sparkleberry Lane, (803) 788-6966, solsticekitchen.com
From the people who bring you Mr. Friendly’s and Cellar on Greene, Solstice presents an upscale dining experience with local, seasonal specials, plus more permanent dishes like sea scallops, shrimp and grits, hand-cut steaks and a nice lineup of salads. Extensive wine list and elegant, yet cozy, atmosphere. Southern Belly
Five Points: 819 Harden St., (803) 764-3512 Shandon/Rosewood: 1332 Rosewood Dr., (803) 667-9533, southernbellybbq.com
Southern Belly distinguishes itself by offering lots of different sauces for its small but tasty selection of barbecued meat sandwiches. Original location is convenient to Williams-Brice Stadium; its newest location in the heart of Five Points is convenient to those coming from the University of South Carolina.
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DINING The The Sporting Sporting News News Bar Bar & & Grill Grill (at (at Holiday Holiday Inn) Inn) West West Columbia: Columbia: 110 110 McSwain McSwain Dr., Dr., (803) (803) 391-4002, 391-4002, sngcolumbia.com sngcolumbia.com
Whether Whether you’re you’re vacationing vacationing or or visiting visiting on on business, business, your your appetite appetite will will surely surely be be pleased pleased with with the the steaks, steaks, shrimp shrimp & & grits, grits, sandwiches sandwiches and and burgers burgers served served here. here. Upscale Upscale enough enough for for aa business business lunch, lunch, but but also also has has aa full full bar bar and and nine nine 52-inch 52-inch TVs. TVs. Terra Terra
West West Columbia: Columbia: 100 100 State State St., St., (803) (803) 791-3443 791-3443 terrasc.com terrasc.com
Chef Chef Mike Mike Davis Davis brings brings together together toptopquality quality Southern Southern ingredients ingredients and and classic classic European European techniques techniques to to make make creative, creative, original original fare fare — — truly truly one one of of the the region’s region’s best best restaurants. restaurants. Fantastic Fantastic view view of of downtown downtown Columbia Columbia from from the the upscale upscale Vista Vista West West location. location. Looking Looking for for something something aa little little simpler? simpler? Sit Sit at at the the cozy cozy bar bar and and sample sample aa brick-oven brick-oven pizza. pizza. Terrace Terrace Restaurant Restaurant & & Lounge Lounge (at (at Embassy Embassy Suites) Suites)
St. St. Andrews: Andrews: 200 200 Stoneridge Stoneridge Dr., Dr., (803) (803) 252-8700 252-8700
Full-service Full-service restaurant restaurant serving serving American American cuisine cuisine including including fresh fresh seafood, seafood, steak, steak, chicken chicken and and ribs. ribs. Atmosphere Atmosphere is is casual casual fine fine dining. dining. Thirsty Thirsty Fellow Fellow Pizzeria Pizzeria and and Pub Pub Vista: Vista: 621 621 Gadsden Gadsden St., St., (803) (803) 799-1311 799-1311 thirstyfellow.com thirstyfellow.com
Immensely Immensely popular popular spot spot near near the the Colonial Colonial Life Life Arena. Arena. Open Open seven seven days days aa week, week, full full bar. bar. Comfortable Comfortable atmosphere atmosphere including including covered covered deck. deck. New New food food specials specials offered offered each each week. week. Pub Pub food food and and fresh fresh specials specials include include wings, wings, fish fish ‘n’ ‘n’ chips, chips, sandwiches, sandwiches, soups, soups, appetizers appetizers and and an an array array of of stonestonefired fired pizzas. pizzas. Try Try the the banana banana pepper pepper stuffed stuffed
with with sausage sausage and and served served with with aa hearty hearty marinara marinara and and cheese cheese sauce. sauce. Yesterdays Yesterdays
Five Five Points: Points: 2030 2030 Devine Devine St., St., (803) (803) 799-0196 799-0196 yesterdayssc.com yesterdayssc.com
A A Columbia Columbia landmark landmark since since 1978. 1978. People People flock flock here here not not just just for for aa glimpse glimpse of of aa cowboy cowboy in in aa bathtub bathtub but but also also to to throw throw back back some some suds suds while while filling filling up up on on the the heartiest heartiest fare fare in in town, town, including including meatloaf, meatloaf, broiled broiled salmon, salmon, shrimp shrimp and and grits grits and and awesome awesome country country fried fried steak. steak.
FOOD TRUCKS 22 Fat Fat 22 Fly Fly Wings Wings
(803) (803) 622-6063, 622-6063, 2fat2flywings.com 2fat2flywings.com
Creamy Creamy macaroni macaroni and and cheese cheese stuffed stuffed inside inside aa chicken chicken wing?! wing?! It’s It’s true. true. Or Or jambalaya? jambalaya? Or Or an an inside-out inside-out chicken chicken parmigiana? parmigiana? All All these these delicacies delicacies and and more more can can be be yours. yours. For For locations locations and and hours, hours, follow follow the the truck truck on on Twitter Twitter at at @2fat2flywings @2fat2flywings or or check check the the calendar calendar at at 2fat2flywings.com. 2fat2flywings.com. Featured Featured on on the the Oprah Oprah Network Network show show Wingmen. Wingmen. Belgian Belgian Waffle Waffle Truck Truck
(803) (803) 606-6780, 606-6780, thebelgianwaffletruck.com thebelgianwaffletruck.com
Serves Serves authentic authentic Liege Liege waffles waffles — — aa dense, dense, browned browned version version of of the the Belgian Belgian waffle waffle — — with with toppings toppings both both sweet sweet and and savory. savory. Try Try the the Ouf-Ti Ouf-Ti Waffle, Waffle, which which features features goat goat cheese, cheese, lettuce, lettuce, duck duck and and chicken chicken confit confit and and an an onion onion confiture. confiture. Bone-In Bone-In Artisan Artisan BBQ BBQ on on Wheels Wheels (803) (803) 957-1818, 957-1818, artisanbbqtruck.com artisanbbqtruck.com
Smoked Smoked meats meats on on homemade homemade focaccia; focaccia; cilantro-lime cilantro-lime coleslaw; coleslaw; grilled grilled pimento pimento cheese cheese sandwiches sandwiches on on jalapeño jalapeño cornbread cornbread — — this this is is barbecue barbecue done done fancy fancy and and right. right.
PP II ZZ ZZ EE RR II AA AA N ND D PP UU BB
Oldest Oldest Restaurant Restaurant in in S.C. S.C.
Traditional TraditionalItalian ItalianFavorites Favorites Carmella’s Carmella’sFamous FamousCheesecake Cheesecake Homemade HomemadeBread Bread&&Desserts Desserts Fresh FreshSeafood SeafoodSpecialties Specialties Downtown Downtown Columbia Columbia
1213 1213Blanding BlandingSt. St. (803) (803)256-7677 256-7677 villatronco.com villatronco.com
Serving Serving Breakfast, Breakfast, Lunch Lunch and and Dinner Dinner with with Full Full Bar Bar soups, soups, salads, salads, sandwiches, sandwiches, appetizers, appetizers, pizza, pizza, classic classic Italian Italian entreés entreés and and specials specials 1620 1620Main MainSt., St.,(803) (803)726-2233 726-2233 michaelscafecaterering.com michaelscafecaterering.com
62 62 Columbia Columbia 2016 2016 Official Official Visitors Visitors Guide Guide 62 Guide
Stone-fired Stone-fired pizza, pizza, pub pub food food and and specialties, specialties, sandwiches, sandwiches, burgers burgers and and salads salads plus plus Sunday Sunday brunch brunch
621 621Gadsden GadsdenSt. St. (803) (803)799-1311 799-1311 thirstyfellow.com thirstyfellow.com Located Locatedin indowntown downtownColumbia Columbia behind behindthe theColonial ColonialLife LifeArena Arena experiencecolumbia.com experiencecolumbia.com
DINING
RIVER RAT BREWERY
For locations and hours, follow the truck on Twitter (@artisanbbqtruck) or on artisanbbqtruck.com. Featured on the Cooking Channel show Eat Street. The Wurst Wagen
twitter.com/BestWurstWagen (803) 463-6637, thewurstwagen.com
This mobile food truck boasts a Germantrained master butcher and a whole lot of delicious German sausages, not to mention occasional doner kebab. There are specials every now and then, so visit them often to get the best prices. Check out their Twitter page for location information.
BREWERIES & BREWPUBS Conquest Brewing Co. 947 S. Stadium Rd., Bay 1 conquestbrewing.com
Columbia’s first production brewery. The Sacred Heart IPA is a special favorite around Columbia. Hunter-Gatherer Brewery & Ale House 900 Main St., (803) 748-0540 huntergathererbrewery.com
Serving excellent handcrafted ales since 1995, Hunter-Gatherer’s food is as good as its beer, with nightly gourmet specials to complement such local favorites as the Black Bean Dip, specialty pizzas and experiencecolumbia.com
burgers. A favorite spot for university types, hipsters and oldsters alike. In addition to its popular Main Street location, Hunter-Gatherer is opening a beer garden and production brewery in a historic airplane hangar at Owens Field. River Rat Brewery
1231 Shop Rd., (803) 724-5712 riverratbrewery.com
River Rat produces excellent and original craft beers. Features a lovely outdoor deck, grassy area with cornhole, and swank tap room. Old Mill Brew Pub
Lexington: 711 E. Main St., (803) 785-2337 oldmillbrewpub.net
Craft beer? Made on site at a former cotton mill? In downtown Lexington? Yes, Old Mill is doing all this and more — and also serving up some fine, creative bar fare. Hosts occasional live music, too. Swamp Cabbage Brewing Co. 921 Brookwood Dr., (803) 252-0250 swampcabbagebrewing.com
Columbia’s third production brewery boasts a strong catalog of beers, starting with its extra-special bitter. Run by two brothers.
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Accommodations SHERATON COLUMBIA DOWNTOWN
Columbia City Center Clarion Hotel Downtown (803) 771-8711 1615 Gervais St., Columbia https://choicehotels.com/south-carolina/ columbia/clarion-hotels/sc015
Southern hospitality, spacious rooms, and unparalleled service abound at the downtown hotel in Columbia. Neatly situated near the downtown business district, state capitol and the University of South Carolina.
Columbia Marriott Hotel (803) 771-7000 1200 Hampton St., Columbia columbiamarriott.com
Visit the Columbia Marriott hotel, located in the vibrant downtown Columbia area near the University of South Carolina. The hotel offers some of the finest accommodations in Columbia. The hotel features modern amenities and wireless Internet to help you make the most of your stay. The 28,000 square feet of space makes the downtown hotel a favorite choice for businesses and social functions in Columbia. Located right 64 2016 Columbia Visitors Guide
on Main Street and just minutes from popular destinations, including Columbia Museum of Art, Riverbanks Zoo, the state capitol, Vista District, Township Theatre, Colonial Life Arena and Williams Brice Stadium, the downtown hotel is close to popular attractions. Guests are welcome to take advantage of the indoor pool and on-site fitness center.
Courtyard by Marriott Columbia Downtown at USC (803) 799-7800 630 Assembly St., Columbia marriott.com/caecd
Perfect location in downtown Columbia near the University of South Carolina, Colonial Life Arena, Koger Center, Vista and Five Points. Complimentary Wi-Fi and parking, refrigerators in every room, and new Bistro restaurant serving breakfast and dinner.
PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNER
AIRPORT SHUTTLE FREE WIFI RESTAURANT
INDOOR POOL OUTDOOR POOL PETS ALLOWED experiencecolumbia.com
Ceremonies • Receptions • Anniversaries Guest Suites • Honeymoons 200 Stoneridge Dr., Columbia, SC 29210 803-252-8700 • columbiagreystone.embassysuites.com
YEAH, IT'S PRETTY GREAT!
You'll love the added value you get at the Embassy Suites Columbia-Greystone; the area's only full-service, all-suite property! Give us a call at (803) 252-8700! We look forward to seeing you soon!
columbiagreystone.embassysuites.com Service of alcohol subject to state and local laws. Must be of legal drinking age. ©2014 Hilton Worldwide. ™ indicates a trademark of Hilton Worldwide.
experiencecolumbia.com experiencecolumbia.com
Columbia 2016 Official Official Visitors Guide Guide 65
ACCOMMODATIONS Columbia City Center continued continued Embassy Embassy Suites Suites Columbia Columbia — Greystone
(803) (803) 252-8700 252-8700 200 200 Stoneridge Stoneridge Dr., Dr., Columbia Columbia columbiagreystone.embassysuites.com columbiagreystone.embassysuites.com
Located Located close close to to the the University University of of South South Carolina Carolina with with complimentary complimentary parking; parking; airport airport and and local local shuttle shuttle within within aa 5-mile 5-mile radius; radius; complimentary complimentary cooked-to-order cooked-to-order breakfast breakfast and and evening evening reception reception and and on-site on-site Terrace Terrace Restaurant Restaurant and and Lounge. Lounge.
Hampton Hampton Inn Inn Downtown Downtown Historic Historic District District (803) (803) 231-2000 231-2000 822 822 Gervais Gervais St., St., Columbia Columbia hamptoninncolumbia.com hamptoninncolumbia.com
Located Located in in the the center center of of the the financial, financial, entertainment entertainment and and historic historic district, district, the the downtown downtown Hampton Hampton Inn Inn offers offers aa unique unique experience experience for for business business or or pleasure pleasure for for and and aa taste taste of of Southern Southern hospitality. hospitality.
Hilton Hilton Columbia Columbia Center Center
(803) (803) 744-7800 744-7800 924 924 Senate Senate St., St., Columbia Columbia hiltoncolumbia.com hiltoncolumbia.com
Ideally Ideally located located in in the the center center of of the the financial, financial, entertainment entertainment and and historic historic district district and and elegant elegant in in atmosphere, atmosphere, the the center center is is the the ideal ideal setting setting for for business business and and leisure leisure travelers. travelers.
Holiday Holiday Inn Inn Express Express & & Suites Suites Columbia Columbia Downtown Downtown (803) (803) 744-4000 744-4000 501 501 Taylor Taylor St., St., Columbia Columbia hiexcolumbiasc.com hiexcolumbiasc.com
Homewood Homewood Suites Suites by by Hilton Hilton
(803) (803) 239-4663 239-4663 230 230 Greystone Greystone Blvd., Blvd., Columbia Columbia columbiasc.homewoodsuites.com columbiasc.homewoodsuites.com
Studios Studios and and one-bedroom one-bedroom suites suites feature feature fully fully equipped equipped kitchens. kitchens. Complimentary Complimentary breakfast breakfast buffet. buffet. Monday Monday through through Thursday, Thursday, complimentary complimentary reception reception including including dinner dinner and and drinks. drinks.
Hyatt Hyatt Place Place Columbia Columbia // Downtown Downtown // Vista Vista (803) (803) 978-2013 978-2013 819 819 Gervais Gervais St., St., Columbia Columbia hyattplacecolumbiadowntown.com hyattplacecolumbiadowntown.com
Beautiful Beautiful new new building building with with 130 130 spacious spacious guest guest rooms. rooms. Convenient Convenient free free a.m. a.m. Kitchen Kitchen Skillet. Skillet. CoffeeCoffeeto-cocktails to-cocktails bar. bar. A A short short walk walk to to all all downtown downtown restaurants restaurants and and attractions. attractions.
PREFERRED PREFERREDHOTEL HOTELPARTNER PARTNER
AIRPORT SHUTTLE AIRPORT SHUTTLE FREE WIFI FREE WIFI RESTAURANT RESTAURANT
INDOORPOOL POOL INDOOR OUTDOOR OUTDOORPOOL POOL PETS PETSALLOWED ALLOWED
FOR RESERVATIONS call 803.978.2013 www.hyattplacecolumbiadowntown.com 66 66 Columbia Columbia 2016 2016 Official Official Visitors Visitors Guide Guide
experiencecolumbia.com experiencecolumbia.com
ACCOMMODATIONS
Located in the Historic Congaree Vista 822 Gervais Street | Columbia, South Carolina 29201 (803) 231-2000 experiencecolumbia.com columbiacvb.com Columbia 2016 2016 Columbia Official Visitors Guide Guide www.hamptoninncolumbia.com
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ACCOMMODATIONS Columbia City Center continued Inn at USC Wyndham Garden Columbia (803) 779-7779 1619 Pendleton St., Columbia innatusc.com
Boutique hotel featuring upscale amenities located on the University of South Carolina campus. Stay at the Inn at USC Wyndham Garden where Southern hospitality still exists.
Sheraton Columbia Downtown Hotel (803) 988-1400 1400 Main St., Columbia sheraton.com/columbiadowntown
Boutique style accommodations with original hardwood floors. Recently awarded four diamonds by AAA.
SpringHill Suites by Marriott — Columbia / Downtown / The Vista
Columbia SE / Fort Jackson Baymont Inn & Suites Fort Jackson (803) 695-0666 240 East Exchange Blvd., Columbia bestwestern.com
Candlewood Suites — Columbia / Fort Jackson (803) 727-1299 921 Atlas Rd., Columbia candlewoodsuites.com
Comfort Inn & Suites Fort Jackson Maingate (803) 695-5555 7337 Garners Ferry Rd., Columbia choicehotels.com/hotel/sc046
Country Inn & Suites Southeast
(803) 978-2333 511 Lady St., Columbia marriott.com/caesh
(803) 776-6660 220 East Exchange Blvd., Columbia countryinns.com/columbiasc
Located in the heart of the Congaree Vista and downtown Columbia, this all-suite property is the perfect place to stay whether in Columbia for business, football or visiting family.
Hampton Inn & Suites Columbia / Southeast, Fort Jackson
Staybridge Suites Columbia Downtown (803) 451-5900 1913 Huger St., Columbia staycolumbiasc.com
Suburban Extended Stay Hotel (803) 779-7000 150 Stoneridge Dr., Columbia
The Inn at Claussen’s (803) 765-0440 2003 Greene St., Columbia theinnatclaussens.com
(803) 217-3999 201 East Exchange Blvd., Columbia columbiasoutheastfortjacksonsuites. hamptoninn.com
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites — Fort Jackson (803) 695-1111 7329 Garners Ferry Rd., Columbia hiexpress.com/fortjackson
LaQuinta Inn Columbia Southeast / Fort Jackson (803) 783-5410 7333 Garners Ferry Rd., Columbia lq.com
PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNER 68 Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide
experiencecolumbia.com
ACCOMMODATIONS Columbia SE / Fort Jackson continued Microtel Inn & Suites Maingate Fort Jackson (803) 217-1000 7504 Garners Ferry Rd., Columbia microtelinn.com
(803) 776-6263 200 East Exchange Blvd., Columbia sleepinn.com
TownePlace Suites by Marriott Columbia SE/Fort Jackson (803) 695-0062 250 East Exchange Blvd., Columbia marriott.com/caese
AIRPORT SHUTTLE AIRPORT FREE WIFI FREE RESTAURANT RESTAURANT
Baymont Inn & Suites Columbia Northwest (803) 731-2300 347 Zimalcrest Dr., Columbia baymontinns.com/hotel/46756
Sleep Inn SE
Irmo / St. Andrews / Harbison
INDOOR POOL OUTDOOR POOL PETS ALLOWED
347 Zimalcrest Dr. Columbia, SC 29210 803.731.2300 Located at the Intersection of I-20 & I-26 www.baymontinns.com/hotel/46756
experiencecolumbia.com experiencecolumbia.com
Best Western Executive Inn & Suites (803) 561-9027 1720 Bush River Rd., Columbia bestwestern.com
Comfort Inn Hotel Columbia (803) 798-5101 911 Bush River Rd., Columbia comfortinncolumbiasc.com
Complimentary Airport Shuttle & Parking Free Breakfast 149 Guest Rooms Including 12 Two-Room Suites 24-Hour Business Center More Than 1,000 Square Feet of Meeting Space Indoor Whirlpool
Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide Guide 69
ACCOMMODATIONS Irmo / St. Andrews / Harbison continued Comfort Suites Harbison (803) 407-4444 750 Saturn Pkwy., Columbia choicehotels.com/hotel/sc221
Country Inn & Suites Columbia Harbison (803) 391-4100 414 Piney Grove Rd., Columbia countryinns.com/columbiasc_harbison
DoubleTree by Hilton (803) 731-0300 2100 Bush River Rd., Columbia columbiasouthcarolina.doubletree.com
Full-service, spacious and comfortable hotel. Located at the intersection of I-20 and I-26, minutes from downtown and the entertainment district. Featuring complimentary Wi-Fi, parking, a fitness center, and Columbos Restaurant and Lounge.
Extended Stay America — Columbia/Harbison (803) 781-8590 1170 Kinley Rd., Irmo extendedstay.com
Hilton Garden Inn Columbia/Harbison (803) 407-6640 434 Columbiana Dr., Columbia columbiaharbison.stayhgi.com
Conveniently located off of I-26, 6.5 miles from downtown. An excellent venue for meetings, conferences, and weddings. Designed for the individual business traveler and the weekend leisure guest.
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites — Harbison (803) 732-2229 211 Lanneau Ct., Columbia columbiahie.com
Home-Towne Suites (803) 781-9391 350 Columbiana Dr., Columbia htshotel.com
Hyatt Place Columbia — Harbison (803) 407-1560 1130 Kinley Rd., Irmo hyattplace.com
Quality Inn St. Andrews (803) 451-2400 1335 Garner Ln., Columbia choicehotels.com
Fairfield Inn by Marriott — Columbia Northwest/Harbison (803) 732-4436 320 Columbiana Dr., Columbia marriott.com/caefn
Hampton Inn On the Lake at Harbison (803) 749-6999 101 Woodcross Dr., Columbia columbiaharbison.hamptoninn.com
Ramada Limited Columbia (803) 731-9997 1315 Garner Ln., Columbia ramada.com
Red Roof Inn Columbia West (803) 798-9220 10 Berryhill Rd., Columbia redroof.com
Sleep Inn NW PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNER
AIRPORT SHUTTLE FREE WIFI RESTAURANT
(803) 731-9999 1901 Rockland Rd., Columbia sleepinncolumbia.com
INDOOR POOL OUTDOOR POOL PETS ALLOWED
70 Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide
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ACCOMMODATIONS Irmo / St. Andrews / Harbison continued Travelodge Columbia West (803) 798-9665 2210 Bush River Rd., Columbia travelodge.com
Wingate by Wyndham — Columbia Harbison (803) 407-6166 217 Lanneau Ct., Columbia columbiawi.com
Lexington County Comfort Suites Lexington (803) 996-2000 325 West Main St., Lexington comfortsuiteslexington.com
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites — Lexington (803) 808-0800 131 Innkeeper Dr., Lexington hiexpress.com/lexingtonsc
Leesville Lodge
(803) 532-1082 605 East Columbia Ave., Leesville leesvillelodge.com
Quality Inn & Suites Lexington (803) 359-3099 328 West Main St., Lexington choicehotels.com/hotel/sc081
Ramada Limited Lexington — Columbia (803) 356-6533 1015 South Lake Dr., Lexington ramada.com
Value Place — Lexington Hampton Inn Lexington (803) 356-8300 601 Columbia Ave., Lexington lexingtonsc.hamptoninn.com
(803) 356-1303 4920 Augusta Rd., Lexington valueplace.com
AIRPORT SHUTTLE AIRPORT FREE WIFI FREE RESTAURANT RESTAURANT
INDOOR POOL OUTDOOR POOL PETS ALLOWED
BEST WESTERN PLUS
COLUMBIA NORTHEAST 7525 Two Notch Road Columbia, SC 29223 803-736-6666
book.bestwestern.com experiencecolumbia.com experiencecolumbia.com
Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide Guide 71
SOUTHERN H O S P I TA L I T Y IS OUR BUSINESS.
Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, choose the hotel that knows Southern hospitality. Network or relax in our sophisticated Greatroom, dine on Southern cuisine at Midlands’ restaurant and stay in luxury in modern guest rooms—all in a premier downtown location. Experience the future of luxury and comfort of Marriott’s signature service in Columbia, South Carolina. LEARN MORE ABOUT SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY. VISIT COLUMBIAMARRIOTT.COM.
COLUMBIA MARRIOTT 1200 HAMPTON STREET COLUMBIA, SC 29201 803.771.7000 COLUMBIAMARRIOTT.COM /MarriottColumbia © 2015 Marriott International, Inc.
@MarriottColaSC
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1400 Main Street, Columbia, SC | (803) 988-1400 starwoodhotels.com
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ACCOMMODATIONS ACCOMMODATIONS Extended Extended Stay Stay America America — — Columbia/Fort Columbia/Fort Jackson Jackson
Wingate Wingate by by Wyndham Wyndham — — Lexington/Columbia Lexington/Columbia
(803) (803)782-2025 782-2025 5430 5430Forest ForestDr., Dr.,Columbia Columbia extendedstay.com extendedstay.com
(803) (803)957-5000 957-5000 108 108Saluda SaludaPoint PointCt., Ct.,Lexington Lexington lexingtonwingate.com lexingtonwingate.com
Ideally Ideallysituated situatedat atthe theintersection intersectionof of I-20 I-20and andHwy Hwy378 378with withdowntown downtown Columbia Columbia10 10minutes minutesaway. away.Nearby Nearby are areLexington LexingtonMedical MedicalCenter, Center,athletic athletic venues venuesand andmajor majorindustries. industries.
Fairfield Fairfield Inn Inn & & Suites Suites Marriott Columbia Columbia Northeast Northeast Marriott (803) (803)760-1700 760-1700 120 120Blarney BlarneyDr., Dr.,Columbia Columbia fairfieldinn.com/caefs fairfieldinn.com/caefs
Richland NE and Fort Jackson Best Best Western Western Plus Plus Columbia Columbia Northeast Northeast
Perfect Perfectfor forbusiness businessand andleisure leisuretravelers travelers close closeto toFort FortJackson, Jackson,University Universityof ofSouth South Carolina Carolinaand andBlythewood. Blythewood.Free Freebreakfast breakfast and andhigh highspeed speedInternet. Internet.Conveniently Conveniently located locatedright rightoff offI-77 I-77and andI-20. I-20.
Hampton Hampton Inn Inn Columbia Columbia I-20 I-20 // Clemson Clemson Frontage Frontage Road Road
(803) (803)736-6666 736-6666 7525 7525Two TwoNotch NotchRd., Rd.,Columbia Columbia bestwestern.com bestwestern.com
(803) (803)788-4901 788-4901 1021 1021Clemson ClemsonFrontage FrontageRd., Rd.,Columbia Columbia columbiai20clemsonroad.hamptoninn.com columbiai20clemsonroad.hamptoninn.com
Comfort Comfort Inn Inn Blythewood Blythewood (803) (803)754-1441 754-1441 436 436McNulty McNultyRd., Rd.,Blythewood Blythewood comfortinn.com/hotel/sc040 comfortinn.com/hotel/sc040
Hampton Hampton Inn Inn Columbia Columbia Northeast Northeast Fort Fort Jackson Jackson Area Area (803) (803)865-8000 865-8000 1551 1551Barbara BarbaraDr., Dr.,Columbia Columbia columbianortheast.hamptoninn.com columbianortheast.hamptoninn.com
Comfort Comfort Suites Suites Northeast Northeast (803) (803)678-4266 678-4266 1540 1540Daulton DaultonDr., Dr.,Columbia Columbia choicehotels.com/hotel/sc315 choicehotels.com/hotel/sc315
Hilton Hilton Garden Garden Inn Inn Columbia Columbia // Northeast Northeast
(803) (803)807-9000 807-9000 8910 8910Farrow FarrowRd., Rd.,Columbia Columbia ColumbiaSouthCarolinaHotel.com ColumbiaSouthCarolinaHotel.com
Courtyard Courtyard by by Marriott Marriott NE NE (803) (803)736-3600 736-3600 111 111Gateway GatewayCorporate CorporateBlvd., Blvd.,Columbia Columbia marriott.com/caene marriott.com/caene
Comfort Comfort Inn Inn && Suites Suites
Garners Garners Ferry-Fort Ferry-Fort Jackson Jackson
Courtyard Courtyard by by Marriott Marriott Northeast/I-77 Northeast/I-77
Residence Residence Inn Inn Northeast Northeast
111 111Gateyard GateyardCorporate CorporateBlvd., Blvd., (803) (803)736-3600 736-3600 marriott.com marriott.com
2320 2320LeGrand LeGrandSt. St. (803) (803)788-8850 788-8850 marriott.com marriott.com
Close ClosetotoUSC, USC,Fort FortJackson, Jackson,McEntire McEntire Air AirNational NationalGuard GuardBase, Base,Shaw ShawAir Air Force Base, plus dining and shopping Force Base, plus dining and shopping
Close ClosetotoUSC, USC,Fort FortJackson, Jackson,McEntire McEntire Air AirNational NationalGuard GuardBase, Base,Shaw ShawAir Air Force ForceBase, Base,plus plusdining diningand andshopping shopping
74 74 Columbia Columbia 2016 2016 Official Official Visitors Visitors Guide Guide 74 Guide
7337 7337Garners GarnersFerry FerryRd. Rd. (803) (803)695-5555 695-5555 choicehotels.com choicehotels.com Exercise Exerciseroom room••Indoor Indoorheated heatedpool pool Pet-friendly Pet-friendly••Guest Guestlaundry laundryfacilities facilities Start Startyour yourmorning morningininColumbia Columbiawith withour our free freehot hotbreakfast breakfastoffering offeringeverything everything from fromeggs, eggs,waffles wafflesand andmeat meattotoyogurt yogurt and andfresh freshfruit. fruit.All Allofofour ourguest guestrooms rooms have havemicrowaves, microwaves,flatflatscreen screenTVs, TVs,refrigerarefrigerators, tors,coffee coffeemakers, makers, hair hairdryers, dryers,irons ironsand and ironing ironingboards. boards.
333miles miles from Fort Jackson; milesfrom fromFort FortJackson; Jackson; 666miles miles from USC milesfrom fromUSC USC &&&Downtown Downtown Columbia DowntownColumbia Columbia
experiencecolumbia.com experiencecolumbia.com
ACCOMMODATIONS Richland NE and Fort Jackson continued continued Holiday Inn Inn & & Suites Suites Holiday Columbia North Columbia (803) 736-5600 736-5600 (803) 8105 Two Two Notch Notch Rd., Rd., Columbia Columbia 8105 holidayinn.com/columbiasc holidayinn.com/columbiasc
Ramada Columbia Ramada Fort Jackson Jackson Area Area Fort
(803) 736-0809 736-0809 (803) 1539 Horseshoe Horseshoe Dr., Dr., Columbia Columbia 1539 ramada.com/hotels/south-carolina/columbia/ ramada.com/hotels/south-carolina/columbia/ ramada-columbia-fort-jackson-area-sc/hotelramada-columbia-fort-jackson-area-sc/hoteloverview overview
Red Roof Roof Inn Columbia East Red Holiday Inn Inn Express Express Hotel Hotel Holiday & Suites Suites — — Clemson Clemson Road & (803) 419-3558 419-3558 (803) 1011 Clemson Clemson Frontage Frontage Rd., Rd., Columbia Columbia 1011 hiexpress.com/clmbia@clemson hiexpress.com/clmbia@clemson
Holiday Inn Inn Express Express Holiday Hotel Blythewood Blythewood Hotel (803) 333-0315 333-0315 (803) 120 Creech Creech Rd., Rd., Blythewood Blythewood 120 hiexpress.com/blythewoodsc hiexpress.com/blythewoodsc
LaQuinta Inn Inn Columbia Columbia LaQuinta Northeast Fort Fort Jackson Jackson Northeast (803) 736-6400 736-6400 (803) 1538 Horseshoe Horseshoe Dr., Dr., Columbia Columbia 1538 lq.com lq.com
Microtel Inn Inn & & Suites Suites NE NE Microtel (803) 736-3237 736-3237 (803) 1520 Barbara Barbara Dr., Dr., Columbia Columbia 1520 microtelinn.com microtelinn.com
(803) 736-0850 736-0850 (803) 7580 Two Two Notch Notch Rd., Rd., Columbia Columbia 7580 redroof.com redroof.com
Residence Inn Inn Marriott Marriott Residence Columbia Northeast Columbia Northeast (803) 788-8850 788-8850 (803) 2320 LeGrand LeGrand Rd., Rd., Columbia Columbia 2320 marriott.com/caeri marriott.com/caeri
Super 8 8 Motel Motel Fort Jackson Super (803) 790-1133 790-1133 (803) 5321 Forest Forest Dr., Dr., Columbia Columbia 5321 super8.com super8.com
Value Place Place — Elgin Value (803) 699-1413 699-1413 (803) 931 Spears Spears Creek Creek Ct., Ct., Elgin Elgin 931 valueplace.com valueplace.com
Wingate by by Wyndham Wyndham Wingate — Columbia Columbia North North — (803) 699-9333 699-9333 (803) 8300 Two Two Notch Notch Rd., Rd., Columbia Columbia 8300 wingatehotels.com/hotel/07655 wingatehotels.com/hotel/07655
Quality Inn Inn Fort Fort Jackson Jackson Quality (803) 736-0822 736-0822 (803) 8104 Two Two Notch Notch Rd., Rd., Columbia Columbia 8104 choicehotels.com/hotel/sc277 choicehotels.com/hotel/sc277
experiencecolumbia.com experiencecolumbia.com
Columbia 2016 2016 Official Official Visitors Visitors Guide Guide 75 75 Columbia
ACCOMMODATIONS
West Columbia / Cayce / Airport Airport Inn (803) 936-0015 1935 Airport Blvd., Cayce
Holiday Inn & Suites Columbia-Airport (803) 391-4000 110 McSwain Dr., West Columbia hicolumbiaairport.com
Columbia’s first eco-friendly, non-smoking hotel designed for LEED certification.
Clarion Inn Airport (803) 794-9440 500 Chris Dr., West Columbia clarionhotel.com/hotel/sc358
Knights Inn Columbia Airport (803) 794-0222 1987 Airport Blvd., Cayce knightsinn.com
Masters Inn Columbia I-26 Country Hearth Inn & Suites — Cayce (803) 794-7500 3020 Charleston Hwy., Cayce countryhearth.com
Country Inn & Suites Columbia Airport (803) 794-6200 2245 Airport Blvd., Cayce countryinns.com/columbiasc_airport
Hampton Inn Columbia I-26 Airport (803) 791-8940 1094 Chris Dr., West Columbia hamptoninn3.hilton.com/en/hotels/south-carolina/ hampton-inn-columbia-i-26-airport-CAEWEHX/index.html
PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNER
AIRPORT SHUTTLE AIRPORT FREE WIFI FREE RESTAURANT RESTAURANT
INDOOR POOL OUTDOOR POOL PETS ALLOWED
(803) 791-5850 2125 Commerce Dr., Cayce mastersinn.com
Quality Inn West Columbia (803) 791-5160 2516 Augusta Rd., West Columbia choicehotels.com/hotel/sc320
Sleep Inn Airport (803) 926-9260 2208-A Edmond Hwy., West Columbia choicehotels.com/hotel/sc044
Super 8 West Columbia Airport 650 Cherokee Ln, West Columbia (803) 791-1000
Travelers Inn (803) 796-9900 2200 Airport Blvd., West Columbia
West Columbia Extended Stay (803) 794-1800 114 McSwain Dr., West Columbia
COLUMBIA AIRPORT
STAY SAVVY 110 McSwain Drive, West Columbia, SC 29169 p (803) 391-4000 f (803) 391-4001 www.hiColumbiaAirport.com
76 76 Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide Guide
We pride ourselves on being one of a kind just like you! SC’s LEED Gold Certified Hotel; Award-Winning Design; Unparalleled Comfort & Service.
Expect more from your hotel.
experiencecolumbia.com
• Newly renovated! • Located downtown on the University of South Carolina Campus, near the Koger Center and Colonial Life Arena • Complimentary Wi-Fi • Starbucks 24/7
• Complimentary parking • Bistro serving breakfast and dinner • Full-service bar • Refrigerators in rooms • 5,000 sq. ft. of meeting space • Outdoor pool
Courtyard® by Marriott® Columbia/Downtown at USC 630 Assembly St. • Columbia, SC 29201 • 803.799.7800 www.marriott.com/caecd
Space • Light • Inspiration
• Great location in downtown, Congaree Vista area • Walking distance to Convention Center, State House, University of South Carolina, and great dining and shopping • Indoor pool and 24 hour fitness center • Suites are 25% larger than a comparably priced hotel room, giving you room to succeed • Complimentary on-site parking
Columbia Downtown/The Vista 511 Lady St. • Columbia, SC 29201 803.978.2333 www.marriott.com/caesh
• Adjacent to the Columbiana Mall and Harbison Boulevard • Located less than 10 miles from downtown Columbia • Dozens of choices for dining and shopping
• Full-service bar • Suites are innovatively laid out, stylishly furnished and smartly designed • Suites feature pantry area with a small refrigerator and microwave • Large well-lit desk, voice mail and free wireless Internet access • Free breakfast with fresh, natural, delicious options • More than 3,000 sq. ft. of meeting space
• Comfortable guest rooms at a superior value for both business and leisure travelers • The new bed from Fairfield Inn® — custom comforters, crisp linens, thicker mattresses • Large, well-lit work desk • Free, deluxe continental breakfast • Complimentary on-site parking • Complimentary high-speed Internet access • Indoor pool • NEW flat-screen LCD TVs in all rooms! • Recently renovated hotel
Fairfield Inn® by Marriott® Columbia – Columbiana Mall/Northwest
Easy access to I-26, I-20 and the heart of the capital, Columbia 320 Columbiana Dr. • Columbia, SC 29212 • 803.732.4436 www.marriott.com/caefn experiencecolumbia.com Columbia experiencecolumbia.com Columbia 2016 2016 Official Official Visitors Visitors Guide Guide
77 77
Signature Events
FIVE POINTS AFTER FIVE
F
rom football games to art exhibitions, festivals to concerts, there’s always something happening in Columbia. Here are a few popular and recurring local events. Visit experiencecolumbia.com/events for the most current updates.
YEAR-ROUND EVENTS
ANNUAL EVENTS
Arts and Draughts
January
columbiamuseum.org
Periodic art party series. Drink beer. See art. Hear music. Be happy.
First Thursday on Main firstthursdayonmain.com
Eclectic monthly arts series on Main Street.
Five Points After Five fivepointscolumbia.com
Weekly outdoor concert series during warmer months.
Rhythm on the River rorsc.com
Weekly outdoor concert series during warmer months.
Rooftop Rhythms forestacres.net/rooftoprhythms
Free concert series held four times per year at Richland Mall.
Soda City Market facebook.com/sodacity
Downtown food, produce and craft market held each Saturday morning on Main Street.
Vista Nights vistacolumbia.com
Art crawl held on the third Thursday of every month. 78 Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day events at USC sc.edu Restaurant Week Columbia restaurantweeksouthcarolina.com Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus XTREME - coloniallifearena.com World Beer Festival - allaboutbeer.com
February Auntie Karen Legends Of … auntiekaren.org Benedict College Harambee Festival benedict.edu Black History Parade & Festival fundsinc1.org Deckle Edge Literary Festival facebook.com/DeckleEdgeSC
March The Color Run - thecolorrun.com/columbia Kids Day Columbia - columbiasc.net Palmetto Sportsmen’s Classic dnr.sc.gov/psc Party Animals Mardi Gras Festival mardigrascolumbia.org Run Hard Columbia Marathon columbiascmarathon.com St. Pat’s in Five Points - stpatscolumbia.com
experiencecolumbia.com
INDIE GRITS FESTIVAL
ANNUAL EVENTS March, continued
June
Soda City Suds Week sodacitysudsweek.com South Carolina Cornbread Festival sccornbreadfestival.com
Columbia Fashion Week columbiafashionweek.com Conductors Institute sc.edu South Carolina Black Pride southcarolinablackpride.com Southern Guitar Festival southernguitarfest.com Southeastern Piano Festival sepf.music.sc.edu
April 24 Hours of LeMons - 24hoursoflemons.com Artista Vista - artistavista.com Augusta Baker’s Dozen richlandlibrary.com Bark to the Park - barktothepark.com Carolina Cup - carolina-cup.org Columbia International Festival cifonline.org Indie Grits Festival - indiegrits.com
Lower Richland Sweet Potato Festival
lowerrichlandsweetpotatofest.com Olympia Fest - olympiafest.com River Rocks Festival - riverrocksfestival.com Runaway Runway facebook.com/scrunawayrunway Sparkleberry Country Fair sparkleberryfair.com Tartan Day South - tartandaysouth.com USMC Ultimate Challenge Mud Run ultimatechallengemudrun.org
July Fort Jackson’s Torchlight Tattoo & Fireworks - jackson.army.mil Lake Murray Fireworks Celebration lakemurraycountry.com Lexington County Peach Festival lexingtoncountypeachfestival.com Palmetto Tasty Tomato Festival tastytomatofestival.com
August Brew at the Zoo - riverbanks.org Main Street Latin Festival mainstreetlatinfestival.com South Carolina Peanut Party scpelionpeanutparty.com
May
September
The Big Nosh - bignosh.org Black Expo - coloniallifearena.com Camden Cup - carolinacup.org Governor’s Cup - carolinamarathon.org Lexington Wine Walk lexingtonwinewalk.com Rosewood Crawfish Festival rosewoodcrawfishfest.com
24 Hours of LeMons - 24hoursoflemons.com Columbia Greek Festival columbiasgreekfestival.com Eau Claire Fest facebook.com/EauClaireFest Fall Heritage Festival & Pickin’ Party scmuseum.org
experiencecolumbia.com
Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide 79
ANNUAL EVENTS September, continued
November
Great American Whiskey Fair experiencewhiskey.com Irmo Okra Strut - irmookrastrut.com Italian Festival - osiacolumbiasc.org Jam Room Music Festival jamroommusicfestival.com Jubilee: Festival of Heritage historiccolumbia.org Palmetto Capital City Classic palmettoccc.com
Chili CookOff in Five Points fivepointscolumbia.com Colonial Cup - carolina-cup.org Historic Camden Revolutionary War Days historiccamden.net Holiday Lights on the River icrc.net/holiday-lights Main Street Ice - columbiasc.net Riverbanks Zoo Lights Before Christmas riverbanks.org South Carolina Oyster Festival facebook.com/SCoyster Vista Lights - vistalightssc.com
October Boo at the Zoo - riverbanks.org Carolina Down Home Blues Festival fineartscenter.org Congaree Swamp Fest congareeswampfest.com Oktoberfest Columbia oktoberfestcolumbia.com Historic Columbia Palladium Society Chili CookOff - historiccolumbia.org Korean Fall Festival - koreanfallfestival.co Palmetto Peanut Boil palmettopeanutboil.com SC Pride Festival - scpride.org South Carolina State Fair - scstatefair.org USMC Ultimate Challenge Mud Run ultimatechallengemudrun.org
December Carolina Carillon Holiday Parade carolinacarillon.com Columbia Christmas Pageant fbccola.com/christmaspageant ChickfilA Classic - chick-fil-aclassic.com Crafty Feast - craftyfeast.com Devine Night Out devinestreetcolumbiasc.com Famously Hot New Year famouslyhotnewyear.com Governor’s Carolighting experiencecolumbia.com/events Junior League of Columbia Holiday Market - jlcolumbia.org WOW Kids’ New Year’s Eve Carnival famouslyhotnewyear.com
ADVERTISER INDEX The Backpacker Quality Gear....................................23
EdVenture Children’s Museum........................ 5
Baymont Inn & Suites.................69
Embassy Suites.............................65
Best Western Plus Columbia Northeast....................71
Fairfield Inn by Marriott Harbison/Northwest...................77
Blue Marlin Steaks & Seafood........................57
Hampton Inn Downtown............67
City of Camden..............................53
Hampton Inn Fort Jackson........75
Colonial Life Arena......................43
Hilton Columbia Center................... Inside Front Cover
Columbia Metropolitan Airport................................................. 6
Historic Columbia Foundation......................................49
Columbia Museum of Art......................Inside Back Cover
Holiday Inn & Suites Airport...............................................76
The COMET....................................... 7
Hyatt Place Vista..........................66
Comfort Inn & Suites Garners Ferry/Fort Jackson...... 74
The Inn at USC Wyndham Garden........................73
Courtyard by Marriott Downtown.......................................77
Kaminsky’s Dessert Café.....................Map Page
Courtyard by Marriott Northeast........................................ 74
Liberty on the Lake.........Map Page Liberty Tap Room............Map Page
Midland’s Modern Food Arts....59 Pearlz Oyster Bar.............Map Page Residence Inn Northeast........... 74 Rioz Brazilian Steakhouse.......................Map Page Riverbanks Zoo & Garden......................... Back Cover Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse............. 1 Saluda Shoals Park.....................47 S.C. Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum..................41 S.C. Military Museum..................51 S.C. State Museum........................ 2 Sheraton Columbia Downtown..........................Map Page SpringHill Suites by Marriott Downtown/The Vista..................77 Thirsty Fellow Pizzeria and Pub...........................62
Marriott Columbia........................72
Two Gals and a Fork Food Tours.......................................52
Devine Street Association.........19
Mast General Store......................39
Villa Tronco.....................................62
Ed’s Editions...................................52
Michael’s Café & Catering.........60
Wavering Place Plantation.......52
Cowboy Brazilian Steakhouse....................................60
80 Columbia 2016 Official Visitors Guide
experiencecolumbia.com
Engage your mind and enrich your spirit at the Columbia Museum of Art. Located in the heart of downtown Columbia, the CMA ranks among the leading art institutions in the country. Find ancient to contemporary masterpieces, plus intriguing exhibitions and creative educational programs.
1515 Main Street, Columbia, SC | 803.799.2810 | columbiamuseum.org