COLUMBIA 2015 OFFICIAL VISITORS GUIDE
Windows to New Worlds: S.C. State Museum opens observatory and planetarium
COLUMBIA’S GREAT GETAWAY. 924 Senate Street, Columbia, SC 29201 (803) 744-7800 • www.hiltoncolumbia.com Featuring
DR IN K C H A MPA G N E M O R E O F TEN . LI V E W I T H O U T R EG R ET. H AVE Y O U R S T E A K A N D EAT I T, TO O .
924-A Senate Street at the Hilton Columbia Center In Columbia’s Historic Vista District 803.212.6666 For Menus & Additional Information, visit RuthsChris.net
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Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide
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DISCOVER THE NEW SOUTH CAROLINA STATE MUSEUM
ART, NATURAL HISTORY, CULTURAL HISTORY AND SCIENCE
PLUS PLANETARIUM, 4D THEATER AND OBSERVATORY
SCMUSEUM.ORG 2
Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide
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CONTENTS Welcome to Columbia Sally Salamander Tour Planning Essentials Columbia’s Hot Spots Local Districts CONGAREE RIVER
Things to Do in Columbia Dining in Columbia Accommodations in Columbia Maps Columbia’s Signature Events Index of Advertisers
4 5 6 9 23 36 56 62 72 77 80
THE VISTA
MAIN STREET LATIN FESTIVAL
COLUMBIA MUSEUM OF ART experiencecolumbia.com
FIVE POINTS Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide
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Throughout the Columbia region, everyone’s buzzing about … “… the flourishing business districts and growing number of young professionals residing downtown. There is so much going on right now. From the addition of several new hotels and restaurants to the State Museum’s expansion, this town is bustling with excitement. All of these elements make Columbia not only a great place to live but a great place to visit.” Bill Ellen PRESIDENT AND CEO OF MIDLANDS AUTHORITY FOR CONVENTIONS, SPORTS & TOURISM
“… from downtown to our neighborhoods, Fort Jackson to the river; Columbia is a true city of the 21st century. But we’re also a city of heart. Here we still slow down for funerals and gentlemen still open doors for ladies. We serve sweet tea in every single restaurant and we remember that the two most important words in the English language are ‘thank you.’” Honorable Steve Benjamin MAYOR, CITY OF COLUMBIA
“… our natural resources. We are fortunate to have an array of some of the most beautiful parks, trails and lakes in the nation. A bike ride, hands-on exploration or an early morning jog through Sesquicentennial State Park, Harbison State Forest or Congaree National Park will capture the breathtaking canopy of colors and an unimaginable portal of serenity that our area offers. Our open, recreational space enhances our uniquely rural and uniquely urban community. The abundance of outdoor adventure that is offered throughout the Midlands enhances our region’s charm and Southern hospitality.” Norman Jackson
1101 Lincoln St., Columbia, SC 29201 800-264-4484; 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 DIRECTOR OF SALES & SERVICES Jason Outman PARTNERSHIP SERVICES MANAGER Judie VanPatten VISITORS CENTER MANAGER Jill Asouzu
Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide PUBLISHER Charlie Nutt EDITOR Dan Cook V.P. ADVERTISING Kerry Powers ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Hyatt Drake V.P. OPERATIONS Jen Coody
CHAIR, RICHLAND COUNTY COUNCIL
PRODUCTION MANAGER Lisa Willis
“… Lexington County, one of the fastestgrowing areas in the state and region. With a rich historical background and promises of a strong future, Lexington County provides a diverse community, endless economic opportunities and prosperous growth. Featuring a temperate climate, convenient location and access to Lake Murray, we offer exceptional recreational and residential opportunities. We are host to a variety of sporting events including the Dixie Youth World Series, Forrest Wood Cup Bass Tournament, and National BMX events, just to name a few. We welcome you and hope you enjoy all the exciting aspects of our county.” Johnny W. Jeffcoat
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Sean Rayford, Brett Flashnick, Jonathan Sharpe
CHAIR, LEXINGTON COUNTY COUNCIL
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Columbia Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau
Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide
ON THE COVER: Looking at the night sky from the South Carolina State Museum’s new observatory. The Columbia 2015 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 2014 Resorts Media LLC and the Columbia Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau. Portions may be reproduced with written permission. All rights reserved.
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onsors
Sally Salamander Downtown Walking Tour
S
potted salamanders can be hard to see, but it’s worth the search to find Sally Salamander — because she’ll help you learn about and enjoy Columbia. The salamander is the official state amphibian, and the Leadership Columbia class of 2009 used her as a model for a walking tour they created for the downtown area. You’ll find Sally on historic and cultural sites. Stop by the Columbia Regional Visitors Center at 1101 Lincoln St. to pick up a brochure and map or visit columbiasalamander.com.
1 I Columbia Regional Visitors Center
ms
Anything and everything you want to know about Columbia can be found here at the Visitors Center. Have friends or family coming into town and need to know how to entertain them or where to go for dinner? Here, you’ll find maps, brochures, unique Columbia items for sale, and more. 1101 Lincoln Street
ny
ia
keting
ny
n
Meet Sally, Columbia’s I Newest Ambassador!
2 South Carolina State House (Salamander at First Citizens Complex, 1230 Main St) At the corner of Main and Gervais, Sally notices the home of democracy at the State House located in the heart of Columbia, the Palmetto State’s Capital. It is an historic building with a storied past of war, struggle and accomplishment. The State House grounds are home to more than two dozen monuments. Can you find all 6 bronze stars? 1100 Gervais Street
ey, P.A.
3 I Arcade Mall
Built in 1912, the Arcade was Columbia’s first indoor mall. The architecture features terra cotta and marble detailing. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on November 17, 1982. 1332 Main Street
4 I Palmetto Building
You are now standing next to a building nearly 100 years old. The Palmetto Building was built in 1913 and featured a bank on the first level. Notice the architecture of the building. Take a walk inside and feel the different stones. Can you tell what they are? 1400 Main Street
5 I Never Bust by Blue Sky
Look up and discover a unique piece of work created by Columbia’s own famous artist, Blue Sky. His inspiration came when the wall between the two buildings was torn down. Blue Sky didn’t want Sylvan’s to “float away” from the rest of the block, so he chained it down. 1500 Main Street
tions
Put the power of play to work and build a bridge to the joy of hands-on learning.
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Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide
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Planning Essentials DOWNTOWN COLUMBIA
VISITOR INFORMATION The greater Columbia area consists of six counties: Richland (which includes the City of Columbia), Lexington, Kershaw, Calhoun, Fairfield and Saluda. With just over 130,000 residents, Columbia is the largest city in the state. The greater metropolitan area has a population of nearly 800,000.
blocks away from the South Carolina State House and numerous dining and entertainment options.
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 and is one of the region’s top attractions.
VISITORS CENTERS Columbia Regional Visitors Center
University of South Carolina 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
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.
“When I fly home, I check the fares at Columbia Metropolitan Airport fi rst and Fly with ease at CAE.” — Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina Native
www.columbiaairport.com 6
Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide
facebook.com/flycae
@CAE_ColumbiaSC experiencecolumbia.com
CLIMATE It’s true, Columbia is famously hot — but that doesn’t slow the city down. Springtime brings lots of outdoor festivals, and the city is gorgeous when the azaleas bloom. The summer is a great time to hit Lake Murray — and 45 inches of annual rainfall help cool the summer afternoons down. Fall is beautiful and winters are short and mild.
FINLAY PARK
Catch The COMET With Your Smartphone It’s easier than ever to Catch The COMET. Choose a route, track your bus in real time and pay your fare – all on your smartphone.
Average Highs and Lows (In Fahrenheit)
HIGH LOW
January February March April May June July August September October November December
58 37 63 41 71 47 80 54 87 63 92 70 95 73 93 72 88 67 78 55 69 47 60 39
Source: Weather.com
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Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide
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COLUMBIA METROPOLITAN AIRPORT
GETTING HERE ▶ BY AIR
Columbia Metropolitan Airport 3250 Airport Blvd., (803) 822-5000 columbiaairport.com
▶ BY CAR Columbia is located near three major interstates: I-77, I-26 and I-20. ▶ BY BUS
Greyhound 2015 Gervais St., (803) 256-6465, (800) 231-2222 greyhound.com
Amtrak 850 Pulaski St., (800) 872-7245 amtrak.com
AROUND TOWN
Distance and Driving Times
MILES HRS
Asheville, NC
158 2.5
Atlanta, GA
221 3.5
Birmingham, AL 366
6
Charleston, SC
2
115
Charlotte, NC
94 1.5
Cleveland, OH
610 10
The COMET
Gainesville, FL
454 7.5
(803) 255-7100 catchthecomet.org
Hilton Head, SC
160 2.5
Indianapolis, IN
610 10
Columbia’s regional bus system.
Jackson, MS
595 10
▶ BUS
▶ TAXIS
Blue Ribbon
Knoxville, TN
264 4.5
Louisville, KY
505 8.5
Myrtle Beach, SC 150 2.5 Nashville, TN
420
(803) 754-8163 originalblueribbontaxi.com
New York, NY
690 11.5
Philadelphia, PA
610 10
Megabus
Capitol City Cab
Raleigh, NC
210 3.5
1780 Sumter St., 1-877-462-6342 megabus.com
(803) 794-2225 capitolcitycab.com
Low-cost bus service operating between Columbia and several area cities.
8
▶ BY RAIL
7
Savannah, GA
146 2.5
Washington, DC
470
8
Checker Yellow (803) 799-3311 checkeryellowcab.com
Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide
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TH E N E W
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE HOUSE
historic
H OT S P OT
The South Carolina State Museum recently opened its Windows to New Worlds expansion space, which includes the Boeing Observatory with a $2.3 million refracting telescope built in 1926, a 4-D multisensory theater, a digital planetarium dome and a collection of historic telescopes. The museum also presents rotating blockbuster exhibitions and has four floors of art, science, technology, cultural history and natural history.
State House. It survived the burning of Columbia during the Civil War (note the six stars on the marble walls where cannonballs hit), and now the capitol building with its classic Greek Revival dome is open for tours Monday through Saturday. The grounds are filled with monuments to people and events in South Carolina history.
Civil rights markers are spread along Main Street to commemorate experiencecolumbia.com
the city’s event-filled but peaceful transition to desegregation in 1963. Among the city’s rich civil rights history: the story of Sarah Mae Fleming, who challenged discrimination on public buses before the famous Rosa Parks incident, and three U.S. Supreme Court cases that set important precedents for the movement nationally.
Historic sites. The Woodrow Wilson
Family Home, built by President Wilson’s parents in 1871, is South Carolina’s only presidential site. The Robert Mills House and Gardens commemorate the designer of the Washington Monument. At the corner of Richland and Marion streets, the Mann-Simons Site was once the home of Celia Mann, who had been a slave in Charleston. Meanwhile, the newly designated Columbia Commercial Historic District marks downtown business structures, many with classic architectural features. Overall, Columbia has 15 designated historic districts. Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide
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MR. FRIENDLY’S NEW SOUTHERN CAFÉ, p. 58
TH E N E W
southern
H OT S P OT You’re in the South now, which means you’ll want to soak up some history — and also see the best that the region has to offer today.
Mr. Friendly’s is a popular bistro serving New Southern cuisine at reasonable prices. In addition to its daily menu, Mr. Friendly’s offers innovative nightly specials.
The Robert Mills House exemplifies the skill of the Charleston-born architect who designed the Washington Monument. Property features lush landscaping and ornate gardens. Want to keep things in the 21st century? The Music Farm brings in top bands of all genres, and Social Bar & Lounge 10 Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide
ROBERT MILLS HOUSE
brings the latest club-sized EDM artists. Both are in the Vista district. experiencecolumbia.com
ARTS & DRAUGHTS AT COLUMBIA MUSEUM OF ART
JUBILEE: FESTIVAL OF HERITAGE
The African-American History Monument on the State House grounds was dedicated in 2001. Designed by Colorado artist Ed Dwight, the monument is a 12-panel sculpture representing key aspects of the African-American experience. One of the hottest recurring parties in Columbia is Arts & Draughts at the Columbia Museum of Art. The event combines music, craft beer, experiencecolumbia.com
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE FAIR
open galleries and interactive games into a super-fun evening for art lovers. Columbia hosts lots of exciting annual events: Depending on when you’re in town, make sure to check out St. Pat’s in Five Points (March), the Rosewood Crawfish Festival (May), Jubilee: Festival of Heritage (August) and the South Carolina State Fair (October). Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide 11
TH E N E W
SALUDA SHOALS PARK
adventure
H OT S P OT
Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! The Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is the largest tourist attraction in the state with more than 1 million annual visitors. Overall, there are more than 2,000 creatures — including gorillas. The zoo also features a climbing wall, a 44-foothigh ropes course and — for the daring — Zip Line Canopy Tours across the Saluda River. The 70-acre garden has been named one of the Top 20 public gardens by HGTV.
RIVERBANKS ZOO 12 Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide
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Congaree National Park offers an elevated
boardwalk, hiking paths and guided canoe trips. It boasts some of the nation’s tallest trees and is the largest old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the United States. The Saluda and Broad rivers join to form the Congaree River and offer great opportunities for kayaking, canoeing and tubing. The Three
Rivers Greenway
includes roughly 11 miles of paved trails and boardwalks for hiking, biking and blading. Plus it has restrooms, it’s accessible to strollers and wheelchairs, and it’s dog-friendly. 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 kidfriendly splash pad.
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.
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. experiencecolumbia.com
Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide 13
@116 STATE, p. 56
TH E N E W
culinary
H OT S P OT Columbia has a dynamic and growing food scene, offering everything from Southern classics like barbecue (generally mustard-based in the Columbia area), shrimp and grits (try Blue Marlin) or meat-and-three (that’s a meat with three sides) to fine dining and ethnic restaurants.
The Soda City Market is a bustling downtown farmers market bringing local vendors to Main Street every Saturday morning. It’s just one of many area farmers markets. 14 Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide
Craft beer is taking off in Columbia, with three breweries, Conquest, River Rat and Swamp Cabbage, so far — and more sure to follow. The Columbia Brew Bus leads brewery tours. You can sample and buy at Craft and Draft on Devine Street — and if you visit in January, don’t miss the World Beer Festival. If you’re looking for Southern barbecue, you can’t go wrong with Hudson’s, Little Pigs, Big-T Barbecue, Doc’s or True BBQ. experiencecolumbia.com
DIPRATO’S DELICATESSEN, p. 57
BONE-IN ARTISAN BBQ ON WHEELS, p. 61
Want a classic Southern meat-and-three? Try Yesterdays, Ms. B’s Southern Kitchen or Lizard’s Thicket.
Baan Sawan offers innovative Thai food; @116 serves a great brunch
Want something more upscale? You might want to try such top-notch spots as Terra, Motor Supply Co. Bistro, Bourbon or The Oak Table.
Columbia is home to great food trucks, too. Among them are Bone-In Artisan BBQ on Wheels, The Wurst Wagen (a German sausage cart), Pawleys Front Porch (serving burgers once seen on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives) and 2Fat 2Fly, which has its own reality show on the Oprah Winfrey Network.
The city has plenty of other fascinating and eclectic restaurants, too: Blue Cactus specializes in Korean-Southwestern cuisine;
and stellar White Russians.
PAWLEYS FRONT PORCH, p. 58 experiencecolumbia.com
Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide 15
THE OAK TABLE, p. 58
TH E N E W
romantic
H OT S P OT Want to impress your date? Take a walk around the beautifully historic
Horseshoe at the University of South Carolina. Bonus points if
you work in casual references to the first building built there (Rutledge, 1805), the architect who influenced the design of the Horseshoe (Robert Mills), or the first president of the college (Jonathan Maxcy). Pro tip: You’ll bore your date if you work in more than one of these.
downtown on Main Street. Tapas bar Gervais & Vine is a cozy spot for a date in the Vista district, and is a frequent winner of the Best Place for a First Date award in the annual Free Times Best of Columbia readers’ poll. After dinner, Nonnah’s on Gervais Street is a perfect spot for dessert. If you want to hit the dance floor, The Woody offers a playlist that appeals to all ages.
You know what else is romantic? Dining on the waterfront. Liberty on the Lake offers diners elevated outdoor seating with a great view of Lake Murray.
Really want to up the romance? Take your date to the symphony. Directed by the effervescent and talented Morihiko Nakahara, the South Carolina
Wine Down on Main strikes just
serves up the classics — and some newer works — in fine form.
the right note for a romantic evening 16 Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide
Philharmonic Orchestra
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TH E N E W
artistic
H OT S P OT Columbia has long been home to a vibrant local arts community, and it’s only getting more active.
Located on Main Street in the heart of downtown, the Columbia Museum of Art collection includes early Renaissance master Botticelli’s Nativity and Monet’s View of the Seine. Also presents major touring exhibitions. From symphony orchestras to touring Broadway productions and more, you’ll find plenty happening on the stages of the Koger Center and the Harbison Theatre.
FIRST THURSDAYS ON MAIN
Both Main Street and the Vista offer monthly art crawls — Main Street’s First Thursday series and the Vista’s Third Thursday. Drink wine, see art and mingle with the people who created it. 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. Workshop Theatre and Town Theatre are the city’s leading community theaters, offering a wide range of works, from classic to challenging to 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 MUSEUM OF ART experiencecolumbia.com
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. Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide 17
EDVENTURE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
TH E N E W
kid-friendly
H OT S P OT
“Don’t touch” is a phrase you won’t hear at EdVenture Children’s Museum. It’s South Carolina’s largest children’s museum, with a 40-foot tall kid named Eddie as its centerpiece. Children can climb through Eddie and see how the human body works. Other highlights are a kid-sized city with a fire truck, farm and grocery store, plus a
construction room with kid-size hoists, building blocks and other equipment. There’s an outdoor play area as well, plus a craft room where kids (and parents) can come up with designs of their own. The Columbia Children’s Theatre is a professional theater company presenting productions aimed at young audiences and families. 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. Its mission is to entertain and educate children and adults through the longstanding tradition and artistry of puppetry.
Palmetto Falls Water Park is off COLUMBIA MARIONETTE THEATRE 18 Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide
the beaten path, but a great place for
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RIVERBANKS ZOO
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; make sure to call ahead. With mini golf, go-carts, laser tag, bumper boats and an arcade, Frankie’s Fun Park is a wonderland of entertainment for the whole family. 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 backpacks, an interactive education gallery and many more familyfriendly events and programs.
THE MAD PLATTER
Artistically inclined kids will have a great time at The Mad Platter, where they can work on their very own pottery project. The Patchwork Players is the city’s longest-running children’s theater, telling classic stories to young children, especially pre-schoolers, kindergarteners and first-graders.
Plex Indoor Sports offers roller skating, ice skating and more.
PLEX INDOOR SPORTS experiencecolumbia.com
In the spring, Cottle Strawberry Farm is a great place for families to pick fresh strawberries together. Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide 19
TH E N E W
SOUTH CAROLINA MILITARY MUSEUM
military
H OT S P OT Fort Jackson, the U.S. Army’s
largest basic training base, is within city limits. Visit the Basic Combat Training Museum, the U.S. Army Chaplain Museum, the Finance Corps Museum and the Adjutant General Museum. Admission to all museums is free. Hosts popular annual Torchlight Tattoo fireworks display and draws thousands of visitors each year for basic
training graduation ceremonies. (Base access limited; check in advance.)
Confederates and much more: Founded in 1896, the South Carolina Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum presents artifacts and programming not only from the Civil War, but also covering the state’s military heritage from the Colonial era to current times. Housed in the former Columbia Mills building with the South Carolina State Museum.
Citizen-soldiers: The South Carolina Military Museum
CONFEDERATE RELIC ROOM 20 Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide
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. experiencecolumbia.com
WILLIAMS-BRICE STADIUM
TH E N E W
gameday
H OT S P OT Ready for football? Visiting
teams know Williams-Brice Stadium: On game days, it becomes the thirdlargest city in South Carolina, as some 80,000 Gamecock fans flock to the scene — and loudly support their team. Under Coach Steve Spurrier, the University of South Carolina Gamecocks have risen to national prominence. Regardless of what happens on the field, the tailgating parties are always a success. Underlining the exciting atmosphere at Williams-Brice, you’ll often find ESPN broadcasting from the games.
Sports bars. Throughout Five
Points and the Vista, you’ll find plenty of packed local sports bars — many of them boasting numerous TVs — where fans gather to cheer on the football team, especially during away games. When the Gamecocks win at home, get ready for a party.
Diamond gems. The USC
Gamecock baseball team is one of only six NCAA teams to ever win backexperiencecolumbia.com
to-back national titles, which it did in 2010 and 2011; overall, the team has ranked consistently near the top of the standings for more than four decades. Carolina Stadium regularly draws thousands of fans to each game — and there’s tailgating at those, too.
Colonial Life Arena seats 18,000
for University of South Carolina basketball games, making it the tenthlargest on-campus basketball venue in the nation. Led by Dawn Staley, the women’s team won the Southeast Conference Championship in 2014. Each year, the Palmetto Capital City Classic brings thousands of people to town for a matchup between the Benedict College and S.C. State University football teams. The Blowfish baseball team, part of the Coastal Plain League, kicks off its season in the spring of 2015 in a brand new Lexington County stadium. Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide 21
Located in the Historic Congaree Vista 22
822 Gervais Street | Columbia, South Carolina 29201 (803) 231-2000 Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide experiencecolumbia.com www.hamptoninncolumbia.com
Columbia’s Districts COLUMBIA CITY CENTER
C
olumbia has three primary downtown districts — City Center (Main Street), the Vista and Five Points. Beyond these three, you’ll find Lake Murray, 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. Northeast
Lake Murray Congaree Vista Lexington
Forest Acres Downtown Five Points Devine/ Rosewood
Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide 23
City Center/ Downtown
THE STREET CLOCK AT SYLVAN’S
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL
DON’T MISS
Main Street from the State House to City Hall is the historic heart of downtown Columbia, featuring tree-lined streets and brick walkways. Traditionally the stomping grounds of the city’s power elite, today’s downtown also offers a burgeoning restaurant scene, upscale apartments and condos, a hip coffee shop and an arts center.
The Columbia Museum of Art on Main and Hampton Streets has an impressive permanent collection, as well as excellent touring exhibitions and numerous events throughout the year. Take a tour of the ornate State House building, and don’t miss the many monuments throughout the beautiful grounds. Watch for the big bronze stars that mark where Union cannonballs struck the building during the Civil War. Each Saturday, scores of local food and craft vendors fill the closed-off Main Street between Hampton and Taylor for the Soda City Market. The independent Nickelodeon Theatre is a hub for great film and the popular Indie Grits arts festival.
LIFESTYLE
SODA CITY MARKET 24 Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide
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. Just a few blocks away are historic residential neighborhoods such as Cottontown and Elmwood Park. experiencecolumbia.com
SHOPPING Mast General Store at the corner of Main and Taylor stocks everything from outdoor gear to clothing, kitchen items and gifts. Of particular note are the nostalgia-inducing barrels of candy and toy section. Sylvan’s at the corner of Main and Hampton streets has been the downtown shop for fine jewelry since 1897. Out front is a giant ornate street clock, a largely lost bit of Americana. Granger Owings is one of Columbia’s finest men’s clothing stores and recently expanded its women’s section. The store’s Circa 1332 shop across Main Street targets younger men. Uptown on Main near Gervais Street has fun gifts and accessories and lots of University of South Carolina-branded merchandise. Nest in the downtown Marriott offers local books and handmade gift items.
FOOD & DRINK
HUNTER-GATHERER BREWERY & ALE HOUSE
The Oak Table and Bourbon are among the most popular downtown restaurants. Into ethnic food? Try Al-Amir (Mediterranean) or Cantina 76 (Mexican) on Main Street or nearby M Café (Asian fusion) or Camon Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar (Assembly Street).
Start your day at Drip on Main for what many say is the best cup of coffee in the city. Hampton Place Café and Greek Boys, next to each other on Hampton Street, are popular spots for a quick sandwich, burger or gyro. Hampton Street Vineyard (especially known for its wine list), Cowboy Brazilian Steakhouse, UPTOWN ON MAIN
More into bar food, beer selection and a casual atmosphere? The Whig, downstairs from the ABC studio at Main and Gervais streets, and Hunter-Gatherer Brewery & Ale House, two blocks south of the State House, are local favorites.
BOURBON experiencecolumbia.com
The Rooftop Lounge at the Sheraton Columbia Downtown Hotel is a nice spot for a nightcap. Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide 25
Congaree Vista
EDVENTURE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL
DON’T MISS
Once marked by textile mills and rail lines, the area between the State House and the Congaree River is now a premier dining, shopping and nightlife district, featuring numerous art galleries and key entertainment venues. With a careful eye toward historic preservation — the Vista’s Publix grocery store was once a Confederate printing plant — this area is brimming with vibrancy even as it honors Columbia’s past.
The newly renovated South Carolina State Museum features a brand new observatory, digital planetarium and 4-D multisensory theater. And that’s on top of its blockbuster exhibitions and a collection covering South Carolina art, natural history, science and technology, and cultural history. EdVenture Children’s Museum is a 92,000-square-foot wonderland for children and families, offering hands-on fun learning through exhibits that allow kids to explore everything from firetrucks and grocery shopping to West African music. The 1,000-person capacity Music Farm is Columbia’s newest spot for touring artists, bringing everything from rock to EDM to bluegrass and blues. Looking for a night of top-notch theater? Trustus Theatre is where you want to be.
LINCOLN STREET 26 Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide
The 18,000-seat Colonial Life Arena brings major entertainment acts to town and serves as home to the University of South Carolina’s men’s and women’s basketball teams. experiencecolumbia.com
LIFESTYLE The Vista is home to several upscale condo and townhome developments, including City Club, Justice Square, Vista Commons and Renaissance Plaza.
SHOPPING The State Museum’s Cotton Mill Exchange is an excellent spot to find distinctive South Carolina items from casual clothing to gifts, jewelry, educational toys and regional food items. The Vista is especially known for its local art galleries; be sure to visit City Art and if ART Gallery, both on Lincoln Street, and Gallery 80808 right around the corner on Lady Street. Also on Lincoln Street: new, vintage and recycled clothing at DoubleTakes.
GALLERIES ABOUND IN THE VISTA
FOOD & DRINK The Shrimp & Grits at Blue Marlin on Lincoln Street are one of the most popular menu items in town. Gervais & Vine is a cozy spot for an evening of wine, tapas and good conversation. For an after-dinner dessert, Nonnah’s on Gervais Street has been Columbia’s goto spot since 1996. You might also satiate your sweet tooth at Cupcake. M Vista and M Grille serve deliciously contemporary, creative Asian fusion cuisine and sushi.
GERVAIS & VINE
Motor Supply Company Bistro offers innovative farm-to-table cuisine.
Adluh Flour Mills, in the heart of the Vista, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and sells its flour and cornmeal products on site. Hip clothing store Urban Outfitters draws retail foot traffic to Gervais Street, which is also home to such charming shops as Carol Saunders Gallery, a great spot for gifts. For one-of-a-kind hand-blown glass art, you’ll want to stop by One Eared Cow Glass on Huger Street. experiencecolumbia.com
MOTOR SUPPLY COMPANY BISTRO Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide 27
Five Points
ST. PAT’S IN FIVE POINTS
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL
DON’T MISS
There’s a youthful, bustling energy to the Five Points area generated by a steady stream of visitors from the nearby University of South Carolina and surrounding neighborhoods. In the daytime, you’ll find college students, strolling shoppers and professionals occupying the area’s eclectic mix of independent boutiques, restaurants and coffee shops. 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 boutiques along Saluda Avenue.
A frequent spot for outdoor live music events, the Five Points Fountain is also a relaxing place to sit down with a sandwich, ice cream or a cup of coffee.
HOOTIE MONUMENT
FIVE POINTS FOUNTAIN
28 Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide
The sculpted steel Hootie Monument sits atop a large guitar pick-shaped black granite panel documenting the many musical 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.
experiencecolumbia.com
LIFESTYLE For students, there are several apartment and condo options within walking distance of Five Points, and many more within a short drive. Nearby Shandon is a beautiful bungalow-style neighborhood that 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. BOHEMIAN
bathtub over the door. You’ll remember it for its hearty Southern fare, including meatloaf, Lowcountry shrimp and grits and country-fried steak. Drip Coffee is a quintessential college town hangout serving high-quality, pourover coffees. Sells indie vinyl, too.
SALUDA AVENUE
SHOPPING Bohemian stocks a well-edited selection for contemporary tastes. Specializes in stylish women’s clothing, shoes and jewelry. Saluda Avenue.
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.
Papa Jazz is a small store that boasts an international reputation due to its extensive inventory of jazz on vinyl. Also stocks plenty of other genres, both new and used.
FOOD & DRINK A landmark since 1978, you’ll notice Yesterdays because of the guy in the
DRIP COFFEE
WOMEN’S DESIGNER CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR
ShopCopperPenny.com • 610 Harden Street • Columbia, SC 29205 experiencecolumbia.com
Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide 29
Devine/Rosewood 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.
DON’T MISS A Devine Night Out is the premiere holiday shopping event each December for the Devine Street area, during which some 40 businesses open their doors for an evening of holiday cheer. The Rosewood Crawfish Festival attracts thousands of attendees for food, drink and alt-rock hitmakers each May.
DEVINE STREET SHOPPING
Natural health food store Rosewood Market has been serving Columbia since long before organic become chic. With locations in Columbia and Charleston, The Crescent Olive on Devine Street is a neat spot for aged balsamic vinegars and premium olive oils.
FOOD & DRINK Craft & Draft on Devine Street offers craft beer on-site, in growlers or by the bottle. Mediterranean Tea Room on Devine Street offers authentic Middle Eastern and Greek cuisine. ROSEWOOD CRAWFISH FESTIVAL
LIFESTYLE With its Shandon-area location, Devine Street sits close to historic bungalows as well as several apartment options, including the luxury units at 700 Woodrow. Rosewood, too, offers numerous living options, from cozy bungalows to apartments and new home construction.
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. Dano’s Pizza and Rockaway Athletic Club are popular mainstays don Rosewood Drive.
SHOPPING LaRoque on Devine Street is a homegrown success story in women’s fashion, offering Southern style in modern designs. 30 Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide
THE KRAKEN GASTROPUB experiencecolumbia.com
Northeast 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 Sesquicentennial State Park offers 1,419 acres of recreation, including a 30acre lake surrounded by trails, campsites and picnic areas. 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. “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 rural, agricultural past.
VILLAGE AT SANDHILL
FOOD & DINING 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.
LIFESTYLE One of the fastest-growing areas of the state, the Northeast offers numerous neighborhoods of single-family homes. The expansive planned community Lake Carolina is consistently named one of the top communities in Columbia.
SHOPPING The Village at Sandhill is a 300acre retail and residential development offering top national retailers — including Aeropostale, Books-A-Million, Gymboree and Old Navy — and a steady stream of outdoor events. Two Notch Road (U.S. Highway 1) is the commercial spine of the Northeast. It’s lined for miles with a mix of local businesses and large and small national chain stores and restaurants.
experiencecolumbia.com
SOLSTICE KITCHEN & WINE BAR
Chicken and waffles is a Southern favorite, and Kiki’s Chicken and Waffles on Columbia NE Drive serves them up to perfection. Boiled peanuts are a regional favorite, too, and The Peanut Man at the Village at Sandhill has the real deal. 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 2015 Official Visitors Guide 31
Lexington County LAKE MURRAY
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 filled with shopping areas and growing suburbs. Part of the area’s appeal is Lake Murray, often called the Jewel of South Carolina. The presence of the Columbia Metropolitan Airport also makes Lexington a gateway to the Columbia region.
DON’T MISS
a restaurant and bakery, and occasional entertainment.
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.
Whether it’s fishing, boating, swimming, biking, camping or picnicking, Lake Murray has it all. The dam at the southern tip of the lake and Dreher Island State Recreational Area are popular spots. You can shoot the rapids on the Congaree River or stay dry with a walk along its Three Rivers Greenway. A Saluda River walkway is in the planning stages. The South Carolina Farmers Market offers fresh farm products, plus 32 Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide
CHO ON MAIN experiencecolumbia.com
SHOPPING The Harbison shopping district has the Columbiana Centre mall and the largest collection of national chain stores and restaurants in the region. The Town of Lexington, the county seat, features a charming downtown area with the Main Street shopping district and Lexington Old Mill, a collection of shops and boutiques. Lexington offers plenty of specialty stores, including The Classy Cruet (olive oil), The Purple Peacock and Cho (women’s clothing), Craig Reagan Clothier’s (men’s clothing), The Haven (gifts and women’s clothing), and La Boutique and The Nifty Gifty (clothing, accessories and gifts).
HARBISON
Café Strudel is a popular casual restaurant in West Columbia known for its eclectic décor and creative cuisine. Ethnic cuisine is available too, including Travinia (Italian), Miyo’s (fusion Asian), Antai (Chinese and Asian), and Mai Thai (Thai). With a history dating back to a drive-in founded in 1940, Rush’s is one of the most popular fast-food spots in the region. Terra, in West Columbia, is one of the region’s finest restaurants. At the Keg Cowboy you can buy growlers of local beer and also the supplies to make your own.
LIBERTY ON THE LAKE
The Shoppes at Flight Deck is home to World War II-themed casual dining spot Flight Deck and several retail shops.
DINING Liberty on the Lake and the Rusty Anchor are just two of the popular choices for dining on Lake Murray. At the Old Mill Brewpub, patrons can enjoy craft beer and pub entrées while overlooking the historic Lexington Old Mill pond.
THE NIFTY GIFTY experiencecolumbia.com
Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide 33
More Districts and Shopping
I
n addition to its popular downtown areas, the greater Columbia region is home to many other unique districts and shopping areas for every level of taste and interest. Nestled on the eastern border of the City of Columbia, Forest Acres (forestacres.net) is known as a city within a city. Offers tree-lined streets, neighborhood parks, top-notch shopping destinations such as Whole Foods and J. Crew and an eclectic mix of residents, from young professionals and growing families to empty nesters and retirees. Harbison is a major regional shopping district, home to the Columbiana Centre mall (columbianacentre.com) — the largest indoor mall in Columbia and home to such anchor stores as Dillard’s, Belk and JCPenney. Also along Harbison Boulevard are many popular national retailers, including Nordstrom Rack, and restaurants. There’s more to the area than shopping, though: Be sure to visit Harbison State Forest, Saluda Shoals Park and Lake Murray, too. The charming Town of Lexington (lexsc.com) — located in the heart of the region’s fastest-growing county — offers several popular parks, including Gibson Pond Park and Virginia Hylton.
34 Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide
MAST GENERAL STORE
Lexington’s Main Street features centuryold buildings housing modern bistros and boutiques. With fewer than 15,000 residents, the City of Cayce (cityofcayce-sc. gov) is nonetheless a bustling part of the Midlands region. European settlers arrived in the area in the early 1700s; you can learn more at the Cayce Historical Museum. Particularly popular are the Cayce Riverwalk, with 23 miles of pathways along the Congaree River, and the beautiful Cayce Tennis Center. State Street in West Columbia, an area known as West Vista, offers everything from exquisite farm-to-table dining at Terra to fine art, antiques and contemporary crafts at Gallery West, rock ‘n’ roll at New Brookland Tavern and comedy at the Red Door. Chapin (chapinsc.com) is popularly known as the capital of Lake Murray. Swimming, water skiing, sailing and fishing on Lake Murray are all popular with area residents and visitors alike. The town’s Chapin Labor Day Festival is a signature event throughout the region. North Columbia, the area north of Elmwood Drive along Main Street, is home to historic neighborhoods such as Elmwood Park and Cottontown, as well experiencecolumbia.com
as Columbia College, a private women’s college founded in 1854. The area features recent streetscaping and a growing retail base.
Anthropologie and Publix to fine dining at Rosso Trattoria and speciality foods at The Fresh Market, Trenholm Plaza is a top shopping destination.
With its proximity to Fort Jackson, the Decker Boulevard area is Columbia’s official International Corridor. The area offers Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Indian, Vietnamese and Mexican restaurants, as well as several international bakeries and shops. Also popular: the Comedy House Theatre, which brings nationally touring comedians.
Village at Sandhill
MALLS AND OPEN-AIR CENTERS Columbia Place Mall
7201 Two Notch Rd., 803-788-4678 shopcolumbiaplace.com
Home to many popular shops, including Bath & Body Works, Victoria’s Secret, Burlington Coat Factory, Sears and the only Macy’s in Columbia. Columbiana Centre
100 Columbiana Cir, 803-732-6255 columbianacentre.com
481-2 Town Center Pl. (at Two Notch Road and Clemson Parkway), 803-419-0235 villageatsandhill.com
An expansive lifestyle center in Columbia’s Northeast, the Village at Sandhill features Aeropostale, Ann Taylor Loft, Belk, JCPenney, Academy Sports+Outdoors, Books-A-Million and other local and national specialty stores and restaurants.
SHOPS Army Navy Store
1621 Main St., 803-252-1350
Considered one of the most unusual stores in Columbia, you can find hand grenades, fatigues, cocktail dresses, camping stuff, collectibles and more … all sorts of weird and wonderful things. Don’t miss it! The Backpacker Quality Gear 1215 Wayne St., 803-799-7571 backpackerqualitygear.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.
Serving South Carolina’s outdoor adventure and travel needs for 40 years. The Backpacker’s experienced staff will help you wherever you are headed, featuring Patagonia, Columbia, Merrell, North Face, Osprey, Tilley Hats and more.
Cross Hill Market
Copper Penny
710 Cross Hill Road, 803-509-6700 edens.com/centers/SC/Columbia/ Cross-Hill-Market
Whole Foods anchors this center, which includes the popular Basil Thai restaurant and specialty stores like Charleston Cooks!, Nadeau Furniture, Hand & Stone and ULTA Beauty. Shoppes at Woodhill
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 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. Trenholm Plaza
4840 Forest Drive, facebook.com/ TrenholmPlaza
610 Harden St., 803-376-4411 shopcopperpenny.com
Women’s designer clothing and footwear. Think of an edgy mix of sweet and heat — that’s what Copper Penny is about! Designer collections, curated with a Southern eye, deliver sophisticated, effortless beauty. Ed’s Editions
406 Meeting St., 803-791-8002 edseditions.com
A family-owned antiquarian bookshop featuring 40,000-plus books. Mast General Store
1601 Main St., Columbia. 803-771-2300 mastgeneralstore.com
A favorite in Downtown Columbia since opening in 2011, Mast General Store offers a variety of goods from fashion to fried chicken cookbooks and toffee to tents, plus hats, footwear, housewares, and barrels of old-fashioned penny candy.
From major retail anchors such as J. Crew, experiencecolumbia.com
Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide 35
THINGS TO DO
Things to Do AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY MONUMENT
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 and receptions, the property is managed by Historic Columbia. (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 bookertwashington foundationsc.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
COLUMBIA SC 63 WALKING TOUR 36 Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide
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 experiencecolumbia.com
THINGS THINGS TOTO DO DO 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. (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. Tickets available at 1616 Blanding St. (803) 252-1770 1403 Richland St., Columbia historiccolumbia.org
Modjeska Monteith Simkins House
Home to South Carolina civil rights matriach 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 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 1872, 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
Renaissance Cultural Arts Center at Historic Bethel Bethel AME Church was built in 1921 by James Anderson Lankford, the first registered experiencecolumbia.com
FIRST THURSDAYS ON MAIN African-American architect in the United States. Plans call for renovation as a civil rights museum and performance center. (803) 733-5634 1247 Sumter St., Columbia renaissancefoundationsc.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 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 Thursdays 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. Numerous street performances, too. 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. In 2010 Benedict was ranked No. 10 among 309 baccalaureate colleges by Washington Monthly for creating social mobility, producing cutting-edge scholarship and research. (803) 253-5000 1600 Harden St., Columbia benedict.edu
Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide 37
THINGS TO DO 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
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
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. (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) 807-5058 7435 Monticello Rd., Columbia ciu.edu
Lenoir Rhyne University/Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary
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
In 1974, three separate career-oriented institutions merged to form Midlands Technical College (MTC), a comprehensive two-year college providing career and transfer education that is now composed of five campuses. (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
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
38 Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide
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. Managed by Global Spectrum. (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. Weekly shows offered for the public at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturdays. (803) 252-7366 401 Laurel St., Columbia cmtpuppet.org
The 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 presents world-class theatre, music, dance and variety arts that can be seen nowhere else in the Midlands. If it’s excellent, find it at Harbison Theatre. experiencecolumbia.com
THINGS TO DO
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 koger.sc.edu
Music Farm
A welcome addition to the local music scene, the 1,000-personcapacity Music Farm offers a steady calendar of rock, hip-hop, EDM, blues and more. (843) 471-2779 1022 Senate St., Columbia musicfarm.com
SC Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum Visit the oldest history museum in the state to discover and explore South Carolina’s military history from the Revolutionary War to the present. With evolving permanent exhibits and changing exhibit galleries, each visit is a new experience. The museum offers a unique opportunity to learn about the state’s distinguished martial tradition!
Wolfe, Jr. Russell S. Courtesy
(803) 407-5011 7300 College St., Irmo harbisontheatre.org
Newberry Opera House
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 Rowe
Home of Columbia’s only murder mystery dinner theatre, offering interactive and improvisational shows. Additional location in Lexington. (803) 200-2012 3400 Forest Dr., Suite 2038 Columbia scdinnertheatre.com experiencecolumbia.com
THE STATE’S MILITARY HISTORY MUSEUM
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
301 Gervais Street, Columbia, 29201 www.crr.sc.gov 803-737-8095 Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide 39
THINGS TO DO
COR | Columbia Opportunity Resource
COR connects talented professionals in greater Columbia with opportunities for leadership, service and fun. Looking to get involved? Join COR and find your place to make a difference. (803) 733-2511 930 Richland St., Columbia ourcor.org
Columbia’s the Salon We are a friendly, boutique salon located in Columbia’s premier Vista area. We offer a wide range of hair, skin and nail treatments. Since opening our doors in 2000 we have humbly earned a reputation as one of Columbia’s top salons. 620 Gervais Street, Suite D Columbia, SC 29201 (803) 799-2220 columbiasthesalon.com columbias@bellsouth.net
TRUSTUS THEATRE
Theatre South Carolina Part of the USC 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, 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 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
The Phillips Market Center
Offers impressive meeting spaces and amenities suited for a variety of gatherings, such as executive planning sessions, seminars, and large presentations. Situated at the SC State Farmer’s Market, just minutes from the airport. (803) 737-4588 117 Ballard Ct., West Columbia phillipsmarketcenter.com 40 Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide
experiencecolumbia.com
THINGS TO DO Workshop Theatre
Founded in 1967, Workshop is a creative hub for many of the area’s actors, directors and technicians. (803) 799-4876 701 Whaley St., Columbia workshoptheatre.com
FARMERS MARKETS Cayce Farmers Market
The Farmers Shed
Family owned produce market and restaurant once featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Fruits, vegetables, jams, flowers, pickles, cheese, gift baskets, grits, home-style meals, corn maze (seasonal), SC-specialty products. Open year-round. (803) 996 - 9122 2514 Augusta Hwy., Lexington farmersshed.com
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
James R. Sease Farms Inc.
Cottle Strawberry Farm
Lexington’s Local Farmer’s Market at The Shoppes at Flight Deck
Great-tasting strawberries you can pick by the basket. Open every spring. (803) 695-1714 2533 Trotter Rd,. Columbia cottlestrawberryfarm.com
Fresh strawberries available April and May. Peaches and mixed vegetables available June through mid-August. Call ahead. (803) 359-3276 Hwy 1, Gilbert
Local produce, South Carolina foods, dairy, meats, plants, candles, bakery, lotions and soaps. Open Thursdays from 2 to 6 p.m. (803) 957-3602 109 Old Chapin Rd., Lexington
Northeast Farmers Market
Fresh fruits, vegetables, free-range 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.; check website for seasonal openings and closings. (803) 873-8337 Lake Carolina Town Center, Columbia facebook.com/ nefarmersmarket
Sandhill Farmers Market
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) 699-3190 900 Clemson Rd., Columbia http://www.clemson.edu/ public/rec/sandhill/programs/ market/index.html
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
Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide 41
THINGS TO DO Ebenezer Lutheran Church
Dedicated as Columbia’s first Lutheran Church in 1830, the original church burned in 1865. Call for tour information. (803) 765-9430 1301 Richland St., Columbia ebenezerlutheran.org
Elmwood Cemetery & Gardens
SODA CITY MARKET
Soda City 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
Relocated to Lexington County from Richland in 2010, the South Carolina State Farmers Market has a lot more space than it used to — space for vendors, shoppers and parking. Climate-controlled retail building houses a restaurant, bakery, exhibition kitchen 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 scstatefarmersmarket.com
HISTORIC SITES Adluh Flour Mills
Opened in 1900, Adluh is the only flour mill still operating in South Carolina. Produces flour and cornmeal products in a plant that is listed on the National Register of Historic Properties. (803) 779-2460 804 1/2 Gervais St., Columbia adluh.com
Chesnut Cottage Bed & Breakfast
The war-time home of Confederate Gen. James Chesnut and his wife, Mary Boykin Chesnut, author of Diary from Dixie. Confederate President Jefferson Davis visited in 1864. Tours by appointment. (803) 256-1718 1718 Hampton St., Columbia chesnutcottage.com
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. 1332 Main Street/1216 Washington St., Columbia
Town of Lexington’s Farmers Market
Farmer and local artisan market located at Lexington Square Park on downtown Lexington’s Main Street. Supports local production and healthy eating. Every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon (check website for seasonal dates). (803) 356-8238 205 E. Main St., Lexington lexsc.com
EQUITABLE ARCADE BUILDING 42 Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide
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THINGS TO DO 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 formerly held by Fort Jackson, will serve veterans’ needs well into the next century. (803) 699-2246 4170 Percival Rd., Columbia cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/ ftjackson.asp
Hampton-Preston Mansion & Gardens
Built in 1818, one of Columbia’s oldest remaining historic houses. Guided historic House Museum tours offered Tuesday-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.
(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-Sunday. Tickets available in the Museum Shop at 1616 Blanding St. (803) 252-1770 1616 Blanding St., Columbia historiccolumbia.org
Seibels House and Garden
Possibly the oldest house in Columbia, dating from approximately 1796, the interior is accentuated by Colonial Revival details. Serves as the office of Historic Columbia and is one of the city’s most popular venues for wedding festivities, corporate meetings, holiday parties and other special occasions. (803) 252-7742 1601 Richland St., Columbia historiccolumbia.org
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 2015 Official Visitors Guide 43
THINGS TO DO South Carolina Governor’s Mansion
Built in 1855 as a residence for the officers of the Arsenal Military Academy, the Governor’s Mansion has served as home of the governor since 1868. Reservations required. Free. (803) 737-1710 800 Richland St., Columbia scgovernorsmansion.org
South Carolina State House
One of Columbia’s and South Carolina’s most historic buildings. Construction began in 1855 and withstood Gen. Sherman’s march on Columbia in 1865. The building was completed in 1907. Free tours available. (803) 734-2430 1100 Gervais St., Columbia scstatehouse.gov, southcarolinaparks.com
South Caroliniana Library
Completed in 1840, this structure, designed by Robert Mills, marked the first use of a free-standing academic library building in the United States. (803) 777-3131 USC Horseshoe, Columbia sc.edu/library/socar
St. Peter’s Catholic Church
This stunning renovated church won a Merit Award from the American Institute of Architects; it is the oldest Catholic Church in the Midlands. Call to arrange free group tours. (803) 779-0036 1529 Assembly St., Columbia visitstpeters.org
Supreme Court of South Carolina
Guided tours appropriate for seventh grade and above are available by appointment only. When court is not in session, tours include the courtroom where the seal of the Supreme Court is displayed. (803) 734-1080 1231 Gervais St., Columbia judicial.state.sc.us/supreme
Trinity Episcopal Cathedral
Built in 1846, Trinity was spared in 1865 when Gen. Sherman’s troops burned
TRINITY EPISCOPAL CATHEDRAL much of Columbia. Six former governors are buried in the 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
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Woodrow Wilson Family Home
Built by his parents, the nation’s 28th president spent four years of his youth living here with his family. Newly renovated, the home re-opened in February 2014. 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 art 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) 779-4571 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
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THINGS TO DO 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 through Richland County School District One designed to provide 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
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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) 545-3701 1800 Laurel St., Columbia columbiascfire.net/ ColaFireMuseum.htm
Columbia Museum of Art
South Carolina’s premier international art museum. Find Botticelli, Monet, and 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
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THINGS TO DO Richland Library
Spectacular 242,000-squarefoot-main library. The Children’s Room is highlighted by a whimsical, 46-foot mural and two free-standing figures from Maurice Sendak’s picture book classic, Where the Wild Things Are. Features a Teen Center and and Business and Job Center. (803) 799-9084 1431 Assembly St., Columbia richlandlibrary.com
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
“EDDIE” AT EDVENTURE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM, p. 45
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, 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
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE MUSEUM 46 Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide
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 experiencecolumbia.com
THINGS TO DO 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
Home of the Rockton, Rion, & Western Railroad. Please check website for schedule. (803) 712-4135 110 Industrial Park Rd., Winnsboro scrm.org
South Carolina State Museum
Features a brand new 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,
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.
Colonial Life Arena ColonialLifeArena
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CLAmktg @CLAmktg
Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide 47
THINGS TO DO 3677 State Park Rd., Prosperity southcarolinaparks.com/ dreherisland
Finlay Park
An oasis in the heart of downtown Columbia. A wonderful waterfall acts as the background for festivals, concerts or picnics. (803) 545-3100 930 Laurel St., Columbia columbiasc.net/parksrecreation
Guignard Park
CONGAREE NATIONAL PARK 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 8-10pm eastern standard time. (803) 777-4180 1429 Greene St., Columbia boson.physics.sc.edu/~melton
PARKS & GARDENS
acres of floodplain forest. Escape the city life amidst towering trees and astonishing biodiversity in this wilderness. (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
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
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. (803) 733-8452 2300 Greene St., Columbia columbiasc.net/parksrecreation
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
DREHER ISLAND STATE PARK
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THINGS TO DO 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
OWENS FIELD SKATE PARK
Maxcy Gregg Park
Located near the University of South Carolina and Five Points, this 100+ year scenic treasure features a labyrinth, a few creekside walking paths and is the location of the Cancer Survivor’s Garden. (803) 545-3100 1806 Blossom St., Columbia columbiasc.net/parksrecreation
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. (803) 545-3100 700 Hampton St., Columbia columbiasc.net/parksrecreation
of recreational, educational and cultural opportunities. (803) 772-1228 5605 Old Bush River Rd., Columbia icrc.net/saluda-shoals-park
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
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
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/parksrecreation
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
for your next event...
At last, an event facility that goes beyond the ordinary. One that focuses on comfortable elegance, attention to detail, and amenities designed to make any business or social occasion a success. Welcome to the SCHA William L. Yates Conference Center. Located at the confluence on I-26 and I-20 in Columbia, the Center offers ballroom and meeting rooms, high-tech AV equipment and support, and on-site catering. For the details you need to plan your next event, please visit www.WilliamLYates.com or call at 803.744.3529 or 803.744.3501 for a personal consultation. The William L. Yates Conference Center is operated by the South Carolina Hospital Association.
William L. Yates Conference Center • 1000 Center Point Road • Columbia, SC • 29210 • 803.796.3080
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Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide 49
THINGS TO DO 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
COLUMBIA CITY BALLET works. Performances 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
Popular touring Broadway series with performances at the Koger Center for the Arts. (803) 251-2222 Columbia broadwayincolumbia.com
Specializing in the performance of 17th and 18th century European Baroque vocal and instrumental chamber music. (803) 727-8555 Columbia columbiabaroque.com
Chapin Theatre Company
Columbia Choral Society
Broadway in Columbia
Presenting comedies, classics, thrillers and original
Founded in 1930 as the Shandon Choral Society, the ensemble’s mission is
50 Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide
to perform the world’s great choral music and stimulate interest in the choral tradition. (803) 933-9060 Columbia columbiachoralsociety.org
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
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THINGS TO DO
COLUMBIA CLASSICAL BALLET
Columbia Classical Ballet
Dedicated to providing South Carolina audiences with the experience of classical ballet. 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
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Chapin United Methodist Church, Chapin dutchforkchoralsociety.org
(803) 348-7445 Lexington lexcochoralsoc.org
Dick Goodwin Big Band
Main Street Harmonizers
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
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
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
Opera at USC
Lexington County Choral Society
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
A community choral group that specializes in not just major choral works, but on the vast repertoire of choral anthems.
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
Palmetto Mastersingers
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THINGS TO DO 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
Organized by First Thursday founder Mark Plessinger, this series brings vaudeville and alternative circus arts to Columbia. (803) 988-1065 Columbia twitter.com/shamelesslyhot
SOUTH CAROLINA PHILHARMONIC
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 Brookyln Rider, So Percussion, the JACK Quartet and Alarm Will Sound. (803) 777-4421 Columbia sc.edu/music
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
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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
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THINGS TO DO Historic Columbia
Bus, walking and viritual 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
Old Capital Tours & Ghost Walks
RIVER RAT BREWERY IS ON THE BREW BUS TOUR
TOURS Columbia Brew Bus
A guided tour of Columbia’s burgeoning craft beer scene. (757) 871-8150 columbiabrewbus.com
Columbia Food Tours
This walking tour features cuisine from 5-7 top locally owned, downtown restaurants. Tours meet 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 columbiaconvention center.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 experiencecolumbia.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. fknapp@knappagency.com knappagency.com/ shermansmarch.html
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. Go to our 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
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
Take a stroll on one of several walking tours: Living History Walk, Ghosts of Columbia, or Graveyard Walk. All tours are entertaining, family friendly and informative. (803) 509-1224 1300 Greene St., Columbia oldcapitaltours.weebly.com
Sally Salamander Walking Tour
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
South Carolina State House Grounds
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
Offering public and customized culinary tours and events. Food tours, with Historic Columbia tour guides, visit five restaurants for ample specialty samplings. Beer schools feature local breweries. Pub crawls, dine-a-rounds, dinner shows customized for groups. 803-360-0578 twogalsfoodtours.com
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THINGS TO DO University of South Carolina Visitor Center Get a brochure to see ten 19th century buildings on the National Register of Historic Places or observe 27 tree species that have earned the University of South Carolina a Tree Campus USA designation. (803) 777-0169 945 Bull St., Columbia sc.edu/visitorcenter
TRAILS Cayce Riverwalk
Miles of paved and lighted paths along the west bank of the Congaree River. Popular for walking, jogging, bicycling and observing nature. (803) 765-2200 Axtell Dr. and Naples Ave., Cayce cityofcayce-sc.gov/ riverwalk.asp
Fourteen Mile Creek Trail
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
RIVERFRONT PARK, PART OF THREE RIVERS GREENWAY 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
Located at the end of Catawba Street, this is the southernmost segment of the Three Rivers Greenway. (803) 545-3100 100 Catawba Cir., Columbia riveralliance.org/ Granby_Park.html
Sadly, the geological wonder known as Peachtree Rock — a triangular-shaped top-heavy sandstone formation — is no longer standing. The good news? You can 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
Palmetto Trail
Riverfront Park
Granby Park
A statewide series of linked trails, the Palmetto Trail features 315 miles of completed paths 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
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, 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/3rg.html
West Columbia Riverwalk
Boasting outstanding fishing hot spots, beautiful views of the pristine islands of the Congaree River and majestic Columbia skyline, amid the tranquil sounds of water rippling over large river boulders. (803) 765-2200 Alexander St., West Columbia westcolumbiasc.gov/ RiverwalkAmphitheater.html
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 2015 Official Visitors Guide
experiencecolumbia.com
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) 787-0500 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 (803) 788-3080 300 Spring Valley Rd., Columbia springvalleycc.com
The Country Club of Lexington (803) 359-8838 1066 Barr Rd., Lexington ccoflexington.com
The Members Club of Woodcreek (803) 239-0290 300 Club Ridge Dr., Elgin wildewoodwoodcreek.com
The Members Club of WildeWood (803) 788-8000 90 Mallet Hill Rd., Columbia wildewoodwoodcreek.com
The Windermere Club (803) 786-7888 1101 Longtown Rd. East, Blythewood windermereclubsc.com
GOLF COURSES PUBLIC Charwood Country Club
INDIAN RIVER GOLF CLUB
Golden Hills Golf & Country Club
Oak Hills Golf Club
(803) 957-3355 100 Scotland Dr., Lexington goldenhillsgolf.com
Golf Course of SC at Crickentree (803) 754-8600 1084 Langford Rd., Blythewood golfclubsc.com
Hidden Valley Golf Club (803) 794-8087 147 Excaliber Ct., Gaston hvgolf.com
Indian River Golf Club
Par 3 course (803) 750-1015 1600 Garner Ln., Columbia
Sedgewood Country Club (803) 776-2177 9560 Garners Ferry Rd., Hopkins
StoneBridge Golf Club Par 3 course (803) 356-2239 381 Pilgrim Church Rd., Lexington mycaddyshak.com
Indian Trail Golf Course
The Club at Rawls Creek
(803) 532-9010 1304 Willis St., Batesburg-Leesville golfindiantrail.com
(803) 781-0114 2121 Lake Murray Blvd., Columbia golfrawlscreek.com
Lake Murray Golf Center
Par 3 course (803) 345-0199 2032 Old Hilton Rd., Chapin lakemurraygolf.com
LinRick Golf Course
Cobblestone Park
Northwoods Golf Course
experiencecolumbia.com
Riverside Golf Center
(803) 955-0080 200 Indian River Dr., West Columbia indianrivergolfclubsc.com
(803) 755-2000 222 Clubhouse Dr., West Columbia charwood.com (803) 714-2620 280 University Parkway, Blythewood cobblestoneparkgolfclub.com
(803) 735-9830 7629 Fairfield Rd., Columbia oakhillsgolf.com
(803) 754-6331 356 Campground Rd., Columbia richlandcountyrecreation.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
(803) 786-9242 201 Powell Rd., Columbia northwoodsgolfsc.com Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide 55
Dining DINING
BAAN SAWAN 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
Downtown: 629 Main St., (803) 771-0515 Downtown : 1734 Main St., (803) 401-5882 facebook.com/alamirofcolumbia
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. Baan Sawan
Five Points: 2135 Devine St., (803) 252-8992 baansawan.blogspot.com
Not your typical Thai restaurant, Baan Sawan serves expertly prepared Thai 56 Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide
2520 Congaree Rd., (803) 353-0488 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., 929-0782 bluecactuscafe.com
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.
PREFERRED RESTAURANT PARTNER experiencecolumbia.com
DINING 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 handcut 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.
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 and are a fusion of Greek, Italian and Spanish cuisine with Southern influences. A Vista gem.
Camon
Vista: 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. 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. DiPrato’s Delicatessen
Five Points/Shandon: 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. Garibaldi Café
Five Points: 2013 Greene St., (803) 771-8888 garibaldicolumbia.com
Fine dining in an elegant atmosphere. Large Italian menu specializes in fresh seafood and typically boasts eight to nine specials a night. Mediterranean influence means plenty of herbs and olive oils. Terrific fried flounder. experiencecolumbia.com
Harbor Inn Seafood
Lexington: 411 W. Main St., (803) 359-2979 Northeast: 7375 Two Notch Rd., (803) 462-3498, harborinnseafood.com
Your favorite seafood platters come fried or broiled, with familiar sides like hush puppies and slaw. The Land and Sea special pairs crab legs with a ribeye, and the Specialty of the House mixes fried flounder, deviled crab, shrimp, oysters and stuffed clams. Lunch and express menus available. 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 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. 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, fresh-caught fish or a burger. Some of the same great salads, sandwiches and apps you’ll find at the popular Liberty in the Vista.
Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide 57
DINING 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.
Mr. Friendly’s
Five Points: 2001-A Greene St., (803) 254-7828 mrfriendlys.com
The award-winning bistro Mr. Friendly’s is tucked into the side of Claussen’s Inn. This popular little bistro serves “good, old fashioned, New Southern Cuisine” at very reasonable prices. In addition to its daily menu, Mr. Friendly’s offers innovative nightly specials.
Little Pigs
Nonnah’s
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.
Long considered Columbia’s best place for dessert (seriously, it wins Free Times’ Best of Columbia dessert category year after year), Nonnah’s also offers lunch and dinner menus, including sandwiches, salads, soups and crepes.
Northeast: 4927 Alpine Rd., (803) 788-8238 littlepigs.biz
M Café, M Grille, M Vista and Miyo’s
Downtown: 1417 Sumter St., (803) 779-5788 Vista: 531 Lady St., (803) 708-8881 Vista: 701-C Lady St., (803) 255-8884 miyos.com
Choose from standard Chinese stir fry dishes, including vegetarian options, or reasonably priced grilled items like salmon or flank steak. Sushi, too. Midlands’ Modern Southern Food Arts at Marriott Columbia Downtown: 1200 Hampton St., (803) 771-7000, marriott.com
Taste the many fine flavors of Midlands’ Food Arts in downtown Columbia, which features new Southern cuisine. The menu uses the farm-to-table concept with various local products. Enjoy the awardwinning shrimp and grits for dinner. Motor Supply Co. Bistro
Vista: 920 Gervais St., (803) 256-6687 motorsupplycobistro.com
An early pioneer of dining in the Vista more than 20 years ago, Motor Supply’s eclectic menu reflects a classic bistro mentality and changes every day and every night. Upbeat, cosmopolitan atmosphere and excellent food with a focus on fresh, local produce and artisanal techniques. Especially popular for Sunday brunch. 58 Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide
Vista: 930 Gervais St., (803) 779-9599 nonnahs.com
The Oak Table
Downtown: 1221 Main St., (803) 563-5066 theoaktablesc.com
A fantastic view of the State House, not to mention excellent high-end fine dining fare, from deep-fried whole lobster to refined steaks, crispy-roasted mushrooms and much more. Sundays feature a great brunch. Pawleys Front Porch
Five Points: 827 Harden St., (803) 771-8001 pawleys5pts.com
Ever since its burgers were featured in February 2010 on the Food Network show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, the lines outside Pawleys Front Porch have grown much longer. There’s more to the menu than burgers and shoestring fries — for example, fried oysters, fish tacos and a gourmet BLT — but make no mistake: it’s the all-beef behemoths and atypical toppers that keep people lining up at this Five Points bar and grill. Pearlz Oyster Bar
Vista: 936 Gervais St., (803) 661-7741 pearlzoysterbar.com
Pearlz specializes in fresh oysters, regional seafood and Lowcountry recipes. But its hip ambience and signature martinis also make it a hotspot for Columbia’s young professionals. PREFERRED RESTAURANT PARTNER experiencecolumbia.com
DINING Rioz Brazilian Steakhouse
Harbison/Irmo: 410 Columbiana Dr., (803) 708-3151, rioz.com
Offers Brazilian-style tableside service of more than 15 cuts of beef, pork, lamb and poultry. Also features extensive salad bar, which includes seafood and sushi. Ristorante Divino
Vista: 803 Gervais St., (803) 799-4550 ristorantedivino.com
Some of the best fine dining in Columbia or anywhere else. You’ll find Northern Italian dishes here, including the signature rack of lamb. The gnocchi is heavenly. Wine list consistently wins Wine Spectator awards. Rosso Trattoria Italia
Forest Acres: 4840 Forest Dr., (803) 787-3949 rossocolumbia.com
Part swanky, 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, woodgrilled meats and seafood, rich pastas and sea scallops with lemon-saffron 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. 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.
1200 Lincoln St. • 799.3838 bluemarlincolumbia.com • signaturecateringsc.com experiencecolumbia.com
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DINING
TERRA
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 such dishes as seared diver scallops, beef tartare, in-house brined pork chops, South Carolina seafood and hand-cut steaks. Extensive wine list and elegant, yet cozy, atmosphere. Terra
West Columbia: 100 State St., (803) 791-3443, terrasc.com
Chef Mike Davis brings together topquality Southern ingredients and classic European techniques to make creative, original fare — truly one of the region’s best restaurants. Fantastic view of downtown Columbia from the upscale Vista West location. Looking for something a little simpler? Sit at the cozy bar and sample a brick-oven pizza. Thirsty Fellow Pizzeria and Pub
Vista: 621 Gadsden St., (803) 799-1311 thirstyfellow.com
Villa Tronco
Downtown: 1213 Blanding St., (803) 256-7677, villatronco.com
Enjoy casual fine dining in Columbia’s oldest and finest Italian restaurant. Located in an historic 19th century firehouse, Villa Tronco boasts an extensive wine list and serves traditional Italian favorites: veal, pasta, fresh seafood, homemade Italian bread, Carmella’s famous cheesecakes, and the wonderful square pizza that Mama Tronco introduced to Columbia! Family owned and operated for more than 70 years! Yesterdays
Five Points: 2030 Devine St., (803) 799-0196 yesterdayssc.com
A Columbia landmark since 1978, people flock here not just for a glimpse of a cowboy in a bathtub but also to throw back some suds while filling up on the heartiest fare in town, including meatloaf, broiled salmon, shrimp and grits and awesome country fried steak.
Located near the Colonial Life Arena. Open 7 days for lunch, dinner, late night and Sunday brunch. Full bar. Comfortable atmosphere including covered deck. New food specials offered each week. Pub food and fresh specials include wings, fish ‘n’ chips, sandwiches, soups, appetizers and an array of stone-fired pizzas. Try the banana pepper stuffed with sausage and served with a hearty marinara and cheese sauce. PREFERRED RESTAURANT PARTNER 60 Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide
YESTERDAYS experiencecolumbia.com
DINING
FOOD TRUCKS 2 Fat 2 Fly Wings (803) 622-6063, 2fat2flywings.com
Creamy macaroni and cheese stuffed inside a chicken wing?! It’s true. Or jambalaya? Or an inside-out chicken parmigiana? All these delicacies and more can be yours. For locations and hours, follow the truck on Twitter at @2fat2flywings or check the calendar at 2fat2flywings.com. Featured on the Oprah Network show Wingmen. Bone-In Artisan BBQ on Wheels (803) 957-1818, artisanbbqtruck.com
Smoked meats on homemade focaccia; cilantro-lime coleslaw; grilled pimento cheese sandwiches on jalapeño cornbread — this is barbecue done fancy and right. For locations and hours, follow the truck on Twitter (@artisanbbqtruck) or on artisanbbqtruck.com. Featured on the Cooking Channel show Eat Street.
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 burgers. A favorite spot for university types, hipsters
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. 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 extraspecial bitter. Run by two brothers.
For 25 years, Motor Supply Company has been the hot spot for inspired cuisine, amazing cocktails and year-round outdoor dining.
twitter.com/BestWurstWagen (803) 463-6637, thewurstwagen.com
experiencecolumbia.com
River Rat Brewery
While you’re in town, enjoy Columbia’s finest farm-to-table dining experience.
The Wurst Wagen
Come see us!
Photo: Forrest Clonts
This mobile food truck boasts a German-trained 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.
and oldsters alike. Also offers half-gallon growlers so you can take the good stuff home.
Located at 920 Gervais Street in Columbia’s historic Congaree Vista since 1989. For menu & hours, visit motorsupplycobistro.com. Need reservations? Call 803.256.6687. Talk with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (@motorsupply).
Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide 61
Accommodations INN AT USC
COLUMBIA CITY CENTER Affordable Suites Deluxe
< $100 150 Stoneridge Dr., Columbia, (803) 779-7000 http://affordablesuites.com/columbia
Your home away from home. We offer 50% larger rooms, full-kitchens in all rooms, full-hot breakfast every day, fitness center and pet-friendly rooms. Chesnut Cottage Bed & Breakfast $150+ 1718 Hampton St., Columbia, (803) 256-1718 http://chesnutcottage.com
Clarion Hotel Downtown
< $100 1615 Gervais St., Columbia, (803) 771-8711 http://clarionhotelcolumbia.com
Southern hospitality, spacious rooms, and unparalleled service abound at our downtown hotel in Columbia. Neatly situated near the downtown business district, state Capitol and the University of South Carolina.
Columbia Marriott Hotel
$101-150 1200 Hampton St., Columbia, (803) 771-7000 http://columbiamarriott.com
Located near the South Carolina Capitol and the University of South Carolina in a vibrant quarter of downtown. Hotel remodeled in 2013. For business or leisure travel to conferences and weddings, refresh and achieve at the Columbia Marriott. Country Hearth Inn & Suites - Downtown
< $100 621 South Assembly St., Columbia, (803) 252-2000 http://countryhearthcolumbiasc.com
Courtyard by Marriott Columbia Downtown at USC
$101-150 630 Assembly St., Columbia, (803) 799-7800 http://marriott.com/caecd
Perfect location in downtown Columbia near the University of South Carolina, Colonial Life Arena, Koger Center, Vista and Five Points. Remodeled in 2014! 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
62 2015 Columbia Visitors Guide
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• Newly Renovated! • Located downtown on the University of South Carolina Campus, near the Koger Center and Colonial Life Arena • Complimentary Wi-Fi
• 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 Street • 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
• Adjacent to the Columbiana Mall and Harbison Boulevard • Located less than 10 miles from downtown Columbia • Dozens of choices for dining and shopping
Columbia Downtown/The Vista 511 Lady St • Columbia, SC 29201 803.978.2333 www.marriott.com/caesh
• 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 square feet 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 columbiacvb.com 2015 Columbia Visitors Guide
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ACCOMMODATIONS COLUMBIA CITY CENTER Embassy Suites Columbia - Greystone
$101-150 200 Stoneridge Dr., Columbia, (803) 252-8700 http://columbiagreystone.embassysuites.com
Located close to the University of South Carolina with complimentary parking; airport and local shuttle within a 5-mile radius; complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast and evening reception and on-site Terrace Restaurant and Lounge. Extended Stay America - Columbia - West
< $100 450 Gracern Rd., Columbia, (803) 251-7878 http://extendedstay.com
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Columbia Downtown $101-150 501 Taylor St., Columbia, (803) 744-4000 http://hiexcolumbiasc.com
Homewood Suites by Hilton
$101-150 230 Greystone Blvd., Columbia, (803) 239-4663 http://columbiasc.homewoodsuites.com
Whether youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re staying for a few nights or more, you will enjoy our spacious studio or one-bedroom suites featuring fully equipped kitchens with full size refrigerators, microwave, twoburner cook top and dishware.
Extended Stay America Columbia - West - Stoneridge Dr.
< $100 180 Stoneridge Dr., Columbia, (803) 771-0303 http://extendedstay.com
Hampton Inn Downtown Historic District
$101-150 822 Gervais St., Columbia, (803) 231-2000 http://hamptoninncolumbia.com
Located in the center of the financial, entertainment and historic district, our hotel offers a unique experience for business or pleasure and a taste of Southern hospitality. Hilton Columbia Center
$101-150 924 Senate St., Columbia, (803) 744-7800 http://hiltoncolumbia.com
Ideally located in the center of the financial, entertainment and historic district and elegant in atmosphere, the center is the ideal setting for business and leisure travelers.
PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNER
AIRPORT SHUTTLE FREE WIFI RESTAURANT
Hyatt Place Columbia/ Downtown/The Vista
$101-150 819 Gervais St., Columbia, (803) 978-2913 http://hyattplacecolumbiadowntown.com
The newest hotel in Downtown Columbia located within The Vista. Our hotel offers both complimentary hot breakfast and Wi-Fi. Food and beverage is available 24 hours with 2,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. Inn at USC Wyndham Garden Columbia
$101-150 1619 Pendleton St., Columbia, (803) 779-7779 http://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.
INDOOR POOL OUTDOOR POOL PETS ALLOWED
64 Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide
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ACCOMMODATIONS
D Y N A M I C A L LY N E W B R I L L I A N T LY I N S P I R E D. The newly remodeled Columbia Marriott is not just a hotel. It’s an idea that travel should be brilliant. Discover a sophisticated Greatroom, dynamic new restaurant, and meeting areas that elevate every experience in a premier downtown location. Paired with fresh, modern guest rooms, the hotel provides ideal luxury and comfort. Because it’s not only about where you’re staying. It’s about where you’re going. — Call 1-803-771-7000 or visit www.ColumbiaMarriott.com COLUMBIA MARRIOTT 1200 HAMPTON STREET | COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA 29201 1-803-771-7000 | COLUMBIAMARRIOTT.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
Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide 65
ACCOMMODATIONS COLUMBIA CITY CENTER Sheraton Columbia Downtown Hotel
$150+ 1400 Main St., Columbia, (803) 988-1400 http://sheraton.com/columbiadowntown
Boasting 135 comfortable rooms with Sheraton Sweet Sleeper beds, the Sheraton downtown hotel offers discriminating guests 21st-century features such as wireless high-speed Internet access, 100 percent valet parking, the Link@Sheraton, Starbucks Café, two restaurants and a martini lounge. SpringHill Suites by MarriottColumbia Downtown/The Vista $101-150 511 Lady St., Columbia, (803) 978-2333 http://marriott.com/caesh
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.
COLUMBIA NORTH Budget Inn
< $100 1601 Sunset Dr., Columbia, (803) 252-5000
Coronet Motel
< $100 6320 N. Main St., Columbia, (803) 754-1510
Days Inn Columbia
< $100 133 Plumbers Rd., Columbia, (803) 714-7200 http://daysinn.com
Glass Manor Motel
< $100 5810 N. Main St., Columbia, (803) 754-1914
Grand Motel
< $100 3003 Two Notch Rd., Columbia, (803) 254-4770
Parkview Inn
< $100 3301 Main St., Columbia, (803) 256-2255
Super 8 Motel - Fairfield Road
< $100 5719 Fairfield Rd., Columbia, (803) 735-0008 http://super8.com
Staybridge Suites Columbia Downtown
$101-150 1913 Huger St., Columbia, (803) 451-5900 http://staycolumbiasc.com
The 1425 Inn
$101-150 1425 Richland St., Columbia, (803) 252-7225 http://1425inn.com
The Inn at Claussen’s
$150+ 2003 Greene St., Columbia, (803) 765-0440 http://theinnatclaussens.com
COLUMBIA SOUTHEAST AND FORT JACKSON Americas Best Value Inn
< $100 131 Veterans Rd., Columbia, (803) 695-3485 http://americasbestvalueinn.com
Best Western Fort Jackson Inn < $100 240 East Exchange Blvd., Columbia, (803) 695-0666 http://bestwestern.com
Candlewood Suites Columbia/Fort Jackson
$101-150 921 Atlas Rd., Columbia, (803) 727-1299 http://candlewoodsuites.com
PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNER
AIRPORT SHUTTLE FREE WIFI RESTAURANT
INDOOR POOL OUTDOOR POOL PETS ALLOWED
66 Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide
experiencecolumbia.com
ACCOMMODATIONS La Quinta Inn Columbia Southeast/Fort Jackson
< $100 7333 Garners Ferry Rd., Columbia, (803) 783-5410 http://lq.com
Microtel Inn & Suites Fort Jackson Main Gate Comfort Inn & Suites Fort Jackson Maingate
< $100 7337 Garners Ferry Rd., Columbia, (803) 695-5555 http://choicehotels.com/hotel/sc046
Conveniently accessible to Fort Jackson, Comfort Inn Maingate offers clean rooms, warm hospitality, and superior breakfast. Located minutes from University of South Carolina, WilliamsBrice Stadium, and the Riverbanks Zoo. Country Inn & Suites Southeast < $100 220 East Exchange Blvd., Columbia, (803) 776-6660 http://countryinns.com/columbiasc
Days Inn & Suites SE
< $100 7300 Garners Ferry Rd., Columbia, (803) 783-5500 http://daysinn.com
Econo Lodge
< $100 4488 Fort Jackson Blvd., Columbia, (803) 738-0510 http://choicehotels.com/hotel/sc216
Hampton Inn & Suites Columbia/Southeast/Fort Jackson $101-150 201 East Exchange Blvd., Columbia, (803) 217-3999 http://columbiasoutheastfortjacksonsuites. hamptoninn.com
< $100 7504 Garners Ferry Rd., Columbia, (803) 217-1000 http://microtelinn.com
Quality Inn & Suites Fort Jackson Maingate
< $100 7251 Garners Ferry Rd., Columbia, (803) 776-1700 http://choicehotels.com/hotel/sc337
Rodeway Inn & Suites
< $100 494 Beltline Blvd., Columbia, (803) 738-1642 http://choicehotels.com/hotel/sc124
Sleep Inn SE
< $100 200 East Exchange Blvd., Columbia, (803) 776-6263 http://sleepinn.com
TownePlace Suites by Marriott Columbia SE/Fort Jackson $101-150 250 East Exchange Blvd., Columbia, (803) 695-0062 http://marriott.com/caese
IRMO/ST. ANDREWS/ HARBISON American Inn St. Andrews
< $100 1337 Garner Ln., Columbia, (803) 731-5533
Baymont Inn & Suites Columbia Northwest Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites - Fort Jackson $101-150 7329 Garners Ferry Rd., Columbia, (803) 695-1111 http://hiexpress.com/fortjackson
experiencecolumbia.com
$101-150 347 Zimalcrest Dr., Columbia, (803) 731-2300 http://baymontinns.com/hotel/46756
Conveniently located at the intersection of I-20 and I-26, we are just minutes away from Columbiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favorite destinations. Designed for the business traveler, but certainly appropriate for a leisure getaway. Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide 67
ACCOMMODATIONS IRMO/ST. ANDREWS/ HARBISON Best Western Executive Inn & Suites
Econo Lodge & Conference Center < $100 773 St. Andrews Rd., Columbia, (803) 772-7275 http://econolodge.com
< $100 1720 Bush River Rd., Columbia, (803) 561-9027 http://bestwestern.com
Economy Inn I-20
Budget Inn
Extended Stay America Columbia - Harbison
< $100 200 Zimalcrest Dr., Columbia, (803) 772-7200
Comfort Inn Hotel Columbia
< $100 911 Bush River Rd., Columbia, (803) 798-5101 http://comfortinncolumbiasc.com
Less than five miles away from downtown Columbia, the Comfort Inn on Bush River Road offers clean, comfortable rooms, high-speed Internet access, complimentary hot breakfast and more, all for a great rate. Comfort Suites Harbison
< $100 750 Saturn Pkwy., Columbia, (803) 407-4444 http://choicehotels.com/hotel/sc221
Country Inn & Suites Columbia Harbison
< $100 414 Piney Grove Rd., Columbia, (803) 391-4100 http://countryinns.com/columbiasc_harbison
Days Inn
< $100 1144 Bush River Rd., Columbia, (803) 750-7550 http://daysinn.com
DoubleTree by Hilton
$101-150 2100 Bush River Rd., Columbia, (803) 731-0300 http://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.
68 Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide
< $100 1029 Briargate Cir., Columbia, (803) 772-0270
< $100 1170 Kinley Rd., Irmo, (803) 781-8590 http://extendedstay.com
Fairfield Inn by Marriott Columbia Northwest/Harbison
< $100 320 Columbiana Dr., Columbia, (803) 732-4436 http://marriott.com/caefn
Hampton Inn On the Lake at Harbison
$101-150 101 Woodcross Dr., Columbia, (803) 749-6999 http://columbiaharbison.hamptoninn.com
Hilton Garden Inn Columbia/Harbison
$101-150 434 Columbiana Dr., Columbia, (803) 407-6640 http://columbiaharbison.stayhgi.com
Conveniently located off of I-26, 6.5 miles from downtown. An excellent venue for meetings, conferences, and weddings. We are designed for the individual business traveler and the weekend leisure guest. Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites - Harbison
< $100 211 Lanneau Ct., Columbia, (803) 732-2229 http://columbiahie.com
Home-Towne Suites
< $100 350 Columbiana Dr., Columbia, (803) 781-9391 http://htshotel.com
experiencecolumbia.com
ACCOMMODATIONS Hyatt Place Columbia/Harbison
Motel 6 Columbia West
InTown Suites Columbia Northwest
Palmetto Inn
$101-150 1130 Kinley Rd., Irmo, (803) 407-1560 http://hyattplace.com
< $100 330 Columbiana Dr., Columbia, (803) 732-7377 http://intownsuites.com
InTown Suites Columbia West
< $100 1633 Broad River Rd., Columbia, (803) 216-9092 http://intownsuites.com
Knights Inn Columbia NW
< $100 1803 Bush River Rd., Columbia, (803) 772-0022 http://knightsinn.com
Microtel Inn and Suites Columbia Harbison
< $100 411 Piney Grove Rd., Columbia, (803) 772-1914 http://microtelsc.com
347 Zimalcrest Dr. Columbia, SC 29210 803.731.2300 Located at the Intersection of I-20 & I-26 www.baymontinns.com/hotel/46756 facebook.com/baymontcolumbianw
experiencecolumbia.com
< $100 1776 Burning Tree Rd., Columbia, (803) 798-9210 http://motel6.com
< $100 127 Morninghill Dr., Columbia, (803) 772-5833
Quality Inn Harbison Area
< $100 499 Piney Grove Rd., Columbia, (803) 798-0500 http://choicehotels.com/hotel/SC154
Quality Inn St. Andrews
< $100 1335 Garner Ln., Columbia, (803) 451-2400 http://choicehotels.com
Ramada Limited Columbia
< $100 1315 Garner Ln., Columbia, (803) 731-9997 http://ramada.com
Complimentary Airport Shuttle & Parking Full Breakfast Buffet 149 Guest Rooms Including 12 Two-Room Suites 24-Hour Business Center More Than 1,000 Square Feet of Meeting Space Indoor Whirlpool
Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide 69
ACCOMMODATIONS IRMO/ST. ANDREWS/ HARBISON
Hampton Inn Lexington
< $100 601 Columbia Ave., Lexington, (803) 356-8300 http://lexingtonsc.hamptoninn.com
Red Roof Inn Columbia West
< $100 10 Berryhill Rd., Columbia, (803) 798-9220 http://redroof.com
Residence Inn by Marriott NW Columbia/Irmo SC
$101-150 944 Lake Murray Blvd., Irmo, (803) 749-7575 http://marriott.com/caehb
Royal Inn - St. Andrews
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites-Lexington
< $100 131 Innkeeper Dr., Lexington, (803) 808-0800 http://hiexpress.com/lexingtonsc
Leesville Lodge
< $100 605 East Columbia Ave., Leesville, (803) 532-1082 http://leesvillelodge.com
< $100 1323 Garner Ln., Columbia, (803) 750-5060
Quality Inn & Suites Lexington Sleep Inn NW
< $100 1901 Rockland Rd., Columbia, (803) 731-9999 http://sleepinncolumbia.com
Travelodge Columbia West
< $100 2210 Bush River Rd., Columbia, (803) 798-9665 http://travelodge.com
Wingate by Wyndham Columbia Harbison
< $100 217 Lanneau Ct., Columbia, (803) 407-6166 http://columbiawi.com
LEXINGTON COUNTY Able House Inn Bed & Breakfast < $100 244 East Columbia Ave., Leesville, (803) 532-2763 http://ablehouseinn.com
Comfort Suites Lexington
$101-150 325 West Main St., Lexington, (803) 996-2000 http://comfortsuiteslexington.com
PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNER
AIRPORT SHUTTLE FREE WIFI RESTAURANT
INDOOR POOL OUTDOOR POOL PETS ALLOWED
70 Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide
< $100 328 West Main St., Lexington, (803) 359-3099 http://choicehotels.com/hotel/sc081
Ramada Limited Lexington/Columbia
< $100 1015 South Lake Dr., Lexington, (803) 356-6533 http://ramada.com
Value Place - Lexington
< $100 4920 Augusta Rd., Lexington, (803) 356-1303 http://valueplace.com
Wingate by Wyndham Lexington/Columbia
$101-150 108 Saluda Point Ct., Lexington, (803) 957-5000 http://lexingtonwingate.com
RICHLAND NORTHEAST & FORT JACKSON Best Western Plus Columbia Northeast
< $100 7525 Two Notch Rd., Columbia, (803) 736-6666 http://bestwestern.com
Comfort Inn Blythewood
< $100 436 McNulty Rd., Blythewood, (803) 754-1441 http://comfortinn.com/hotel/sc040
experiencecolumbia.com
ACCOMMODATIONS Comfort Suites Northeast
< $100 1540 Daulton Dr., Columbia, (803) 678-4266 http://choicehotels.com/hotel/sc315
Hampton Inn Columbia Northeast Fort Jackson Area
$101-150 1551 Barbara Dr., Columbia, (803) 865-8000 http://columbianortheast.hamptoninn.com
Courtyard by Marriott NE
$101-150 111 Gateway Corporate Blvd., Columbia, (803) 736-3600 http://marriott.com/caene
Conveniently located and winner of Trip Advisorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2013 Certificate of Excellence. Days Inn NE Fort Jackson
< $100 114 Blythewood Rd., Blythewood, (803) 691-1200 http://daysinn.com
Econo Lodge Inn & Suites Fort Jackson
< $100 7700 Two Notch Rd., Columbia, (803) 788-5544 http://choicehotels.com/hotel/sc126
Extended Stay America Columbia/Fort Jackson
< $100 5430 Forest Dr., Columbia, (803) 782-2025 http://extendedstay.com
Fairfield Inn & Suites Marriott Columbia Northeast $101-150 (803) 760-1700 120 Blarney Dr., Columbia http://fairfieldinn.com/caefs
Perfect for business and leisure travelers close to Fort Jackson, University of South Carolina and Blythewood. Free breakfast and high speed internet. Conveniently located right off I-77 and I-20. Granary Hotel & Conference Center
$101-150 1539 Horseshoe Dr., Columbia, (803) 736-0708 http://facebook.com/GranaryLodging
Hampton Inn Columbia I-20/ Clemson Frontage Rd.,
Hilton Garden Inn Columbia/Northeast
$101-150 8910 Farrow Rd., Columbia, (803) 807-9000 http://columbiasouthcarolinahotel.com
Holiday Inn & Suites Columbia North
$101-150 8105 Two Notch Rd., Columbia, (803) 736-5600 http://holidayinn.com/columbiasc
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites - Clemson Road
< $100 1011 Clemson Frontage Rd., Columbia, ( 803) 419-3558 http://hiexpress.com/clmbia@clemson
Holiday Inn Express Hotel Blythewood
< $100 120 Creech Rd., Blythewood, (803) 333-0315 http://hiexpress.com/blythewoodsc
InTown Suites Columbia East
< $100 8310 Two Notch Rd., Columbia, (803) 419-0330 http://intownsuites.com
LaQuinta Inn Columbia Northeast Fort Jackson
< $100 1538 Horseshoe Dr., Columbia, (803) 736-6400 http://lq.com
Marlboro Inn Fort Jackson
< $100 5133 Forest Dr., Columbia, (803) 787-1504
Microtel Inn & Suites NE
< $100 1520 Barbara Dr., Columbia, (803) 736-3237 http://microtelinn.com
< $100 1021 Clemson Frontage Rd., Columbia, (803) 788-4901 http://columbiai20clemsonroad.hamptoninn.com
experiencecolumbia.com
Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide 71
Featuring the world-class services and amenities Featuring the world-class services and amenities you’ve come to appreciate from Hilton you’ve come to appreciate from Hilton
Luxurious Guest Rooms and Suites Special Events and Catering Luxurious Guest Rooms and Suites Special Events and Catering Fine Dining Board Meetings Conferences Resort Pool Fitness Center Fine Dining Board Meetings Conferences Resort Pool Fitness Center
2100 Bush River Road, Columbia, SC 29210 (803) 731-0300 2100 Bush River Road, Columbia, SC 29210 (803) 731-0300 www.columbiasouthcarolina.doubletree.com www.columbiasouthcarolina.doubletree.com
72 2015 Columbia Visitors Guide
columbiacvb.com
columbiacvb.com
2015 Columbia Visitors Guide 73
ACCOMMODATIONS RICHLAND NORTHEAST & FORT JACKSON Motel 6 Columbia East
< $100 7541 Nates Rd., Columbia, (803) 736-3900 http://motel6.com
American Inn West Columbia < $100 1617 Charleston Hwy., West Columbia, (803) 796-3714
America’s Value Inn & Suites
< $100 114 McSwain Dr., West Columbia, (803) 708-9746
Carolina Lodge Quality Inn Fort Jackson
< $100 8104 Two Notch Rd., Columbia, (803) 736-0822 http://choicehotels.com/hotel/sc277
< $100 2204 Airport Rd., West Columbia, (803) 708-1935
Clarion Inn Airport
< $100 500 Chris Dr., West Columbia, (803) 794-9440 http://clarionhotel.com/hotel/sc358
Red Roof Inn Columbia East
< $100 7580 Two Notch Rd., Columbia, (803) 736-0850 http://redroof.com
Residence Inn Marriott Columbia Northeast
$150 + 2320 LeGrand Rd., Columbia, (803) 788-8850 http://marriott.com/hotels/travel/caeriresidence-inn-columbia-northeast/
Spacious rooms, sumptuous bedding, SportCourt, complimentary hot breakfast and gym. Super 8 Motel Fort Jackson
< $100 5321 Forest Dr., Columbia, (803) 790-1133 http://super8.com
Country Hearth Inn & Suites
< $100 3020 Charleston Hwy., Cayce, (803) 794-7500 http://countryhearth.com
Country Inn & Suites Columbia Airport
< $100 2245 Airport Blvd., Cayce, (803) 794-6200 http://countryinns.com/columbiasc_airport
Days Inn & Suites Columbia Airport
< $100 110 Branch Rd., West Columbia, (803) 796-0044 http://daysinn.com/hotel/31354
Executive Inn I-26 & Hwy 378 Wingate by Wyndham - Columbia North
< $100 8300 Two Notch Rd., Columbia, (803) 699-9333 http://wingatehotels.com/hotel/07655
WEST COLUMBIA/ CAYCE/AIRPORT Airport Inn
< $100 1935 Airport Blvd., Cayce, (803) 936-0015
PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNER
AIRPORT SHUTTLE FREE WIFI RESTAURANT
< $100 1107 Harbor Rd., West Columbia, (803) 796-4934
Hampton Inn Columbia I-26 Airport
< $100 1094 Chris Dr., West Columbia, (803) 791-8940 http://hamptoninn.hilton.com
Holiday Inn & Suites Columbia - Airport
$101-150 110 McSwain Dr., West Columbia, (803) 391-4000 http://hicolumbiaairport.com/
Columbia’s first eco-friendly, non-smoking hotel designed for LEED certification.
INDOOR POOL OUTDOOR POOL PETS ALLOWED
74 Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide
experiencecolumbia.com
ACCOMMODATIONS Knights Inn Columbia Airport < $100 1987 Airport Blvd., Cayce, (803) 794-0222 http://knightsinn.com
Masters Inn Columbia I-26
< $100 2125 Commerce Dr., Cayce, (803) 791-5850 http://mastersinn.com
Sleep Inn Airport
< $100 2208-A Edmond Hwy., West Columbia, (803) 926-9260 http://choicehotels.com/hotel/sc044
Super 8 West Columbia Airport < $100 650 Cherokee Lane, West Columbia, (803) 791-1000 http://cambridgeplaza.com
Motel 6 Columbia USC
< $100 613 Knox Abbott Dr., Cayce, (803) 796-4300 http://motel6.com
Quality Inn West Columbia
< $100 2516 Augusta Rd., West Columbia, (803) 791-5160 http://choicehotels.com/hotel/sc320
Travelers Inn
< $100 2200 Airport Blvd., West Columbia, (803) 796-9900
West Columbia Extended Stay
< $100 114 McSwain Dr., West Columbia, (803) 794-1800
Experience the NEWLY RENOVATED Hampton Inn Columbia Northeast! • Free Deluxe hot breakfast • Complimentary on-site parking • Complimentary high-speed Internet access • Outdoor pool • Newly renovated meeting/banquet space • Located less than two miles from Fort Jackson • Within walking distance of five great restaurants
Columbia Northeast
1551 Barbara Dr. • Columbia, SC 29223 803.865.8000 • 803.865.8046 fax www.hamptoninncolumbianortheast.com Like us on Facebook! www.facebook.com/hamptoninnnortheast experiencecolumbia.com
Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide 75
ACCOMMODATIONS In preparation for your next event, we’ve planned your every need.
CAMPGROUNDS Acapulco USA Campground (803) 798-8559 960 Rock N Creek Rd., Leesville http://acapulco-usa.com
Barnyard RV Park (803) 957-1238 201 Oak Dr., Lexington http://barnyardrvpark.com
At the Hilton Garden Inn® — near the Columbiana Center Mall and just two miles from Lake Murray — you’ll find 3,500 square feet of divisible meeting and banquet space, a private boardroom and full-service in-house catering. Well-appointed guest rooms feature complimentary high-speed Internet access, fridge, microwave and coffee maker. Plus, an indoor pool, workout facility and more — all for less money than you’d think.
Everything. Right where you need it. ®
Cedar Pond Campground (803) 657-5993 4721 Fairview Rd., Batesburg-Leesville
Congaree National Park (803) 776-4396 100 National Park Rd., Hopkins http://nps.gov/cong
Dreher Island State Park To book your next meeting, banquet, ceremony, celebration or group room block, contact our sales department today.
434 Columbiana Dr. • Columbia, SC 29212 877.STAY.HGI • www.columbiaharbison.stayhgi.com
(803) 364-4152 3677 State Park Rd., Prosperity http://southcarolinaparks.com/ dreherisland
Edmund RV Park (803) 955-4010 5920 Edmund Hwy., Lexington http://edmundrvpark.com
Mr. Z’s (803) 206-8928 3343 Augusta Hwy., Gilbert http://mrzsrv.com
Sesquicentennial State Park (803) 788-2706 9564 Two Notch Rd., Columbia http://southcarolinaparks.com/ sesqui
Siesta Cove Marina and Campground (803) 892-2978 256 John Long Rd., Gilbert http://siestacovemarina.com
BEST WESTERN PLUS COLUMBIA NORTH EAST 7525 Two Notch Road Columbia, SC 29223 803-736-6666 book.bestwestern.com 76 Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide
Wood Smoke Family Campground (803) 781-3451 11302 Broad River Rd., Irmo http://woodsmoke.webs.com
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp Resort at River Bottom Farms (803) 568-4182 357 Cedar Creek Rd., Swansea http://riverbottomfarms.com
experiencecolumbia.com
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Signature Events SOUTH CAROLINA STATE FAIR, OCTOBER
F
rom football games to art exhibitions, festivals to concerts, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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 Arts and Draughts columbiamuseum.org
Periodic art party series. Drink beer. See art. Hear music. Be happy.
First Thursday on Main firstthursdaysonmain.wordpress.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.
Vista Nights vistacolumbia.com
Art crawl held on the third Thursday of every month.
experiencecolumbia.com
ANNUAL EVENTS January Festival of Doom - festivalofdoom.com Martin Luther King, Jr. Day events at USC sc.edu Restaurant Week Columbia restaurantweeksouthcarolina.com TEDxColumbiaSC - tedxcolumbiasc.com World Beer Festival - allaboutbeer.com
February Auntie Karen Legends Of â&#x20AC;Ś auntiekaren.org Benedict College Harambee Festival benedict.edu Black History Parade & Festival fundsinc1.org Monster Jam - coloniallifearena.com
March Carolina Cup - carolina-cup.org The Color Run - thecolorrun.com/columbia Historic Columbia Palladium Society Chili Cook-Off - historiccolumbia.org Kids Day Columbia - columbiasc.net
Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide 77
ST. PATS IN FIVE POINTS, MARCH
Lexington Bridal Expo bridecitybridalshows.com Palmetto Sportsmen’s Classic dnr.sc.gov/psc Party Animals Mardi Gras Festival mardigrascolumbia.org Run Hard Columbia Marathon runhardcolumbiamarathon.com St. Pat’s in Five Points - stpatscolumbia.com South Carolina Cornbread Festival sccornbreadfestival.com Winter Jam 2015 - coloniallifearena.com
24 Hours of LeMons - 24hoursoflemons.com Black Expo - coloniallifearena.com Camden Cup - cityofcamden.org Lexington Wine Walk lexingtonwinewalk.com Rooftop Rhythms - forestacres.net Rosewood Crawfish Festival rosewoodcrawfishfest.com South Carolina Book Festival scbookfestival.org
April
June
Artista Vista - artistavista.com (A)ugusta Baker’s Dozen richlandlibrary.com Bark to the Park - barktothepark.com Columbia International Festival cifonline.org Eau Claire Fest facebook.com/EauClaireFest Indie Grits Festival - indiegrits.com Olympia Fest - olympiafest.com River Rocks Festival - riverrocksfestival.com Rooftop Rhythms - forestacres.net Runaway Runway columbiadesignleague.org/ runaway-runway Sparkleberry Country Fair sparkleberryfair.com Tartan Day South - tartandaysouth.com USMC Ultimate Challenge Mud Run usmcmudrun.org 78 Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide
May
Columbia Fashion Week columbiafashionweek.com Conductors Institute conductorsinstitute.com Lake Murray Independence Day Celebration - lakemurraycountry.com South Carolina Black Pride southcarolinablackpride.com South Carolina Bodybuilding Championships - koger.sc.edu Southeastern Piano Festival sepf.music.sc.edu
July Lexington County Peach Festival lexingtoncountypeachfestival.com Palmetto Tasty Tomato Festival tastytomatofest.org Summer Carolina Bridal Showcase bridecitybridalshows.com Torchlight Tattoo - jackson.army.mil experiencecolumbia.com
USMC ULTIMATE CHALLENGE MUD RUN, APRIL AND OCTOBER
August Brew at the Zoo - riverbanks.org Jubilee: Festival of Heritage historiccolumbia.org Palmetto Peanut Boil palmettopeanutboil.com South Carolina Peanut Party scpeanutparty.com
September 24 Hours of LeMons - 24hoursoflemons.com Columbia Greek Festival columbiasgreekfestival.com Congaree Swamp Fest congareeswampfest.com Fall Carolina Bridal Showcase bridecitybridalshows.com Fall Heritage Festival & Pickin’ Party scmuseum.org Irmo Okra Strut - irmookrastrut.com Italian Festival - osiacolumbiasc.org Jam Room Music Festival jamroommusicfestival.com Main Street Latin Festival mainstreetlatinfestival.com Palmetto Capital City Classic palmettoccc.com Pride 2015 - scpride.org
October Boo at the Zoo - riverbanks.org Carolina Down Home Blues Festival fineartscenter.org Oktoberfest Columbia oktoberfestcolumbia.com experiencecolumbia.com
South Carolina State Fair - scstatefair.org USMC Ultimate Challenge Mud Run usmcmudrun.org
November Chili Cook-Off in Five Points fivepointscolumbia.com Colonial Cup - carolina-cup.org Governor’s Cup - carolinamarathon.org Historic Camden Revolutionary War Days historic-camden.net Holiday Lights on the River - icrc.net Korean Fall Festival - koreanfallfestival.com Main Street Ice - columbiasc.net Riverbanks Zoo Lights Before Christmas riverbanks.org South Carolina Oyster Festival facebook.com/SCoyster Vista Lights - vistalightssc.com
December Carolina Carillon Holiday Parade carolinacarillon.com Columbia Christmas Pageant fbccola.com/christmaspageant Chick-fil-A Classic - chick-fil-aclassic.com Crafty Feast - craftyfeast.com Devine Night Out devinestreetcolumbiasc.com Famously Hot New Year - columbiasc.net Governor’s Carolighting experiencecolumbia.com/events Junior League of Columbia Holiday Market - jlcolumbia.org Main Street Crit - mainstreetcrit.com Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide 79
ADVERTISER INDEX Amtrak.............................................8 Army Navy Store........................ 35 The Backpacker Quality Gear................................ 35 Baymont Inn & Suites............. 69 Best Western Plus Columbia Northeast................. 76 Blue Marlin Steaks & Seafood..................... 59 City of Camden....................50-52 Checker Yellow Taxi..... Map Page Clarion Hotel Downtown......... 62 Colonial Life Arena................... 47 Columbia Metropolitan Airport...............................................6 Columbia Museum of Art....................Inside Back Cover Columbia’s the Salon.............. 40 The COMET.....................................7 Comfort Inn Hotel Columbia...................................... 68 Comfort Inn Fort Jackson...... 67 Copper Penny............................. 29 Columbia Opportunity Resource (COR).......................... 40 Courtyard by Marriott Columbia...................................... 63
Courtyard by Marriott Northeast..................................... 71 DoubleTree by Hilton................ 72 Ed’s Editions................................ 35 EdVenture Children’s Museum...........................................5 Embassy Suites......................... 65 Fairfield Inn by Marriott.......... 63 Hampton Inn Downtown......... 22 Hampton Inn Columbia Northeast..................................... 75 Harbison Theatre...................... 38 Harbor Inn Seafood.................. 57 Hilton Columbia Center................. Inside Front Cover Hilton Garden Inn Harbison....................................... 76 Historic Columbia..................... 41 Hyatt Place Vista....................... 64 Inn at USC Wyndam Garden....................... 73 Liberty on the Lake..... Map Page Liberty Tap Room & Grill................................ Map Page Marriott Columbia.................... 65 Mast General Store.................. 13
Motor Supply Company Bistro.............................................. 61 Pearlz Oyster Bar.......... Map Page The Phillips Market Center.... 40 Residence Inn Marriott Columbia Northeast..................74 Rioz Brazilian Steakhouse.................... Map Page Riverbanks Zoo and Garden................... Back Cover Ruth’s Chris Steak House.........1 Saluda Shoals Park.................. 43 SC Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum ............. 39 South Carolina Military Museum....................... 45 South Carolina State Museum...............................2 Springhill Suites by Marriott................................... 63 Thirsty Fellow.............................. 60 Two Gals and a Fork Food Tours................................... 53 Villa Tronco.................................. 60 William L. Yates Conference Center.................... 49
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 pinterest.com/columbiasc instagram.com/columbiasc experiencecolumbia.com
80 Columbia 2015 Official Visitors Guide
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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