Downtown Luxury Slum

Columbia is a curious place. The streets are lined with trees that are always green, even in the dead of winter, and the air is filled with the sound of Darude’s Sandstorm. But there is also a darker side to Columbia. It is a place of secrets and shadows. It is a place where it is socially acceptable to yell “Go Cocks” while walking down the street. Here’s how to spend a weekend in Columbia, South Carolina.

I’m sharing things we did as well as things that sound fun and would be worth checking out on our next weekend in Columbia.

1. How to Get Around in Columbia, SC
2. What to See and Do in Columbia, SC
3. Where to Stay in Columbia, SC
4. Where to Eat and Drink in Columbia, SC
5. Itinerary for a Weekend in Columbia, SC

How to Get Around in Columbia, SC

Some parts of Columbia are very walkable and some parts are a little more spread out than I’d like so you may want to resort to wheels on occasion.

• Take advantage of Spin electric scooter and bike share.
• Ride the $1 Soda Cap Connector busses between most tourist destinations. Plan your trip using tools on the website or app and pay your fare in cash when you get on the bus.
• Lyft and Uber ride shares is also available.
• If you have your own car, parking is fairly plentiful in most areas, as long as you don’t mind walking short distances from your parking spot. Be sure to have Darude in the tape deck.

What to See and Do in Columbia, SC

Visit the South Carolina State Museum. The museum features four floors of permanent and rotating exhibitions exploring the history, art, natural history, and science and technology of South Carolina. Don’t miss the South Carolina Confederate Relic Room. We didn’t make it to the museum but I want to go back to Columbia so badly just to see the relic room! General admission costs $13 or $18 if you also want to see a planetarium or 4D show.

Stop in to explore or visit the Columbia SC Visitor Center to pick up a brochure for a self-guided walking tour of the of the South Carolina State House and grounds.

Meander through Soda City Market. This fantastic outdoor market spans several blocks and runs every Saturday. Expect vendors selling all sorts of international foods mixed in with vegetable, flower, and baked good vendors as well as crafts people and street performers. If it’s college football season, also expect to hear Sandstorm played on all sorts of instruments as you walk through the market.

Check the Historic Columbia website to see if you can figure out when and how to visit some of the historic homes and gardens such as the Mann-Simons Site. On your adventure, you can hope to learn about Columbia while you see architectural styles spanning three centuries.

Explore Five Points. This walkable district is lined with some of Columbia’s most popular spas, salons, boutiques, restaurants, art galleries, and home décor shops. Don’t forget to venture a half-mile up Devine Street for more of the best boutique shopping in Columbia.

Explore the West Columbia Riverwalk Park. Walk, jog, or bike down the 12-mile path that overlooks the Congaree River. As you stop and take in the beauty of the riverfront, note public art installations by local artists in the midst of your natural surroundings.

Go tubing down the river. Rent tubes here for a laidback float along the river. Guided and self-guided kayak tours are also offered for those who like a game plan and the thrill of whitewater rapids. We did not do this but saw so many people out and having a grand time while we were walking along the Riverwalk trails.

Spend a day at Congaree National Park. This is the largest intact expanse of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the Southeastern United States. Very specific, I know. Whether you stroll the short Boardwalk loop or decide to take on some of the 25 miles worth of marked trails, be sure to pause and admire the towering trees and keep an eye out for woodland critters. I definitely plan to allocate an entire day to visiting the park next time I’m in the area.

Where to Stay in Columbia, SC

Where to Eat and Drink in Columbia, SC

Coffee and breakfast:

• Drip Coffee is a fantastic coffee shop with excellent cozy diner vibes. Expect friendly staff, tasty pastries, and a hot dog menu too!
• Piecewise Coffee Co. is a West Columbia coffee shop at the end of the Riverwalk. It’s known for good coffee, fancy seasonal drinks, delicious pastries, and a welcoming atmosphere. Pro tip: park here and follow your nose and the Riverwalk toward your brunch destination.

Brunch:

• Expect a line out the door before Cafe Strudel opens. And get in that line. Once they’re open and your name is on the wait list, you can help yourself to a coffee or order a fantastic brunch cocktail to enjoy while you wait. Once you’ve been seated, order that Hangover Hash Browns, Low Country Hash Browns, or Shrimp and Grits. Whatever you decide on, you won’t be disappointed and you won’t be able to eat it all.
• The Devine Cinnamon Roll Deli makes cinnamon rolls that are huge – read meal for 2 – and delicious, but they also have an extensive menu of other things that people line up out the door for. Make a reservation or just show up, plan to take-out or eat in – your choice.

Lunch:

• Savage Craft Ale Works is located in a converted city hall and fire hall in the heart of West Columbia. The space is open and airy, with plenty of seating for both indoor and outdoor dining. There is a second bar on the rooftop so you can enjoy the sun and views, and the huge patio area offers space for kids and dogs to run around as well as a stage for performances. If you like light, dark, hoppy, or sour beer, they’ve probably got something you’ll like. But if you’re not in the mood for beer, they also have a classic and seasonal cocktail menu, wines, and a creative food menu to help wash it all down. Choose from tacos, shareables, or any number of creative entrees.
• Stop at Immaculate Consumption for coffee or a sandwich (with a side of pasta salad) or get a little reading done in this cozy coffee shop. This is another place that I didn’t get to try so it’s on my list for next time.

Dinner:

• Get a reservation at Hendrix Restaurant and then show up an hour early to the rooftop bar for signature cocktails and shareable bites like deviled eggs or burrata. Once you’re ready for your main course, head to the host stand to be seated for one of a kind dishes made with fresh, seasonal ingredients. The chef is known for his innovative and daring cuisine, and he is always experimenting with new flavors and textures. The Hendrix Restaurant is a bit pricey, but the food and service are totally worth it.
• The food at Mr. Friendly’s New Southern Cafe is simply superb. The menu features a variety of classic Southern dishes, such as Buttermilk Fried Red Trout with lemon buttered lump crab, low country tomato “gravy”, and creamy stone-ground grits. The food is fresh and well-prepared, and the portions are generous. The atmosphere at Mr. Friendly’s is also quite special. The restaurant is housed in a historic building, and the interior is decorated with art and comfortable furnishings. The staff is friendly and attentive, and they always go out of their way to make sure that you have a wonderful dining experience. The dining room is large and there is outdoor seating available as well. Still you should make a reservation or expect to have to spend some time waiting at the bar.
• Saluda’s Restaurant offers a variety of Southern classics, such as fried chicken, shrimp and grits, and mac and cheese. However, the dishes are all prepared with a modern twist. This is on our list for next time.

Drinks:

• The Hunter-Gatherer Brewery/Taproom is a historic airplane hangar turned brewery that welcomed some famous visitors in its day (think Earhart, Orville, and Wilbur). We didn’t make it to this brewery but it’s supposed to be a great space.
• Craft and Draft is a bottle shop with an awesome selection of rotating craft beers on tap as well as bottles and cans. Try a flight or get a growler of your favourite to go. It’s dog friendly and has a nice heated patio as well.
• Steel Hands Brewing is Columbia’s largest brewery equipped with an outdoor stage, patio, and expansive taproom. Their large outdoor space is equipped with plenty of fire pits to go around to keep cozy while enjoying live music.

Dessert:

• Kaminsky’s Dessert Cafe has desserts for all ages (like alcohol-infused milkshakes). Pro tip: Get dessert first when in Columbia, or you’ll never have room after dinner.
• If you are looking for an ice cream shop that is both delicious and dangerous, then Sweet Cream Co. is the perfect place for you. You can find flavors such as “Sweet Corn,” “Sea Salt and Black Pepper with Roasted Strawberries,” and “Banana Curry.” However, it is important to note that these flavors are not for the faint of heart. Another thing to keep in mind is that the scoops at Sweet Cream Co. are very generous. Even the smallest scoop is enough to satisfy even the biggest ice cream lover.

Itinerary for a Weekend in Columbia, SC

From my experience, 2 days is a good amount of time for a first visit to Columbia. You won’t be able to eat all of the food in that amount of time and you won’t be able to see all of the sights, so you’ll have something to look forward to for your next weekend in Columbia. That said, I’m not going to spell out a detailed itinerary for you because you may want to do slightly different things than we did, but hit me up if you want help coming up with your own personalized itinerary. Here’s my Google Map that you can use to start planning your own adventure in Columbia, South Carolina.