Columbia Guidebook
Food scene
This cute and TASTY Thai place is near by, locally owned. My husband and I love this place. We recommend the Roti and Curry appetizer. Such a nice vibe.
It's located inside the old Columbia Fire Station. There is free parking on the side and back.
Kao Thai Cuisine
1307 Main StreetThis cute and TASTY Thai place is near by, locally owned. My husband and I love this place. We recommend the Roti and Curry appetizer. Such a nice vibe.
It's located inside the old Columbia Fire Station. There is free parking on the side and back.
This local spot has the BEST deviled eggs I have ever had! They have poetry in the back patio area some nights, too. Since COVID, the hours have been a bit different.
42 locals recommend
The War Mouth
1209 Franklin StThis local spot has the BEST deviled eggs I have ever had! They have poetry in the back patio area some nights, too. Since COVID, the hours have been a bit different.
A go-to Soul Food spot owned by a local couple. I would recommend the chicken and waffles, of course. Ask for warm syrup.
12 locals recommend
Kiki's Chicken and Waffles
7001 Parklane RdA go-to Soul Food spot owned by a local couple. I would recommend the chicken and waffles, of course. Ask for warm syrup.
I would venture to say this is one of Columbia's top 5 restaurants (Ruth's Chris, Cola's, Motor Supply, Saluda's). They have terrace seating, exclusive fine dining seating and a live band in the evenings in the bar area. I've seen Coach Steve Spurrier there before! Oh, and the Spicy Martini changed my life, in a good way, lol.
36 locals recommend
Halls Chophouse Columbia
1221 Main StI would venture to say this is one of Columbia's top 5 restaurants (Ruth's Chris, Cola's, Motor Supply, Saluda's). They have terrace seating, exclusive fine dining seating and a live band in the evenings in the bar area. I've seen Coach Steve Spurrier there before! Oh, and the Spicy Martini changed my life, in a good way, lol.
If you don't want all the hustle and bustle of Soda City Market, just cut through the crowd and go straight here. They are owned by a local married couple and my favorite is lemon poppy seed ice cream in a waffle cone.
If you are disappointed by this place, personally LET ME KNOW. You can eat in, on the benches out front, or on the go.
19 locals recommend
Sweet Cream Co.
1627 Main StIf you don't want all the hustle and bustle of Soda City Market, just cut through the crowd and go straight here. They are owned by a local married couple and my favorite is lemon poppy seed ice cream in a waffle cone.
If you are disappointed by this place, personally LET ME KNOW. You can eat in, on the benches out front, or on the go.
This small little place is full of flavor and life and entertaining drinks. They used to have a DJ. But they stay open late and have sidewalk seating, too. It's a vibe.
60 locals recommend
Bourbon
1214 Main StThis small little place is full of flavor and life and entertaining drinks. They used to have a DJ. But they stay open late and have sidewalk seating, too. It's a vibe.
Sightseeing
Regular pub food, but amazing views of Lake Murray, the boats and beautiful homes out there.
61 locals recommend
Liberty Tap Room
1602 Marina RdRegular pub food, but amazing views of Lake Murray, the boats and beautiful homes out there.
The three rivers of Columbia divide at that Riverfront Park, which is in your backyard. A staircase takes you straight to the park without having to worry about parking.
There are bikes you can pay to ride and if you walk the entire trial, you'll end at the damn where the River splits into two. It's a total 6 mi trek, I believe. It's paved, but you want also go off the main trail for a more wilderness like experience.
People walk, bike, fish, you name it, out there!
25 locals recommend
Riverfront Park
1115 Gist StThe three rivers of Columbia divide at that Riverfront Park, which is in your backyard. A staircase takes you straight to the park without having to worry about parking.
There are bikes you can pay to ride and if you walk the entire trial, you'll end at the damn where the River splits into two. It's a total 6 mi trek, I believe. It's paved, but you want also go off the main trail for a more wilderness like experience.
People walk, bike, fish, you name it, out there!
They used to have $1/$2 Sundays. This place is beautiful and the exhibitions and galleries are always good.
And again, you have to stop at the GIFT SHOP.
139 locals recommend
Columbia Museum of Art
1515 Main StThey used to have $1/$2 Sundays. This place is beautiful and the exhibitions and galleries are always good.
And again, you have to stop at the GIFT SHOP.
This place is so dope! You can have a picnic, play outdoor games, walk a trial, do some water sports. Just have some cash to get in and you can spend the whole day there.
57 locals recommend
Sesquicentennial State Park
9564 Two Notch RdThis place is so dope! You can have a picnic, play outdoor games, walk a trial, do some water sports. Just have some cash to get in and you can spend the whole day there.
Street Shopping
EVERY Saturday morning, like clockwork, you can go and visit vendors, hear street music, eat as organic or junky as you want and pick up some cute souvenirs to take back home. It's on Main Street, so about 4 blocks from your room.
133 locals recommend
Soda City Market
1300-1600 Main StEVERY Saturday morning, like clockwork, you can go and visit vendors, hear street music, eat as organic or junky as you want and pick up some cute souvenirs to take back home. It's on Main Street, so about 4 blocks from your room.
South Carolina Roots
Right next door, but not walking distance because of the busy streets. But if you don't have time to check it out, the Gift Shop is AMAZING.
125 locals recommend
South Carolina Military Museum
1 National Guard RdRight next door, but not walking distance because of the busy streets. But if you don't have time to check it out, the Gift Shop is AMAZING.
Entertainment
I've seen great plays and concerts here. Historical building, check their website to see what they have going on.
15 locals recommend
Township Auditorium
1703 Taylor StI've seen great plays and concerts here. Historical building, check their website to see what they have going on.
Another venue very close to you. I have attended amazing conferences and super fun concerts, including Cardi B and Kanye West. It's worth a quick search to see if anything is happening. The Lady Gamecocks play there, too :-)
40 locals recommend
Colonial Life Arena
801 Lincoln StAnother venue very close to you. I have attended amazing conferences and super fun concerts, including Cardi B and Kanye West. It's worth a quick search to see if anything is happening. The Lady Gamecocks play there, too :-)
This place is iconic! From the underground Starbucks that used to be a restaurant, the Vault Bar and the Roof Top bar, this place is so nice!
11 locals recommend
Sheraton Columbia Downtown Hotel
1400 Main StThis place is iconic! From the underground Starbucks that used to be a restaurant, the Vault Bar and the Roof Top bar, this place is so nice!
The drinks and food are average, but the ambiance makes you feel like you're in a different city. Go down the dark stairs and you'll be in like a dark library looking place. I do like the sweet potato fries.
29 locals recommend
The Whig
1200 Main StThe drinks and food are average, but the ambiance makes you feel like you're in a different city. Go down the dark stairs and you'll be in like a dark library looking place. I do like the sweet potato fries.