Things to Do In Columbia, SC
Columbia is the state capital of South Carolina in the United States. It is the second-largest city in South Carolina, with a population of 136,632 according to the 2020 U.S. Census. Richland County's county seat, and a section of the city stretches into adjacent Lexington County. It is the administrative center of the Columbia metropolitan statistical area, which has a population of 829,470 people and is the nation's 72nd-largest metropolitan statistical area. Columbia is a poetic word for the United States derived from Christopher Columbus's name, who explored for the Spanish Crown. Columbia is sometimes shortened as Cola, earning it the moniker "Soda City."
The University of South Carolina, the state's flagship public university and the biggest in the state, is located in Columbia. Congressional funding for Southern military stations has helped the region. Fort Jackson, the main United States Army station for Basic Combat Training, is located near Columbia. McEntire Joint National Guard Site, located 20 miles east of the city, is administered by the United States Air Force and serves as a training base for the South Carolina Air National Guard's 169th Fighter Wing.
Outdoor Festivities that are offered:
- Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is home to nearly 2,000 animals representing over 350 different species from around the world.
- Lake Murray Boat Tours is the primary Lake Murray boat tour business, offering a variety of tours such as history and dawn.
- SC Pedal Parlor is a grab a few friends and hop on our 2-hour long pedaling pub crawl tours
Food: Columbia's restaurant industry has been expanding for years, and the city now includes a diverse mix of traditional favorites and inventive newcomers. Columbia is an accessible weekend vacation in the heart of South Carolina, where tourists enjoy Gamecock athletics, outdoor activities along the river, trips to museums and historical residences, or simply relaxing with friends. Soda City Market, which features local cuisine, crafts, music, and more, takes over Main Street on Saturdays. Columbia's various society and cultures are celebrated in the market. Newcomers to the city should definitely try the variety of pimiento cheese alternatives, including the alleged pimiento cheeseburger.