Columbia has a way of telling its history with fun, educational activities. Enjoy an afternoon on a guided tour or spend the day learning about native plants and animals at a state park.

The best attractions near Columbia:

• Canoe down Cedar Creek and hike the forests at Congaree National Park
• Explore Sesquicentennial State Park, a green getaway lovingly known as “Sesqui”
• Attend a free guided tour of the South Carolina State House
• Connect with nature at the Riverbanks Botanical Garden
• Peer back in time at the house museum of famed architect Robert Mills

Popular visitor attractions near Columbia:

• Rent a bike and ride near the water at Columbia Canal Riverfront Park
• Explore art that spans 5,000 years of history at the Columbia Museum of Art
• Listen to live music at the West Columbia Riverwalk Ampitheatre
• Lay out under the stars on a camping trip to one of the state parks
• Watch the South Carolina Gamecocks take on their football rivals

Get in on the action. Immerse yourself in a 4-D movie screening at the Interactive Theater or tour Columbia’s most well-regarded pubs.

Exciting activities near Columbia include:

• Jumping across the splash pads at Waterfall Junction
• Eating New Southern chicken and grits or fried green tomatoes at Mr. Friendly’s cafe
• Exploring 2,137 acres of wildlife at Harbison Environment Education Forest
• Drink your way down the main drag with a Beer Tour of Columbia’s finest pubs
• Stopping by Soda City Market for food trucks, drinks, and local vendors

For the partiers, the night owls, and those with evenings free, there’s always something happening at night in Columbia. Catching a Broadway show or hit the dance floor with the locals.

More nightlife attractions near Columbia:

• See a live performance at the Koger Center for the Arts
• Escape the ordinary with a night at the underground Art Bar, a midtown club with live music and a packed dance floor
• Lounge on leather sofas with a beer in hand at The Capital Club
• Savor the famous Ya Ya Hurricane! cocktail at Bourbon
• Tickle your funny bone at a comedy show in the historic Trustus Theater

Family outings are a blast in this southern city. EdVenture offers exhibits to delight every age group, while Palmetto Falls Water Park allows parents to relax while the kids swim and play.  

Family-friendly things to do near Columbia include:

• Sending the kids to a day camp at the Riverbanks Zoo & Garden
• Learning about pet care or explore the forces of flight at EdVenture
• Racing your way to champion status in a go-kart at Frankie’s Fun Park
• Walking the trails at Owens Field Skate Park while the kids master the half pipe
• Splashing around the pools at Palmetto Falls Water Park

For a day spent relaxing indoors, consider enjoying seafood at a local restaurant before seeing a ballet performance.

Other things to do indoors near Columbia include:

• Fresh oysters inside an authentic and old-fashioned oyster bar at Oyster Bar Columbia
• Honing your skills as a potter at Southern Pottery Workcenter & Gallery
• A night of dance and celebration at the Columbia City Ballet
• Singing your heart out at karaoke at Tsubaki
• A hot stone massage at Pura Medical Spa

Thrill your inner adventurer with a day spent hiking trails, and afterwards lounge on the campus of USC.

Outdoor activities in Columbia include:

• Camp on Lake Murray at Dreher Island State Park
• Kayak the Columbia River on a guided tour from Fairmont to Lake Windermere
• Explore the Timmerman Trail portion of the Cayce Riverwalk
• Walk the original campus of The University of South Carolina, dubbed “The Horseshoe”
• Enjoy a brilliant sunset on a Purple Martin Public Cruise to Bomb Island, SC