From Wikitravel

Columbia is both the capital city and largest city in South Carolina. It is located in the approximate geographic center of the state, and is one of the first planned cities of the United States. It is also home to the main campus of the University of South Carolina, and to the Army's Fort Jackson. Located in close proximity to two seemingly forever-growing metros, Atlanta, Georgia and Charlotte, North Carolina, Columbia still has a while to go before quite reaching max metro status, but the city's recent rapid growth indicates South Carolina's capital city is beginning to blossom as other Southern cities have in the past decade. As of 2006, estimates for the population of the city proper is 122,819.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By car

Columbia is easily reached by Interstate 20, Interstate 26 and Interstate 77, or by U.S. Highway 1.

[edit] By air

Columbia is served by the Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE).

[edit] By train

An Amtrak station is located at 850 Pulaski Street in the Vista. Columbia sits on the main north-south line on the East Coast. Trains depart daily for Miami and New York; however, most of the trains pass though Columbia at night, and are frequently delayed.

[edit] Get around

Generally, one would need a car to get around Columbia all that well, with the exception of downtown around the USC area. There is limited bus service around town that is generally geared towards locals rather than tourists (even there the frequency is rather limited)and not that many people seem to use the bus lines. Taxi service is also available if one calls in advance.

[edit][add listing] See

• Hampton-Preston Mansion and Gardens, 1615 Blanding Street, ☎ (803)252-1770. Tues-Sat. 10-3; Sun 1-4. One of the few houses left from antebellum Columbia, it was built in 1818 and has many authentic furnishings. for house: $5; $4 (age 65+; college students and military) $3 ages 6-17.  edit

• The South Carolina Statehouse. With a copper dome and bronze stars marking places where Sherman's cannonballs struck, the Statehouse is well worth the trip for fans of history and architecture alike. Though the Confederate flag no longer flies on the top of the dome, it stands atop a memorial directly in front of the building at the intersection of Gervais and Main. The grounds include several monuments and a small Italianate rose garden.

• University of South Carolina. The campus is just south of the Statehouse. The oldest part of campus, known as "The Horseshoe", survived the burning of Columbia and has lovely buildings dating from 1805. Parents be warned; USC has more than its fair share of undergraduates from Ohio, Maryland and New Jersey who first saw the campus as children.

• Riverbanks Zoo. Located about a mile outside of downtown, and easily accessible by Interstate 126, Riverbanks Zoo has grown tremendously in the past decade. Recent additions include a gorilla habitat and koala bears donated from their native Queensland. Considered to be in the top ten US zoos, it has the added benefit of being small enough for those with difficulty walking to manage. Children will enjoy the petting zoo, pony rides, and demonstrations.

• South Carolina State Museum. Located near the corner of Huger and Gervais (US 1) streets in a renovated textile mill, this museum is often visited by South Carolina school groups, and tourists on rainy days. Children may enjoy the hands-on exhibits, but parents will note that this place is long on reproductions and short on explanations. Come prepared for lessons on history, geography, industry, and economics. The gift shop has many South Carolina themed items.

• Edventure Children's Museum. Located right near the State Museum, it opened in 2004. Lots of fun for those with small children.

• Columbia Museum of Art. Smack in the middle of Main Street, the Columbia Museum of Art has several small, but interesting collections. The Monet exhibit and the blown-glass and medieval works are worth the price of admission. The museum often brings in traveling exhibits.

• Congaree National Park. Located about twenty miles south of the city, the nation's newest national park doesn't even have admission gates yet, leaving you the pleasure of federally-protected landscape without the price. One of the last old-growth forests in the southeast, the swamp actually isn't a swamp at all, but a floodplain of the nearby Congaree River. Wild pigs, deer, turkey, alligators, and other wildlife abound; the largest cypresses in the world are located here. The cypress knees and tupelo trees create something that looks like a set of Lord of the Rings. The boardwalk is several miles long and handicapped accessible; the park contains great hiking trails and even the opportunity for canoeing (rent in Columbia). The visitor's center has useful information and a helpful staff, but if you're planning on returning to your car after five, be sure to leave it in the overnight parking lot near the entrance of the park.

[edit][add listing] Do

• Nickelodeon, 937 Main Street (just below the state house), ☎ (803)254-3433. For independent film in Columbia, this is your place. Also has several film festivals throughout the year and is a comfortable movie theater. edit

• Kayaking. Columbia has some of the best kayaking available in an urban area in the US. Put in the Saluda River at north end of the Riverbanks Zoo parking lot, get out in the Congaree just past the Gervais Street bridge, on either side.

• St Patrick Day Festival An Irish celebration that is located in Five Points. Features an elaborate parade. There's a wide variety of family entertainment like petting zoos and rides for kids. There's three stages of music by local and national musicians, and great food from local restaurants and caterers.

[edit][add listing] Buy

[edit][add listing] Eat

Some of the most popular ones include, the Blue Marlin, which features seafood prepared in the South Carolina Lowcountry tradition; Bull Market Restaurant, which serves Southern cuisine with a Greek Mediterranean flair; Dianne's on Devine, an upscale fine dining restaurant offering Italian dishes; the Hampton Street Vineyard, best known for its extensive selection in fine wines; and SakiTumi Grill & Sushi, which specializes in Pacific Rim cuisine. In all, Columbia offers over 450 dining options.

[edit] Budget

Passable regional chain restaurants have locations in and near town, including Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Mellow Mushroom Pizza, Moe's Southwest Grill‎, Groucho’s Deli, Sticky Fingers barbecue, Atlanta Bread Co‎, Firehouse Subs and Sonic Drive-In‎ (many 24h).

[edit] Mid-range

• Birds on a Wire, 2901 Devine St., ☎ 803 254-2445. M 11:30AM-9PM; Tu-Sa 11:30AM-10PM. Stylish decor and high-backed booths complement the well-prepared Southern-style food. edit

• Delhi Palace, 1029 Briargate Cir (On Broad River Rd just off I-20), ☎ 803 750-0866, [1]. Su-Th 11:30AM-10pm; F-Sa 11:30AM-10:30PM. Those in the know visit for the inexpensive but tasty Indian buffet. edit

• Nonnah's, 930 Gervais St., ☎ 803 779-9599. M-Th 11AM-2pm, 5-11PM; F-Sa 6PM-12:30AM. Quirky drinking establishment is famous for its desserts. edit

• Pasta Fresca, 3405 Forest Dr.. M-Th 11AM-9PM; F-Sa 11AM-10PM; Su 5-9PM. Large portions of superior Italian fare at reasonable prices make this one popular with people who dine out for food rather than linen tablecloths. edit

• Thai Lotus, 612 St. Andrews Rd. (Off I-26), ☎ 803 561-0006. Su-Th 10:30AM-10PM; F-Sa 10:30AM-11PM. Slow service made up for by decent Thai fare, ornate carved wood decor. Also has Japanese/Sushi items on menu. edit

• Yesterday's, 2030 Devine St., ☎ (803)799-0196, [2]. Su.-Th. 11:30am-12:00am; F.-Sat. 11:30am-1:30am. Good moderately priced restaurant. Mostly American and Southern food. One of the more fun places to go in Five Points, with a large beer selection and plentiful food for a reasonable price. edit

• Yo Burrito, 2631 Devine Street, ☎ (803)254-2035. Friendly service and many types of burritos, including options for vegetarians. Fairly popular place just beyond Five Points. edit

[edit] Splurge

Columbia has a diverse, extensive array of restaurants to choose from, most notably those in the historic Congaree Vista district, Five Points, and along Devine Street.

• Blue Marlin, 1200 Lincoln St. (In the Vista), ☎ (803)799-3838, [3]. Su. 11:30am-9pm; M-Th. 11:30am-2:30pm, 5pm-10pm; Fr. 11:30am-2:30pm, 5pm-11pm; Sat. 4pm-11pm. One of the better seafood restaurants in Columbia, Blue Marlin specializes in Lowcountry style seafood such as shrimp and grits as well as she-crab soup. edit

• California Dreaming, 401 Main St., ☎ (803)254-6767, [4]. Su.-Th. 11am-10pm; Fr-Sa. 11am-11pm. Good service; excellent salads and steaks, in addition to good desserts and a nice bar. edit

• Garibaldi's, 2013 Greene St. (in Five Points), ☎ (803)771-8888. Sun.-Thurs. 5PM-10PM; Fri.-Sat. 5PM-11PM. Has seafood, steak, as well as Italian food. Also, excellent desserts and good service. Reservations are suggested. edit

• Hampton Street Vineyard, 1201 Hampton St., ☎ (803)252-0850, [5]. M.-Fri. 11:30AM-2:00PM, 6:00-10:00PM; Sa. 6:00-10:00PM. Outstanding food selection. Also has an excellent wine service and good service in general. Reservations are recommended for the restaurant is fairly small inside and is pretty popular. edit

• Mr. Friendly’s, 2001-A Greene St., ☎ 803 254-7828. M-Th 11:30AM-2:30PM, 5:30-10PM; Fri 11:30AM-2:30PM, 5:30-10:30PM; Sa 5:30-10:30PM. People dress up to visit the celebrated (and busy) Mr. Friendly’s, known for its meaty Southern cuisine. edit

[edit][add listing] Drink

• Five Points. Located around the intersection of Harden Street, Green Street and Saluda Avenue, this neighborhood has numerous bars and eateries catering to the University of South Carolina students. It gets especially boisterous on Thursday nights.
• The Vista. For the more mature crowd, dozens of bars and restaurants centered on the corner of Lincoln and Gervais.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Get out

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