Last Updated:
2/22/23
Columbia, SC
Below is a list of the best places I would visit on a trip to this location. My picks fit my personality and interest. Everyone has a different interest so you may not like everything I listed which is fine. If you like a place, I recommend saving it to Google Maps for a future trip down the road. I made sure to include the address or GPS to make it easier to find. You can find out more about me in the "About Me" section to see if we share common interests.
Breakfast
The Devine Cinnamon Roll Deli
2617 Devine St Columbia, SC 29205
Sample Menu of What I Would Order
Any Speciality Cinnamon Roll: The dough is a Hawaiian sweet bread with a special cinnamon sugar blend and vanilla butter whipped cream cheese icing as the base of the roll. Add the specialty topping $4.25
The Big Max Breakfast Sandwich: Two eggs, cheddar cheese, black pepper thick bacon, and whole grain mustard spread $5.95
Big Pig Breakfast Sandwich: Three eggs, black pepper bacon, cheddar cheese, smoked sausage, baked ham, and whole-grain CRD mustard sauce $8.50
Hours:
Thursday to Sunday 7 am - 2 pm
Order Online: Yes
Known for their cinnamon roll, must-try "Black Pepper Bacon Maple Glaze"
Kiki's Chicken and Waffles
7001 Parklane Rd, Columbia, SC 29223
Sample Menu of What I Would Order
Kiki's Chicken & Waffle: One original Belgian waffle served with four fried wings or two chicken breasts $16.25 Upgrade to Red Velvet for $2.59
The Chicken Wings & French Toast: Four wings with four French toast triangles, topped with powdered sugar $14.59
Chicken Sandwich: Fried chicken breast topped with lettuce, tomatoes and mayo on toasted bun served with fries $11.99 Add cheddar cheese $0.79
Hours:
Monday 11 am - 8pm
Tues - Thurs 11 am - 10 pm
Friday 11 am - 11 pm
Saturday 9:30 am - 11 pm
Sunday 9:30 am - 7 pm
Open For Dine-In Only
Known for their chicken & waffles
Activities
Riverbanks Zoo & Garden
Riverbanks Zoo is the largest midsize zoo in the United States with over 2000 animals. They also secretly have tucked away one of the nation’s most beautiful gardens. I visited a few years back and I remember how shocked at how good Riverbanks Zoo was, very underrated. The zoo draws about a million visitors a year.
General Admission Rates:
Adult - $21.99
Child (2-12) - $18.99
Senior (62+) $19.99
Parking - $5.00
500 Wildlife Pkwy Columbia, SC 29210
Hours:
Daily: 9 am - 5 pm
COMING 2023 - AQUARIUM & REPTILE CONSERVATION CENTER - OPENS MARCH 2nd
South Carolina State Museum
A great museum to learn about local South Carolina history along with traveling exhibits. The South Carolina State Museum features four floors of permanent exhibits on history, art, natural history, and science. Two current exhibits/shows being featured at the museum is the "Man and the Moon" and "Apollo 16 & Beyond". The Boeing Observatory which is part of the museum usually has special events Tuesday evenings as an added bonus.
General Admission Rates with ONE Show Add-On: (What I Would Do)
Adult - $13.95
Child(3-12) - $11.95
Senior - $12.95
301 Gervais St, Columbia, SC 29201
Hours:
Monday: Closed
Tues - Sat: 10 am - 5 pm
Sunday: Noon - 5 pm
The First Sunday of the Month is $1 General Admission
Congaree Nation Park
The largest river swamp in the southeastern United States, the Congaree National Park, is very underrated when compared to other parks. Not sure if they still offer free canoe tours with a ranger guide, but if they do, take advantage of it because it was a unique experience. Two best trails to hike at Congaree National Park would be the Boardwalk Loop Trail (2.4 miles) and the Oakridge Trail (6.3 miles). Both trails start at the same parking lot which is convenient.
100 National Park Rd, Hopkins, SC 29061
Hours:
Open 24 Hrs a Day, 365 Days a Year
Ranger Led Hike: Big Tree Hike - Mach 11 - 1 pm (3 Hrs) - Reservation Required
Columbia Museum of Art
The art museum has an impressive collection of European, American, Asian, and modern and contemporary fine and decorative art. The museum receives more than 150,000 visitors a year. I would be interested in seeing Claude Monet's The Seine at Giverny because I always have an interest in impressionist paintings
General Admission Rates:
Adult - $10.00
Seniors - $8.00
Youth (7-18) - $5
1515 Main St, Columbia, SC 29201
Hours:
Monday: Closed
Thursday: 10 am - 8 pm
All Other Days: 10 am - 5 pm
First Thursday of the Month is FREE Admission
Food
Dano's Pizza
3008 Rosewood Dr, Columbia, SC 29205
Hours:
Monday thru Thurs: 4 pm - 9:30 pm
Fri & Sat: 11 am - 10 pm
Sunday: 12 pm - 9:30 pm
Order Online: Yes
Sample Menu of What I Would Order
Meat Lover Pizza: Pepperoni, Sweet Italian Sausage, Smoked Ham, Bacon, and Mozzarella Cheese $20.99 for 14"
Pepperoni Stromboli: Combination of Pepperoni and Mozzarella Cheese $8.99 for small
Meatball Parm Sub: Homemade Meatballs, Tomato Sauce and Melted Mozzarello Cheese $9.99
Looking for Fancy, Not Here - Paper Plates Replaces Fine China
Bernie's Restaurant
1311 Bluff Rd, Columbia, SC 29201
Sample Menu of What I Would Order
Bernies Special: Three-Piece Chicken with Fries, Slaw, Roll & Tea $8.25
Family Meal Special: 12 Pieces with 2 Sides and Half a Gallon of Tea $27.50
Homemade Dessert: Banana Pudding, Peach Cobbler, Carrot Cake, or Red Velvet $1.75
Hours:
Monday thru Fri: 10 am - 8:00 pm
Sat & Sun: Closed
Order Online: No
Best Fried Chicken in Columbia, SC - No Website No Facebook - True Local Establishment
Sweet Cream Co.
1627 Main St, Columbia, SC 29201
Flavor Samples From Menu (Seasonal)
Fluffer Nutter
Cherry Cheesecake
Mocha Cinnamon Chip
Cantaloupe Sorbet
Orange Coriander
Blueberry Ginger
Cranberry Sorbet
Cookie Sandwich of the Month (Feb)
Chocolate Brownie Cookie with Dark Chocolate Ice Cream & Raspberry Drizzle
Hours:
Sunday thru Thurs: 1 pm - 9 pm
Fri & Sat: 1 pm - 10 pm
Order Online: No
Best Ice Cream in Columbia, South Carolina
Places to Stay
FYI: The hotel prices are estimated and will most likely fluctuate since I looked them up on their website. I will keep them updated the best I can every three months. I look for the cheapest available room, usually a queen bed. I typically look at book rates two months in advance and in the middle of the month to get average rates. Reminder: It is an ESTIMATE
Hotel Trundle
Located within Walking Distance of the Columbia Museum of Art, South Carolina State House, and the University of South Carolina
From their Website: "Wrapped in color, creativity, and charm, our 41-room jewel resides inside of three historic buildings combined into one – the first of its kind in all of Downtown Columbia."
Nearby Food/Drinks Options: Motor Supply Company Bistro (upscale American eatery), Spotted Salamander Cafe (sandwiches/lunch), and Sweet Cream Company (dessert)
Who is this for: Politicians, College Parents, People Who Like Restored Buildings, & Art Lovers
1224 Taylor Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Estimated Cost for Weekend Night (without tax/fee)
King Room June 22' - $189
Double Queen Oct 22' - $224
Double Queen Jan 23' - $210
Double Queen May 23' - $204
Their Website Has Zoo Package for Riverbanks Zoo
Aloft Columbia Downtown
Located within South Carolina State Museum, South Carolina State House, and Colonial Life Arena
From their Website: "Celebrate your style at Aloft Columbia Downtown, a hip new hotel in the always-buzzing Congaree Vista."
Nearby Food/Drinks Options: Halls Chophouse (steakhouse), Menkoi Ramen House (Japanese ramen), and Cola's Restaurant (upscale tavern)
Who is this for: Politicians, Concert Goers, People Who Think They Are Hip, & Museum Learners
823 Lady Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Estimated Cost for Weekend Night (without tax/fee)
King Room June 22' - $160
King Room Oct 22' - $253
King Room Dec 22' - $115
King Room Dec 22' - $115
King Room May 23' - $173
21 and up fun
Hunter-Gatherer Brewery/Taproom
1402 Jim Hamilton Blvd, Columbia, SC 29205
SAMPLE OF BEER MENU
Raspberry Sour: Sour - Fruited | 4.0% ABV
Hazy IPA: IPA - New England/Hazy | 6.5% ABV
ESB: Extra Special Strong Bitter | 5.2% ABV
Cherry Sour: Sour - Fruited | 4.0% ABV
Hours (2.22.23):
Monday & Tuesday: Closed
Weds & Thursday: 4 pm - 10 pm
Friday: 4 pm - 11 pm
Saturday: 11 am - 11 pm
Sunday: 1 pm - 8 pm
Cool Factor: The location is inside an old airplane hanger
Food Menu is Available
Steel Hands Brewing
2350 Foreman Street, Cayce, SC 29033
SAMPLE OF BEER MENU
Steel Paws Wheat Ale: American Pale Wheat | 4.7% ABV
Chocolate Raspberry Stout: Stout - Imperial/Double | 8.8% ABV | 25 IBU
Juicy Hazy IPA: Hazy India Pale Ale | 6.0% ABV | 35 IBU
Pecan Brown Ale: Brown Ale | 5.5% ABV | 25 IBU
Tropical IPA: India Pale Ale | 6.8% ABV | 50 IBU
Blueberry Lemon Sour: Sour - Fruited | 4.5% ABV | 10 IBU
Steel Hands Brewing Tours
Cost: Free
How: Walk-In, First Come, First Served Basis
When: Fridays: 7 pm; Saturday 5 pm, 7 pm
How Long: 30 - 45 Minutes
Hours:
Monday: Closed
Tues & Weds: 3 pm - 8 pm (Patio Only)
Thursday: 4 pm - 10 pm
Fri & Saturday: Noon - 11 pm
Sunday: 10 am - 8 pm
Cool Factor: Charitable Mission, "Steel Paws" = Year-Round Support for Canine Programs
Food Menu is Available (Wed-Sun)
Again these are just few of my picks that fit my personality and interest. If you feel that I left one-off that may interest me or other people, message me on Facebook about the location. I value a person's opinion and never just discard the information. Always looking forward to learning about new places to add to my Google Map. ~ Shawn
The Summary in Activities Uses OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT (3.5) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com