Guidebook for Columbia
Food Scene
Yummy home-cooked style country food. There's one closer to downtown, as well.
29 locals recommend
Lizard's Thicket Restaurant
711 University Village DrYummy home-cooked style country food. There's one closer to downtown, as well.
Peking Wok II
1013 Broad River RdTastiest close-by Chinese
Zesto
4001 N Main StBest non-chain burgers and fried chicken
Hunter-Gatherer Brewery & Alehouse
900 Main StLocal micro-brewery with good brews and food.
La Fogata Mexican Restaurant
2805 Sunset BlvdBest Mexican within 10 minutes of home
Solstice Kitchen & Wine Bar
841-4 Sparkleberry LnSuperb high-dollar dining
Mid-range southern cooking. Classy joint, great wine list, good seafood
33 locals recommend
Delaney's Music Pub and Eatery
741 Saluda AveMid-range southern cooking. Classy joint, great wine list, good seafood
Flying Saucer Columbia
931 Senate StDrinks and darts
Absolutely incredible burgers (seriously) with a relaxing outdoor patio.
19 locals recommend
Pawleys Front Porch
827 Harden StAbsolutely incredible burgers (seriously) with a relaxing outdoor patio.
Drinks & Nightlife
Goat's
2017 Devine StModern bar with a great vibe, appetizers, and drinks.
Buffalo Wild Wings-style joint with a nice rooftop and screens. Great place to go on cool evenings.
11 locals recommend
Carolina Ale House
708 Lady StBuffalo Wild Wings-style joint with a nice rooftop and screens. Great place to go on cool evenings.
This is a bar on top of the Sheraton Columbia hotel. It's got an amazing view of the city! Also check out The Vault on the first floor - it's a bank vault that was remodeled into a bar. Chill spot and photo op!
7 locals recommend
Rooftop Lounge
1400 Main StThis is a bar on top of the Sheraton Columbia hotel. It's got an amazing view of the city! Also check out The Vault on the first floor - it's a bank vault that was remodeled into a bar. Chill spot and photo op!
This is where USC students party. Very chill in the day and evening. Consider going to the Vista at night as its safer and more sophisticated, but definitely check out Five Points during the day.
73 locals recommend
Five Points
This is where USC students party. Very chill in the day and evening. Consider going to the Vista at night as its safer and more sophisticated, but definitely check out Five Points during the day.
Essentials
Circle K
806 Broad River RdClosest 24/7 convenience store with RedBox location and ATM
Food Lion
1013 Broad River Rd Closest grocery store
Publix deli has amazing food for lunch and dinner - the wings and subs are delicious.
36 locals recommend
Publix Super Market at Gervais Place
501 Gervais St Publix deli has amazing food for lunch and dinner - the wings and subs are delicious.
Arts & Culture
Multi-level museum. You can go at night to look at stars through their telescope in the observatory!
125 locals recommend
South Carolina Military Museum
1 National Guard RdMulti-level museum. You can go at night to look at stars through their telescope in the observatory!
The state house has a lot of cool history and the grounds are beautiful. You can take a free tour if you arrive in the mid-morning.
104 locals recommend
South Carolina State House
1100 Gervais StThe state house has a lot of cool history and the grounds are beautiful. You can take a free tour if you arrive in the mid-morning.
University of South Carolina
1244 Blossom StEdVenture Children's Museum
211 Gervais StSuper fun museum for children and adults alike
Entertainment & Activities
AMC CLASSIC Dutch Square 14
421 Bush River RdThis is the closest theater with current films.
Spotlight Cinemas St Andrews
527 St Andrews RdThree-dollar theater
Riverbanks Zoo and Garden
500 Wildlife PkwyParks & Nature
This is where the Riverwalk ends if you start from the access in my neighborhood.
9 locals recommend
Riverfront Park Amphitheater
Three Rivers Greenway This is where the Riverwalk ends if you start from the access in my neighborhood.
Harbison State Forest
5600 Broad River RdHiking and biking trails
•Riverwalk Access (walking): If you’re facing the road from the front door, go left down the road about ¼-mile. On your right, you’ll see a concrete staircase w/metal railing (across the street from 4509 Williamsburg Drive). Walk down the stairs, across the railroad tracks (look both ways first), and you’ve arrived at the Broad River Canal Riverfront Park.
•Riverwalk Access (driving): 4122 River Dr., Columbia, SC 29201
4122 River Dr
4122 River Drive•Riverwalk Access (walking): If you’re facing the road from the front door, go left down the road about ¼-mile. On your right, you’ll see a concrete staircase w/metal railing (across the street from 4509 Williamsburg Drive). Walk down the stairs, across the railroad tracks (look both ways first), and you’ve arrived at the Broad River Canal Riverfront Park.
•Riverwalk Access (driving): 4122 River Dr., Columbia, SC 29201
Getting Around
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
320 Greystone BlvdColumbia Metropolitan Airport
3250 Airport Blvd