Guidebook for Columbia
Food Scene
This coffee shop is just around the corner and tucked in a corner so may be overlooked. The café employees teenagers and adults with a range of abilities and they have excellent pastries, coffee, and service!
The Local Buzz #coffeecafecommunity
603 Sims AvenueThis coffee shop is just around the corner and tucked in a corner so may be overlooked. The café employees teenagers and adults with a range of abilities and they have excellent pastries, coffee, and service!
This restaurant is in the heart of "The Vista" and has reasonably priced food and drinks. The diverse menu features southern staples including South Carolina's State Dish: "Shrimp and Grits". I'd highly recommend the appetizer of house-made chips topped with blue cheese and a dinner of Shrimp and Grits with a side of collards!
16 locals recommend
Liberty Tap Room
828 Gervais StThis restaurant is in the heart of "The Vista" and has reasonably priced food and drinks. The diverse menu features southern staples including South Carolina's State Dish: "Shrimp and Grits". I'd highly recommend the appetizer of house-made chips topped with blue cheese and a dinner of Shrimp and Grits with a side of collards!
Drinks & Nightlife
Sneak to the unadvertised upstairs of Pearlz where they often have a jazz band and a view overlooking Gervais Street and The Vista
41 locals recommend
Pearlz Oyster Bar
936 Gervais StSneak to the unadvertised upstairs of Pearlz where they often have a jazz band and a view overlooking Gervais Street and The Vista
If live music, cold beer, and an unpretentious bar is your scene, this is your spot! Slightly nicer than the places your mamma warned you about.
23 locals recommend
Tin Roof Columbia
1022 Senate StIf live music, cold beer, and an unpretentious bar is your scene, this is your spot! Slightly nicer than the places your mamma warned you about.
I recommend arriving at Sheraton's Roof-Top Bar slightly before dusk and grabbing a table with a view. This is a great spot to watch the sunset over Columbia!
11 locals recommend
Sheraton Columbia Downtown Hotel
1400 Main StI recommend arriving at Sheraton's Roof-Top Bar slightly before dusk and grabbing a table with a view. This is a great spot to watch the sunset over Columbia!
Arts & Culture
The SC State Museum is expansive and great to explore. The restored building dates back to the Civil War when most of Columbia was burned. The Children's Museum is great for the young of heart of all ages!
125 locals recommend
South Carolina Military Museum
1 National Guard RdThe SC State Museum is expansive and great to explore. The restored building dates back to the Civil War when most of Columbia was burned. The Children's Museum is great for the young of heart of all ages!
This modern yet welcoming museum is just the right size! Loads to explore and the museum is very accessible.
139 locals recommend
Columbia Museum of Art
1515 Main StThis modern yet welcoming museum is just the right size! Loads to explore and the museum is very accessible.
Sightseeing
I'd recommend strolling the State House grounds at dusk/or at night as the grounds are well lit and there are several monuments. My favorite part is spotting the bronze stars on the State House marking cannon ball damage from the invasion of Columbia during the Civil War. Cross at the Gervais Street (pronounced "jher-vay") cross-walk to explore Main Street's restaurants and bars or cross the Assembly Street cross-walk to explore The Vista.
104 locals recommend
South Carolina State House
1100 Gervais StI'd recommend strolling the State House grounds at dusk/or at night as the grounds are well lit and there are several monuments. My favorite part is spotting the bronze stars on the State House marking cannon ball damage from the invasion of Columbia during the Civil War. Cross at the Gervais Street (pronounced "jher-vay") cross-walk to explore Main Street's restaurants and bars or cross the Assembly Street cross-walk to explore The Vista.
Shopping
Saturday mornings Main Street closes and hosts dozens of vendors with things ranging from fresh produce, art, antiques, street food, and even boiled peanuts! Wear your walking shoes and bring cash.
133 locals recommend
Soda City Market
1300-1600 Main StSaturday mornings Main Street closes and hosts dozens of vendors with things ranging from fresh produce, art, antiques, street food, and even boiled peanuts! Wear your walking shoes and bring cash.
Entertainment & Activities
Skip the big-box theaters and visit this charming and newly renovated two screen theater on Main Street. They have great films, often more "Indie" or documentary focused. Popcorn, Beer, and Wine are reasonable priced and volunteers (the theater is a non-profit) are super friendly.
51 locals recommend
Nickelodeon Theatre
1607 Main StSkip the big-box theaters and visit this charming and newly renovated two screen theater on Main Street. They have great films, often more "Indie" or documentary focused. Popcorn, Beer, and Wine are reasonable priced and volunteers (the theater is a non-profit) are super friendly.
Essentials
Our neighborhood locally-owned "Pig" is just a few blocks away and features a selection of Local South Carolina Products right by the door. Grits and Mustard-Based BBQ Sauce make great gifts!!
10 locals recommend
Piggly Wiggly
3818 Devine StOur neighborhood locally-owned "Pig" is just a few blocks away and features a selection of Local South Carolina Products right by the door. Grits and Mustard-Based BBQ Sauce make great gifts!!
Target
6090A Garners Ferry RdTarget has all the essentials and is just around the corner!