We’re all for supporting our local restaurants by purchasing takeout. But rather than hunkering down over the steering wheel with that fried chicken sandwich, how about enjoying the great outdoors while maintaining distance from others?
Luckily, four of our favorite outdoor spots remain open for a refreshing breath of fresh air and a tasty bite.
South Carolina State House Grounds
Even though interior tours of the State House are on temporary hold, you can still grab a bench and enjoy your lunch on the expansive 18-acre grounds amongst azaleas and palmetto trees. Stroll the grounds and check out over 30 monuments, including the African American Monument, George Washington Monument and the Spanish-American War Veterans Monument, just to name a few. Count the bronze stars on the State House exterior marking the spots where cannonballs hit the historic building during the Civil War.
Sesquicentennial State Park
Follow up lunch at one of the picnic shelters in the 1,400 acre park with a two mile hike along the Sandhills Hiking Trail. And don’t forget to snap a few photos of the lake, trees and springtime splendor for your Instagram feed.
UofSC Horseshoe
Even though UofSC is not holding classes on campus right now, the grounds are still open for a stroll. See if you can spot the Greek letters from fraternities and sororities that used to reside on that area of campus, as well two cast-iron pineapples that rest on the top of a gate, or tackle Discover SC’s scavenger hunt of the Horseshoe.
Experience Columbia SC encourages residents and visitors to abide by local and national recommendations for respecting and protecting one another during COVID-19. Find out more here.