Your Summer Bucket List Guide to Columbia, SC

On the banks of the Congaree and fed by the Broad and Saluda, Columbia’s three rivers set the scene for an easygoing summer outdoor adventure. With Palmetto Outdoors, you can float past wooded banks and shaded stretches that feel miles away from downtown. They’ll even drop you off in the heart of the city and pick you up downriver, proof that summer fun here doesn’t have to be complicated. 

Tubing is the quickest way to get on the water and cool off, while kayaking or canoeing gives you room to explore at your own pace. Expect calm water and plenty of shade. If you are looking for adventure, we have just the thing. In the Lower Saluda section, just downstream from the I-26 bridge, you will find class II-III white water rapids. 

About 20 minutes from downtown, Lake Murray offers a shift in pace with wide-open water and designated swim areas that invite you to settle in for the afternoon. With picnic shelters, boat rentals and scenic coves, it’s ideal for a half-day outing that’s equal parts relaxing and refreshing. 

It’s hard to be bored when outdoor spaces and air-conditioned museums sit within a short drive of each other. Start with Riverbanks Zoo & Garden, where shaded pathways and riverfront views make even peak summer days manageable. Then head indoors to the South Carolina State Museum, where art, science and history live under one roof. 

At the Columbia Museum of Art, you’re as likely to find Renaissance paintings as rotating contemporary exhibits, along with programs designed with kids in mind. Speaking of kids, EdVenture Children’s Museum will keep them happily occupied for hours. 

Cap off the day with a Columbia Fireflies game. Locals and savvy travelers alike know this is a great place to soak up hometown pride and a little good old-fashioned kindness. 

Columbia’s walkable districts each bring their own personality. Follow the locals to Devine Street and Five Points for boutiques, cafés and plenty of opportunities to whittle away a few hours. Or head over to Trenholm Plaza for contemporary looks at stores like Anthropologie and J. Crew, plus modern convenience with manageable traffic and lots of parking. 

Columbia’s food and drink scene is infused with creativity and a laid-back attitude. Start at GatherCOLA, a food hall that gives you range, from quick bites to full meals and plenty of space to regroup. From there, add in a brewery stop or two.  

Steel Hands Brewing and Savage Craft Ale Works offer expansive spaces and strong local followings. Newer additions like Three Notch’d Brewing Company and Peak Drift Brewing Company are shaking up the traditional scene, while Ikie Lu Record Club invites you to cozy up with wine, music and an atmosphere that encourages you to linger. 

Close proximity to nature is part of what makes Columbia such a draw for outdoor lovers. At Congaree National Park, an elevated boardwalk leads you through one of the largest intact old-growth bottomland hardwood forests in the Southeast. Go early to beat the heat and enjoy quieter trails. 

Closer to downtown, Sesquicentennial State Park offers paddle boats, walking trails and shaded picnic areas perfect for a slower afternoon. And for something in between, the Three Rivers Greenway continues to expand into a connected riverfront system with ADA-accessible paths. It’s one of the easiest ways to experience the city at your own pace.