Start planning your ultimate South Carolina adventure with a free copy of the 2024 Vacation Guide. Request your free copy, view the guide online or download a PDF version below.
There's more than one reason that Columbia, South Carolina, is known for being "Famously Hot." While this Midlands metropolis does experience 10 warm-weather months each year, the Capital City is turning up the heat on its own terms with outdoor adventures, culinary creations and cultural hotspots from Main Street to Sesquicentennial State Park.
The convergence of three rivers and beautiful Lake Murray makes Columbia the perfect place to enjoy the South Carolina sunshine. Whether you're cruising on Lake Murray in a rented pontoon boat, floating down the Saluda River with the entire family or fly fishing on the Congaree River, there's always an exciting way to cool off in the capital.
Outdoor adventures are part of the culture in Columbia. Locals love to walk and jog along the river, tee off at the wide variety of golf courses around town, zip-line at the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden and enjoy the natural beauty of the Midlands at numerous parks around the city-including the wondrous Congaree National Park.
For sports fans, Columbia offers the chance to watch the University of South Carolina Gamecocks play at the storied Williams-Brice Stadium. Or, catch a foul ball and snack on boiled peanuts as you cheer on the Columbia Fireflies -South Carolina's newest minor league baseball team.
Spice up your nightlife at one of the many upscale restaurants and cocktail bars in the city's thriving Vista district. Delight in the fresh, ever-changing menu at Motor Supply Co. Bistro on lively Gervais Street, and don't miss dessert at Kaminsky's Dessert Cafe, a local favorite serving up decadent treats along with wine, dessert martinis, cocktails, beer and adult milkshakes.
Whether you're golfing your way through the rolling hills of the Midlands or touring the SC State House grounds, you'll soon discover why Columbia is the New Southern Hotspot.
