Columbia

Beezer's

Undergrad guilty pleasure, features cheap salads and variety of simple but decent subs. Open late, usually until 3AM, also delivers.

under $10

Blue Marlin

One of the better seafood restaurants in Columbia, Blue Marlin specializes in Lowcountry style seafood such as shrimp and grits as well as she-crab soup.

Mon-Fri 11:30AM-2:30PM & 5PM-10PM, Sat 4PM-10PM, Sun 11AM-3PM

California Dreaming

Good service; excellent salads and steaks, in addition to good desserts and a nice bar.

Sun-Thu 11AM-10PM; Fri Sat 11AM-11PM

Columbia Fireflies

The City of Columbia's Minor League Baseball team with single-game tickets starting as low as $6.

Columbia Museum of Art

South Carolina's premier international art museum has 25 galleries of extraordinary collections of European, American and Asian fine and decorative art that span centuries. The museum's collection includes masterpieces of the Italian Renaissance through the 18th century from the Samuel H. Kress Collection, a strong collection of European and American furniture and decorative arts, as well as modern and contemporary art, art glass, and 20th-century design. Of particular interest are Sandro Botticelli's Nativity, Canaletto’s View of the Molo, Claude Monet's The Seine at Giverny, and art glass by Louis Comfort Tiffany. The museum’s collection of Asian art and Antiquities has grown through generous gifts to the collection, including an impressive collection of Korean and Chinese ceramics and Roman portrait heads. The museum also offers changing exhibitions from renowned museums and educational programs that include group and public tours, lectures, films, and concert series. The Museum Shop is open during museum hours.

Columbia Place Mall

Mid-market mall on Columbia's north-central side, including Sears, Burlington Coat Factory and the only Macy's department store in the region.

Columbiana Centre

Columbia's largest shopping mall, anchor stores include Belk, Dillard's and J.C. Penney. The former Sears anchor is now occupied by a Dave & Buster's and a Belk men's store.

Craft Axe Throwing

Axe, Hatchet or Tomahawk Throwing

A destination for axe-throwing, tomahawk, and hatchet enthusiasts. Craft beverages are available. Groups and parties welcome. Experts will guide you through axe-throwing, ensuring a safe and entertaining experience for all skill levels.

Delhi Palace

Those in the know visit for the inexpensive but tasty Indian buffet.

Sun-Thu 11:30AM-10PM; Fri Sat 11:30AM-10:30PM

Di Vino Rosso

Fabulous Northern Italian cuisine. Wine cellar on premises. Jackets recommended. Reservations are suggested.

Mon-Sat 4PM-10PM

Dutch Square Mall

Older, smaller mall that is good for bargain hunters at stores such as Burlington Coat Factory.

Five Points

District of Columbia that features a wide selection of primarily locally-owned shops and boutiques, including a unique bookstore and music store. A must-visit for shoppers in Columbia.

Fort Jackson

Fort Jackson is one of the major draws of visitors to Columbia. Essentially, there are three types of visitors to Fort Jackson: 1. the miserable private going through Basic Combat Training; 2. friends and family of graduating basic trainees; 3. A.I.T. (Advanced Individual Training) students. For those visiting for B.C.T graduation, graduation will be held at Hilton Field or, in the case of inclement weather, the Solomon Center. You should not surprise the soldier you're visiting, because they must report whether they is going home with a family member or at government expense. Failure to alert your soldier will cause him/her to be required to leave on government transportation. Furthermore, leave contact info with your soldier, so their drill sergeants can alert you to any changes in plans.

Groucho's Deli

Original store of the mainly S.C.-based chain, serves liberally decorated deli sandwiches with tart dipping sauces.

around $10

Hampton Street Vineyard

Outstanding food selection. Also has an excellent wine service and good service in general. Reservations are recommended for the restaurant is fairly small inside and is pretty popular.

Mon-Fri 11:30AM-2PM, 6-10PM; Sat 6-10PM

Hampton-Preston Mansion and Gardens

One of the few houses left from antebellum Columbia, it was built in 1818 and has many authentic furnishings.

Tue-Sat 10AM-3PM; Sun 1-4PM·For house: adults $5; age 65+, college students and military $4, ages 6-17 $3

Kadampa Meditation Buddhist Center

Kadampa Meditation Buddhist Center is a great place to learn about meditation and Buddhism. The center is right across from the state capitol building and offers classes nearly every day of the week.

Melton Memorial Observatory

The Melton Observatory is open to the public every Monday night when the sky is clear. Drop by to see planets, stars, nebulae, or whatever else is visible in the night sky.

Mon 9:30-11:30PM·Free

Mr. Friendly’s

People dress up to visit the celebrated (and busy) Mr. Friendly’s, known for its meaty Southern cuisine.

Mon-Thu 11:30AM-2:30PM, 5:30-10PM; Fri 11:30AM-2:30PM, 5:30-10:30PM; Sat 5:30-10:30PM

Nickelodeon

For independent film in Columbia, this is your place. Also has several film festivals throughout the year and is a comfortable movie theater.

Pasta Fresca

Large portions of superior Italian fare at reasonable prices make this one popular with people who dine out for food rather than linen tablecloths.

Tue-Wed 4:30PM-9PM; Thu-Sat 4:30PM-9:30PM; Sun 4:30PM-9PM

Riverbanks Zoo

Riverbanks Zoo has grown tremendously in the past decade. Recent additions include a gorilla habitat and koala bears donated from their native Queensland. Considered to be in the top ten US zoos, it has the added benefit of being small enough for those with difficulty walking to manage. Children will enjoy the petting zoo, pony rides, and demonstrations.

South Carolina Gamecocks

One of Columbia's great institutions is University of South Carolina sports. The Gamecocks compete in 9 men's and 12 women's sports, almost all in the Southeastern Conference. As with most large schools, their hot-button sports are traditionally football and men's basketball, although their most nationally competitive have been women's basketball (in which they frequently lead the entire NCAA in attendance, and often outdraw the men) and baseball. Most athletic facilities are on campus, with the best-known venues being Williams-Brice Stadium (football), Colonial Life Arena (both basketball teams), and Founders Park (baseball).

Mon–Fri 8:30AM–5PM

South Carolina State Museum

This museum is often visited by South Carolina school groups, and tourists on rainy days. Children may enjoy the hands-on exhibits, but parents will note that this place is long on reproductions and short on explanations. Come prepared for lessons on history, geography, industry, and economics. The gift shop has many South Carolina-themed items.

Tue-Sat 10AM-5PM, Sun 1-5PM. Open Mondays Memorial Day through Labor Day. Closed on New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day

South Carolina Statehouse

With a copper dome and bronze stars marking places where Sherman's cannonballs struck, the Statehouse is well worth the trip for fans of history and architecture alike. Though the Confederate flag no longer flies on the top of the dome, it stands atop a memorial directly in front of the building at the intersection of Gervais and Main. The grounds include several monuments and a small Italianate rose garden.

Terra

Winner 2008 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. Makes a strong effort to support local farmers and uses as many locally grown ingredients as possible.

Tue-Sat 5-11PM

Famously Hot SC Pride

Annual LGBT pride festival held in downtown Columbia in October along with Outfest, a block party held in June coinciding with pride month. SC Pride also supports Brave The Rainbow, an initiative for businesses in the Midlands showing support of the LGBT community on their storefronts.

Three Rivers Greenway

Riverfront Park

This series of trails is popular with joggers, dog walkers, bikers, skaters, etc. One can walk along almost the entire riverfront on the east and west sides of the river. Access via Laurel Street or Gervais Street. Beautiful views of the 3 rivers (Saluda and Broad combine to form the Congaree).

Confederate Relic Room and State Military Museum

Tue-Sat 10AM-5PM, 1st Sun of the month 1-5PM

Edventure Children's Museum

Lots of fun for those with small children.