Kelley & Bryson
Things To Do
Riverbanks Zoo & Garden
The Riverbanks Zoo is home to over 3,000 animals! The Riverbanks Zoo also has deep-rooted history dating back to the early 1800s with South Carolina's textile industry and the Civil War. Visitors can view structural remains throughout the 170 acres. From the safari and petting zoo to the botanical gardens and new aquarium, you can spend hours here. Be sure to pack the sunscreen to protect yourself from the South Carolina heat and sun! Bryson and Kelley have a annual membership and enjoy visiting all year round. Fun fact...Bryson and Kelley spent the day at the Riverbanks Zoo the following day they got engaged to celebrate!
Riverwalk Park
Kelley and Bryson enjoy visiting the Riverwalk throughout the year, particularly when they go floating down the river with friends during the summer. It is a great place to see all three of the area rivers connect and see some beautiful scenery of downtown Columbia. Fun fact...The Cayce Riverwalk is where Kelley and Bryson had their first date!
Segra Park
Segra Park is host to the Columbia Fireflies! Kelley and Bryson always enjoy going to games during the season and joining friends while there as well. Fun fact...Baseball is a big passion Bryson and Kelley share. Whether it is the Fireflies, USC Baseball, Atlanta Braves, or the Cleveland Indians (yes you read that correct), they always find their selves together at game somewhere!
University of South Carolina
USC has a beautiful campus to visit if you haven't before! When Kelley first moved to Columbia, Bryson made sure to make her into a Gamecock fan. They enjoy cheering on all the sports teams and supporting the university, especially when it's a game against Clemson. Fun fact...Since their first year of dating, Kelley and Bryson make sure to always get Cockaboose Club tickets at Williams Brice Stadium every home opener game of the Gamecock Football season! Tradition is still going strong three years in a row. Go COCKS!
Lake Murray
Lake Murray, the jewel of South Carolina, can be found right here in Columbia! It is a short 15-20 minute drive from downtown Columbia. Fun fact...There is an old city, bridge, and gravestones at the bottom of the lake! During the construction of this man-made lake in the 1920s, approximately 100,000 acres of land was purchased for the building of the dam and lake. Six schools, three churches and 193 graveyards (containing 2,300+ graves) had to be moved.
The Vista
The Vista is an area of downtown Columbia Bryson and Kelley like to visit with friends. This is also where Kelley's place of work is as well as the wedding reception! Lots of local bars and restaurants to visit during your stay in this area. You can even walk over to the State Building (one block over) and walk the campus! Fun fact...The Thursday before Thanksgiving, the City of Columbia shuts down Gervais Street for several blocks for Vista Lights. This is a fun evening where vendors and restaurants setup along the street and the tree lighting ceremony occurs.
Soda City Market
Rain or Shine, every Saturday from 9:00am-1:00pm year-round, Main Street is shut down for food trucks and vendors setup for people to visit. You can find anything from clothing to jewelry, dog treats, southern décor, and beautiful fresh flowers. Just make sure you find street parking or park in one of the surrounding free parking garages! Fun fact...The first time Kelley and Bryson visited the market, Kelley parked in the wrong parking garage. They spent almost two hours trying to get inside the parking garage and trying to exit said garage. Needless to say, lesson learned!