Things to Do
Riverbanks Botanical Gardens & Zoo
Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is home to more than 3,000 magnificent and fascinating animals and one of the nation’s most beautiful and inspiring botanical gardens. The lush 170-acre site features dynamic natural habitat exhibits, scenic river views, spectacular valley overlooks and significant historic landmarks. It is open daily from 9am-5pm.
Soda City Market
Lively Saturday gathering of trendy food trucks & tented stalls offering locally made wares. Soda City Market is a producer-only market — vendors must make it or grow it. Everything sold at our market is unique, hand crafted, and produced, right here, in South Carolina. We have an average of 150 vendors per week, and we have a database of over 400 vendors. Opens at 9am-1pm on Saturdays!
EdVenture
For those traveling in with their kiddos! EdVenture is the largest children's museum in the Southeast United States, located in Columbia, South Carolina. It is second only to The Children's Museum of Indianapolis which is the largest children's museum in the world!
Saluda Shoals Park
Saluda Shoals Park is a premier, natural, environmentally sensitive riverfront park that invites visitors to experience the treasures of the Saluda River through exceptional educational, recreational, and cultural opportunities. Located along the banks of the beautiful Saluda River, this 480 acre regional park offers the following amenities: Environmental Education Center and Exhibit Hall River Center Conference Facility Administrative Offices for the Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission The Courts Tennis Complex The Fields Tournament Complex Barking Lot Dog Park (membership required) Low Ropes Challenge Course 18-hole Disc Golf Course Saluda Shoals Wetland Preserve Ten Miles of Paved/unpaved trails River Observation Deck Two Boat Ramps/Canoe/Kayak Launch Eight Picnic Shelters Saluda Splash and Playground Leo's Landing Inclusive Playground
Robert Mills House and Gardens
How does 200 years of history fit under five roofs? Take a journey through our five historic house museums in the heart of the Robert Mills Historic District. The houses explore the early 19th through mid-20th centuries.
Hampton-Preston Mansion and Gardens
The Hampton–Preston House located at 1615 Blanding Street in Columbia, South Carolina, is a historic mansion that was the home of members of the prominent Hampton family. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on July 29, 1969. Tours of the Hampton-Preston Mansion are available: Wednesday – Saturday at 12 p.m. and Sunday at 1:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased in advance online up until midnight the day prior to the tour, OR tickets may be purchased the day of the tour at the Robert Mills Gift Shop. All tours begin at the Robert Mills Gift Shop, 1616 Blanding Street; please plan to arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled tour time. Tours are guided and last approximately 60 minutes.
South Carolina State House
The South Carolina State House is the building housing the government of the U.S. state of South Carolina, which includes the South Carolina General Assembly and the offices of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina.
Congaree National Park
Astonishing biodiversity exists in Congaree National Park, the largest intact expanse of old growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the southeastern United States. Waters from the Congaree and Wateree Rivers sweep through the floodplain, carrying nutrients and sediments that nourish and rejuvenate this ecosystem and support the growth of national and state champion trees.