There’s an odd, inherited snootiness that Charlestonians have about Columbia, South Carolina’s capital city. Even the thousands of comeyahs who’ve been here only for a short time seem to quickly adopt this prejudice. And that’s unfortunate. But it’s a generational hangover of a 240-year struggle between rich, genteel Lowcountry planters and rougher Upcountry settlers who took away power from Charleston in 1786, when state legislators moved the state’s seat of government into the middle of pretty much nowhere.
In fact, Columbia wasn’t incorporated as a village until 1805 and as a city in 1854.
For many a condescending Charlestonian, Columbia is an easy butt of jokes about everything from being the hottest place in the state (actually this is true) to the dullest place in South Carolina. Except, of course, on the few football weekends when Gamecock Nation shows up at Williams-Brice Stadium or for the four (or five) years that Charlestonians entrust their sons and daughters to the University of South Carolina.
People in Columbia know how Charlestonians look down their noses at them. And they’re kind of tired of it.
“Columbia always has a buzz,” one longtime Columbia resident told us. “This is where important things happen.
“I think Charleston people are a bit pompous when they act like Charleston is the only good town in South Carolina. Columbia is both the state capital and the location of the state’s flagship university, USC.”
William Starrett, artistic and executive director of the South Carolina Ballet, said what stands out about Columbia is its sense of continuity and commitment.
“I’ve had the privilege of developing work here for over 40 years, and the community has been an active partner in that journey,” he said. “It’s a place where relationships matter and where the arts are part of the fabric of daily life.”
So what do Columbians want? A little love, respect and less judgment of people from off. And frankly, they deserve it. Because if you haven’t visited Columbia in awhile other than for a football game, you’re really missing out. Yes, Columbia is famously hot, but it’s also a pretty cool place to visit for a day trip or a weekend getaway.
Here is a look at three adventures you might want to consider.
The shopper’s getaway
You might not realize it, but Columbia offers the nationally-ranked Soda City Market, a weekly street fair inspired by European markets. It’s open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is packed routinely with 200 vendors who offer unique goods from flowers, fruits and vegetables to vintage and curated crafts. There’s an amazing smorgasbord that blends cultures, offers a variety of entertainers and highlights the city’s keenly developed sense of community that embraces residents and visitors like a comfortable sweater. The market is located along Main Street from the 1300 block to the 1700 block.
Assuming you arrive early to shop to your heart’s delight at the market, you might want to head over to the nearby Vista area along Gervais Street for lunch and more shopping. Popular dining options are Motor Supply Company Bistro, City Grit and Coa Agaveria y Cocina (evening only). And if you’ve got a sweet tooth, you won’t want to miss smooth delights at Rita’s Italian Ice and Frozen Custard.
If you decide to stay overnight after a day of shopping, you might consider taking in an artsy movie at The Nickelodeon, a show at Trustus Theatre, a Columbia Fireflies minor league baseball game (Charleston’s RiverDogs will be in town for a six-game series from May 26 to May 31) or a performance by the S.C. Ballet or by a student group at the university.
For breakfast the next morning, you can’t go wrong by finding a Lizard’s Thicket restaurant and filling up on hot coffee and Southern goodies.
For the adventurer
You can spend a whole weekend learning about South Carolina with various adventures found at museums, a national park and a dynamic zoo. Mix and match these options to create a customized trip that you’ll remember for years:
Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. You can spend all day at this popular zoo that is home to more than 2,000 animals. Children — and adults — will delight to lions, tigers, otters, flamingos, bears, penguins, monkeys, zebras, koalas, giraffes, rhinos, birds, fish and much more. The attraction also has a new Saluda Skyride that offers spectacular aerial views of the Saluda River. There also is a carousel, a farmyard for kids and a tiny train. A spectacular botanical garden features multiple rooms highlighting Asican plants, bogs, dry climate plants and what can be grown in shade. More: riverbanks.org.
Congaree National Park. South Carolina’s only national park is almost 27,000 acres of preserved old growth bottomland hardwood forest about 18 miles southeast of Columbia. If you’re up for an adventure, you can spend a whole day reveling in wildlife and biodiversity. The park’s famous boardwalk currently is partially closed for construction, but you can find lots to do — canoeing and kayaking along Cedar Creek, hiking and fishing. You can also arrange for camping. More: nps.gov/cong/index.htm
South Carolina State Museum. An affiliate of the Smithsonian Museum, the state museum offers permanent exhibitions that tell about South Carolina history, art, natural history and science and includes displays on dinosaurs, the Revolutionary War and artifacts that go back 14,000 years. With the nation’s recent interest in moon exploration by Artemis II astronauts, kids should enjoy what they can learn at the museum’s planetarium. There’s a full day of stuff to do (although a half-day might be advisable for many). More: scmuseum.org
Columbia Museum of Art. Open Tuesdays through Sundays, the city’s art museum packs a wallop with exciting exhibitions and art. Notes Columbia marketing professional Clare Morris: “The Columbia Museum of Art has lots of great exhibits. Over the years, I’ve seen Frank Lloyd Wright, Van Gogh, and an awesome pop art exhibit.” Through July 19 is an exhibition of legendary modern artist Jasper Johns, who lived in the city while stationed at Fort Jackson. The museum’s permanent collection also has more than 7,000 works in four main areas — American art, Asian art, European art and Modern/Contemporary art. More: columbiamuseum.org.
Also consider: EdVenture Children’s Museum; McKissick Museum at the University of South Carolina; Anne Frank Center; Woodrow Wilson Family Home; S.C. Governor’s Mansion; Robert Mills House and Gardens; S.C. Statehouse; and the Fort Jackson Museum.
A barbecue lover’s dream
If you’re into barbecue, you could have it in Columbia for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day for 10 days at a different place. With more than 30 barbecue joints in the area, here are three that you won’t want to miss:
City Limits Barbecue. This West Columbia eatery has a national reputation after pitmaster Robbie Robinson was recognized two years in a row by the James Beard Awards as a top-five chef in the Southeast for his Texas-inspired meats. According to Columbia’s 2026 insider’s guide, Robinson “wows diners with a rotating selection of more unusual smoked proteins and other phenomenal fusion fare such as 100% beef brisket hot dogs or smoked pork belly bahn mi.”
Railroad BBQ. Just down the street from Benedict College and Allen University, this joint started by the late activist Kevin Gray and now run by his siblings has tasty ’cue with Carolina Red sauce that’s best accompanied by loaded potato wedges.
Hite’s Bar-B-Que. For almost 70 years, Hite’s has been turning out delicious whole-hog barbecue cooked on oak and hickory wood in West Columbia. Cooked slowly, the flavorful meat has filling entrees for less than $13 per plate. What a deal!
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