Primary-White-Logo_COLA.png

Your Ultimate Guide to Columbia

Live

From cottages to treehouses, our area is full of unique places to stay that offer guests a break from traditional motels and hotels.
Here’s the deal — the flea market and vintage shopping scene is stellar in the Soda City
Discover Columbia’s late-night dining spots, from Tex-Mex and pizza to pub fare and desserts, perfect for post-11 p.m. cravings.
Becoming a new resident is easy with these tips.

Work

When the sun is shining and the weather is perfect, pack a bag and head out to one of the many spots great for remote work in Columbia. From coffee shops to public parks, we have a plethora of places to refresh your mind and step away from your home desk.
The Columbia metro area covers Calhoun, Clarendon, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg, and Richland counties.
To help make your entire experience at Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) as smooth as possible, we’ve created a guide that covers everything from gates and parking to food and bev options.
If you don’t have coffee already in hand, consider this your sign to grab some with our coffee guide, featuring 25+ local coffee shops.

Play

Check out winter and holiday-themed events happening in and around Columbia in this seasonal guide.
We’re giving you the 411 on the Cola’s landmarks — from the Gervais Street Bridge to Adluh Flour. Learn about their history, fun facts, and just why Soda Citizens and visitors alike find them so iconic.
Pack your reusable shopping bags, because we’ve rounded up 10 farmers markets around Columbia, SC.
With a history dating back thousands of years, museums in the Midlands showcase the history of the area, from the earliest settlers to the the trains that transformed cities and towns.
COLAtoday's Best
Your votes are in. Congratulations to all of the COLAtoday’s Best nominees. We’re excited to announce our roundup of local winners who truly shine and make Columbia a better place to live. From high-level dining experiences and accommodations to places to hang with your friends — here are your top choices in each of our categories.
Check out our other Guides
We’re giving you all the pertinent details about some of the elementary, middle, and high schools in Columbia so you can make the best decision for your family.
Make the most of good weather by taking your meals al fresco on one of Cola’s many beautiful patios.
Make the most of the cooler weather with this list of the best local events and activities happening this fall.
Prepare for fall weather in the the Capital City with these seasonal temperature and precipitation outlooks from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center.
Whether you’re looking for your next leisure read, a book for the whole family, or a thrilling fictional novel, we’ve got a list of books written by local authors in Columbia.
From unspoken rules to commuting, we’ve compiled tips, tricks, and fun memories we share as locals who know the city like the backs of our hands. Consider this your official list of unofficial Columbia rules.
Got a hot new fling? Hoping to spice things up with your longtime partner? We’re here to help plan your next date night in Soda City.
Ready for your lunch break? Check out these 17 lunches from subs to fries and a shake.
Dig into delicious and nutritious vegan and vegetarian fare in every corner of Columbia.
Discover the cost of living for Columbia, including housing, transportation, and everyday expenses. Find out how Columbia, SC compares to the national average in terms of affordability.
COLAtoday phone
Good news for Columbia.
Get the best local news & events sent to your inbox each morning, for free.