13 things to do in Columbia, S.C.

Whether you live in Columbia or you’re just calling it home for a day or two, we’re here to help you get the best Soda City experience. We made a bucket list of 13 things you have to do when visiting the city – especially if you want to experience it like a local.

• View some animals at Riverbanks Zoo | Want to get a little “wild”? Become George of the Jungle when you peep the baby gorillas at Riverbanks . The unique Cola zoo is home to many animals including ones you can feed – like the giraffes .

• Go to a museum | As the state’s capital, Cola is home to some great museums. We recommend trying out the Columbia Museum of Art , the South Carolina State Museum , or EdVenture Children’s Museum with the little ones.

• Stroll through a city market | The best way to get an inside look at the city. Catch the state farmer’s market any time Monday-Friday + join everyone at Soda City on Main St. on Saturday. You won’t be disappointed.

• Get crafty with your brews | For the craft connoisseur, we’ve perfected the perfect pour on this list .

• Spend the day on the water | Even though we aren’t on the ocean, Cola is still a city full of water. You can take a walk with your pup on the Riverwalk or enjoy the sun out on Lake Murray. You can even rent kayaks for travelling the Congaree River – if that floats your boat.

• Get a sweet treat | We recommend you hit up Pelican’s Snoballs for an icy treat to beat the heat or grab a decadent delicacy at one of the city’s bakeries – like Silver Spoon Bake Shop or Blue Flour Bakery .

• Take a hike | S.C. is home to a lot of great hiking spots, including Harbison State Forest + Sesquicentennial State Park . You also won’t want to miss Congaree National Park , especially because you might even catch a glimpse of the synchronous fireflies if you visit in May.

• Get some S.C. barbeque | If you’ve never tried mustard-based barbeque, now is your chance. Of course, if you chicken out, you can still find ketchup- + vinegar-based barbeque in Cola. Check out Southern Belly , Home Team or one of Columbia’s many other BBQ joints for a good southern meal.

• Learn about Cola’s history | As a city that’s been around since 1786, there’s a lot of history in our area. History buffs need to catch a Historic Columbia tour or a behind-the-scenes look at the State House .

• Catch a movie at the Nick | Columbia is home to South Carolina’s only nonprofit cinema. At the heart of Main St., it is a Cola treasure + a great place to catch an indie flick. Plus, the marquee lights make for a great photo op.

• Take me out to the ballpark | If you’re in the city during the right time of year, you’ll be able to rally some cheer for our local baseball team, the Fireflies . If you happen to have some lime green in your closet, put it on and enjoy some good ‘ole dollar hot dogs.

• Enjoy a festival | Festival season is all year long in S.C.’s capital city. We’re currently looking forward to the Shrimp and Grits Festival .

• Try out a new restaurant | Our favorite foodie establishments include Mediterrenean Tea Room, Il Giorgione + Motor Supply Co. . Or try one of these restaurants – which were featured on the Food Network for their enormous dishes. If you want to toast to all Soda City has to offer, take a look at these weekly happy hours.