Today’s Note

Please excuse our dust. We’re currently working to bring you an even better newsletter. Over the next couple weeks, you may see some things that are still in the works. We’re excited for you to see what we’ve been up to.

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11 hiking trails to try in and around Columbia

The Boyd Passage Trailhead opens a fresh route on the Palmetto Trail, thanks to The Boyd Foundation. | Photos by COLAtoday

From quick and easy loops around town to drives that take you to fantastic lakes and mountains, our city has so many options to hit the trail. So lace up your hiking boots, because we’ve compiled a hiking guide for the Midlands area with eight routes and trails to help you plan your next adventure and experience breathtaking views.

Note: While parks and trails may be listed as open, we recommend checking park websites before visiting for further info, current trail conditions, and the safest practices for the area.

Key: Easy = 🥾| Moderate = 🥾🥾 | Hard = 🥾🥾🥾

Congaree National Park Trails — The Boardwalk Loop Trail is wheelchair accessible. | Photo by @hdcarolina

Central, SC

Congaree National Park, Boardwalk Loop Trail

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: 2.6 miles
Dog friendly: Yes
Wheelchair accessible: Yes

The boardwalk is stroller and wheelchair accessible; however, the park is within a floodplain, so check the trails’ conditions before going. If you want more of a challenge, check out Weston Lake Loop Trail (4.4 miles), Oakridge Trail (~7 miles), or River Trail (~10 miles).

Columbia

The Palmetto Trail, The Peak to Prosperity Passage

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: 10.7 miles
Dog friendly: Yes

The Palmetto trail connects over 500 miles of trails that trek through all of SC, and The Peak to Prosperity Passage proceeds from the Alston trailhead in Fairfield County across the Broad River. Enjoy views from the 1,100-foot-long bridge and keep your eyes peeled for eagles and other wildlife like beavers. See over 30 passages you can take around our state here.

Three Rivers Greenway

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: 12.5 miles
Dog friendly: Yes
Wheelchair accessible: Yes

This path runs along three riverfront pathways – where the Broad and Saluda rivers form the Congaree. The trail is a dog-friendly and ADA-accessible environment and includes boardwalks, public restrooms, and views of Columbia’s rivers.

5 more hikes this way

POLL

How often do you go on vacation?

A. Once a year
B. 2-3 times a year
C. 4-5 times a year
D. 5+ times a year
E. What’s a vacation?

Congratulations to Tyler R. for winning a $50 gift card to our online shop, Six & Main. Did you know you could be our next winner? Answer this week’s survey questions for a chance to score a gift card!

Let us know here

Events

Monday, March 27

Whose Live Anyway? | Monday, Mar. 27 | 7:30 p.m. | Koger Center for the Arts, 1051 Greene St., Columbia | $47-$57 | Enjoy 90 minutes of hilarious improvised comedy and songs all based on audience suggestions.

Tuesday, March 28

Oyster Series | Tuesday, Mar. 28 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Smoked, 1643 Main St., Columbia | $60 | Learn to appreciate oysters like a fine wine, and discover the nuance of flavor by the climate of origin, taste, texture, and salinity.
Legally Blonde | Tuesday, Mar. 28-Wednesday, Mar. 29 | 7:30-10 p.m. | $55-$99 | Koger Center for the Arts, 1051 Greene St., Columbia | Based on the beloved movie, Legally Blonde follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes, sexism, snobbery, and scandal in pursuit of her dreams

Wednesday, March 29

Wine Down Wednesday with WIP + YLS | Wednesday, Mar. 29 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Femme x Columbia, 1501 Richland St., Columbia | $0-$15 | This Women Entrepreneur Happy Hour is the perfect networking opportunity for local businesswomen to fellow boss babes in the community over a glass of wine and light bites.

Thursday, March 30

Annual Tartan Day South Celebration | Thursday, Mar. 30 | Various locations around West Columbia | Prices vary for each event | Tartan Day South honors the Celtic culture and heritage in South Carolina’s Midlands region.

Friday, March 31

Team DeVita Oyster Roast for LLS | Friday, Mar. 31 | 6-10 p.m. | Saluda River Club Chickawa Outdoor Center, 629 Chickawa Dr, Lexington | $125 | All ticket sales will go directly to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the event will feature oysters, craft beer, music, and more.

Plan ahead with our community events calendar.

100+ more events

Click here to have your event featured.

Family

Events

Celebrate Children’s Museum Week during The Week of the Young Child

Presented by a COLAtoday Partner

Young girl with curly hair and a headband doing an activity at a children's museum

Young children can experience hands-on activities that support early learning. | Photo provided by EdVenture Children’s Musuem

In case you missed it, Governor McMaster recently proclaimed the week of April 1-7 as Children’s Museum Week. This week also marks the Week of the Young Child® (WOYC) 2023, a time to recognize that each and every child deserves to experience an environment — at home, at child care, at school, and in the community — that promotes early learning.

In an effort to support the governor’s proclamation, celebrate the Week of the Young Child, and share the joy of learning, EdVenture is hosting a week-long celebration featuring activities for young children and their families. A kick-off event will be held Saturday, April 1 at EdVenture from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. highlighting the week’s themes, which include:

Music Monday
Tasty Tuesday
Work Together Wednesday
Artsy Thursday
Family Friday

The kick-off event isn’t all that EdVenture has to offer for WOYC. The museum will be featuring activities and programs around each day’s theme all week long. Local businesses and vendors will be at EdVenture throughout the week to help with programming, and community members are invited to join in on the fun as often as they can. Participation is free with general museum admission (and of course, admission is always free for EdVenture members).

Pro tip: If you’re interested in attending any or all of the Week of the Young Child events, this would be a great time to secure a museum membership, as it can pay for itself within just a few trips.*

Build a love of learning

News Notes

Sports

The Gamecock women’s basketball team defeated UCLA over the weekend, allowing them to move to the Elite Eight round of the NCAA tournament. They will face Maryland tonight at 7 p.m. in Greenville in hopes of moving to the Final Four round.
GG Jackson may be headed to the NBA. The 18-year-old freshman at USC announced on his social media that he will be declaring for the NBA draft. The State has more details. (The State)

Eat

Sour and Salt Bakery — a bakery inside of Rosewood Market — is serving up freshly made sourdough bread. The local bakery makes other homemade goodies like brownies, cookies, sourdough loaves, rolls, and eventually, breakfast items. Pro tip: These loaves have also been spotted at Uncle Willie’s Grocery Store. (The Post and Courier)

Arts

Make plans to attend Arts & Draughts at The Columbia Museum of Art on Friday from 7-11 p.m. Enjoy beer from Weco Bottle & Biergarten, live music, art projects, scavenger hunts, and more. Want to know what to expect? Read through our experience.

Seasonal

Has spring sprung in your home yet? If you’re looking to get outdoors, these wipeable tablecloths are just begging for some alfresco dining, and these garden and herb labels will get you in a planting mood. Plus, this viral birdfeeder practically brings the birds inside with you.

The Word

Maravilloso. Start using it in conversation in three weeks.*

OUTDOORS

Speaking of hiking ...

Hit the Road: an outdoor adventure to Asheville, NC

Views while hiking Black Balsam Knob | Photo by findyara photography

Last year, we kicked off our summer road trip series — Hit the Road — with an outdoor adventure-themed trip to Asheville, NC. If you’re looking for more mountainous hikes with panoramic views and award-winning restaurant options, this city is a great destination for experienced adventurers + novice nature seekers alike.

Here’s everything you need to know about the area + our insider recommendations.

Drive time: ~2.5 hours
Est. population: 92,328
Avg. high in June: 82º

🥾Things to do

Bearwallow Mountain Trail
You can drive most of the way up the mountain + take a one-mile trail from the gravel lot that includes a series of steep switchbacks. Don’t let the steep switchbacks deter you. When you reach the top, you’ll be standing 4,232-ft above sea level, have 360º views of surrounding mountains, and may see cows grazing among the wildflowers. Yes, cows.

Click below for more hikes, grub recommendations, and places to stay.

More recommendations here

The Wrap

Samantha Robertson in a white shirt and grey vest

Today’s Edition By:
Sam

From the Editor

In your opinion, the best hiking snack is:

A. GORP aka trail mix
B. Granola bar
C. Fresh fruit
D. Jerky
Let us know your thoughts here.

Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback

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