66º | Heavy thunderstorms | 90% chance of rain
Sunrise 7:30 a.m. | Sunset 5:32 p.m.
Sun’s out, laptops out
Roasted chicken, butternut squash, mac and cheese + a dreamy view | Photo by the COLAtoday team
You’ve got a big presentation due… and a big pile of laundry taunting you. We get it — working from home can be a mixed blessing. There are days when a change of scenery is a must if you’re going to get anything done. The good news? Research shows that tackling your tasks al fresco actually helps boost productivity.
Finding places to work outside in the Soda City was at the top of our to-do list, so can we just say? Check.
Patio of smallSUGAR | Photo by @sarahemucha
Coffee and tea shops
Caffeine reigns supreme if you have a latte work to finish. Put on your favorite playlist and get to it.
smallSUGAR, 709 Gervais St., Columbia
Operating hours: Daily, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Wifi: Yes
Covered: Yes
smallSUGAR has a fully-covered patio just outside of its doors that make for a perfectly shaded breakfast or brunch. Pro tip: order the smallSUGAR breakfast with a pastry on the side.
Restaurants and bars
At these fine establishments, the patio is the way to go — especially when the Cola weather is at its best. Order some food and drinks to fuel your focus.
Columbia Craft, 520 Greene St., Columbia
Operating hours: Monday-Thursday: 2 to 10 p.m., Friday-Saturday: 12 to 10 p.m.
Covered: Yes
Finish your work day at Columbia Craft and have your friends meet you for Trivia or Music Bingo nights.
Bring your lunch, your laptop, and a hotspot to one of Columbia’s riverwalks. | Photo by the COLAtoday team
Parks and public spaces
It’s hard to beat fresh air when you want to think clearly. Set up a picnic blanket or head to your favorite picnic table — just don’t forget to charge your devices and bring your own hotspot.
The Riverwalks, Various locations. Find access points.
Days/hours of operation: Open daily until dark
Restrooms: Sometimes
Covered: No
Whether you enjoy engaging in physical activities, a quiet place to work, or simply seeking a serene spot to unwind with a good book, the Three Rivers Greenway offers an ideal destination.
Smoked Oyster Series | Tuesday, June 27 | 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.
Yoga on Tap | Tuesday, June 27 | 6-7 p.m. | The Grand on Main, 1621 Main St., Columbia | $10 | Take a yoga class and enjoy a beer with a quick bite on The Grand’s beautiful back patio.
Wednesday, June 28
Broadway in Columbia • Dear Evan Hansen | Wednesday, June 28-Sunday, July 2 | 7:30-10 p.m. | Koger Center for the Arts, 1051 Greene St., Columbia | $38-$88 | Evan Hansen is about to get the one thing he wanted: a chance to finally fit in.
Comedy + Beer at Old Mill Brewpub | Wednesday, June 28 | 6:30-9 p.m. | Old Mill Brewpub, 711 E. Main St. Ste. A3, Lexington | $15 | Laugh along with SC comedians and get there early to order pre-show food.
Thursday, June 29
Beach Blanket Bingo | Thursday, June 29 | 7-9 p.m. | Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St., Columbia | $28-$210 | Drag Queen extraordinaire Patti O’Furniture, recently featured on HBO’s We’re Here, calls the numbers and leads guests through a wild evening filled with laughs, bingo, and fine art.
Friday, June 30
Drive-In Movie Night - Top Gun: Maverick | Friday, June 30 | 6:45-10:30 p.m. | Saluda Shoals Park, 5605 Bush River Rd., Columbia | $15 | Watch the newest installment of Top Gun from the comfort of your own car.
Saturday, July 1
Independence Day Fireworks Celebration | Saturday, July 1 | 4-10 p.m. | $25 for tents | Fort Jackson- Hilton Parade Field, Hartsville Guard Rd., Columbia | Enjoy live entertainment, fireworks, carnival rides, and more at Fort Jacskson’s Independence Day Celebration.
The Market at Icehouse | Saturday, July 1 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Icehouse Amphitheater, 107 West Main St., Lexington | Free | Enjoy a farmer/grower and local artisan market that promotes, supports, and encourages local production, while educating citizens on the benefits of eating local, fresh produce.
We asked Mattison for her insider tips on making the most out of a Saturday in Cola. | Photo provided by Mattison Heatherly
How does an Experience Columbia SC Ambassador spend a Saturday? We asked Mattison Heatherly, and she delivered. Let’s pass the mic over to her:
Hi, COLAtoday readers! Mattison Heatherly here. After moving from TX to NC and landing in Columbia in 2018, I am so proud to call Columbia my home. As the founder of City Social, a marketing and PR company specializing in hospitality brands, I am passionate about supporting local restaurants throughout our region and through my travels.
I fell in love with our city through wonderful food and drinks and have loved to see it blossom even more over the years. With all the delicious eats we enjoy, I find balance in staying active and by getting outdoors with our dog Hank, who loves to visit the Riverwalk and dog parks around town. Here’s a peek into how I would spend a perfect Saturday in #RealColumbiaSC.
They don’t call us Famously Hot for nothin’. Be aware of this week’s heat as temperatures reach into the 90s. Downtown, USC’s campus, and other major corridors are considered hot spots, while the shaded riverwalks and parks are milder. Read more about our city’s heat map study. (The State)
Food
Bourbon, a local whiskey bar and restaurant on Main Street, is considered one of the 12 best whiskey bars in the country, according to Mashed.com. Bourbon boasts over 500 whiskeys + features a Cajun-creole menu. (The Post and Courier)
Edu
The University of South Carolina’s Board of Trustees approved a new budget that freezes in-state tuition for the fifth year in a row, allocates funds for student internships, establishes a Brain Health Center, renovates classrooms, and more. Take a look.
Number
$60,000. That’s the scholarship amount that Jada Samuel took home as the winner of the Miss South Carolina 2023 pageant. Jada is a USC alum and will compete in the Miss America pageant later this year.
Concert
Free Times writer Vincent Harris put together a lineup of anticipated concerts coming to Columbia, including music groups like the Jonas Brothers, Mt. Joy, Moon Taxi, The Front Bottoms, and more. See the lineup and grab your tickets. (The Post and Courier)
Community
A friendly reminder as Independence Day rounds the corner — beginning July 1, Richland County’s new fireworks ordinance prohibits lighting fireworks in unincorporated areas from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., except on July 5 and January 1 when they are allowed until 1 a.m.
Cause
AllSouth recently held their annual Soldiers & Vets Charity Golf Tournament. Thanks to the generosity of the participants, sponsors + donors, the tournament raised $25,000 (the most ever raised through this event) for tournament beneficiary, Transitions Homeless Center.*
Shop
We’re excited to introduce, Trailblazing Love, the newest brand added to our online store (Six & Main). From camping to coastal adventures, this local business inspires couples to explore the world and nurture their relationships through outdoor-based activity boxes. Shop the perfect activity box now.
Travel
Wanna save 40-90% on flights? Sign up for Going — a free travel membership — and you can browse deals immediately (like a $300+ round tripto Barcelona).*
Edu
🐯 Talk of the tiger town
A glimpse into the future at Clemson University. | Sketch via Clemson University
Did you know — Clemson University plans to establish its first College of Veterinary Medicine in 2026? It will be the first-of-its-kind program in the state, making it the only thing the Tigers have over the Gamecocks — just kidding.
The $285 million program received unanimous approval from the Board of Trustees and is supported by the South Carolina General Assembly and Governor Henry McMaster.
With a projected shortage of 41,000 veterinarians by 2030, the new college aims to address the need for veterinary services across the state. The college will be adjacently located to Clemson’s Equine Center. The founding Dean is still being established and architects are set to design the campus facilities.
Expect a groundbreaking next spring. Click the button below to read all of the details about the new school and the university’s next steps — our friends at GVLtoday (closer to tiger town) have the scoop.
A while back, I asked you to answer a survey about where you like to work outside around Columbia. Something I love (and find funny) is that more than several of you answered with “my back porch.” Honestly, me too. One of my favorite things to do on meeting-heavy days is to pick up lunch somewhere close by and work from my back porch.
Also, in honor of Clemson University’s new vet program, here’s a vet joke for ya.
Me: “Do you know where the closest vet is?”
Friend: “No. why?”
Me” *flexes arms* “Because these pythons are sick!”
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