Hit the Road: A foodie foray road trip to Greenville, SC
A view from The Liberty Bridge overlooking the Reedy River Falls. | Photo by COLAtoday team
Whether you’re interested in taking a tour of City Scape Winery, putting your cooking skills to the test at a sushi-making class, or trying several award-winning restaurant dishes at places like The Anchorage or Topsoil, Greenville is every foodie’s dream.
Before you start packing your bags, here’s everything you need to know about the area + our insider recommendations.
Drive time: ~1 hour and 40 minutes from downtown
Est. population: 525,534
Avg. high in January: 53°
Things to do in Greenville
TD Saturday Farmers Market
This is the most customizable foodie experience you can have in Greenville because you can pick + choose the ingredients you want in your dish. Every Saturday, May through October, from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. 75+ vendors come out to sell produce, specialty foods, and more.
Enjoying a City Scape Winery taste testing. | Photo by COLAtoday team
Memorable eats
CAMP
You can expect a menu filled with a whimsical mix of comfort food + dash of global flare sourced from local farmers. Pro tip: you can sit at Chef’s Counter where you’ll have a front-row-seat to chefs preparing delicious meals throughout the night.
Swamp Rabbit Cafe & Grocery
Swamp Rabbit Cafe and Grocery is a blend of a grocery store, cafe, bakery, food hub selling local produce, and community. This cafe and grocery store hyper-focused on local grab-n-go eats for when you want a quick bite or dinner to go.
Juniper’s garden rooftop | Photo by Say Curgan Photography / Max DiNatale Digital Marketing; digital credits: @saycurganphoto, @maxdinataledigital, and @juniper.gvl.
Accommodations with award-winning cuisine
Grand Bohemian Lodge Greenville, 44 East Camperdown Way, Greenville
Discover Between the Trees, offering a modern cuisine at the Grand Bohemian Lodge that overlooks Falls Park. Savor seasonally inspired dishes that are paired with fine New World wines. Don’t forget desserts, which are artfully made by an in-house pastry chef.
January half-off lunch features | Thursday, Jan. 11-Wednesday, Jan. 31 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Hanabi Hibachi and Sushi, 1600 Block Main St., Columbia | The Grand on Main, Hanabi Hibachi and Sushi, and Smoked are offering half-priced lunch on select menu items — plus, Goodlife Cafe is offering half off dinner (4-8 p.m.).*
Wednesday, Jan. 17
Sip and Plant Workshop: Blending Soil | Wednesday, Jan. 17 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Gardener’s Outpost, 1211 Franklin St., Columbia | $45 | In this class, students will learn about the difference between soil and dirt.
Friday, Jan. 19
Jurassic World Live Tour | Friday, Jan. 19-Sunday, Jan. 21 | Times vary | Colonial Life Arena, 801 Lincoln St., Columbia | $25-$105 | Get up close and personal with some of your favorite Jurassic World dinosaurs and vehicles.
Broadway’s Next Hit Musical | Friday, Jan. 19 | 7:30 p.m. | Harbison Theatre, 7300 College St., Irmo | $40 | Every song is fresh, every scene is new, every night is different, and it’s all improvised.
Saturday, Jan. 20
Stroller Tour: Rendez-Vous | Saturday, Jan. 20 | 10:30-11:30 a.m. | Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St., Columbia | $15 | Bring your little ones along for the ride on a stroller-friendly tour for caregivers with babies up to age two — fussy, crying, or wiggly babies are welcome.
Sunday, Jan. 21
Free Sundays Presented by Richland County | Sunday, Jan. 21 | 1-4 p.m. | Hampton-Preston Manion, 1615 Blanding St., Columbia | Free | The third Sunday of the month, residents of Richland and Lexington counties are invited to tour one of Historic Columbia’s house museums for free.
Prisma Health On Call: Ask the experts your HPV and cervical cancer questions
Curious about HPV and its link to cancer? Submit your questions to the Prisma Health experts, who are on call + ready to answer in our next edition of Prisma Health On Call. | Photo provided by Prisma Health
The human papilloma virus, commonly called HPV, is the single most common sexually transmitted pathogen in the United States. While many people know about HPV’s connection to cervical cancer, there are plenty of facts you may not know about the disease, including other ways it can affect future health and how the HPV vaccine helps to protect adults + teens.
For this month’s installment of Prisma Health On Call, we’re connecting readers to Prisma Health physicians who are here, on call, and ready to answer your questions about HPV and its link to cancer, how to prevent it, and more.
Think:
❓ What is HPV, and how does someone become infected?
❓Does HPV have symptoms?
❓How long after exposure will any sign of the infection appear?
❓Can HPV resolve on its own?
❓Is the HPV vaccine safe? What are the pros and cons of vaccination?
❓At what age can you receive the HPV vaccine?
❓Can adults be vaccinated against HPV?
Ashlyn Watkins,a 6-foot-3 Gamecock women’s basketball sophomore, stole the ball during the Kentucky game and threw down a right-handed dunk, the program’s second dunk ever. The Gamecocks stand undefeated after their 98-36 win over Kentucky. Next up, the team will travel to Texa A&M to play the Aggies on Sunday, Jan. 21.
Coming Soon
The Five Points store, Gibson’s Gifts (743 Saluda Ave.), established in 1955, will soon open as La Boheme, after a recent rebrand to align with the changing atmosphere of Five Points. An opening date hasn’t been set, but the store seems to anticipate a reopening date in February. (The Daily Gamecock)
Sports
Former Gamecock basketball player + Ridge View High School grad, 19-year-old GG Jackson, had a surprise interview where Shaquille O’Neal praised him, stating, “if people didn’t know who you were, they know who you are now.” Jackson is now the second-youngest player in NBA history to achieve back-to-back 20+ point games, a feat only surpassed by LeBron James.
Older adults
Join Curiosity Coffee on Thursday, Feb. 1 from 5 to 7 p.m. for a casual night out for a “Meet the Parents” event, hosting adults 65 and older in Columbia. The event aims to connect people in the same age group. Under 65? You’re welcome with a 65+ companion. Expect low-key good times, stay tuned for more details, and look forward to beer and wine specials.
Soda Citizen
George Martin, a 10-year-old Burnside Elementary Student, starred in a Foot Locker commercial with Anthony Edwards — an NBA player for the Minnesota Timberwolves. In the commercial, Martin gains a “hype squad” of Foot Locker employees. Take a look. (The Post and Courier)
Ranked
No. 12 — that’s the ranking SC received on WalletHub’s Best & Worst States to Start a Business list. The study considered 25 key indicators, including access to cash, skilled workers, and affordable office space.
Cause
You shop local, you eat local — how about donating blood local? Donate blood and save lives right here in your community with your community blood center, The Blood Connection. Donate today, lifesaver.*
St. Pat’s in Five Points unveils this year’s lineup for 2025 festival
Plan ahead for this year’s festival, taking place on Saturday, March 15, 2025. | Photos by Perry McLeod Photos; gif by COLAtoday
Get ready for the 43rd St. Pat’s in Five Points festival, happening on Saturday, March 15 from from 7:30 a.m.-7 p.m., featuring 24 acts across six stages. Every year, the festival transforms Five Points into a lively hub of music, vendors, food trucks, and family-friendly attractions.
This year’s event boasts an extensive lineup + Columbia-based recording artist, producer, entrepreneur and hip-hop activist Master Splnta will return as the host.
Headliners
Lettuce: six-piece, GRAMMY-nominated funk band that fuses, hip-hop, jazz, soul, psychedelia, and rock.
Shane Smith and the Saints: This country, folk, and rock band has been featured on hit TV shows like “Yellowstone” and “Landman.”
The Stews: a gritty rock + indie band that formed during the pandemic and played sold-out shows at venues like Windjammer and New York’s Bowery Ballroom.
Badfish: For nearly 25 years, Badfish has brought feel-good, high-energy vibes as a tribute to Sublime’s ska-punk and reggae-rock legacy.
Remember, registration for Get to the Green 5K/10K and one-mile family fun run includes festival entry. | Photo by Jessica Hunt Photography
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Jessica Hunt Photography/Jessica Hunt Photography
More than music
Get to the Green 5K, 10K + one-mile family fun run | Registration includes a race shirt, medal, and festival entry.
St. Pat’s Parade | a one-mile route that starts at Devine Street + Sims Avenue and ends on College Street.
Pot O’Gold Playland | The children’s area with balloons, face painting, rides, and more.
The Saint mocktail lounge | Think green + alcohol-free fun.
An inflatable Irish pub | This new pop-up pub will join the festival’s Food Truck Alley on Devine Street.
Purchase tickets | $30 until midnight on March 14; $35 at the gate.
I look forward to St. Pat’s every year. Running a local 5K is one of my goals for 2024, so I think this year will sign up for the Get to the Green 5K, 10K, or 1-Mile Family Fun Run. Registration includes entry into the St. Pat’s Festival, a shirt, a medal, and post-race refreshments. Be on the lookout for a full guide to St. Pat’s in the coming weeks.
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