While there’s no shortage of beautiful or adventurous outdoor spots to discover, here are some must-visit locations to add to your itinerary. | Photos provided by VisitGreenvilleSC
Welcome to Greenville, SC, where the outdoor scene offers a perfect blend of scenic parks, tranquil waterfalls, and picturesque trails.
You’ll want to pack your binoculars for the panoramic views at Caesars Head Overlook in Caesars Head State Park. See miles of the Blue Ridge mountains stretch into the horizon, or stop to bird-watch on clear days.
🌊 A waterfall worth falling for
You don’t need to venture far off the beaten path to find a stunning waterfall. An easy pull-off from Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway 11 brings you face to face with Wildcat Wayside Falls. The lowest level features a calm pool at the base of the falls. Pack a picnic and enjoy the soothing sounds of nature.
🚲 Discover the trail everyone’s talking about
One of Greenville’s most accessible trail options, the 28-mile Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail, runs alongside the Reedy River and accommodates all ages and fitness levels. Hop on and hop off easily to visit county parks and local sites. It’s time to find your not-so-ordinary outdoor adventure.
🍽️ Savor the scene
Enjoy a meal at one of the riverside restaurants with scenic views of the Reedy River. Afterward, take a stroll through Falls Park, which features modern architecture, distinctive art installations, and a soothing waterfall.
🛶 Make a splash with lake day
Speaking of waterfalls,Lake Jocassee is home to more than half a dozen. Take advantage of on-the-water fun with guided kayak tours or boat rentals, or go below the surface to uncover submerged remains of towns and cemeteries from when the valley flooded.
🦅 Soar above the trees
Feel the adrenaline rush while ziplining and taking in the views from above. Whether you’re gliding through the forest or zipping over scenic spots, you’re in for an unforgettable experience.
Handmade: Color Yourself Calm | 6 p.m. | Cayce-West Columbia Branch Library, West Columbia | Free | Find a sense of relaxation and relieve stress at this adult coloring session.
The McNair Conversations: Michael Stipe | 6-7:30 p.m. | Koger Center for the Arts | Free | The former lead singer of R.E.M. will deliver his speech about the impacts he’s made on the American South.
“The Seed of the Sacred Fig” | 6:30 p.m. | The Nick | $12 | Watch and discuss this Persian film as part of the Nick’s Reel Talk series.
Music Bingo | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Columbia Craft Brewing Co. | Free | Name that tune, fill your board, and grab food from Parabellum Mobile Eats.
Thursday, March 20
Interspace | 6-7:30 p.m. | Goodall Gallery at Columbia College | Free | Immerse yourself in this showcase featuring five contemporary artist displaying a range of styles with artist talks and Q+As.
“Cowboy Bebop” Live | 7 p.m. | The Senate | $30+ | The Bebop Bounty Big Band brings the anime’s soundtrack to life with a high-octane jazz performance from a 14-piece ensemble.
Having a primary care physician is essential to maintaining overall health + wellness. | Photo provided by Lexington Medical Centr
In a world of quick fixes and instant answers, it’s easy to overlook the value of having a primary care physician (PCP).
With urgent care clinics and telehealth just a click away, many people put off finding a doctor until something goes wrong.
But here’s the thing — establishing care with a PCP while you’re healthy is one of the smartest moves you can make for your long-term well-being.
Enter: Lexington Medical Center with convenient locations and expert providers. Your primary care doctor isn’t just there for when you’re sick; they’re your partner in health.
Virginia-founded restaurant Cocky Rooster has flown into Five Points, opening a new location on Devine Street. The chicken restaurant specializes in wings, tenders, and sandwiches. As the sign implies, guests are invited to cluck around and find out by adding one of its many sauces to their order. (The State)
Featured
SC has shelves full of history, and Discover SC mapped out a road trip packed with many of the state’s best spots for antiquing. If you don’t want to travel for some old-fashioned shopping, check out the two spots in West Columbia: Three Rivers Antiques + Old Mill Antique Mall.
Job
Looking to work for Cola? The city will host its fourth annual job fair to fill vacancies and openings in various departments. You can now register to attend the event at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center on Tuesday, April 22, starting at 9 a.m.
Cause
The City of Columbia is giving locals another way to show their support for its Go Red campaign. Through Sunday, March 30, locals can purchase T-shirts, and all proceeds will go to the American Heart Association for heart disease + stroke research.
Award
USA Today 10Best has nominated the Soda City Market as one of the best farmers markets in the US. Help the local market beet the competition by voting — you can do so daily through Monday, April 14. The publication will announce its rankings on Wednesday, April 23.
Concert
The SC State Museum and ColaJazz Foundation’s star-studded Constellation Concert Series is returning this Thursday, March 20, at 6 p.m. Tickets are on sale for “Marian McPartland: Under the Stars,” a show that celebrates the jazz legend a decade after her death.
Sports
Gamecocks men’s basketball turned down their invitation to the NIT Tournament, instead focusing on the team’s plan for next year. Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the South Carolina Gamecockswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Stat
0%. That’s how much interest this card offers into 2026 — no wonder experts call it “hands down” one of “the best balance transfer cards."*
Outdoors
With spring comes outdoor concerts + music festivals — luckily, these hearing aids are the world’s first with multi-stream processing, designed to help you engage in conversations effortlessly (even in noisy environments, like that must-see show).*
The opposite of sticker shock? Going’s free travel membership, which alerts you when flights leaving your airport are 40-90% off. You’re welcome.*
Category
Civic
🚧 Solving the hole problem
If you see something like this, report it to get filled. | Photo via Canva
Spring is a couple of days away, and we can say goodbye to winter, but the season’s potholes aren’t going anywhere — yet. The SC Department of Transportation has announced its “Pothole Blitz,” an effort to fill in the holes and cracks in the road.
Locals are invited to help with the initiative. If you know a pothole that needs to be filled, you can report it online or by calling SCDOT. Over the next few weeks, crews will be dispatched to complete work orders.
The Pothole Blitz is part of SCDOT’s Strategic 10-Year Plan to improve its highways and bridge system. For now, the department will patch holes to smooth things over and make driving less dangerous, but it eventually hopes to repave roads that have sustained more significant damage.
The Buy
The Buy
A reusable, exfoliating soap bag. Slip any soap bar into this bag and use it like a body scrubber to get a rich, soapy lather fast.
St. Patrick’s Day is over, but we still have an excuse to go green today. It’s Global Recycling Day, and there are plenty of ways to do your part in Columbia. If you need some reminders on the city’s recycling process, we’ve got your back.