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Travel and Outdoors

A rotating gif featuring: Photo 1: A woman and a child walk hand in hand on a sunny sidewalk. A chalkboard reads "Go Heels, Blue Cups" nearby. People bustle in the background. Photo 2: A musician in a bright orange cap and sunglasses sings into a microphone, playing an acoustic guitar under a blue canopy. Drummer and guitarist in the background. Photo 3: A family enjoys a sunny day on the grass by a historic mansion. A small child and man greet a dog, while a woman with sunglasses sits nearby, smiling. Photo 4: A person pours orange sauce over a plate of food featuring pulled pork, cornbread, rice, and greens at an outdoor event. Photo 5: A smiling couple takes a selfie on a rooftop overlooking a sunny urban street with trees, cars, and pedestrians below.
Travel and Outdoors
3 ways to get your fill of fall in Chapel Hill
Why settle for one fall festival when you can experience music, food, and art all season long?
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Find your wild side in the Olde English District
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This hidden gem is swimming in southern charm
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Attendees enjoy music and community at past Smoky Mountains Bluegrass Festival events.
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No. 1 county festival is back: Smoky Mountains Bluegrass Festival 2025
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A satellite image above Columbia. The city is labeled, and four blue lines are going off — one north, one east, one south, and one west — out past the edges of the screen.
Travel and Outdoors
Which cities share Columbia’s latitude and longitude?
Directly north, east, south, and west of COLA, cities across the world await.
September 2, 2025
 · 
Patrick Sidwell
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Weather
How to prepare for hurricane season
This hurricane guide will help you prepare for the 2025 season, which is expected to produce above-normal storm activity in the Atlantic.
August 12, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
Heat dangers
Travel and Outdoors
Tips for staying cool while the Midlands is under heat advisories
They don’t call Columbia famously hot for nothin’, but while the heat stays in the triple digits and the Midlands is under heat advisories, here are tips and recommendations for other activities.
July 28, 2025
 · 
Samantha Robertson
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Play
11 hiking trails to try in and around Columbia
Check out these 11 hiking trails catering to all skill levels in and around Columbia, SC, for outdoor adventures.
July 23, 2025
 · 
Samantha Robertson
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Live
Farmers markets in Columbia
Pack your reusable shopping bags, because we’ve rounded up 10 farmers markets around Columbia, SC.
July 16, 2025
 · 
Vagney Hampshire
Photo 1: A family of 4 sits on the grass on a hike with mountains in the background. Photo 2: A planetarium filled with people looking up at the stars. Photo 3: An overhead shot of the town of Burnsville, NC with green mountains surrounding the town. Photo 4: A man and a woman walk downtown Burnsville with a child sitting on the man's shoulders. Photo 5: A woman makes a pot on a pottery wheel, with several similar clay pots on the table next to her.
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Your guide to a refreshing mountain weekend in Burnsville, NC
This picturesque mountain town is open and thriving eight months after Hurricane Helene rocked the WNC region.
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Saluda Shoals Park
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28 parks in the Midlands of South Carolina
We’re highlighting the 28 best parks the Midlands has to offer — complete with scenic trails, splash pads, riverfront views, and plenty of space to play, picnic, and relax.
June 25, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
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Culture
Go picking in these pumpkin patches around Columbia
It’s the season of the pumpkins, so we’re rounding up a list of places to go picking. Check out these patches, farms, and nurseries.
October 8, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
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History
Columbia’s historical markers: The Figure 8
The number eight symbolizes South Carolina’s history — from the eight Lords Proprietors and colonial rulers to becoming the nation’s eighth state.
October 7, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
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Events
Plan Ahead: Don’t miss these events happening in Columbia
Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.
October 3, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
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Culture
15 Historic street names in Columbia
Columbia, SC has 230+ years of history. In this guide, we’re diving into the city’s oldest streets and how they got their names.
September 30, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
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Events
Choose your own adventure at the SC State Fair
This year’s theme, Harvesting Happiness, sets the stage for rides, foods, music, and competitions at the SC State Fair.
September 29, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
Professionally decorated front porch featuring pumpkins, flowers, and a fall wreath.
Real Estate
Meet the newest fall trend: Professional porch decorators
If you’re short on time this season, this may just be the perfect solution.
September 26, 2025
 · 
Amelia Grooms
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Food
Restaurant Roundup: New and coming-soon restaurants in Columbia
Dining in Columbia is always a fresh experience, with new restaurants popping up all the time — and more on the way.
September 26, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
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Arts
Where to take music lessons in Columbia
From toddlers to retirees, explore local schools and programs that keep Columbians learning and playing music.
September 25, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
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Food
Late night food in the Soda City
Discover Columbia’s late-night dining spots, from Tex-Mex and pizza to pub fare and desserts, perfect for post-11 p.m. cravings.
September 24, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
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Events
Columbia’s fall bucket list
Check off each of these bucket list items to make the most of the fall season in the Midlands.
September 23, 2025
 · 
David Stringer