Travel and Outdoors

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Sports
7 disc golf courses in the Midlands
Learn how and where to play disc golf in the Capital City.
February 18, 2026 01:41 PM
 · 
David Stringer
A GIF of wildlife at the South Carolina Aquarium.
Sponsored
Dive into your wild side at the South Carolina Aquarium
Explore South Carolina’s habitats and learn how the Aquarium is helping protect them.
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Play
10+ pools, water parks, and splash pools in Columbia
Do you need more ways to beat the heat? Check out our list of pools, water parks, and splash pools in Columbia.
May 23, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
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Travel and Outdoors
The Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies are blooming
Experience the rare Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies in bloom in Columbia’s rivers and at Landsford Canal State Park.
May 8, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
A GIF of people enjoying outdoor activities in Greenville, SC.
Sponsored
Get ready for the ultimate summer lineup in Greenville, SC
From live music and free festivals to outdoor aventures, Greenville’s summer schedule is stacked.
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A group of golfers holding clubs pose for a picture on a fairway.
Sponsored
Tee off for a great cause
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A group of people stand in front of two blue "COMET" buses during a ribbon-cutting ceremony. A woman in the center cuts the white ribbon while others smile and pose for the photo. The event celebrates the launch of COMET's new zero-emission bus fleet.
City
COMET unveils its first zero-emission buses
The transit system is building its zero-emissions fleet by adding buses with hydrogen fuel cell and battery-electric technology.
April 22, 2025
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
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Food
Plan a Soda City picnic
Plan the perfect picnic in Columbia by prepping your meal, packing your equipment, and picking a scenic local destination.
April 21, 2025
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David Stringer
Wisteria
Travel and Outdoors
What’s with the wisteria in Soda City?
The story behind the purple flowers that look like grapes and usually blooms in the spring in Columbia an the surrounding areas.
April 10, 2025
 · 
Samantha Robertson
A photo of the baseball field at Segra Park.
Sponsored
Meet the Fireflies’ new manager
David Noworyta has always put his teammates first, and that mindset has guided him from player to coach.
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The Columbia skyline | Photo by COLAtoday team
Culture
6 unbelievable Columbia and South Carolina headlines
These stories look like they’re stranger than fiction, but there are no jokes here. All of these headlines really found their way into the news.
March 31, 2025
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
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A photograph of the iconic San Siro Stadium in Milan, lit up at night. The sky is cloudy and dark blue overhead, with the stadium lit up by a flurry of lights on its concourses. Empty entrance gates are in front of the giant structure.
What would a Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony look like in Columbia?
The grand opening of the winter event is today in Northern Italy. We’re imagining how it would go down in the Columbia area.
February 5, 2026
 · 
STAFF
Giant wooden sculpture of a seated, gentle-looking troll amidst lush green forest.
Arts
South Carolina’s first Thomas Dambo troll is coming to Cayce
Danish artist Thomas Dambo is bringing one of his famous upcycled trolls to the Cayce Riverwalk, just minutes from downtown Columbia.
February 4, 2026
 · 
Morgan O’Neal
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History
5 ways to honor Black history in Columbia
Discover more about Columbia’s African American history.
February 4, 2026
 · 
David Stringer
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Entertainment
Carolina Band wins Metallica Marching Band Competition
USC’s band won Metallica’s collegiate competition with a halftime tribute, earning a national prize and a spot in EA Sports’ game.
February 2, 2026
 · 
David Stringer
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Events
First look: Columbia Food & Wine 2026
Columbia Food & Wine returns with chef-driven events across town, plus Tastemakers early ticket access and a new USC scholarship.
February 2, 2026
 · 
David Stringer
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Events
Editor’s Pick: Bird Photographer of the Year lands at SC State Museum
An international bird photography exhibition opens in Columbia this spring, with local bird highlights and the upcoming Flock Fest.
January 28, 2026
 · 
David Stringer
Morihiko Nakahara conducting
Arts
Stephen G. Morrison Visionary award returns
The Stephen G. Morrison Visionary Award is back, spotlighting individuals whose leadership helped shape Columbia’s creative identity.
January 28, 2026
 · 
David Stringer
Cecil Williams Large.jpeg
Events
Event Spotlight: SoulHAUS Sessions with Cecil J. Williams
SoulHAUS Sessions brings civil rights icon Cecil J. Williams to the Koger Center for an intimate artist talk.
January 27, 2026
 · 
David Stringer
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Food
The Taste of Lake Murray returns
Tickets are on sale now for Taste of Lake Murray, supporting Lake Murray’s Independence Day fireworks.
January 26, 2026
 · 
David Stringer
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City
Applications open for Leadership Columbia Class of 2027
Leadership Columbia offers a behind-the-scenes look at the people, issues, and decisions shaping the Midlands.
January 22, 2026
 · 
David Stringer