Travel and Outdoors

takeout food by river
Outdoors
Best places to work outside in Columbia
When the sun is shining and the weather is perfect, pack a bag and head out to one of the many spots great for remote work in Columbia. From coffee shops to public parks, we have a plethora of places to refresh your mind and step away from your home desk.
April 14, 2026 03:25 PM
 · 
Ben McBee
Credit- Bennie Brawley -Enhanced-NR-1-2.png
Events
How to celebrate the Fourth of July if you don’t like fireworks
Not everyone loves the loud boom that echoes as fireworks go off on Independence Day. Here’s a short guide for how to still participate in the celebration if you (or your pets) don’t like fireworks.
June 28, 2024
 · 
Samantha Robertson
Tubing BBB
Weather
Remembering Cola’s hottest days on record
Columbia’s hottest day on record was June 29, 2012 when the Capital City hit 113°F.
June 25, 2024
 · 
David Stringer
Shade trees Columbia
Travel and Outdoors
Consider planting a tree with this free civic program
Have you ever considered the benefits of planting a tree in your local neighborhood or community? City of Columbia and Columbia Green are partnering to bring more trees to the Columbia area.
June 24, 2024
 · 
Samantha Robertson
IMG_5439
Travel and Outdoors
Participate in a local skateboarding competition on Go Skateboarding Day
Local skate shop Bluetile Skateboards is hosting a citywide skateboarding competition and watch party this weekend for Go Skateboarding Day.
June 20, 2024
 · 
Samantha Robertson
Squirrel Carolina Wildlife
Travel and Outdoors
Help Carolina Wildlife Center save baby animals
You’re more likely to find baby animals in need this summer, so be informed about how your intervention can help (or harm) local wildlife in need.
June 3, 2024
 · 
Dayten Rose
Columbia, SC
Weather
Summer 2024 weather forecast for Columbia, SC
See what’s in store for Columbia weather over the summer months in the Midlands of South Carolina.
May 28, 2024
 · 
David Stringer
IMG_8239.JPG
Travel and Outdoors
Riverbanks Zoo celebrates its golden anniversary
Riverbanks Zoo celebrates its 50th anniversary with a Golden Ticket giveaway. Learn about its history, present attractions like the new Boyd Aquarium, and future plans including the Bridge to the Wild expansion.
May 22, 2024
 · 
David Stringer
South Carolina Travel and Tourism Week 2024.jpg
Travel and Outdoors
SC’s Travel and Tourism Week celebrates the states tourism industry and growth
Governor McMaster highlighted SC’s tourism’s $29 billion impact and we break down local and regional tourism stats.
May 21, 2024
 · 
Samantha Robertson
Loveland Coffee
Travel and Outdoors
Help COLAtoday update its Columbia summer playlist for your next road trip
We are looking to update our Columbia summer playlist with our reader’s favorite local artists and references.
May 21, 2024
 · 
Samantha Robertson
Cayce riverwalk
Travel and Outdoors
Discover Cayce’s new TRACK Trail: an interactive adventure for families
Explore the Cayce Riverwalk’s 1.4-mile TRACK Trail with engaging activities for kids, part of the national Kids in Parks program.
May 15, 2024
 · 
Samantha Robertson
Load More
Latest News
More from COLAtoday
Bourbon Main Street-4307.png
Food

Wine and dine around Columbia for Restaurant Week South Carolina
Get your calendars out and start booking your reservations at these Midlands eateries offering special dishes, menus, and deals for a limited time during Restaurant Week South Carolina.
January 8, 2026
 · 
David Stringer
6AM-GC-Recap-Hero_Blue.png
City
What our readers love about COLAtoday
We compiled all of the feedback from our Giving Campaign to learn what readers love most and want to see more of in our newsletters. Here’s a peek at what they said.
January 6, 2026
 · 
David Stringer
thedroponmain_1732306260_3507161564283444389_70857226961.jpg
Events
12 New Year’s Eve events in Columbia to ring in 2026
Block parties, early ball drops, free games — whatever your vibe, there’s a Columbia-area New Year’s Eve for you.
December 16, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
Kendall Briles.jpeg
Sports
Beamer rebuilds Gamecocks’ offense with trio of hires
South Carolina is reshaping its offense with coordinator Kendal Briles and longtime assistants Stan Drayton and Randy Clements joining Shane Beamer’s staff.
December 11, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
2025-cfwf-grandetasting-webres_158.jpg
Food
Columbia Food & Wine Festival adds new initiatives
Columbia Food & Wine Festival returns with new Tastemakers memberships and a USC hospitality scholarship added to its five-day lineup.
December 11, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
jwty20IX.jpeg
Business
A spring class for future music industry pros
Registration is open for MAI’s spring Audio Engineering Certificate, a six-month program led by Jam Room’s Jay Matheson.
December 10, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
Screenshot 2025-12-10 at 11.40.01 AM.png
Development
Vista block along Senate Street set for redevelopment
The $80 million LOCAL Columbia development will add new apartments, retail space, parking, and streetscape improvements just one block from the State House.
December 10, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
2222 MV - Pool Courtyard Dusk Rendering (2025-09-09) Large.png
Development
Work on 2222 Main View apartments is underway
CF Evans has started building 2222 Main View, a 320-unit luxury apartment project coming to Main Street by 2027.
December 8, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
TodaysBest-HomePage-Hero_COLA.png
Small Business
Winners announced for COLAtoday’s Best 2025
Our readers have spoken — here are the best local spots our city has to offer, from the best coffee shop to the best apartment complex to the best dentist.
December 8, 2025
 · 
Sarah Leonhardt
GATHER COLA Rendering.jpg
City
COLAtoday 2025 Recap: The big news stories of 2025
It’s not just your year in music — we’ve also rounded up your year in local news.
December 4, 2025
 · 
David Stringer