Forget every dance move you’ve ever witnessed in your life--the Carolina Shag consists of the most difficult, impossible-to-follow-or-comprehend steps known to man. There’s a good reason the city and state are proud of their Shag: it’s pure magic.
Columbia didn’t earn the nickname “Capital of Southern Hospitality” by ignoring its residents. When you’re down here, it’s simply good manners to smile, tip your hat, say “hello” or--at the very least--nod to acknowledge people as you pass them on the street.
South Carolina’s official snack food is also one of the most savory you’ll find. Boiled peanuts are salty, satisfying, and nutritious. Grab yours at the South Carolina State Farmers Market, Susie’s Produce or The Peanut Man.
“Yellow Gold” or “Columbia Gold” are the mythical names given to BBQ sauce down this way, and for good reason--instead of using a ketchup base, folks here use mustard and cane sugar. The result? A tangy and sweet treat that adds kick to your pulled pork and ribs.
Columbia has a sophisticated dining scene where you will find any type of cuisine your tummy desires. If you have a client or date to impress, check out: The Oak Table: Order the Niman Ranch Pork Chop and Smoky Bacon Cornbread. Motor Supply Company Bistro: Here, the ever-changing menu always includes sustainably-farmed, house-butchered meats and farm-to-table veggies.
One of the best places to be on a cool autumn day is Williams-Brice Stadium, when the University of South Carolina’s football team faces rivals Clemson University, University of Georgia or University of Tennessee. Gamecocks are a passionate lot and it isn’t uncommon to find yourself sitting between a newborn baby clad in maroon and a senior citizen with his face painted to look like a rooster. And no worries if football isn’t your thing--USC has 19 top-notch varsity sports teams so there are ample opportunities to get into the Gamecocks spirit.
You’re going to love December in Columbia, when you can routinely get away with sporting a light jacket and grabbing a beer outdoors. But...how can I put this? You’re going to pay for it big time come July. Temperatures during the summer often climb up into the 90s and the 100s. And did I mention the humidity?
Columbians use any excuse to dress up in costume. Vintage shops like Hip Wa Zee stock every item and stitch of clothing you’ll ever need to become someone else or play out your dreams of living in a different decade. This will come in handy when you prep for Columbia’s annual Mardi Gras festival.
The “Parks and Recreation” actor may not be a household name quite yet, but, surprisingly, for a city filled with talented, ambitious, and smart people, he’s currently its most famous export. And that’s nothing to be ashamed of because he’s pretty damn funny.
With easy access to the Saluda, Broad and Congaree Rivers, Columbia offers ample opportunity to strap on a life preserver and go kayaking, whitewater rafting, paddling or tubing. You can book a unique river tour with a company such as Palmetto Outdoor, which offers everything from mellow river trips through the Granby locks to educational, guided walking tours--a dreamy experience for bird-watchers--to wild whitewater experiences down the Saluda River, which are definitely not for the faint of heart!
The average education level of a person residing in Columbia is higher than both the state and national average. More than 15 percent of Columbians have earned a graduate or professional degree--the national average is 7 percent. The city is home to the University of South Carolina (the largest in the state), as well as several private and proprietary schools, including Allen University, Benedict College and Columbia College.
If you’re looking to be entertained, you’ll find something to do nearly every night of the week at Colonial Life Arena. Whether you’re in the mood to catch a Gamecocks basketball game, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Disney on Ice or Bruno Mars in concert, Columbia’s premiere venue offers no shortage of options.
Despite being small and intimate, Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Garden gets high praise for keeping their animals healthy and happy while maintaining some of the prettiest park grounds in Columbia. In addition to seeing amazing large mammals and birds, visitors are blown away by its Australian Animal wing, which is home to koala bears, kangaroos, lorikeets and red-necked wallabies.
Sure, technically, Charleston was the first state capital of South Carolina. But that all changed in 1786, when the Assembly voted to move it to Columbia because of its centralized location. Compared to many other cities in South Carolina, it boasts a great deal of ethnic and cultural diversity, but has retained its down home Southern spirit.
If you’re looking for something unique to do with your children, you can’t beat the Columbia Marionette Theatre. The puppets have exaggerated, yet realistic, facial features, which leads to delightful and sometimes frightening performances. The theatre regularly puts on popular shows like “Little Red Riding Hood” and “Beauty and the Beast” and the tickets are so reasonably priced--$5? Yes, please!--that you’ll be able to take in all of them.
Columbia’s State House is something special. Built in the 1850s out of blue granite, not only is it a stunningly beautiful building, but it’s completely fireproof, too. Because the building had deteriorated so much, members of the General Assembly decided to build a fireproof building next to the State House where official documents can be stored safely.
The Columbia Museum of Art can hold its own against much larger museums in far bigger cities. From Monet and Jasper Johns to traveling exhibits featuring imperial porcelain from Japan, this top-notch museum always offers something interesting. Added bonus: it hosts incredible events and parties.
St. Patrick’s Day in Columbia is no joke. Each year in the Five Points district, the city puts on an insanely elaborate homage to Irish culture that includes a parade, bagpipers, step dancers, a shag dance party and the opportunity to dye the area’s fountain green.
According to Forbes, Columbia ranks 86 out of 200 cities as one of the best places for business and careers. Employment opportunities abound at its many colleges, as well as at Fort Jackson (the U.S. Army’s largest entry training installation) and McEntire Joint National Guard Station. If small businesses are more up your alley, the Five Points neighborhood is bursting with locally-owned shops and restaurants just waiting to hire you.
Columbia is conveniently located smack right in the center of South Carolina. If you’re in the mood to take a road trip or dying to hit the beach, Hilton Head is only two and a half miles away, and you can get to Charleston and Myrtle Beach in less than three hours.
Hilton Head may be famous for its golf courses, but Columbia is certainly not lacking in gorgeous grounds in which to tee off. Bring your caddy along to Oak Hills Golf and Country Club or Charwood Country Club. For those who merely dabble and are looking for a relatively inexpensive, but well-rated and challenging course, you can’t beat LinRick Golf Course, a public venue where you can golf for less than $30 during the week.
The median age in Columbia is 28, and lots of folks here are in their early 20s. You can feel the youthful vibrancy everywhere you go--from the bars in Five Points and sporting events to its vintage shops and galleries.
South Carolina is filled with crazy laws. One of them is that fortune tellers are required to obtain a special permit to operate in the state. Another, which the governor of Columbia fought to overturn, is that cosmologists need 1,500 hours of instruction before becoming licensed--that’s more training time than it takes to become a police officer.
With so many local farms and organic markets, you’ll be able to bypass the produce section of your supermarket AND discover veggies you’ve never even heard of--seriously, what does one do with Nasturtium Blossoms and Sunflower Microgreens? City Roots sells seasonal produce, hosts amazing farm-to-table dinner nights and aims to educate the community about composting and environmentally friendly farming practices.
Get to know lots of people in Columbia. Not only are the folks fantastic, but you’ll up your chances of being invited to an amazing party. A great number of places, including gallery/art supply store City Art and farm City Roots, offer up their space for special events. How cool would it be to attend a wedding thrown in a barn where you’re served tilapia, free range chicken and seasonal vegetables that were grown just inches away from the dance floor?
It’s possible to get out a few times a week and see a really great local concert in Columbia. Talented indie rock, folk, blues and jazz musicians get the support they deserve from small venues like:
Most South Carolina cities and big towns have cute nicknames and Columbia is no exception. In addition to being known as the “River City,” which is kinda boring, folks here affectionately refer to their home as “Cola” or “Soda Town.” Mind you, the city has absolutely zero connection to the popular soft drink.
Thanks to the city’s thriving small business scene, it’s hard not to find unique dresses by up-and-coming designers at VanJean, gorgeous teacups at Southern Pottery or the engagement ring of your dreams at Unforgettable Jewelry. Devine Street and Five Points are bursting with fantastic local boutiques.
The Columbia City Ballet is one of the best in the southeast. The company was founded in the early 60s and routinely treats the city to high quality performances of “The Nutcracker,” “Giselle” and “Dracula.”
It’s not that Columbia doesn’t have public transportation, but so much of the city is spread out and buses mainly service the downtown area. Do yourself a favor and get a set of wheels before you commit to living in Cola.
