If I don't trade the trip I have at the end of the month for something better, I will be in Columbia, SC for a couple of nights. We arrive pretty late on the 28th, so won't be doing much, but the crew and I will be there all day Saturday and don't leave until 1630-ish Sunday afternoon.

So.....what to see, what to do?? Thanks!!

Oh...staying in the Downtown area with no real means of transportation unless I rent a car.

If you do rent a car you can go check out Palmetto state armory.

Man, if you were there on a weekday, you could beg a tour of FN. Columbia is a rough little place. Dont be walking. Rent the car. You can check out Piggly Wiggly...

quote:

Originally posted by David Lee:
You can check out Piggly Wiggly...

Or as we used to call it, the Hoggly Woggly...

Are there any Civil War areas or museums?

I only found the State Museum Relic Room.There must be more to see than that.

Columbia is not exactly what I'd call a "tourist attraction."

Email me. I am planning on being around might be able to give you the nickle tour and get you 3 cents in change. Haha

Chris

Cowboys Brazilian steakhouse.
Flying saucer if you like beer, over 100 on tap.

If you're going to be there beginning April 28, the University of SC baseball team has a conference homestand against Kentucky. Those are fun games if you like baseball.

The SC Military Museum may be of interest--and I believe it's free. You can also walk around the State House and look for the big bronze starts marking the scars from Sherman's cannons.

There is a State Museum and an Art Museum, but I don't know what the current exhibits are like.

If you like historic homes, there are a are several in Columbia. There's the Hampton-Preston house and gardens and the Robert Mills House and Gardens. Mills designed the Washington Monument.

Five Points is a restaurant and bar district close to the University and is generally packed full of college kids.

Mr. Friendly's in Five Points is usually good--I like their shrimp and grits.

Not in Five Points, but stay away from Maurice's Piggy Park BBQ--it's gut-wrenchingly awful.

You can check out what's going on at the Vista. The area used to be a warehouse district and is located along the Congaree River. There are lots of shops, restaurants, and bars.

Nframe is the man, take him up on his offer!

I wouldn't do much in Columbia but I know all the places to go but aren't in Columbia
I stay away from the crowds also

Aren't there things open for civilian visitors at Fort Jackson?

We passed through there on the way to Charleston SC 2 years ago and stopped at the Cookout fast food place which I thought was decent. The only other thing I remember from my time there for Army Basic Training and AIT many moons ago was eating pecan waffles at 3 am at The Waffle House.

It's only a 2 hour drive to Charleston. Rent a car and hang out there for a couple of days.

Seriously.

That's what I'd do.

-Rob

I spent 2.5 weeks working in Columbia a while back. Even the locals said Columbia was the armpit of SC. It was 12-14 hour days so I didn't get to explore much, but I'm sure there's some good stuff to do there. It's not Charleston though, I can promise you that.

If you're downtown it's worth it to walk around the statehouse and check out some of the cannon ball hits General Sherman scored right before burning the place down. Also the Confederate Relic Room as someone mentioned.

Charleston is pretty interesting.
See Sumter, Patriot Point, Sullivan's Island/Fort Moultrie, the old Battery.

Sumter Flag

Grits are Good for You!

Rent a car and drive to Charleston, at least for an afternoon.

Watching this thread. Headed to Sumter, SC this summer.

Ditto on The Vista or a USC ballgame. Some websites shared by cheesegrits might be slow this evening because of the storms today. The Vista and the USC ballpark is generally closer to downtown than Five Points.

Another place I've been meaning to check out is Bourbon on Main St by the State House. I don't have a designated driver to get me home though. I cannot ever seem to get my wife to join me to check out Motor Supply Company Bistro in the Vista.

SC State Museum and Riverwalk next to it are a good distraction or way to walk off too much liquid lunch. You could also eat (steal) the candy at Mast General Store with the homeless.

Speaking of Five Points, Pawleys Front Porch has some good burgers.

Yes. Maurices BBQ sucks.

quote:

Originally posted by SIGguy229:
Watching this thread. Headed to Sumter, SC this summer.

I lived in Sumter, SC for 4 years 1971-1975. Had an apartment right next to the Swan Lake Gardens. That is a beautiful park and worth a visit.

flashguy