A Columbia weekend getaway is probably not in your top ten of domestic U.S. destinations to experience, but seeing as I love exploring U.S. towns and cities, I was interested in visiting.
I do lots of weekend getaways in the State of New York and the Northeast, so I was excited to fly down for another southern adventure that involved food as well.
FYI, I mean Columbia in South Carolina and not Colombia the country. You’d be shocked at how many people confuse the spellings. Anyhoo, for Memorial Day Weekend, I flew down south on a Columbia weekend getaway and was pleasantly surprised by how quiet and relaxing it was.
Remember, I’m from NYC – a concrete jungle of 8 million residents – so Columbia with <200,000 residents is definitely quiet.
This is my third time in South Carolina visiting multiple cities and soaking up the uncomfortable history and delicious food. Beyond Charleston, Hilton Head, and the low country areas, see what you can do in the capital city, Columbia, on a quick weekend getaway.
Columbia Weekend Getaway
#Day 1: Hotel Trundle, Anne Frank Center, Wine Bar
Article Contents
Land in Columbia, call an Uber, and head to your hotel to drop off luggage.
There are chain hotels to stay in but I love boutique hotels because of their colorful interior decor, thus I find myself at Hotel Trundle, a beautiful downtown hotel with lots of color, art, and design. It is in a convenient location to Main Street, the shopping district, some museums, and restaurants.
Next, Uber to the USC campus for the Anne Frank Center. This is the North American center of the famous Anne Frank Museum in Amsterdam, and it has four rooms chronicling the events that led to the Frank family hiding for two years in the Amsterdam home, the people who hid them at risk to their safety, how they were found, and the journey to the camps. All of this is with detailed pictures and summaries that give you chills.
Much information is displayed here, such as the role Germany played in the genocide of the Nama and Herero in present day Namibia, and German colonies held in West Africa till the end of WW2. It is gripping to read but history is uncomfortable.
After the flight and this sobering activity, you will be hungry. For this, I recommend heading to Columbia’s historic Vista neighborhood for City Grit Wine Bar. City Grit also has artisanal products, like dips, sauces, and marinades, for the home cook in you. The cuisine is Spanish (from Spain) and offers wine pairings with its amazing platters.
Every plate was absolutely delicious but my faves were the whipped ricotta, steak tartare, crab and farro, and scallops. You’ll barely have space for dessert but squeeze in some blueberry and ricotta bombas to end the meal and head back to your hotel with a delicious case of the itis.
#Day 2: Soda City Market, South Carolina Museums, Firefly Swarms
Why is Columbia referred to as “Soda City?”
Because the shortened form of Columbia is “Cola,” leading to its nickname of Soda City…cola, soda…get it? Yeah…
Coincidentally, Columbia had a Coca Cola bottling plant in the early 1900s and it is also said that the Soda City moniker comes from soda merchants vending cold bottles of cola on the streets. Whichever lore you choose to believe, the Soda City moniker is here to stay.
Soda City Market happens every Saturday between 9 am and 1 pm, over several blocks on Main Street. The market holds up to 400 vendors with diverse food and drink. I’m talking West African food, Brazilian nectar drinks and juices, roasts from so many cultures, live paella cooking, hand made jewelry, clothing, olive oils, vinegar, and so much more.
Hotel Trundle is the ideal downtown hotel to lodge in because the market is less than ten steps from the hotel entrance; you cannot miss the wafts of grilling meats and deep fried something as you head to the market.
Ok…you’ve eaten like you’re going into hiding, but you’ve got an itinerary to stick to and calories to burn. So, off you walk along Gervais Street for the South Carolina State Museum. It is a long walk in the heat and you can Uber here, but isn’t it the journey that counts? This way, you can see historic markers, restaurants to try, a Publix, the Congaree River, the city layout.
At the State Museum, there is a temporary Disney exhibit showcasing costumes of Disney heroes and villains, permanent exhibits on fossils, railroad innovation in South Carolina, slavery and cotton in the Antebellum South.
Next, head downstairs to the South Carolina Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum. It opened in 1896 to collect and preserve artifacts of South Carolina’s military heritage and veterans over two centuries. The Civil War (and the confederacy) is part of this military heritage, especially as South Carolina was the first state in which the confederacy began.
I know what you’re thinking, “Why on earth would I visit here?” That was my initial thought as I assumed it would be a museum glorifying the confederacy. However, it is also a military museum, so in no particular order, start off with the Vietnam War, the two World Wars, Afghan & Iraq wars (the docent is a Gen X Iraq War vet), Revolutionary War, and the Civil War to finish off.
(Man! The U.S. has been in soooo many wars!)
The museum has artifacts, personal mementos, and pictures of South Carolina veterans who fought in these wars. For the confederacy section, it was a history lesson on the southerners involved, battles with the Union forces, confederacy surrender, and of course, their infamous flag.
Until 2015, the confederate flag displayed in this Relic Room was flying atop the SC State House in Columbia until the Charleston church murders by a white supremacist. This horrific act ignited a continuing controversy over the name of the museum and its mission.
After hours of museums, I was hungry again. So, off to Villa Tronco, the oldest Italian restaurant in Columbia, for dinner. It is located in a 19th century firehouse and has been in operation since 1940, when the matriarch cooked for Italian soldiers stationed at Fort Jackson during WW2. For the seafood lovers, start with mussels in white wine, continue with pasta options – I chose linguini with clams – and finish with classic tiramisu.
But wait!
…there is one more unique activity to experience on this Columbia weekend getaway.
Have you ever seen fireflies swarm?
Unbeknownst to me, Congaree National Park in South Carolina is one of three North American locations to witness fireflies in their yearly synchronous swarm and nature lovers flock here annually.
Since fireflies are best viewed in pitch darkness, prepare for your visit with these viewing tips by the National Park Service. Here are also some important tips to know from me, who was just there:
- Whether you Uber or drive, the park is ~ 50 minutes outside Columbia, and as you get closer, cellphone reception disappears.
- There is very spotty cellphone reception at the park.
- If you Uber-ed to the park and need one for the return to Columbia, schedule a car as you head to Congaree when you have reception. Give yourself an hour in the park and be in the parking lot awaiting Uber.
- The park is pitch black. Bring a flashlight to see the entrance to the boardwalk but angle it downwards to not affect the firefly swarm.
- Stick to the boardwalk. Look over the sides towards the ground for pinpricks of light. They start out small but increase as it gets darker.
- Other species abound here, like owls. Bring binoculars to view them.
- No flash, camera, or cellphone lights are allowed.
- Do not spray insect repellent.
- Wear comfortable footwear.
- Take a water bottle as you’ll be waiting a while.
- Leave no trace.
If you’re scared of the dark and jumping shadows, this experience might not be for you. It is pitch black!
I’ve watched many a firefly swarm on National Geographic all my childhood, and I finally get to see them in person! A highly recommended nature experience to have on your Columbia weekend getaway.
Columbia Weekend Getaway
#Day 3: Museum of the Reconstruction & Riverfront Park
I am thoroughly exhausted from the previous night’s adventures but somehow, I summon the energy to get ready for the last full day of activity before heading home.
I am so not a morning person so morning hikes are not for me…but if you are, Saluda Riverwalk is an option. Alas, it is not near downtown so you’ll have to Uber there and back, which defeats the purpose.
The only time I’ve been on a morning hike was in Ithaca, NY, on the Cascadilla Gorge Trail with so many waterfalls.
Grab some latte and delicious pastries at Nibl Dessert & Cafe On Main Street as you start off the day with an Uber to the Woodrow Wilson Family Home for the Museum of the Reconstruction. Wilson was the 28th U.S. President and grew up in this Columbia home which is now a museum showcasing the post-Civil War Reconstruction Era.
Buy tickets for a tour of the house with period furnishing and posters depicting Reconstruction history, such as African-Americans building lives and businesses, running for office, thriving in academia, and other activities that they were deprived of for centuries.
Afterwards, Uber to Riverfront Park for leisurely walking that follows the Columbia canal. It is 4 miles with remnants of the area’s hydroelectric history, its spillover dam, and turbine room, all of which have been decommissioned. I spy some men fishing and I wonder if it’s catch and release. I also spy a deer splashing in the shallow waters of the canal.
There are seats spread about so bring a picnic as this spot is very quiet and ideal for sitting and doing nothing.
Uber to town for Arabesque on Devine, a Lebanese/Mediterranean restaurant with large plates and absolutely delicious food. Feel free to eat with your hands as I devoured lamb chops with no shame.
For dessert, head back to Main Street for one of the numerous dessert shops like Sweet Cream Co. for delicious handcrafted ice cream. If you prefer a bit of liqueur with some view, head to the rooftop of the Moxy on Main Street for an unobstructed view of the South Carolina State House dome.
The rooftop is small and underwhelming, but I remind myself not to make any comparisons. For a more cocktail-style lounge vibe with curated drinks and bites, head to the Vista neighborhood for the Dragon Room. There are zero-proof drinks available as well.
#Day 4: Cottle Strawberry Farm
9560 Garners Ferry Road, Hopkins, SC
Final day in Columbia and what better way to end it than on a strawberry patch?
I check out of the lovely Hotel Trundle and Uber it 30 minutes to Cottle Strawberry Farm for a spot of strawberry picking. It is raining cats and dogs and I wonder if the picking is possible. It is.
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Head to the counter and the ladies there will give you a bucket and point out the best spots to begin picking. Don’t choose the unripe green berries, obviously; go for the plump red ones and not the soft, overripe fruit. If you can fill your bucket to the brim, good on ya! I did a half bucket costing $20 as it was going in hand luggage for the flight back.
Cell phone reception here is great, unlike at Congaree National Park, so request Uber once you’re ready.
Columbia weekend getaway was hosted by the good folks of Experience Columbia.
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