The holidays are almost here, and if you’re hosting out of town guests in Columbia, but aren’t sure where to take them or what sights to see, we’ve got plenty of recommendations for you to build the perfect itinerary for your visitors.
A glimpse inside the lobby of Hotel Trundle | Image via @raytay_17
🏨 Stay
Chesnut Cottage Bed & Breakfast, 1718 Hampton St. | $188+
This historic bed and breakfast was built in the 1850s and is located near the State House, Five Points, and Bull Street District.
Fun fact — When downtown Columbia was set on fire during the Civil War, the blaze stopped just four blocks before it reached the cottage.
Graduate Columbia, 1619 Pendleton St. | $305+
If you have some Tigers in town, send them to this hotel to experience the beauty + charm of UofSC. Just steps away from campus, this spot will make anyone feel like a Gamecock.
Hotel Trundle, 1224 Taylor St. | $264+
Stay in the heart of the Main Street District in Columbia’s first boutique hotel.
Fun fact — the owners renovated a trio of historic buildings to create this one-of-a-kind business.
The postcard mural in the heart of Five Points | Photo by COLAtoday
👓 Sightseeing
Is it even a trip to Columbia without seeing the State House? You can also take your guests to the Five Points Postcard mural for the perfect family photo. If you’ve got any music lovers in the group, head down the street to the Hootie & the Blowfish Monument — the 1990s pop rock band played their first shows in nearby bars.
If you’re a fan of public art, Columbia has ~200 public art pieces around town. Check out One Columbia’s public art directory for a full list of murals, sculptures + more.
🍲 Food + Bev
If your guests need coffee to get going in the morning, but you’re not exactly a barista — Drip, Piecewise, and the Hideout in WeCo are all offering a range of seasonal drinks. For a full list, check out our coffee guide.
Columbia is home to 10+ breweries. River Rat, Hunter Gatherer, WECO, and Steel Hands are some local favorites that also serve lunch + dinner.
Have a friend who has friends, family, or long lost relatives coming into town to entertain? Send them our local guide.
What Columbia go-to are you planning for visitors + guests this holiday?
We would love to hear where you take your guests.
Today
Saturday
Sunday
- 24th Annual SC Oyster Festival | Sun., Nov. 21 | 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. | Robert Mills & Hampton-Preston grounds | $6+ | Order oyster dishes, along with other food + drink vendor options. 🍽
- 2021 Bubbie's Jewish Food Festival | Sun., Nov. 21 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Beth Shalom Synagogue, 5827 N. Trenholm Rd. | Price of purchase | Shop Jewish food platters + bakery items.
- Melrose Art in the Yard | Sun., Nov. 21 | 12-4 p.m. | Melrose Heights | Free | Explore a variety of art, photography, food, jewelry + more.
- Kids Fall Festival | Sun., Nov. 21 | 12-3 p.m. | femme x COLUMBIA | Free | Join Cola Bounce House for an afternoon of fall fun. 🍁
We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
VIP ticket holders enjoy access to a private bar, 4 beer drink tickets + more | Photo provided
It’s time to celebrate 3 years of craft beers at Steel Hands Brewing (2350 Foreman St., Cayce) with a full day of live music + 4 new beer releases.
Scheduled for Sat., Dec. 4 from noon-11 p.m., The Steel Hands Brewing 3 Year Anniversary Party is free + open to the public, with limited VIP tickets available.
A $60 VIP ticket gets you access to:
- Private bar with a designated Steel Hands Bartender + drink tickets
- VIP tented + reserved area close to the stage
- Complimentary light snacks
- Heaters, cocktail tables + seating
- A Steel Hands souvenir
- and more. Ⓟ
Weather
- 62º | mostly sunny | 0% chance of rain 🌥️
Biz
- A proposed cell tower in the Irmo area has been placed on hold for at least 60 days while more information is gathered. Last week we shared the $1 billion dollar project from C Spire would expand network connection over the next three years through a tower in downtown Irmo. (The Irmo News)
Cause
- $7,500. The amount Senior Resources received in grant money from the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina. The grant will allow the organization to continue to fulfill the increased volume of meal deliveries through its Meals on Wheels program. 🍴
- Arts Grow SC is the new name of a combined initiative between the South Carolina Arts Commission and the South Carolina Department of Education to address pandemic-related learning loss. The three-year, $20 million partnership announced in June, will provide equitable access to learning in + through the arts for South Carolina students.
Edu
- Parents of children in Richland School District 1 have the opportunity to learn more about the district’s magnet programs at a virtual fair on Dec. 9. The online fair offers parents the opportunity to ask questions about enhanced learning options available for children from pre-kindergarten to high school. (WLTX)
Community
- The Irmo Town Council approved a contract for design work for a planned skate park, dog park + community garden at Rawls Creek Park. The Council also made plans to acquire 10 additional acres of land surrounding the park. 🐕 (The Irmo News)
Sports
- 12. The number of Midlands football players chosen for the annual Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas — the nation's first + oldest high school all-star football game. While teams were still chosen, the game was suspended again this year due to COVID-19 precautions, with plans to return in 2022. 🏈 (Cola Today)
- After winning the South Atlantic Conference championship last weekend, Newberry College will face defending D2 National Champion, West Florida on Saturday. The team’s success hasn’t gone unnoticed — head coach Todd Knight was recently named SAC Coach of the Year. (WLTX)
Regional
- BMW is investing $100 million to expand its South Carolina plant. The new logistics center will be nearly one million sqft and will supply parts to the seven-million-square-foot BMW Plant Spartanburg. The new facilities are expected to be complete in spring 2022. 🚗 (The State)
Stat
- 55%. The discount the No. one language learning app, Babbel, is offering for a limited time, so subscribers can discover new worlds through language in as little as three weeks. Snag the deal. 🌏 Ⓟ
Try This
- Close out the weekend with Sunday Funday at The Grand. Think: Grabbing brunch with friends and bowling at the boutique lanes, then capping off the evening with desserts + cocktails at the underground lounge, the Robinson Room. 🍸 Ⓟ
The Word
- A1c. A simple blood test that tells someone their average blood sugar levels for the past two to three months. Here’s how A1c can help you know your risk for diabetes + how to manage it. Ⓟ
Featured Deal
Tis’ the season — for tacky sweater parties. Hop over to Sid & Nancy to get a jump on your holiday party ‘fit.
If you’re planning on going Goodwill hunting over the weekend, there are plenty of local thrift shops with something out-of-the-box + cozy. Pop into these local thrift shops around Soda City.
#DYK that your photos and quotes could be featured in our newsletter?
Just use #COLAtoday on social media.
Cola current: Are you a fan of the mega hit Netflix series Squid Game? If so, Richland County Library has you covered with this list of books + movies featuring a mixture of gruesome survival games + social commentary.
City Editor David here — I'm currently watching Yellowjackets for my psychological thriller fix. Add it to your ever-growing list of shows to watch.
💭 Say Hello: What do you want to know about your city?
✏️️ Want to write an article for us? Find out how here.
👀 Want your business featured in our newsletter? Learn more about advertising opportunities here.
📖 Check out our Editorial Ethics Policy here.
Did a friend forward this to you?
It can be in your inbox tomorrow a.m.
|