50+ Things to Do in Columbia, SC: Fun Days Start Here

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What is there to do in Columbia, SC? A lot! If you’re looking for things to do or attractions in Columbia, SC you’ve come to the right spot. If you’re spending time in South Carolina’s capital city with your family and kids, there are a lot of things to do and adventures to fill your days. Here are some great kids’ activities in Columbia and more ideas to keep you busy.

This article includes:
Things to Do Outdoors in Columbia, SC
Things to Do Indoors in Columbia, SC
Seasonal Fun: Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring Fun in Columbia, SC

Looking for dining and restaurants? If you’re searching for things to eat in Columbia, we have some suggestions here: Find Your Favorite Restaurants and Family Dining in Columbia, SC.

Columbia, SC

Outdoor Activities in Columbia, SC

Sesquicentennial State Park

Discover Sesquicentennial State Park! This is one of the South Carolina State Parks’ most unique parks. We love that this park has a splash pad for summer fun! Don’t forget you can purchase an annual membership to the state park system that will grant you entrance to all 47 South Carolina State Parks for a year.

  • Summertime splash pad
  • Hiking
  • Camping
  • Dog park
  • Playground

Sesquicentennial State Park
9564 Two Notch Rd, Columbia SC 29223

SUP rentals at Sesqui

Eudora Farms Wildlife Safari

At Eudora Farms Wildlife Safari Drive-Thru you’ll be able to drive through fields of animals like llamas, camels, cattle, goats, antelope, ostriches, emu, and more. Food for the animals is available for purchase, which you can offer them as you drive along.

Eudora Farms
219 Salem Lane, Salley SC
803.606.6325

Zebra at Eudora Farms
Eudora Farms

Riverbanks Zoo

You can spend the whole day at Riverbanks Zoo checking out the bears, penguins, sea lions, and more. But River Banks zoo is also home to an arboretum and Waterfall Junction, which is a splash pad area and a playground. It’s a full day of fun in one spot.

Riverbanks Zoo
500 Wildlife Pkwy, Columbia

Feeding a giraffe at Riverbanks Zoo

Go Hiking!

What outdoor activity list is complete without some hiking? There are more than 15 trails in this list of some of the best hiking near Columbia, SC. Our list includes easy paved trails and also offers more challenging trails that older kids will enjoy. There’s something for everyone!

Family Hiking Trails in Columbia, SC
Paved path at West Columbia Riverwalk
West Columbia Riverwalk

Congaree National Park

Kayak, Canoe, and hike at Congaree National Park in Hopkins, SC. Take advantage of ranger-led programs like the Owl Prowl, explore an old-growth forest, and see native wildlife. It’s a unique national park you don’t want to miss!

Congaree National Park
100 National Park Road
Hopkins, SC 29061

Segra Park: Columbia Fireflies

Head to Segra Park to see the Columbia Fireflies baseball team at home games. You’ll also find unique events and concerts happening all throughout the year at Segra Park.

Segra Park baseball

Parks and Playgrounds

Looking for a great place to play outdoors in Columbia? Check out Columbia’s fun, local playgrounds for free fun.

Kayaking

Lake Murray Park beach
Lake Murray Park

Lakes to Explore Near Columbia, SC

Lake Murray

Lake Murray Park: Enjoy the beach area and swim with the kids at Lake Murray Park in Lexington, SC.

Dreher Island State Park sits on several islands in Lake Murray. From there you can access hiking and camping as well as all that Lake Murray has to offer.

  • Swimming
  • Boating
  • Fishing
  • Camping

Lake Monticello

Managed by SC DNR, Lake Monticello is available for fishing, boating, and swimming.

Love hanging out at the lake? Check out more Lakes in the Carolinas.

Soda City Market

You haven’t been to a farmers market until you’ve been to Soda City! Several blocks of Main Street are closed off for this event, allowing people to walk on the road and on the sidewalks, every Saturday from 9 am to 1 pm, year-round. Each weekend you can expect to find around 150 vendors with fruits and veggies, flowers, food and coffee trucks, clothing, homemade bread, paintings, musicians, sweet treats, and SO MUCH more. 

Soda City Market
1300 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201

Soda City Market flowers in Columbia, SC
Soda City Market flowers

Looking for more? Discover all of Columbia’s Farmers’ Markets.

Indoor Things to Do in Columbia, SC

Looking for indoor fun in the Columbia, SC area? We have a huge Indoor Things to Do Guide. But to get you started, here are a few favorite indoor adventures.

EdVenture Children’s Museum

Kids will love the Edventure Children’s Museum. It’s loaded with amazing, educational, and interactive exhibits for kids including a giant kid, fire trucks, a market, a doctor’s office, and more!

EdVenture
211 Gervais Street

EdVenture in Columbia, SC

The Grand on Main

South Carolina State Museum

The South Carolina State Museum is a hub of discovery in Columbia. Its a great place to explore with inquisitive kids, science lovers, and history buffs. Explore a planetarium and observatory as well as a huge variety of history, natural science, art, and technology permanent and traveling exhibits.

South Carolina State Museum
301 Gervais Street

Shark at the SC State Museum
Sharks at the SC State Museum

Columbia Museum of Art

The Columbia Museum of Art includes several floors of permanent art exhibits, traveling exhibits, classes for all ages, and programs for children including field trip opportunities.

Columbia Museum of Art
1515 Main Street

Children at the Columbia Museum of Art

Visit the State Capital: South Carolina State House

Tour the State House and see where the SC Legislature meets. Guided tours are available as are self-guided tours. Hours vary by season.

State Capital
1100 Gervais Street

Museum of the Reconstruction Era: “The Woodrow Wilson House”

Formerly known as the “Woodrow Wilson House” the Museum of the Reconstruction Era is located in a home built in 1871 post-Civil War during the Reconstruction Era. It was built by the parents of Woodrow Wilson, who lived in this home as a teenager. Today the museum showcases what life was like during the Reconstruction Era, illustrating the racial, political, and social elements of life in Columbia and Richland County at that time.

Tours are available Wednesday through Saturday at 10:30 am and Sunday at 1:30 pm.

Museum of the Reconstruction Era
1705 Hampton Street, Columbia

Surge Trampoline Park

Jump, zipline, and conquer the ninja course and ropes course at Surge Trampoline Park.

230 Business Park Blvd
Columbia, SC 29203

Foam pits at Surge Trampoline Park in Columbia, SC
Surge Trampoline Park

Flight Adventure Park- Sandhill

Jump on trampolines and inflatables, roller skate, play laser tag or arcade games, and lots more at Flight Adventure Park.

Flight Adventure Park

Free Things to Do in Columbia With Kids!

Here’s our growing list of totally free, and very cheap, things to do with kids!

Not sure where to start? Try one of the fun events and things to do at Richland County Libraries.

Free Things to Do in Columbia

Seasonal Fun in Columbia

Fall Fun

It’s Fall, so what is there to do in Columbia in the fall? If you’re wondering what fun activities you should plan for your family, we’re here to help!

Check out Columbia’s Ultimate Fall Guide. It is packed with things to do like farms to visit with corn mazes, pumpkins and wagon rides, plus Fall festivals to attend, and lots more.

Fox Farm
Fox Farm

Also, Don’t Miss Out on the Fun of the South Carolina State Fair

Spring Adventures

Cottle Strawberry Farm
Cottle Strawberry Farm is a beautiful, huge farm where strawberries are plentiful and that offers both u-pick and prepicked. 

Cottle Strawberry Farm
Cottle Strawberry Farm

Winter and Holiday Adventures

Holidays in Columbia

Holiday Lights on the River boats
Holiday Lights

Winter in Columbia

Winter Break Bucket List: Stay busy over winter break with this bucket list of things to do. It’s full of fun, and we’ve even included a hefty amount of FREE things to do!

Winter Guide to Columbia, SC

Winter Guide to Columbia, SC: Things to do, where to eat out, and all the winter events and activities you need to keep those winter blues at bay.

Valentines Day

Find all the Valentine’s Day Fun

Celebrate Valentine’s in Columbia, SC

  • Date night ideas
  • Free and low-cost date night ideas
  • Spending Valentine’s Day with the kids
  • Events in Columbia

Summer in Columbia

Looking for summertime fun in Columbia? Here’s our Ultimate Summer Fun Guide to Columbia, SC.

About the Author
Maria Bassett is a former school orchestra teacher, turned homeschool mom. She and her husband homeschool their 3 sons and 1 daughter, who range from 4th grade through 9th grade. Believing children learn best when they are engaged and having fun, this family loves to take their homeschool on the road, around Greenville and beyond.

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