What is there to do in Columbia? A lot! If you’re looking for things to do or attractions in Columbia, SC, you’ve come to the right spot. When 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.
Outdoors Things to Do in Columbia, SC
Indoors Things to Do in Columbia, SC
Holiday Fun: Things to Do Each Holiday
Looking for dining and restaurants? If you’re searching for things to eat in Columbia, we have some suggestions here: Favorite Restaurants and Family Dining in Columbia, SC.
Things to Do Outdoors in Columbia, SC
We have a long list of fun, outdoor places to visit with the family. Check it out in our Outdoor Guide!
Fun for Everyone! Things to Do Outside
But, here are a few outdoor ideas to get you started!
Eudora Farms Wildlife Safari
Drive through fields of animals on a Columbia, SC safari at Eudora Farms Wildlife Safari Drive-Thru.
Eudora Farms
219 Salem Lane, Salley SC
803.606.6325
Petting Zoos
Petting Zoos Near Columbia, SC
Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens
- Spend the whole day at Riverbanks Zoo checking out the animals.
- Or, splash and play at Waterfall Junction and Botanical Gardens.
Riverbanks Zoo
500 Wildlife Parkway, Columbia
Go Hiking!
What outdoor activity list is complete without some hiking? Our list includes easy paved trails and also offers more challenging trails that older kids will enjoy. There’s something for everyone!
There are more than 15 trails in this list of some of the best hiking near Columbia, SC.
- Sesquicentennial State Park
- Congaree National Park
- Dreher Island State ParkThree Rivers Greenway/ Columbia Riverwalk: Paved trail for walking, running, and biking.
- Harbison State Forest: 18 miles of trails in a nature preserve. Everyone can enjoy the outdoors at Harbison State Forest with the addition of a new ADA-accessible trail!
Exploring Congaree National Park along the Congaree River
Congaree National Park
100 National Park Road
Hopkins,SC29061
Paved Paths
Perfect paths for strollers!
These parks and paths are perfect for strollers and wagons.
Three Rivers Greenway Trail: Paved trails to enjoy along the river, Columbia Canal, Riverfront Park, and Riverwalk. Free!
Including Riverfront Park
312 Laurel St, Columbia SC 29201
Parks and Playgrounds
Looking for a great place to play outdoors in Columbia? Check out Columbia’s fun, local playgrounds for free fun.
- Carraway Park
- Citadel Park
- Elmwood Roy Lynch Park
- Leo’s Landing at Saluda Shoals Park
Columbia’s Sports’ Teams
Root for the home team!
Cheer for Columbia’s local sports teams including the University of South Carolina Gameco*cks!
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 throughout the year at Segra Park.
USC Gameco*cks Basketball is such a fun thing to do with kids! Music, basketball, loud horns, and yummy snacks like popcorn and hotdogs make for a memorable time!
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.
Lake Monticello: Managed by SC DNR, Lake Monticello is available for fishing, boating, and swimming.
Farmer’s Markets in Columbia, SC
Buy fresh produce and handmade items.
Soda City Market
You haven’t been to a farmers market until you’ve been to Soda City!
Soda City Market
1300 – 1600 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Things to Do Indoors: Columbia, SC
Looking for indoor fun in the Columbia, SC area?
We have a huge Indoor Things to Do Guide.
Top Indoor Things to Do in Columbia, SC
What are the best indoor activities in Columbia, SC? 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, Columbia SC 29201
South Carolina State Museum
The South Carolina State Museum is a hub of discovery in Columbia. It’s a great place to explore with inquisitive kids, science lovers, and history buffs. Explore a planetarium and observatory, plus a 4D theater. You’ll also enjoy a huge variety of history, natural science, art, technology, and more!
- Kidding Around Review of SC State Museum
- See Dinosaurs at the SC State Museum
- Homeschool Days at South Carolina State Museum
South Carolina State Museum
301 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC 29201
The Grand on Main in Downtown Columbia
Boutique Bowl & Dine: The Grand on Main
Everything you need to know about bowling or eating at The Grand.
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, Columbia, SC 29201
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, Columbia, SC 29208
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.
Surge Trampoline Park
Jump, zipline, and conquer the ninja course and ropes course at 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.
Find Things to Do For the Littlest Family Members
Find Fun and Enriching Things to do with Babies
Edventure Children’s Museum
Play Matters Indoor Play Space
Saluda Shoals
Free and Cheap Things to Do in Columbia With Kids!
Getting out and enjoying time with your family can be difficult when things cost so much money to do. But, there are a huge amount of things to do for free or very cheap in the Columbia area. To make spending fun time with your kids easier, we’ve pulled together a list of totally free and very cheap adventures. Then, we added a new list of museums and attractions that offer discounts for families who receive EBT benefits.
Get out and enjoy time together!
Here’s our growing list of totally free, and very cheap, things to do with kids!
Go on an outdoor downtown art tour! Check out this cool directory of Columbia’s local outdoor art. Can you find the giant fire hydrant?
Find SNAP and EBT Benefits for Free or Reduced Admission at Museums and More
Seasonal Fun in Columbia
What’s special about each season in Columbia, SC? You’ll find all that, plus tons of great activities in each of these Columbia seasonal guides.
Check out Columbia’s Ultimate Fall Guide. It is packed with fun adventures like farms to visit with corn mazes, pumpkins, and wagon rides, plus Fall festivals to attend, and lots more.
- Corn Mazes Near Columbia
- Columbia, SC Pumpkin Patches
- Farms near Columbia
- Also, Don’t Miss Out on the Fun of the South Carolina State Fair
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.
Winter Break Bucket List: Stay busy over winter break with this bucket list of things to do.
Spring Guide to Columbia, SC: All the spring adventures in one place!
- Strawberry Farms near Columbia, SC
- Cottle Strawberry Farm
- Spring Break Activities
Looking for summertime fun in Columbia? Here’s our Ultimate Summer Fun Guide to Columbia, SC.
- 30+ Places to swim, splash and cool off
- VBS Summer Programs for Kids
- Ultimate Guide to Summer Camps for Kids
Holiday Activities in Columbia
Are you looking for fun things to do to celebrate the holiday seasons in Columbia? You’ll want to start with our holiday guides below.
- Christmas and Holiday Events Around Columbia, SC
- Where to See Santa in Columbia, SC
- 20+ Christmas Lights Displays Near Columbia, SC
- Free Things to Do for Christmas
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
Easter Egg Hunts and Events in Columbia, SC
July 4th in Columbia, SC: See some fireworks and Celebrate Independence Day in Columbia, SC
Columbia, SC Halloween Guide: Find trick-or-treat and trunk-or-treat events, plus Halloween activities, parties and events, haunted houses, and more!
- Thanksgiving Restaurants in Columbia: Where to eat out on Thanksgiving, and where you can order a meal at home
- Things to do over Thanksgiving Break: Make the most of Thanksgiving break and have fun with your family and guests.
Looking for places to eat?
Then you’ll want to head over to our Restaurant Guide. It has everything from BBQ to Kids Eat Free.
So, now you’ll never wonder what to do in Columbia, SC!
