Things to Do in Columbia, SC: Costs, Hours, Kids, Dogs

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Things to do in Columbia: 15 picks, from the town's and each operator's own pages, with hours, costs as published, and notes for kids, dogs and rainy days. 3 list free entry.

Picks15each with a source
Free Entry3as the operator states
Rainy Day2indoors
Kids or Dogs Noted6 / 5only where stated

Pick by Your Situation

Quick Picks

Rainy Day
South Carolina State House, South Carolina State Museum
indoors
Free
South Carolina State House, Early Bird Walks (ranger-led), Owens Field Park skate park
free entry
With Kids
Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, South Carolina State Museum, Saluda Riverwalk and 3 more
kid notes from the operator

Historic Sites

South Carolina State House
FreeIndoors
Free guided tours of the State House, preceded by a 15-minute DVD on its history and architecture; visitors can also tour on their own with brochures on Saturdays. source
Hours
Jan-May: tours every half hour 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., none at 12 or 12:30 p.m. June-Dec: hourly on the half hour 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., none at 12:30 p.m. Saturdays (except after Thanksgiving and Christmas): tours 10:30, 11:30, 1:30 and 2:30; building open 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (page carries a 2014 Saturday start date; call to confirm)
Cost
Guided tours free of charge
Where
1100 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC
Memorial Park
Four-acre park in the Congaree Vista with monuments including the USS Columbia, the China-Burma-India Theater, Pearl Harbor casualties and the SC Vietnam Monument listing 980 South Carolinians. source
Where
700 Hampton Street, Columbia
The Vista and Vista Greenway
Arts district on the Congaree River with nearly a dozen galleries, music venues (Music Farm, Koger Center, Colonial Life Arena) and the Vista Greenway for walking or biking. source
Where
Congaree Vista, Columbia
Kids
Page names EdVenture Children's Museum for hands-on exhibits

Museums

South Carolina State Museum
Indoors
Four floors of exhibitions on South Carolina history, art, natural history, and science and technology, plus a 55-foot digital dome planetarium, a 4D theater and the Boeing Observatory with a 1926 Alvan Clark refracting telescope. source Official site
Hours
Tue-Sat 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun 12-5 p.m.; closed Monday. Observatory Tue-Sat 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun 1-5 p.m.
Cost
General admission: adult $13; senior (62+) $11; children (3-12) $10. One planetarium or 4D show: adult $18, senior $16, child $15. Two shows: adult $21, senior $19, child $18.
Where
301 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Kids
Child pricing for ages 3-12; hands-on 4D theater

Parks

Congaree National Park
Over 20,000 acres of designated wilderness with 25+ miles of hiking trails and a 2.4-mile boardwalk loop (NPS FAQ gives 2.6-mile Boardwalk Trail), plus a marked canoe trail on Cedar Creek. source Official site
Hours
Harry Hampton Visitor Center 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Sunday through Saturday except when noted on the park's Operating Hours page; brochures available outside 24 hours a day
Cost
No entrance fee or pass required
Where
100 National Park Road, Hopkins, SC 29061
Dogs
Pets allowed on all trails including the boardwalk and in campgrounds; leash 6 feet maximum; never left unattended; pick up waste
Sanctuary at Boyd Island
A 7-acre island where the Saluda and Broad rivers form the Congaree, with a half-mile loop, river overlook, gazebo and sculptures. source
Where
650 Candi Lane, Columbia (south end of Saluda Riverwalk)
Riverfront Park and Columbia Canal
Linear park of nearly 167 acres between the Columbia Canal and the Broad and Congaree Rivers, on the site of the city's original waterworks and hydroelectric plant, with an amphitheater and self-guided tours; part of the Palmetto Trail's Capital City Passage. source
Where
North: 312 Laurel St; South: 4120 River Dr (city page also lists 4122 River Drive)
Granby Park
Southernmost segment of the Three Rivers Greenway with bridges, boardwalks, river overlooks, a half mile of lighted paved paths and a preserved section of the 1824 Columbia Canal. source
Hours
Dawn to dusk daily
Where
100 Catawba Street, Columbia
Kids
Paved paths suitable for strollers and wheelchairs
Dogs
Dog-friendly
Finlay Park
Almost 18-acre downtown park with a large event space, a playground, public art and green space, described by the city as Columbia's largest public park. source
Hours
6:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
Where
901 Laurel St, Columbia, SC 29201
Kids
Modern playground area
Owens Field Park Skate Park
Free
15,000-square-foot skate park with a street plaza and bowls 4 to 12 feet deep; the park also has 12 soccer fields, disc golf and a pump track. source
Cost
Free to use; protective pads required
Where
1351 Jim Hamilton Blvd, Columbia

Trails

Saluda Riverwalk
Three miles of paved and boardwalk greenway on the north bank of the Saluda River with restrooms, picnic areas and a river access point; deer and bald eagles can be seen. source
Where
650 Candi Lane, Columbia
Kids
City describes it as family-friendly; Tykes on a Hike (ages 2-5, last Monday monthly, $5) meets there per the city program page
Dogs
City describes the walkway as pet-friendly

Tours

Early Bird Walks (Ranger-Led)
Free
Beginner-friendly bird walks led by city park rangers at the Saluda Riverwalk. source
Hours
Wednesday mornings at 7:00 a.m.
Cost
Free
Where
650 Candi Lane, Columbia

Attractions

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden
More than 3,000 animals and a botanical garden on a 170-acre site with habitat exhibits, river views and historic landmarks. source Official site
Hours
9:00 am-5:00 pm daily (subject to change), except Thanksgiving and Christmas days
Cost
Online: adults 13-61 $27.95; children 2-12 $24.95; seniors 62+ $25.95; military $25.95; under 2 free. Ticket window: adults $30.95; children $27.95; seniors $28.95; military $28.95. Parking $3/vehicle online, $6 at window.
Where
500 Wildlife Parkway, Columbia, SC 29210
Kids
Guests 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult 18 or older; Waterfall Junction has splash areas
Dogs
Pets and emotional support animals are not permitted; service dogs or ponies trained to perform a task for a person with a disability are permitted, with access restricted in some areas. Food, beverages and coolers are not allowed in the park.
Five Points
Historic village-style district with locally owned shops, patios, restaurants, public art and events; upcoming events listed include JerryFest (Nov 8, 2026) and NEON Joy (Nov 20, 2026). source
Where
Santee Avenue, Harden and Devine Streets, Columbia
Dogs
Page welcomes 'four-legged friends'

Markets

Soda City Market
Weekly Main Street market of about 200 vendors a week, producer-only (vendors make or grow what they sell), with buskers and live performances. source
Hours
Every Saturday 9 a.m.-1 p.m., year-round, rain or shine
Where
1300-1700 blocks of Main Street, Columbia

More Guides Within 15 Miles

Coming Up Near Columbia

Through May 31EdVenture Children's Museum (Columbia)On nowColumbia · about 1 mi
Through Oct 30Boo at the Zoo (Riverbanks Zoo & Garden)On nowColumbia · about 1 mi
Nov 1 – Mar 7South Carolina State Museum First SundayColumbia · about 1 mi
Nov 2David SedarisColumbia · about 1 mi
Nov 3Gamecocks men's basketball vs. Stetson (home opener)Columbia · about 1 mi
Nov 7Gamecocks football vs. Texas A&M (Homecoming)Columbia · about 1 mi

34 more on the full events calendar.

Events within 15 miles, measured in a straight line to the centre of the event's town. Dates come from our checked events list; confirm with the organizer.

FAQ

What is there to do in Columbia on a rainy day?

South Carolina State House, South Carolina State Museum are indoors.

What is free to do in Columbia?

South Carolina State House, Early Bird Walks (ranger-led), Owens Field Park skate park list free entry on their own pages.

Is parking free at Soda City Market?

Soda City's site says parking is free on Saturdays, with street parking and Main Street District garages nearby. source

How much do the downtown city garages cost?

At the gated decks on Lady, Lincoln, Park and Sumter Streets, the first hour is free, the second is $3.00, each additional hour is $1.00 and the daily maximum is $15.00. source

Does the State House charge for tours?

No, guided tours are free of charge; tours run on the half hour from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on weekdays. source

What We Could Not Confirm

Not confirmed: we looked for these on official pages and did not find them. Check with the town or operator before you rely on them.

Columbia founding or incorporation year: not found on a read official page (columbiasc.gov blocked automated fetch).
Visitor center hours: experiencecolumbiasc.com blocks automated fetch; only the 1010 Lincoln St office address and phone were read, hours not listed.
Soda City Market dog policy: not stated on sodacitysc.com text read; not included.
Congaree National Park: boardwalk length differs on NPS pages (2.4 miles on Plan Your Visit page, 2.6 miles in FAQ). Operating Hours page had no hours text.
State House hours page text carries a 2014 Saturday start date; current Tour Desk 803-734-2430 should confirm. State House parking: no garage rates found; only 'metered spaces near the State House'.
City meter rate: parking.columbiasc.gov lists meters as '2 min for $0.05' etc.; hourly equivalent not stated, so none given.
SC State Museum parking and Riverbanks rain policy: not stated on pages read.
Three Rivers Greenway total length and official page: no official single page found; only city riverfront park pages used.
Vista Greenway hours and length: not found on an official page.

Sources

Read on October 26, 2026. How we check: editorial standards; spot a mistake? Tell us.

Cite this page: It's South Carolina, “Things to Do in Columbia, SC”, itssouthcarolina.com/destinations/midlands/things-to-do-in-columbia-sc/ (updated 2026-10-26). By the It's South Carolina editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.

Things to Do in Columbia, SC