Things to Do › Free Things to Do › Free in Columbia
10 free things to do in Columbia, each one free in the words of the operator, the city or the official visitor bureau. Where parking costs money, the row says so.
- Things10on this page
- Regions1Midlands
- Free5as the operator states
- CheckedOct 262026
The Short Answer
- Entrance to Congaree National Park is free. source
- Admission to the SC State House is free, and guided tours are free of charge. source
- Soda City Market runs every Saturday 9 a.m.-1 p.m., and parking is free on Saturdays. source
Every Things on Our List
| Name | Where | What | When | Cost | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia Fireflies for toddlers | Columbia Midlands | Children 2 and under do not need a ticket to enter Segra Park; Kids Club members (12 and under) get a free ticket to every regular-season home game. | Not listed | Under 2: no ticket needed. Kids Club membership is required for the free member ticket. | source |
| Columbia Museum of Art for young children | Columbia Midlands | Art museum on Main Street; members and children 6 and under get in free. Free Summer for every SC resident ran May 22-September 6. | Not listed | Children 6 and under free (not for groups); military free through Labor Day; adults $15. | source |
| Congaree Junior Ranger program | near Columbia Midlands | Pick up a Junior Ranger book at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center, complete the activities and earn a badge. | Not listed | Not listed | Kids: Open to visitors of all ages. source |
| Congaree National Park | near Columbia Midlands | National park with a boardwalk and trails. | Not listed | Free | source |
| EdVenture for babies and teachers | Columbia Midlands | Children's museum at 211 Gervais Street. | Not listed | Free | source |
| Historic Columbia Free Sundays | Columbia Midlands | On the third Sunday of each month, Richland and Lexington county residents tour one Historic Columbia house museum free. | Not listed | Free | source |
| Historic Columbia free Halloween event | Columbia Midlands | Costume and candy event in the Robert Mills House parking lot. | Monday, October 26, 2026, 5:30-7:00 p.m. | Free | source |
| Riverbanks Zoo Dinosaurs Around the World | Columbia Midlands | Dinosaur experience in the Riverbanks Botanical Garden that the zoo calls a FREE experience. | Not listed | Called FREE on the home page; the page does not say whether zoo admission is required. Children under 2 are always free. | Parking: $3/vehicle online or $6 at the window. source |
| Soda City Market | Columbia Midlands | Saturday street market on the 1300-1700 blocks of Main Street, year-round, rain or shine. | Saturdays 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Not listed | Parking: Parking is free on Saturdays. source |
| South Carolina State House tours | Columbia Midlands | Guided tours of the State House at 1100 Gervais Street, each starting with a 15-minute video. | Building Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (FAQ page). Tours June-Dec every hour on the half hour 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (none at 12:30); Saturdays 10:30, 11:30, 1:30, 2:30. | Free | Parking: Private vehicles use metered spaces near the State House. source |
No rows match.
Hours, dates and prices are copied from each operator’s own page on the date shown; check before you go.
Not Free (Despite Some Listings)
- The COMET Soda Cap Connector costs $1.00 to ride, exact fare (Soda City's page calls it free). source
- Saluda Splash at Saluda Shoals Park is $4 per person plus $7 parking. source
Free for The Youngest
- Riverbanks: children under 2 free. source
- EdVenture: free for children under 2. source
- Columbia Museum of Art: children 6 and under free. source
FAQ
Is Congaree National Park free?
Yes, there is no fee to enter the park. source
Are State House tours free?
Yes, guided tours are available free of charge. source
Is the Soda Cap Connector free?
No. COMET lists the Soda Cap Connector at $1.00 per ride, exact fare required. 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.
- Soda Cap Connector: sodacitysc.com says 'free' but COMET's own page says $1.00; used the operator's figure.
- Soda City Market entry: page does not state admission is free (only parking).
- Three Rivers Greenway, Riverfront Park and Finlay Park: no read official page states free; columbiasc.gov did not load for us.
- McKissick Museum (USC) free admission: sc.edu visit URL did not load for us.
- SC State Museum free days: none listed on hours-admission page.
- Historic Columbia public gardens (10 a.m.-4 p.m.): page lists hours but does not say free.
Sources
- https://www.nps.gov/cong/planyourvisit/fees.htm
- https://www.scstatehouse.gov/studentpage/coolstuff/faqs.shtml
- https://www.sodacitysc.com/
- Congaree Junior Ranger program
- South Carolina State House tours
- Historic Columbia Free Sundays
- Columbia Museum of Art for young children
- Riverbanks Zoo Dinosaurs Around the World
- EdVenture for babies and teachers
- Columbia Fireflies for toddlers
- Not Free (Despite Some Listings)
- Not Free (Despite Some Listings)
- Free for The Youngest
Read on October 26, 2026. How we check: editorial standards; spot a mistake? Tell us.
Cite this page: It's South Carolina, “Free Things to Do in Columbia, SC”, itssouthcarolina.com/things-to-do/free-things-to-do/free-things-to-do-in-columbia/ (updated ). 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.