A Weekend Getaway to Columbia, SC

It’s easy to get to the South Carolina capital from Charlotte. Leaving may be harder.

Columbia is close enough for a hassle-free family trip but far enough away to feel totally fresh. This autumn, shake off school and work and escape to this charming capital less than two hours from uptown Charlotte.

Stop by local favorite Groucho’s in the Five Points district for one of their famous sandwiches to fuel up.

Just inside children’s museum EdVenture, it’s not hard to spot Eddie, a 10-year-old boy—who’s 40 feet tall! Your kids will love climbing up to explore the human brain, heart, and stomach. Visit the busy bee farm and neighborhood market, then check out the rotating exhibits. Sit in the cockpit at the FLIGHT exhibit, and let the kids pilot over Columbia.

Journey back in time at the South Carolina State Museum. Four floors of art, science, history, and technology exhibits guarantee discovery for every member of the family. Pro tip: Don’t miss the digital planetarium, 4D interactive theater, and Boeing observatory deck.

Discuss your scientific and historical findings over a hearty, Mexican-inspired meal at Cantina 76 on Main Street. End the day with a treat from Sweet Cream Co. The shop makes its ice cream by hand with the highest quality ingredients, so you can feel good about the splurge.

At Soda City Market, grab some Carolina popcorn, boiled peanuts, and coffee from Indah to snack on while you stroll Main Street. Kids can watch a balloon animal come to life or become and animal themselves with face painting as magicians and musicians perform nearby. Get a head start on holiday shopping with unique local gifts, and don’t forget to swing by Mast General Store, where the kids can pick out a toy and you can, too: Peruse breezy outdoor fashion or the latest camping gear.

Start the day with a strong coffee and quick breakfast at smallSUGAR in The Vista district before finding adventure at Riverbanks Zoo. Feed the giraffes, climb on the rock wall, or go on a sky-high vertical safari. The zoo features family-friendly events year-round—keep an eye out for this year’s Boo at the Zoo and Lights Before Christmas.