Top 10 Kid Friendly Things To Do and Attractions in Columbia

"Expansive and historic, Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park is so vast that you can spend an entire day and barely scratch the surface of this popular Columbia spot. Originally the city of Columbia’s waterworks, this 167-acre park contains popular and scenic jogging and walking trails that sport beautiful views of the river. Visitors can also explore the old parts of the now-defunct water plan."

"EdVenture is the largest children's museum in the Southeast, located in Columbia. It opened to the public in 2003 and has 8 galleries covering 67,000 square feet (6,200 m2), plus hands-on exhibits, 2 resource centers, and a 200-seat theater. 40,000 square feet (4,000 m2) of the total 67,000 square feet (6,200 m2) is devoted to exhibit galleries, laboratories and visitor amenities."

"EdVenture is one of the best children’s museums in South Carolina. You kids will have a blast while learning. All their exhibits are hands-on and allow them to role play and explore the world around them."

"A great place to spend a blistering summer's day, Saluda Shoals Park is situated on the banks of the Saluda River and has a variety of diversions for kids and other intrepid explorers. Within the 270-acre park's forested confines are paved and unpaved paths for hiking, bicycling and horseback riding, a canoe/kayak launch area, sweet fishing spots, and picnic facilities with barbecue grills. There's also Saluda Splash, a touch-activated water playground that kids will never want to leave."

"Saluda Shoals Park gives Columbia-area residents the chance to explore and experience a natural, environmentally sensitive riverfront park. The 400-acre park offers many adventures worth exploring, including an 11,000-square-foot Environmental Education Center and Exhibit Hall; hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails; picnic shelters; and much more. Of course, the best offering on a hot summer day is Saluda Splash, an interactive water playground that children love."

"There are many appealing amenities at the Saluda Shoals Park in Columbia, South Carolina. Its launching docks accommodate canoes, kayaks, rowboats and light, single-motor watercraft. The park also has a large gazebo and a huge event pavilion."

"Where else can you go from an African forest to the Australian plains and Carolina’s bogs in one day but at the Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Garden?. Opened in 1974, the 170-acre zoo and garden is located along the magnificent Lower Saluda River. The zoo section is designed as a series of realistic and natural habitats for about 2,000 animals from all over the world."

"The Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Garden is one of the best Columbia attractions you can find. Situated along the Lower Saluda River, it opened its doors back in 1974. Spanning 170 acres, it is home to over 2,000 different animals of all kinds and is especially popular among families."

"They have so much to offer and it really is one of the best day trips. In addition to the animals, the zoo has a splash area called Waterfall Junction. So perfect for summer."

"A suburban oasis, Sesquicentennial Park is 1419 acres of peace and relaxation. You can fish, canoe or kayak on the 30-acre lake, hike and mountain bike on miles of trails, participate in nature interpretation programs, enjoy a picnic, or swing, slide and jump at the playground. Originally constructed by the CCC in the 1930s, the park is also home to what is considered the oldest building in the county, a mid-1700s log cabin."

"Also known as Sesqui, Sesquicentennial State Park is a nature getaway in the Sandhills region with 1,400 acres of pine trees, camping sites, and trails span this amazing preserve. The park is ideal for family reunions and group gatherings, and also offers day-trip activities like kayaking, fishing, hiking, and a 6-mile bicycle loop."

"Hyatt Park is across the street from the Eau Claire Town hall. Hyatt Park has grassy areas, picnic tables, a small stream, baseball diamonds, and a community center with a gymnasium. The community center offers access to computers with Internet access."

"Tunnelvision was created by Blue Sky, an artist from South Carolina who is also responsible for a number of other famous modern artworks in Columbia; you’ll read about some of them in a little while!. He was inspired to create it based on a dream, and the result is a whimsical, almost otherworldly sort of masterpiece that looks like a portal to a different world. Located in downtown Columbia in an unassuming parking lot, Tunnelvision is painted across a large wall measuring 50 by 75 feet."

"Although it is located in a car park, the mind-boggling Tunnel Vision Mural is certainly well worth visiting if you are in the area. Painted on the side of a large blank wall, the arresting artwork and its amazing optical illusion make for some fantastic photos and lies just a short walk from downtown. Painted over the course of 1974 and 1975 by Blue Sky, arguably the city’s most famous artist, it depicts a road and tunnel leading to a glowing sun off in the distance."

"The crunch of quickly hardened chocolate dip around soft serve vanilla and a complementary cone makes for all kinds of taste delights. This cone is so iconic that there’s a statue of it out in front of the restaurant. Hamburgers, chicken, fries, and ice cream is their stock in trade, but on this trip, it’s all about the cone."

"Pop into The Well Café in Rosewood to replenish your energy after a killer workout at Studio Fire (or hey, skip the workout altogether and just go straight for the pick-me-up). The organic and plant-driven menu includes superfood boosts, seasonal selections, Blender Bomb smoothies and more."

"The Flying Saucer Draught Emporium is a more than noticeable beer bar with a large selection of your favorite drinks. This bar is one of the large chains on the Vista strip with an impressive menu and great seating arrangements."

"World of Beer offers locally and internationally famous beers from the tap. This popular franchise is popular with college students and tourists for its live performances and awesome environment. You can also grab a good seat outside where you can watch people walk up and down Gervais Street."

"Find your way to 929 Kitchen & Bar and fascinate your senses with delicious vegan and meat options. This bar is sophisticated and serves Korean delights with a contemporary twist. Try their kimchi nachos, tacos, salads, bibimbap, noodles, and more."

"This modern take on Korean offers a menu that finds a fan in everyone. If you like to sit at the bar and have a cocktail before dinner, this is the place. Their custom cocktail menu is amazing and the drinks are potent and wonderful."