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Things to do - Parks and Recreation
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Dreher Island State Park
Dreher Island State Park is located on Lake Murray, a 50,000-acre reservoir in the Midlands. The park consists of three islands linked to the mainland by a causeway and two bridges. Its 348 acres and 12 miles of shoreline provide guests with a variety of outdoor water recreation opportunities. The park offers lakeside camping, picnicking, lakeside villas and a nature trail. Dreher Island is 30 miles from Columbia and 12 miles off I-26 (via Chapin exit #91). The park is open 6am-6pm and 6am-9pm DST. Admission is $2 adults; $1.25 SC seniors; with age 15 & younger admitted free.
Phone: (803) 364-4152
Website
Get Your Gear On - Guided Canoe & Kayak Tours
Location: 208 Candi Lane Suite A, Columbia
Riverbanks Zoo and Garden
More than 2,000 fascinating animals reside in this lush 170-acre site with natural habitat exhibits, historic landmarks and a botanical garden.
Location can be accessed from both 500 Wildlife Parkway, Columbia 29210 and 1300 Botanical Parkway, West Columbia 29169
For more pictures and location click here!
Open: Daily 9am-5pm; summer weekends 9am-6pm
Phone: (803) 779-8717Location: 500 Wildlife Parkway, Columbia 29210 and 1300 Botanical Parkway, West Columbia 29169
Cayce / West Columbia / Airport
Broad River Canal Embankment
(Part of the Three Rivers Greenway) Access from Broad River, Columbia. Three miles of pathway connecting the historic locks, by way of the Broad River to EdVenture and the State Museum. Broad River canoe access, a fish ladder and gravel running trails alongside paved paths are highlights of this portion of the Three Rivers Greenway.
Phone: (803) 765-2200Cayce Riverland Park
(Part of the Three Rivers Greenway) At the end of Brookcliff Drive, Cayce. Stroll along pathways adjacent to the Congaree River and enjoy the most serene portion of the Three Rivers Greenway. Connects to Cayce Riverwalk and West Columbia Riverwalk for a three mile riverfront pathway adventure.
Phone: (803) 765-2200Cayce / West Columbia / Airport
Cayce Riverwalk
(Part of the Three Rivers Greenway) Access from the intersection of Naples, Axtel and Jessamine Drive, Cayce. Boasts a large beautiful picnic area, ample parking, restroom facilities and access to the Three Rivers Greenway connecting through Cayce and into West Columbia.
Phone: (803) 765-2200Cayce / West Columbia / Airport
Columbia Blowfish
Coastal Plain League Baseball Team. Come enjoy a baseball game at Capital City Stadium.
Phone: (803) 254-FISHLocation: 301 Assembly Street, Columbia
Downtown Columbia
Columbia Riverfront Park and Historic Canal
(Part of the Three Rivers Greenway) At the end of Laurel Street, at the Congaree River, Columbia. The city's original 1906 waterworks, with the pump house and first hydroelectric plant anchor still in place this is a peaceful setting for cycling, walking and picnicking. Open daily 10am-6pm. Free.
Phone: (803) 733-8331Downtown Columbia
Columbia Tennis Center
Fourteen plexipave courts that are lighted for evening play. Summer hours: 8am-9pm.
Location: 1635 Whaley Street, Columbia
Downtown Columbia
Congaree National Park
This National Park Service site features a visitor center with 3,000 square feet of exhibit space and an introductory film. Canoe trails, a 21/2-mile board walk loop trail for the handicapped and 18 miles of hiking trails lend access to this forested wilderness wonderland, known for its biological diversity and record-size trees. Open daily 8:30am-5pm. Free.
Phone: (803) 776-4396Location: Off Bluff Road (SC 48) in Hopkins, 20 mi. S.E. of downtown Columbia
Finlay Park
The site of many special events, this 14 acre park features a lake, waterfall and playground. Free concerts every Saturday evening June-August. Open daily. Free.
Phone: (803) 733-8691Location: Laurel and Assembly Streets, Columbia
Downtown Columbia
Fort Jackson Water Park & Mini Golf
Palmetto Falls Water Park features a "loopty-loop" slide, two speed slides, two gang slides, a lazy river, a family activity pool, a lap pool, a children's pool and a spray park. The park is open during the summer months. Adjacent to Palmetto Falls Water Park is Palmetto Greens Miniature Golf.
Phone: (803) 751-3381Location: 6511 Marion Street, Columbia. (On Fort Jackson)
Fort Jackson Water Park & Mini Golf
Palmetto Falls Water Park features a "loopty-loop" slide, two speed slides, two gang slides, a lazy river, a family activity pool, a lap pool, a children's pool and a spray park. The park is open during the summer months. Adjacent to Palmetto Falls Water Park is Palmetto Greens Miniature Golf.
Phone: (803) 751-3381Location: 6511 Marion Street, Columbia
Frankie’s Fun Park
A 14-acre family-oriented amusement center. Activities include three go-cart tracks, bumper boats, batting cages, three 18-hole mini-golf courses, laser tag, an arcade and a pizza restaurant.
Open: Monday- Saturday, 10am-11pm
Sunday, Noon-11pm (summers)
Location: 140 Parkridge Drive, off Harbison Boulevard, exit 103 off I-26
Gibson Pond Park
Picnic facilities, dock for fishing, boats without gas powered engines allowed. Pets must be on a leash.
Park hours are 7am-9p
Location: 241 Gibson Road, Lexington
St. Andrews / Irmo
Granby Gardens Park
Located in the banks of the Congaree River. A great place for a casual stroll on a paved walkway, for an invigorating hike in the woods or a family picnic.
Phone: (803) 796-9020Location: 1800 12th Street, Cayce
Cayce / West Columbia / Airport
Granby Park
(Part of the Three Rivers Greenway) Access from Catawba Street off Huger Street, Columbia. Twenty-four acres of riverfront park with wonderful views of the river and connections to the historic mill villages and the University of South Carolina by way of the Mill Village Riverlink.
Phone: (803) 733-8331Location: Catawba Street off Huger Street, Columbia
Harbison State Forest
Over sixteen miles of roads and trails weave through a pine and hardwood forest, crossing wandering streams and descending through leafy glades to the Broad River. Harbison State Forest has 12 miles of trails designed for walking, jogging, hiking, and bicycling that range from easy to moderately difficult. A canoe landing located near the Broad River provides access for kayaks and canoes. User fees are required for all visitors; fee boxes are located at each parking area.
Phone: (803) 896-8890Harmon’s Tree Farm & Christmas House
Visit for family entertainment throughout the year. Special events include hay rides, barn dances, gospel singing and concerts. Be sure to visit the Christmas Shop and Farm Museum.
Phone: (803) 359-4454Location: 3152 Augusta Highway, Gilbert
St. Andrews / Irmo
Lexington County Tennis Complex
Host to over 30 tennis events including the International Tennis Federation World Junior Championships, SC Senior Hardcourt Championships and the Southern 10. The complex has 21 lighted courts that can be reserved. pl
Phone: (803) 957-7676Location: 425 Oak Drive, Lexington
St. Andrews / Irmo
Mill Village Riverlink
(Part of the Three Rivers Greenway) Access from the Greek Villages on USC's campus. Series of marked pathways, lighting and emergency call boxes that connect the University of South Carolina's campus, to the Congaree River by way of a Richland County Recreation Commission park, the Granby and Olympia Mill Villages and ending at Granby Park.
Downtown Columbia
Peachtree Rock
A curiously diverse set of ecosystems ranging from desert to mountain coexist on a 305-acre tract. Open daylight hours. Free.
Phone: (803) 254-9049Location: Off SC 6 near Edmund in Lexington County
St. Andrews / Irmo
Saluda Shoals Park
Offers hiking, picnicking, fishing, horseback riding, Saluda Splash and access to the Saluda River.
Phone: (803) 731-5208Location: 5605 Bush River Road, Columbia
Saluda Town Park
Jefferson Street, Saluda.
Phone: (864) 445-3522Location: Jefferson Street, Saluda.
Saluda / Ridge Spring
Sesquicentennial State Park
This 1,419-acre park, situated in the middle of the sandhills region, features a beautiful 30-acre lake surrounded by trails and picnic areas. The park's proximity to downtown Columbia and three major interstate highways attracts both local residents and travelers. Sesqui is often the site of family reunions and group campouts. Interpretive nature programs are a major attraction to the park. The park was originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's. Evidence of their craftsmanship is still present today. The park is on US 1 (Two Notch Road), 13 miles NE of Columbia, three miles from I-20 and two miles from I-77. The park is open daily 8am-6pm and 7am-9pm DST. Admission is $2 adults; $1.25 SC seniors; with age 15 & younger admitted free.
Phone: (803) 788-2706South Carolina Memorial Park
A six-acre park in downtown Columbia featuring monuments honoring South Carolinians who served in WWi, WWII, Korea and Vietnam. Open daily. Free.
Phone: (803) 733-8331Location: Hampton and Gadsden Streets, Columbia
Downtown Columbia
South Carolina State Farmers’ Market
The new South Carolina State Farmers Market is a state-of-the-art facility that provides the agricultural community of South Carolina with a one-of-a-kind venue in which to showcase South Carolina products. The site in Lexington County is located on U.S. Hwy. 321 and is within 1.5 miles of both I-77 and I-26, with over 2,500 feet of frontage on I-26.
Monday- Saturday, 6am-9pm
Sunday, 1-6pm
Location: 3483 Charleston Highway, West Columbia
Cayce / West Columbia / Airport
Three Rivers Greenway
Currently nine miles of lighted riverfront path snake through the banks of the Congaree River and Saluda River on both the east and west bank, as well as along the canal front of the Broad River. Whether it is enjoying a leisurely stroll through the winding river path, jogging the Greenway, kayaking white water rapids, exploring the treasure trove of natural habitats in a flood plain, learning about the history of the rivers or finding a spot on the bank to fish, the Three Rivers Greenway rewards visitors of all ages and physical attributes. There is so much to do on the Greenway, that a visitor’s biggest problem is deciding exactly what to do!
Phone: (803) 765-2200Virginia Hylton Park
This shady, relaxing park has picnic tables, a playground and is a pleasant place to walk. Open 7am until 9pm. Free.
Phone: (803) 359-1027Location: 111 Maiden Lane, Lexington
St. Andrews / Irmo
West Columbia Riverwalk
(Part of the Three Rivers Greenway) Access from the intersection of Gervais Street and Axtel Drive, West Columbia. Parking, open air amphitheater with regularly scheduled family friendly shows, cane access for the Congaree River and seamless acess to riverfront pathways in Cayce and West Columbia.
Phone: (803) 765-2200Location: Access from the intersection of Gervais Street and Axtel Drive, West Columbia
Cayce / West Columbia / Airport
