This spring, literally days before the US went into lockdown, I ventured off on a Spring Break Road Trip with my mom and Annie. Having no idea it was our last getaway for months to come, I cherish this trip and these pictures more than ever looking back. We started our road trip in Chattanooga, TN, spent the middle of it in Columbia, SC, and finished things off in Asheville, NC.
Now that people are getting out and about a bit more safely, I thought it was time to share my travel guides with y’all. Especially our favorite kid friendly things to do in Columbia SC in the hopes you can experience these charming destinations soon! So this week, I’ll be taking y’all along for the ride starting with today’s post highlighting the best kid-friendly activities to do in Columbia, S.C. Head on down for what to do, where to eat, where to stay, and where to find the best pimento cheese to indulge in Columbia, South Carolina!
Kid Friendly Things to Do in Columbia SC
1.Riverbanks Botanical Garden
When it comes to things to do in Columbia SC you can always find something blooming at Riverbanks Botanical Garden! Named as one of the top 20 public gardens in America, Riverbanks Botanical Garden invites visitors to explore its 70 acres of majestic Southern landscape. Perfectly manicured trails lead guests through both dramatic and themed gardens where they can discover over 4,200 different species of plants.
Guests can purchase tickets for a tour of the gardens that also includes a visit to the Riverbanks Zoo. We decided to start our morning on the garden side and leisurely strolled past fountains and flowers until we made our way to the tram that took us down the hill, across the river, and to the zoo!
2. Riverbanks Zoo
Our visit to Riverbanks Zoo was definitely one of our favorite things to do in Columbia SC. We had so so much fun exploring the zoo and spying on as many animals as we could possibly see. Riverbanks Zoo is home to 2,000 different species of animals and we were thrilled to have an up-close and personal experience with many of them. The lions were out on full display, strolling and roaring when we passed them by. Annie was also able to an underwater view of the otters swimming and splashing. She could have stayed perched up watching them all day long if we let her! But I think our favorite animals to spot were the baby gorillas. They definitely put on a show for us running through the fields and swinging from their mommy to daddy’s backs!
Not only is the Riverbanks Zoo home to oodles of animals, but it also boasts several interactive elements that make a visit all the sweeter for your little ones. Annie loved riding the Merry-Go-Round, feeding the chickens, and zipping along in the choo-choo-train too!
Tickets to both the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden are $19.95 for adults and $16.95 for kids. Children 2 and under are free. Right now, in light of COVID-19, guests are required to make reservations in advance of their visits. Even though masks are required and social distancing is enforced, a wonderfully fun time can still be had by all!
3. Pimento Cheese Pit Stop at Di Pratos
Di Pratos is a popular sandwich spot in downtown Columbia for both locals and visitors alike. Taking a seat at a table in this casual Southern eatery is like taking a seat at the kitchen table of a family member’s home. The entire ambience here feels very welcoming and the dishes taste like your (very talented) Granny could have whipped them up herself!
Most locals would agree (and most locals also told us during our visit) that Di Pratos is home to the best Pimento Cheese in town. Upon hearing this, of course I had to try it out for myself! My mom, Annie and I started our meal out with both the Sharp White and Original Pimento Cheeses. We simply couldn’t pick just one!
4. EdVenture Children’s Museum
EdVenture Children’s Museum is a can’t miss destination when visiting Columbia with kids in tow. The museum boasts many interactive exhibits that encourage children to learn through the power of play. There’s even an area where the kiddos can immerse themselves in the world of grown-ups where they can pretend to be firemen, grocers, farmers, chefs and even astronauts.
Right now, EdVenture is open at limited capacity which makes social distancing at 6 ft. much easier for visiting families. Playtimes and visits are limited to three hours and exhibits are cleaned throughout the day to give guests as safe and special an experience as possible.
5. Mother Daughter Manicures
A mother-daughter manicure and pedicure is something that doesn’t always come to mind when traveling but we decided to book one during our girl’s trip to Columbia and the experience was oh-so-special! This was Annie’s first manicure after all, and she talked about it for weeks on end afterward! We visited Paintbase Nails and were so impressed by their stylish interior decor too.
Let’s face it, whether you’re traveling with one or multiple little ones, adventures away with kiddos can be exhausting!! Taking a break in our day to sit back and relax while getting a manicure was just what we needed!
6. Shop ‘Till You Drop on Devine Street
I always love to pick up special souvenirs for Annie during our travels to remember our trips by. We scoped out the best children’s stores in town which sent us to Divine Street. My mom and I grabbed coffee at Blum Coffee to sip on while we strolled in and out of the shops with Annie.
Two of our favorites were Duck Duck Goose and Marigold Modern Kids, both precious little children’s stores that I so wish we had here in Memphis too! Marigold’s colorful clothing racks were filled with more modern styles while Duck Duck Goose carried more traditional children’s clothing. I would say my style (and Annie’s too) is a mix of both modern and traditional. Depending on the day I dress her up in something Smocked and Southern or something frilly and new the next. We had fun shopping at both boutiques and Annie especially loved how each had a little play area to entertain her while her mommy and Nana perused!
7. South Carolina State Musem
The South Carolina State Museum is the largest in the state boasting four floors of both permanent and rotating exhibits, a dome planetarium, and 4D interactive theater. When looking for kid friendly things to do in Columbia SC, this is a great place to take kids a little bit older to give them an opportunity to immerse themselves in interactive exhibits that not only entertain but educate. There’s even an entire international exhibit where visitors are transported to Sherlock Holmes’ historical London to discover how the famous detective used science to solve his many puzzles.
The museum is closed on Mondays and is currently operating at limited capacity to give guests maximum social distancing space. General admission is $8.95 for adults and $6.95 for children.
8. Catch a Show at the Nickelodeon
This indie movie theater sits right on Columbia’s historic Main Street and delights locals and visitors alike with not only independent flicks but films that showcase the diversity, joy, challenges, and aspirations of the community. Right now, this non-profit theater is offering guests the opportunity to catch virtual screenings of the latest independent films from the comforts of home. You can check out more details on this and The Nickelodeon: here.
Once things “return back to normal” – and they will! – you and your family can enjoy the perfect night out in Columbia with a show at the Nickelodeon followed by a cup of handmade ice cream from Sweet Cream Company down the street
9. Unwind with Kid-Friendly Dishes and Adult Friendly Drinks
Dining al fresco is all the rage right now, and for good reason. The spacious and stylish outdoor patio at Tazza Kitchen makes for the perfect place to relax, unwind, and dine on delicious dishes! We finished one of our busy days in Columbia here and sitting outside on this patio enjoying the gentle breeze was just what we needed. There is even booth style seating on the sides of the patio which was perfect for Annie. Anyone dining out with a toddler knows – booths are best, ha!
I was still pregnant at the time of this trip so I ordered a tasty mocktail while my mom sipped on a savory cocktail. We filled our bellies with even more pimento cheese and finished our dinner off what a spicy pizza that three of us gals shared.
10. Sleep in Style at The Graduate Hotel
My favorite places to stay are colorful, unique, and one-of-a-kind boutique-y hotels. The Graduate’s properties are just that! Each of their hotels is curated to reflect the character of the towns they inhabit. Graduate Columbia is located just steps away from USC’s campus and its colorful decor reflects the classic style of the city and the spirit of campus nearby.
Our hotel room was suite-style, perfect for traveling with little ones! We had a small living room with a bright pink couch that included colorful chairs and accents. The attached living room was drenched in vibrant prints that all worked together and the most wonderful way. But the showstopper was the Gamecock-inspired headboard, a nod to USC’s famous mascot.
Not only were the guest rooms oh-so-vibrant but so was every single inch of the lobby. We could have spent hours exploring the different spaces guests could lounge about and entertain themselves in during their stay. I came home inspired to update my home decor after our visit here, that’s for sure!
Couldn’t resist a snap myself strolling down the lobby staircase at Graduate Columbia. How fun is this pink gallery wall!?
11. Breakfast at Cafe Strudel
Now I know this blog post is a round up of TEN things to do in Columbia … but this extra number 11 simply could not be left out.
Trust me, you do not want to let a visit to Columbia, South Carolina go by without popping into Cafe Strudel for breakfast and ordering their Fried Green Tomatoes, Pimento Cheese, Bacon & Shrimp Topped Hashbrowns. My mouth is watering just looking at the picture above and reminiscing on this delicious dish. The restaurant is now open with extra outdoor seating and spaced indoor seating too.
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Have you been on a road trip or traveled at all now that restrictions are getting raised in some areas? We are really hoping to ease back into our adventures later this fall, once we’re all settled after baby boy’s arrival. Annie’s first trip was to New Orleans at two and a half months old! I’m hoping we get to travel with her little brother just as much as we’ve been able to explore and adventure with Annie too.
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Big thank you to Columbia, South Carolina for hosting us on this wonderful adventure this spring!
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xo, alice
Which of these kid friendly things to do in Columbia SC look most fun to you? Let me know in a comment below!
