It is no secret that South Carolina gets hot over the summer months and Columbia is no exception. The city has even been given the motto "famously hot." For those of us that aren't migrating up north to escape the heat this summer, here are a few things to do this summer in Soda City.
1. Kayak down the Congaree River.
The perfect summer activity in Columbia is kayaking down the Congaree River or Saluda River. There are several kayak rental places nearby or you can bring your own.
2. Go to a Columbia Fireflies baseball game.
With a beautiful stadium and the former NFL player turned minor league baseball player Tim Tebow on the team, there is no reason not to go to a Columbia Fireflies game.
3. Visit the Soda City Market.
The Soda City Market is a staple of downtown Columbia. Every Saturday from 9 a.m. 1 p.m., you can get some fresh produce and support local vendors.
4. Tour the state house.
If you feel like getting out of the sun and escaping the heat, take a tour of the state house. Free self-guided tours are open Monday through Friday. It looks just as cool on the inside as it does outside.
5. See the animals and gardens at the Riverbanks Zoo.
As if seeing cute animals was not reason enough, the Riverbanks Zoo also has beautiful botanical gardens that make the perfect backdrop for a summer photo session.
6. Catch the solar eclipse.
In case you haven't heard, there will be a total solar eclipse happening on August 21, 2017. One of the best places to view it will be right here in Columbia and there is even an entire weekend dedicated to this special event.
To see a list of all events happening this summer, check out Columbia's event site.
