Everything You Should Know About Columbia
Residents and visitors to the Columbia, South Carolina area have access to Lake Murray, one of the state's most popular recreational lakes. Lake Murray has more than 500 miles of shoreline, with lots of scenic coves to explore. The lake is well known for its excellent fishing, and is the site of a number of bass tournaments each year. Several marinas on Lake Murray offer gas, supplies, and storage facilities for boaters.
Marinas on the north side of Lake Murray include Buffalo Creek Marina, Lighthouse Marina, and Lake Murray Marina and Yacht Club. In addition to their services for tenants, most marinas also welcome transient boaters. Dreher Island State Recreation Area, also on the north side of the lake, has ramps, gas, and some supplies.
Buffalo Creek Marina is located at 849 Marina Way in Prosperity, South Carolina. The marina offers gas, boats slips, and a convenience store that carries snacks, soda, beer, and ice.
Lighthouse Marina is located at 1625 Johnson Marina Road near Chapin, South Carolina. They have fuel, wet slips, dry storage, and a bathhouse. Pontoon rentals are available. The Rusty Anchor Restaurant is open for dinner on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings. The outside Quarterdeck has burgers, sandwiches, salads, and a full bar.
Lake Murray Marina and Yacht Club is open daily during the summer. It is located at 1600 Marina Road in Irmo, South Carolina. Boaters will find fuel, boat storage, a convenience store, restrooms, showers, and laundry facilities.
Boaters on the east side of Lake Murray will find marina facilities at Jakes Landing, located at 220 Jakes Landing Road near the town of Lexington. There are two concrete launching ramps, gas, wet slips, and dry storage. The convenience store sells bait and tackle, as well as food, beverages, and ice.
Southshore Marina is located on the southern part of Lake Murray, at 3072 US Hwy 378 near Leesville, South Carolina. This full service marina offers fuel, marine supplies, wet slips, covered dry storage, and a ramp.
Siesta Cove Marina is also located on the south side of the lake. This full service marina has wet and dry storage, a boat ramp, gas, bait, a convenience store, and a campground. Siesta Cove Marina is located at 256 John Long Road in Gilbert, South Carolina.
Activities In Columbia
Columbia, South Carolina is home to some of the most popular attractions in South Carolina. Whether you are planning for one night, a long weekend, or an entire week, Columbia promises to entertain the entire family! Check out these favorite local attractions and forms of entertainment to start planning your next escape!
Riverbanks Zoo and Garden-- From the tiny birds to the giant elephants, Riverbanks Zoo offers guests the opportunity to visit with hundreds of animals from around the world! Before heading home for the day, take a few minutes to explore the beautiful botanical gardens.
University of South Carolina-- When you visit Columbia, South Carolina, you are stepping into Gamecock country! Plan to cheer on the Gamecock athletes with USC students and their beloved mascot, Cocky.
Lake Murray-- Swim, sunbathe, kayak, fish, and more at the beautiful Lake Murray! And, if you are not interested in jumping in the water, Lake Murray offers a walking path that stretches across the dam.
Edventure Children's Museum-- If you have young children, this is a museum that you will not want to skip during your time in Columbia. Eddie, the largest child in the world, lives at Edventure Children's Museum. He sits 40 feet tall and as you travel up the steps toward his head, you will get a chance to explore his stomach, heart, brain and more!
The Vista-- After a day full of activities, Columbia offers a welcome invitation to join the locals at some of their favorite restaurants and bars. The Vista is located in downtown Columbia and offers some of the very best dining and nightlife in Columbia. Visitors can look forward to a night full of delicious food, karaoke, trivia, and more!
Additional Things To Do In Columbia SC
Columbia, South Carolina is known for its sizzling hot summers. Residents and visitors are often looking for ways to beat the heat. Visiting a nearby water park, taking the kids to one of the area's splash pads, or tubing down the Saluda River are fun ways to keep cool. These options are all inexpensive and family friendly.
The Palmetto Falls Water Park is located at 3381 Marion Avenue on the Fort Jackson Army Base, outside Columbia. The water park is primarily for use by military families, but is open to the public Tuesday-Friday, except for season pass holders. The water park is open only to military families on Saturday and Sunday.
Saluda Splash is an interactive water playground located at Saluda Shoals Park. Large overhead buckets dump water on the splash park. Saluda Shoals Park also has picnic areas, walking and bike trails, and canoe and kayak rentals.
The City of Columbia operates the Drew Splash Pad at Drew Park. The Splash Pad is designed for children age 14 and under, and admission is free. The splash pad operates Monday-Saturday from noon-8pm. The Drew Wellness Center at the park has an indoor swimming pool that is open year round. The park is located at 2100 Oak Street.
A tubing trip down the Saluda River is a great way to cool off. The water temperature is quite cold, as the water is pulled from the bottom of Lake Murray and released from the dam. Tubers should park their vehicles near the amphitheater at the West Columbia Riverwalk.
COLUMBIA WEATHER
Allen University, located in Columbia, South Carolina, is a small historically black institution. It was founded in 1870 by former slaves as Payne Institution in Cokesbury, South Carolina. The school had the dual mission of providing educational opportunities for African Americans and training clergy for the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church. In 1880 the school moved to a more central location in Columbia and was renamed Allen University in honor of the Reverend Richard Allen, founder and first bishop of the AME Church.
The university is a private, Christian liberal arts institution. Allen University is coeducational, with an enrollment of less than 900 students. The institution has a rather unusual history. The school educated students of all age levels. Young students entered in its grammar school, continued their studies through high school, and then pursued a college degree. The grammar school was discontinued in the 1920s, and the last high school class graduated in 1933. Since that time A.U. has enrolled only college students.
Students at Allen University may pursue eight academic majors. There are 21 areas of concentration available to students including business administration, accounting, finance, English, music, social science, human services, mathematics, biology, chemistry, pre-pharmacy, computer science, pre-engineering, and religious studies. The university confers Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees.
Allen University offers on campus housing, and there are numerous opportunities for students to engage in campus life. Two new residence halls opened in 2009. More than 30 organizations are available to students including civic, religious, and social groups. Students may choose from honor societies, fraternities, sororities, leadership organizations, and special interest clubs. Varsity sports offered at A.U. include men's basketball, women's basketball, and women's volleyball. The university is a member of the National Athletic Intercollegiate Association (NAIA). Students may also participate in intramural sports including flag football, basketball, and volleyball.
Allen University has an urban campus, with buildings that comprise the Allen University Historic District. The most recognizable building on campus is the Chappelle Administration Building, a brick structure completed in 1925. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Arnett Hall was built in 1881, and Levi J. Coppin Hall dates to 1906.
The university is located at 1530 Hardin Street in Columbia. A.U. offers guided tours by appointment Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm. The school's location is convenient to many of the points of interest and activities that South Carolina's capital has to offer.
List of Things To Do In Columbia SC:
Columbia Museum of Art
Saluda Shoals Park
Historic Columbia Foundation
Three Rivers Greenway
Saluda Dam
West Columbia Riverwalk Park and Amphitheater
Robert Mills House
Riverfront Park
Columbia Canal
Frankie's Fun Park
Need Air Conditioning Service While In Columbia
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803-438-1902
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