What We Do
With approximately 60 total employees, each team member of Midlands Authority for Conventions Sports & Tourism and Experience Columbia SC has an integral part to play within their specific organization and department in driving economic…
Columbia SC named one of the 8 under the radar southern cities to visit this summer.
Columbia, South Carolina's Reconstruction Era museum is mentioned as a hidden gem to visit.
With three river converging in downtown Columbia, the capital city is a perfect getaway for nature lovers.
For most people, the conversation around Columbia, South Carolina stops at the Midlands capital being a college town. In reality, this region is steeped in history–Black history, specifically– that can be found throughout the city and in its food scene. One thing you’ll never…
Sergio Hudson, one of the biggest names in fashion, is getting his well-deserved flowers through a new exhibition at The Columbia Museum of Art. Through June 30, 2024, “Sergio Hudson: Focused on the Fit” showcases the work of the iconic designer. Museum visitors can get up close…
Sure, large cities like Boston, New York or Chicago, spattered with universities and throngs of students, are technically college towns. But the archetypical American college town, enshrined in our imaginations from countless coming-of-age films, is something else entirely: an…
Darius Rucker once famously declared, "For me, there's two times a year—football season and waiting for football season," and for Rucker, it’s all about the University of South Carolina Gamecocks. Before “Only Wanna Be With You,” was one of the biggest pop songs of the 90s and…
If National Parks were celebrities, the A-listers would be as expected: Yellowstone, the Redwoods, the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and the Rockies. These parks host some of the most famous natural landscapes in the U.S., from geysers to glaciers to, well, the Grand Canyon. It’s…
For some, road trips are typified by national parks and pitstop kitsch. For others, they’re an opportunity to map out an entire vacation around pepperoni rolls. Road trips, in whatever form or direction, are an Americana pastime that really kicks into full-gear in the summer…
Visitation to South Carolina’s capital city in 2022 rebounded and surpassed pre-pandemic levels, according to the city’s tourism organization.
Congaree National Park, Columbia, SC If you’re looking for a warmer spot for your spring getaway, consider visiting Congaree National Park. This national park sits in the middle of the floodplain between the Congaree and Wateree Rivers, which means that the 25 miles of hiking…
We’ve been to Congaree National Park several times now and each time is a different experience. One of the newer US National Parks, it’s one that’s still not gained popularity the way Glacier NP or Everglades NP have. There aren’t a ton of things to do in Congaree National Park…
Columbia, South Carolina is a great city to visit with kids. It’s full of history, there’s nature just outside of downtown and it’s a wonderfully inclusive place. Staying at the Hotel Trundle in downtown is a great way to both be in the middle of the best things to do in Columbia…
I had no idea there were so many things to do in Columbia, South Carolina before we arrived. I’ve always known Columbia SC to be a city that was all but destroyed in the Civil War, but not much else. As it turns out it’s a fun place to explore with lots of history, outdoor…
While the origins of pimento cheese started farther north than most expect, Columbia, South Carolina, claims to be the home of the first printed recipe of the piquant spread. According to Esoteric Columbia, the combination of mayonnaise, grated cheese, and chopped pimentos first…
As margarita season kicks into full swing, it’s fun to reflect on variations of the tequila cocktail across the Carolinas. This beverage has morphed into an eclectic, creative cocktail far from its origins in the 1930s. From traditional on-the-rocks to funky frozen flavors…
Road trips are so much fun, and they allow you to see the world from the comfort of your carseat. Queue up a good audiobook or playlist, grab your favorite snacks, and you’re set. After driving for several hours, though, you might find the road more monotonous than scenic. Making…
Whether you are a studied art aficionado or a casual fan, these 10 destinations overflow with public art, art festivals, art tours, and art galleries and museums to feed your art-loving soul. Columbia, South Carolina When arriving in Columbia, set the GPS for The Vista, a city…
We believe that the best vacations are planned around eating, and food trails are one of the best ways to do that. Exploring a state's regional cuisine through food trails lets you taste some of the best food that region has to offer, while also gaining a sense of its background…
Pimiento cheese is an iconic Southern spread that combines grated cheese, pimiento peppers, and mayonnaise into a creamy delight that can be put onto everything from burgers to toast points. But did you know that Columbia, S.C. claims to be home to one of the oldest published…
When you visit Columbia, South Carolina, you may expect a lot of fun experiences, but you might not expect to find a thriving vegan dining scene. However, Columbia is one of the most welcoming places to find a wide variety of flavorful vegan meals. Whether you enjoy a plant-based…
Columbia is an essential stop for understanding the history and ethos of South Carolina. Halfway between Charleston on the coast and Greenville in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Columbia is home to one of the South’s largest university systems, the University of…
The unicorn-themed bedroom of your childhood is all grown up in Columbia, South Carolina. Set on Taylor Street, steps away from downtown’s bustling Main Street, Hotel Trundle redefines the boutique hotel experience to merge industrial grit with whimsy. Owners Rita Patel and…
Ensuring others have fun takes a lot of hard work, but the payoff comes in generating awareness and economic impact. Promoting Columbia as a great place to live, work and play is a team effort fueled by a love of this charming Southern city.
Call it nostalgia for college sports. Or call it fanaticism. Whatever it is, the Graduate Columbia, located in Columbia, South Carolina, is a university-owned boutique hotel that simultaneously celebrates its own history and that of the region. Originally built in 1911, the…
One of our favorite things about our hometown is that it’s a bonafide foodie haven—if you stick to the chains around Columbia, you’re missing out in the worst way.
Columbia, South Carolina, is a fun place to drink cocktails, and like many capital cities, a mix of government types, visitors, and tourists add to the fabric of who’s in town on any given weekday. A significant number of creative drink menus support an audience thirsty to…
Columbia’s restaurant scene has been growing for years, and now the city boasts an eclectic mix of old-school favorites and innovative newcomers. Right in the middle of South Carolina, Columbia is an easy weekend getaway, and visitors enjoy Gamecock sports, outdoor activities…
Until recently, I’d only ever driven through Columbia, South Carolina. The capital of The Palmetto State is the closest major city along the route we take to visit family in Florida, and until a month ago, mostly symbolized that we were nearly home. As part of our commitment to…
The capital of South Carolina often takes a back seat to Charleston, and that’s too bad because Columbia also has a fascinating history and great food. You can explore Congaree National Park or kayak one of three rivers flowing through the city. Our ultimate guide to 2 days in…
In this eighth installment of a continuing Convene series about female leadership at event facilities, the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center’s Cheryl Swanson shares her thoughts on how the pandemic has given venues the opportunity to innovate.
The Palmetto State's capital offers a blend of old-school charm and urban cool. While a walk by the University of South Carolina will take you back 200 years, downtown buzzes with the Main Street District's Saturday market, the sparkling South Carolina State Museum, and the hip…
Each spring, food and beverage professionals gather in Columbia, South Carolina, to celebrate the Midlands’ distinguished and growing culinary scene. After a couple years of postponed and then scaled-down events due to Covid-19, the 2022 Columbia Food and Wine Festival showcased…
There are more than 2,000 firefly species in the world, but only three of the synchronized flashing varieties are found in North America. In the Southeast, there are two national parks – Congaree National Park in South Carolina and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in…
Columbia, SC isn’t just the capital city of South Carolina. It’s a vibrant city filled with wonderful museums, in-depth history, and amazing restaurants...This is a complete guide with everything you need to know to experience this great city with your family! From kid activities…
Well before other small cities commissioned public art, Columbia’s parks and buildings featured beautiful sculptures and murals—one of the most iconic murals being “Tunnelvision,” created by artist Blue Sky in 1975. Currently, the Columbia region has nearly 200 pieces of public…
Take advantage of the mild temperatures this fall with a jaunt to South Carolina's capital city. Columbia is a hub for family fun and weekend getaways in the center of the state. Start your vacation explorations in the outdoors meandering the city's parks and paddling its…
Forget what you think you know about Columbia. Yes, the downtown is still home to the University of South Carolina. And state legislators still convene at the state capitol, where the scars of Union cannonballs mar the granite walls. But these days, students, politicians and…
Established in 2003, Congaree National Park in South Carolina is home to astonishing biodiversity. The Cedar Creek waterway passes through a primeval old-growth forest that contains some of the tallest trees in eastern North America. Opportunities are plentiful for viewing…
Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center in South Carolina has elevated staging CDC-compliant meetings to an art. Since reopening in June, it has hosted 63 events, including the recent Governor’s Conference on Tourism and Travel, where tables were set 10 feet apart, traffic flow…
Although boiling will help get the aromatics from the liquid into the crab, it can become overwhelming. It can end up producing a type of watery soup in your crab meat. With steam, you get pure, delicious crab. Also, with steaming, you have more control over the flavors on the…
Like past resistance to bag checks and security checks, the public eventually came to accept these intrusions as best practices for their safety and well-being. The same culture shift is occurring with the present pandemic, and communication is the key to understanding and…
From concerts to cocktail lounges, big bands to Grammy-nominated headliners, there are plenty of ways to experience the sounds of jazz in Columbia. Take for example, the 75-seat Chayz Lounge in West Columbia that hosts renowned artists or The Joint @ 1710 Main on Main Street…
Columbia is a small town with a big heart. South Carolina’s capital is a southern hotspot with a rich history, outdoor adventures, chef-driven restaurants, and a diverse cultural scene. From state-of-the-art museums to one of the most unique national parks in the world, there is…
A South Carolina road trip isn't complete without a stop in the capital city of Columbia. Columbia's small downtown is filled with culture and history. Visit the exhibits at the Columbia Museum of Art that often feature Black voices in the arts, and Immersion SC, a new…
Kiki Cyrus worked at several restaurants through college before opening Kiki’s Chicken and Waffles in Columbia, South Carolina. Her restaurants have become a popular stop for politicians and celebrities, including Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton.
“I love making dessert sauces with sour beers,” says chef Rosalind Graverson from Craft & Draft's location in Irmo, South Carolina. “They already have so much complex flavor—sweet, acidic, fruity.” Generously drizzle this strawberry sour compote on a scoop of ice cream, slice of…
In 1974 Warren Edward Johnson walked out of a supermarket in Columbia, South Carolina, looked up, and saw an opening in the clouds. Inspired by the sight, Johnson had his name legally changed to "Blue Sky." He later told a local news reporter, "I was doing a lot of LSD back…
The state capital, Columbia, lays claim as the only destination with a downtown convention center in the state. "Another thing we promote is nature - 'a city meets nature' - because Columbia's downtown is located so close to outdoor venues," said Dayna Cantelmi, communications…
Three buildings in downtown Columbia, South Carolina, dating back as far as 1914, were brought back to life in 2018 by young husband-and-wife architects and combined to create the Hotel Trundle. With 41 eccentric guestrooms, this boutique gem hints at its past with exposed brick…
We see just one bird at first, but soon there will be many, many more. From a pontoon boat on South Carolina’s Lake Murray, just outside Columbia, the naturalist Zach Steinhauser points out the purple martin’s flying pattern. “They’re the ones soaring around, more loosely knit…
Last year we camped on Lake Murray and didn’t realize how close it was to Columbia. We decided to come back and dedicate a whole weekend to exploring this historic riverside city. Columbia is only 3.5 hours from Raleigh so a perfect distance to feel like you’re exploring…
While pedaling the completed 19.4 miles of South Carolina’s Three Rivers Greenway, the word “potential” keeps popping up in my mind. The greenway follows the Broad, Saluda and Congaree Rivers, and everywhere I look, people are swimming, floating and otherwise having a good time…
The Reconstruction Era was one of the most formative movements in American history for civil rights. Despite the importance of the era spanning 1865-1977, it is often misunderstood and overlooked. The city of Columbia, South Carolina, recently launched Reconstructed: A Journey…
From 1868 to 1874, South Carolina had a majority Black legislature, the only state to do so to this day. In South Carolina, the time following the Civil War, the Reconstruction era, was a time of tremendous strides in racial equality. In fact, the Black-majority legislature was…
You may not fly to South America this summer, but you can drive over to Columbia for a taste of Peru. Chef Javier Uriarte opened his first restaurant, called Ratio, after cooking in esteemed kitchens from DC to SC.
There was a time when Columbia’s prime asset was seemingly its proximity to the coast and the mountains. Now, though, a spate of restaurant openings, public art installations, and welcoming outdoor spaces have reinvigorated the city center. Add a flourishing craft brewery…
At Bourbon in Columbia, South Carolina, there’s a fun variation on hummus made with black eyed peas! “Although we serve an amped-up version of the ‘traditional’ New Year’s Day meal of pork, collards and black-eyed peas, my favorite is our Black Eyed Pea Hummus. Black eyed peas…