IN THE NEWS

One way we strive to live out our organization’s mission is through public and media relations efforts. We promote the Columbia region to potential visitors by pitching story ideas and hosting media to garner regional, national and international destination coverage.

Here’s who’s been talking about us lately:

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…