Fall has a way of slowing you down — in the best possible way. Whether you’re planning a romantic escape, a family adventure or a weekend packed with food and festivals, Columbia makes it easy. Grab your sweater and your favorite travel buddy and get ready for a few days that feel equal parts laid-back and full of surprises. | Sponsored
Cooler temps and colorful trees set the stage for one of the most inviting times to experience Columbia. Swap the daily rush for streets lined with fiery foliage, sunny patios with room to linger and plenty of fresh air. This season has a way of showing off the city’s charm while keeping things refreshingly low-key.
Start your morning with a stroll or bike ride along the Three Rivers Greenway. The crisp air and river views are every bit as good as the snapshots you’ll take. Just a short drive away, Congaree National Park offers boardwalk trails and golden canopies that feel worlds apart from the city.
If you’re up for more, cast a line on Lake Murray or the Saluda River, both local favorites for fishing. Or settle into Sesquicentennial State Park, where shaded sites, hiking trails and a quiet lake make it easy to soak up the fall season.
Columbia’s dining scene doesn’t hold back when fall rolls in. Kick things off with a maple cold brew or pumpkin spice latte from Drip Coffee. Then head to Hunter-Gatherer Brewery at Curtiss-Wright Hangar, where craft beers are paired with wood-fired pizzas under soaring hangar ceilings.
Looking for a dinner spot that changes with the seasons? Motor Supply Co. Bistro builds its rotating menu from fresh, local ingredients. And for wine lovers, the James Beard Award-winning Lula Drake Wine Parlour pairs curated pours with small plates, ideal for date night or catching up with friends.
Columbia makes family fun easy this time of year. Spend the day at Riverbanks Zoo & Garden, where the cooler weather brings out the animals’ playful side. Or head to Clinton Sease Farm for hayrides, a corn maze and the kind of pumpkin patch kids will remember.
If you’re here on a Saturday, don’t skip Soda City Market. It’s part farmers market, part street festival and all fun. Kids (of all ages) can taste fresh treats, dance along to live music and pick out goodies from local makers.
Looking for a fall getaway with a little romance? Share tapas and wine under the string lights at Gervais & Vine before strolling hand-in-hand through the galleries at the Columbia Museum of Art. Then catch a show at the Koger Center for the Arts. Home of Broadway in Columbia, there’s always a world-class lineup of productions to choose from.
Want to linger longer? Order seasonal cocktails by the rooftop firepit, and wrap up the night under autumn skies at Hendrix.
Columbia’s hotels make it easy to feel right at home. In the heart of Main Street, Hotel Trundle blends boutique style with Southern hospitality. (Pro tip: don’t miss their complimentary breakfast). Or check into Graduate Columbia, located right on the University of South Carolina campus and filled with playful, one-of-a-kind details that rally USC school spirit. Go Gamecocks! Whatever your style or budget, you’ll find a place to stay that feels just right.
Fall weekends here come with a full lineup. Raise a glass at any of our numerous Oktoberfests in the Soda City, where live music and local brews make it hard to be bored. Head to the South Carolina State Fair for rides, treats and plenty of Southern deep-fried food. And for a dose of arts and holiday spirit, Vista Lights turns downtown into a glowing street party with gallery strolls, music and late-night shopping. Check the full events calendar to see what’s happening while you’re in town — you’ll be glad you did.
