- Mary-Kathryn Raley
Discover Columbia While Social Distancing
As places begin to open up around the city of Columbia, it is still important to practice social distancing. We are thankful that the city still has many activities to offer while staying six feet apart and creating this blog post boosted excitement to return in the fall! Although life at USC will not be the exact same, there is still so much to appreciate around Columbia. From dining outdoors to tubing down the river, let’s discover Columbia!
Dining
Whether you choose to indulge outside or quarantine in the comfort of your home, these Columbia restaurants have the CDC recommendations down pat. Supporting our local businesses is one of the best ways we can give back to the community while recovering from COVID-19 and Columbia sure does have some good food.
Motor Supply Co. Bistro | From Sunday brunch to Friday night dinner, their menu is ever changing and especially unique to Columbia | Now offering limited indoor dining |
Tazza Kitchen | For those who don't have a brick oven at home, this is your spot | No contact in house/patio dining, by reservation only | Parties currently limited to 6 guests |
Market On Main | This new spot in the heart of Columbia provides the perfect atmosphere for outdoor dining including lounge chairs | MOM takes pride in their fresh menu that is perfect for summer and fall dining |
If you are not comfortable just yet with dining in person, there are many local businesses that have mastered the art of curbside delivery. Grabbing take-out and heading to your local park for a picnic is a great summer activity. Check out some of the best picnicking spots in Columbia.
Riverbanks Botanical Garden: Not too far of a drive from downtown Columbia! ADPi had our last formal here and it was beautiful. The area is well shaded and kept, making it a perfect picnic location.
Sesquicentennial State Park: This is a forested park a little outside of Columbia, however it's worth the quick drive. Enjoy your picnic around the lake then take a walk around one of the nature trails.
UofSC Horseshoe: Last but certainly not least, the horseshoe could not be forgotten! This is one of the most peaceful spots UofSC has to offer on campus. From the perfectly trimmed grass to the history behind every building, this location never disappoints for a relaxing lunch or dinner.
Activities
As we start to get in the swing of things again, choosing activities where we can maintain a distance between others is essential. Through the progression of COVID-19, brainstorming new ideas on how to still have fun with friends and family while staying safe has been constant. In doing so, may we find joy in this new normal.
Lake Murray Dam | The perfect spot to walk your dog or bike | Spend your day here exploring the various activities or stop by for a quick jog |
Tube Down The River | The Broad River runs right through the heart of Columbia | Throw a tube in the river and float down for a few hours and expect a nice tan by the end of your trip |
Monetta Drive-In Theater | If you are looking for a little road trip this is the place to go | Pack a car with blankets, pillows and snacks and you're set to enjoy a drive-in movie |
Riverbanks Zoo and Garden Virtually | Get the insiders scoop on what goes down while the gates are closed | Milo Anderson hosts a Facebook live each weekday at 10am showing behind the scenes footage with the Columbia animals and zookeepers |
Masks
Various shops around Columbia are doing their part by selling face masks, so let's do ours by supporting them! Here are some top picks to find the cutest face masks around Columbia:
My-Kim Collection: From polkadots to tie dye, they have it all. With over four pages of mask options on their website, you are sure to find face protection to match any outfit!
Monkee's of Columbia: Offering hand made masks for only twelve dollars, Monkee's has a few different design variations. A favorite of ours is the Camo Aqua!
Vestique: Also selling masks online, Vestique has the most fun neon masks which are cute and trendy for the summer.