The end of August is fast approaching and Labor Day is Sept. 2, less than two weeks away. It is the time of the year that many get one more chance at that summertime activity before the thoughts turn to the fall season. And West Columbia 

Meeting Street Music Fest is less than a week after Labor Day. 

The 2nd Annual Meeting Street Music Fest is Sept. 6  and 7, in West Columbia. The times for the Meeting Street Music Fest on Friday are from 6 PM until 9 PM  at the West Columbia Riverwalk Amphitheater for the Waterfront Warm-Up. On Saturday the music starts at 3 p.m. and there are three stages.  Click here for the Meeting Street Music Fest Website

The free, two-day event features 10 sensational bands playing a variety of music genres. Everyone is invited to immerse yourself in live music, enjoy delicious food and beverages, and have a good time.

Besides music in the streets, one of the top West Columbia pastimes is tubing over the cool-flowing Congaree River. Michael Mayo of Palmetto Outdoor said tubing traffic is high-volume on the Labor Day weekend 

“We anticipate a good turnout for Labor Day weekend, based on past summers,” Mayo said. “We are seeing a steady number of bookings coming in and so far the Saturday before Labor Day  appears to be the most popular, followed by Labor Day.” 

Mayo said the tubing traffic in West Columbia also increases with the return of students to the University of South Carolina. The official move-in date for USC this year was Aug. 17-18. 

With the fall semester at USC beginning and the Labor Day holiday, Mayo said West Columbia is an attractive venue. 

Labor Day activity rivals the Fourth of July weekend,” he said. “Of course, we are weather dependent, but the forecast is looking positive for this year. With USC coming back and tourists getting in their final vacation, we are expecting another record-breaking Labor Day weekend.”  

Many of the Palmetto Outdoor river-tubers come from out-of-state and they are staying at West Columbia hotels that offer special rates for tubers. (Click here for details)

Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Gardens

If you’re a fan of Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Gardens, which has a West Columbia entrance at Botanical Parkway and Mohawk Drive, Labor Day is a day of note. 

The Zoo’s Splash Zone and Li’l Sprouts Splash Zone at Waterfall Junction is open through Labor Day Weekend. 

Waterfall Junction includes a 25-foot cascading waterfall and splash zones. Another feature allows guests to unearth a life-size replica of T-Rex. There are also giant tree houses and more. Entry to Waterfall Junction is included with general park admission.

Also visit Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. It is one of the top zoos in the country and is home to close-to 2,000 animals, reptiles and sea creatures.

Riverbanks’ Botanical Garden is a 70-acre public garden on the banks of the Lower Saluda River where remnants of structures from the 1800s textile industry and the Civil War are visible. The garden also contains more than 4,300 species of native and exotic plants.

South Carolina State Museum

The South Carolina State Museum, as a part of Blue Star Museums initiative invites active military and their families to enjoy free general admission to the South Carolina State Museum until Labor Day (Sept. 2.)

Blue Star Museum guests will receive free entrance to all four floors of the museum’s galleries, including the upcoming exhibition “Shared Sacrifice: South Carolina in World War II.” 

West Columbia Hotels

Hilton Garden Inn Columbia Airport
Residence Inn by Marriott Columbia West/Lexington
TownePlace Suites by Marriott Columbia West
Hampton Inn and Suites