It’s hot outside, and that’s why the Congaree River is the most attractive destination around.
Float on the calm, glass-like water, then shoot through the refreshing whitewater rapids, all on an inner tube.

The Fourth of July was on a Friday this year and we had close to 2,000 tube trips over the four-day weekend period,” said Michael Mayo, the owner of Palmetto Outdoor.

Palmetto Outdoor is one of the premier eco-tourism and outfitters in the state. His tube trips, and Congaree National Park canoe trips draw  large numbers to West Columbia. The tube trips end at the West Columbia Riverwalk Amphitheater. The Riverwalk is closed for repairs and the parking lot is closed, but river access for take-out and put-in is open.

Attracting visitors to West Columbia from all over, even foreign countries

“They come from all over the country to go tubing,” Mayo said. He also said that South Carolina’s only National Park, Congaree National, is just down the road from West Columbia, and the park is attracting a European clientele.

“We have visitors from France, Germany, England,” Mayo said. “And we even had some from Australia.”

There’s a new float in town

Mayo said Palmetto Outdoor has also added a tubing trip for ages 10-and-under that puts into the river at the West Columbia Riverwalk. 

“It’s a calmer float for younger tubers because we had so  many inquiries from families who had younger children. The C2C (Congaree-to-Cayce) tubing trips have been a big hit so far. It’s been very successful. We’re taking busloads of 30-to-50 on the C2C leg of the river trips,” Mayo said. 

Mayo also said on the trip back to the West Columbia Riverwalk, he gets time to talk about all the restaurants and hotels available in West Columbia. “They can look out of the window of the bus and see where to go to eat.”

The tubing operations are offered every day of the week, except Wednesday, until Labor Day. 

For more information, check out Palmetto Outdoor Center at https://palmettooutdoor.com

After you come off the river, you may want to grab a bite to eat. Several West Columbia restaurants have outside dining. And with the warmer weather more people are getting outside to enjoy their meal.
The outside tables at D’s Wings are full most days. D’s Wings is at 415 Meeting Street in West Columbia. 

Other restaurants in West Columbia with outside dining include: Savage Craft Ale Works; WECO Bottle and Biergarten; Cafe Strudel, Another Broken Egg, Terra, and The Hideout in WECO.

West Columbia offers Complimentary Valet Parking

The City of West Columbia is offering complimentary valet parking in the River District. From Thursday to Saturday, leave the parking to West Columbia. Enter the Interactive Art Park, 425 Meeting Street, and drop your vehicle with the valet to make it even easier to enjoy the local businesses. Hours are: Thursdays and Fridays: 4 PM – 10 PM and Saturdays: 12 PM – 10 PM

Enjoy Carraway Park at Riverwalk

Carraway Park at the Riverwalk, 212 Hudson Street, is an all-inclusive playground featuring a variety of play equipment, including swings suitable for different needs, zip lines, a jungle gym, merry-go-rounds, and a climbing wall. There’s a dedicated area for toddlers and a large picnic , and ADA Accessible restrooms. It’s near local eateries and shops.

Do you want to bike?

The City of West Columbia has installed three bicycle repair stations as a park of the effort to create biking connectivity. The bicycle repair stations can be found at:

• Reeves Park – West Columbia Community Center – 754 B Avenue, West Columbia
• Moffatt Street Entrance to the Riverwalk – 100 Riverside Drive, West Columbia
• West Columbia Riverwalk Park and Amphitheater – 109 Alexander Road, West Columbia

It’s July in South Carolina. That means it’s hot outside, but the sunlight feels good and the air is fresh. Summer is the ideal time to get out and enjoy everything West Columbia has to offer.  

List of West Columbia restaurants:

Grecian Gardens Restaurant – 2312 Sunset Blvd – 803-794-7552
Cafe Strudel – 300 State St. – 803 – 926-5255
Savage Craft Ale Works – 430 Center St. – (803) 888-6005
WECO Bottle and Biergarten – (803) 851-1279
The Hideout in WECO – State Street
La Cienega Mexican Grill & Seafood – (803) 888-7471
Breads and Such – 1220 C Ave. – (803) 851- 0566
Hite’s BBQ – 240 Dreher Rd. – (803) 794-4120
Jimmy’s Mini Mart/Citgo – 812 Meeting St. – (803) 794-0090
Maurice’s Piggie Park – 1600 Charleston Highway – 803-796-0220J
Nick’s House of Pizza Restaurant- 1082 A Sunset Blvd – 803-794-9240
DeLuccas 1720 Sunset Blvd. – 803- 926-5255
Breakfast at Ruiz – 116 State Street – (803) 550-9681
Ariana’s Greek Restaurant – 1720 Sunset Blvd. – (803) 796-4430
Lizard’s Thicket – 2234 Sunset Blvd. 803 – 794-0923
True BBQ – 1237 D Ave – (803) 791-9950
Chick-fil-A -2299 Augusta Rd. – (803) 939-1600
Rush’s 2332 Sunset Blvd. – (803) 796-5034
Another Broken Egg – 101 State St. – (803) 829-0223