West Columbia is right beside some really neat venues. There are three attractions that draw daily visitors from all over the state, that are in West Columbia’s backyard.

The South Carolina State Museum, EdVenture and Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens are a stone’s throw from us and a lot of the visitors to those places are local.
According to ZIP Code data collected by the State Museum at 301 Gervais Street, more than 15,000 visitors from Lexington County have experienced the museum since July 1, 2024, the start of the fiscal year. 

A substantial portion of those visitors come from West Columbia, said Jennifer Thrailkill, Communications and Marketing Director for the  State Museum. And many more West Columbia students visit the State Museum throughout the year on school trips.

“The State Museum is just over the river from West Columbia and we offer four floors of exhibitions to explore, along with a 55-foot digital dome planetarium, a 4D theater and an observatory,” Jennifer said.. “We will be open 7 days a week starting on Memorial Day and will stay open until 9 p.m. on select Fridays throughout the summer. Guests can experience the new blockbuster exhibition, “Heroes and Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume,” created by the Walt Disney Archives, plus new shows in the planetarium and 4D theater. Tickets and more information are available at scmuseum.org.

EdVenture
EdVenture, which sits beside the State Museum, is another option within a stone’s throw of West Columbia. It will be open on Memorial Day. The mission of EdVenture is to inspire children, youth, and the adults who care about them to experience the joy of learning and inspire lifelong learners in a space that is engaging, safe, and inclusive.

EdVenture features Eddie, a larger-than-life, 40-ft. tall kid who’s an icon around the Southeast.
Kids can climb inside Eddie to learn about the inner-workings of the body. Explore the body’s organs and learn what their functions are as you climb in and around Eddie. 

Also at EdVenture: 

• Dalmatian Station – Sound the alarm and let’s roll out to the Dalmatian Station!
• World of Work- What will you be some day when you grow up?
• MedVenture – From the ambulance to the operating table, explore the world of medical careers!
• The Great Outdoors – Splash, ride, gem mine, and MORE!
• Flight – “EdVenture pilots! This is ground control. You’re clear for landing!”
• Aha Factory Maker Space – Unlock your curiosity and spark your imagination as you make and create!
• My Backyard Toddler Area – A special place for our youngest visitors!
• Eddie’s Eco Garden – Dig in and explore the world of plants!
• Celebration Circle – EdVenture’s newest space that celebrates the journey of pediatric patients, families, and healthcare workers.
• Musical Tesla Coil – Spark your curiosity with EdVenture’s Musical Tesla Coil!
• Draw Alive – Bring your creations to life with Draw Alive!
• Busy Bee Farm – Get ready for immersive experiences, interactive fun, and so much more!

The Botanical Gardens of Riverbanks Zoo
The Botanical Gardens entrance to the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is on Botanical Parkway, off of  Sunset Boulevard, in West Columbia.

A substantial number of  Riverbanks Zoo visitors come in on the West Columbia side by way of the Botanical Garden. The Botanical Garden is connected to the Zoo by an 800-foot-long bridge over the Lower Saluda River. Some zoo members use the West Columbia Entrance, exclusively, according to Google Reviews. They say it is their favorite part of the zoo grounds.
The Botanical Garden is considered one of the most beautiful natural sites in South Carolina, with scenic river views, and the site has significant historical value as the location of the Saluda River Factory, one of South Carolina’s first water-powered textile mills.

Waterfall Junction at Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Garden Waterfall Junction and the Riverbanks Zoo Splash Pad at the Botanical Gardens is another attraction in the West Columbia summer. There is a West Columbia entrance to the Botanical Gardens at the intersection of Botanical Parkway and Mohawk Drive.  
Waterfall Junction features a 25-foot cascading waterfall for the kids to cool off under and splash zones. You can also unearth a life-size replica of T-Rex, play in giant tree houses, or pop in and out of rabbit holes, and more. 

Riverbanks Zoo
The Riverbanks Zoo is a 170-acre zoo and aquarium on the Saluda River in West Columbia and Columbia.  It is filled with exotic animals, reptiles and birds. Riverbanks Zoo is one of the largest mid-sized zoos in the United States and it’s South Carolina’s leading destination. Riverbanks draws 1.3 million visitors annually and it has a great national reputation. Because of the zoo’s proximity to West Columbia, visitors can dine and find hotel accommodations in West Columbia.

More To Do In West Columbia:
Palmetto Outdoor standard tubing trip (Weekends Only) from Riverbanks Zoo to the Gervais Street Bridge, started May 3 and 4. Palmetto Outdoor will be open for tubing trips this Saturday and Sunday.  
Tubing operations will go seven days a week beginning on Memorial Day and continuing until Labor Day.

A new tubing adventure has been added

There is also something new on the river this year. Starting May 31, Palmetto Outdoor will be offering Congaree to Cayce tubing trips on the weekends only (Saturday and Sunday) throughout the summer. Tubers under the age of 10 are eligible to take tubing trips to Cayce. There is a possibility more dates will be added for the floats from West Columbia to Cayce.

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

Restaurants:
Restaurants in West Columbia with outside dining include: Savage Craft Ale Works; WECO Bottle and Biergarten; D’s Wings; Café Strudel, Another Broken Egg, Terra, and The Hideout in WECO.

West Columbia Public Parks:

• B Avenue Ball Park – 815 B Avenue (Baseball, Football, Restrooms)
• Carraway Park at the Riverwalk – A Place for All Children to Play Together – 212 Hudson Street (Restrooms, Covered Picnic Tables (First Come, First Serve), All-Inclusive Playground
• Douglas Reeves Community Park – 761 Augusta Street (Tennis, Playground, Restrooms, Bicycle Repair Station, FREE Public Wi-Fi)
• Rosamunda Percell-Butler Community Park – 1100 Raleigh Street (Basketball, Playground, Picnic Shelter, FREE Public Wi-Fi)
• Fowler Community Park – 1800 C Avenue (Playground, Picnic Shelter)
• TriCity Leisure Center
• Howard Sports Complex – Baseball and Softball fields
• Interactive Art Park – 425 Meeting Street (Interactive Art Sculptures, FREE Public Wi-Fi, Parking)
• Moffatt Street Entrance to the Riverwalk – 100 Riverside Drive, West Columbia (Bicycle Repair Station, FREE Public Wi-Fi)
• West Columbia Riverwalk Park and Amphitheater – 109 Alexander Road, West Columbia (Bicycle Repair Station, Restrooms, FREE Public Wi-Fi) – Amphitheater Area Only
• Bark West Dog Park – 1940 Augusta Road (Membership required)

Where to shop in West Columbia:

• State Street Trading Co. – 134 State St.
• Barbara Jane’s Boutique – 1505 Charleston Highway, Suite B-10 (Granby Village)
• Outdoor Wood – 718 Meeting St.

One of the biggest advantages to living in West Columbia is the proximity to so many popular statewide and regional attractions. Because we are so close to so many appealing venues, be sure to visit them as much as you can.