Things to do with kids in Columbia, S.C.
SouthernMamas.com regularly spotlights our favorite nearby daytrip spots to visit with kids outside of Savannah.
Columbia, SC has one of our favorite museums – EdVenture – which is free for Bank of America cardholders the first full weekend of each month.
Columbia works best as a weekend getaway (meaning an overnight stay) versus a daytrip from Savannah. While driving back and forth there in one day is doable – it is a lot easier to find an affordable motel and make a weekend of it.
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EdVenture Children’s Museum
Home of EDDIE®, the world’s largest child. Also The South’s Largest Children’s Museum
Bank of America “Museums on Us” Weekend
If you are a Bank of America cardholder, enjoy free admission to EdVenture, on the first full weekend of every month! (Free Bank of America Museum on Us 2016 dates are Oct. 1 & 2; Nov. 5 & 6; Dec. 3 & 4. )
Museum Hours & Admission
9AM-5PM daily
Closed Easter Sunday
Children and Adults: $11.50
Seniors: (age 62+) $10.50
Military: (with ID) $10.50
Groups: (15+ w/RSVP) $8.50
Members: Free
Children under one: Free
More details here.
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Riverbanks Zoo & Garden
Home to more than 2,000 animal. For an extra fee, kids can feed the girafees, lorikeets, ride the endangered species carousel, ride the spots & stripes train or conquer a rock wall or the 4-story vertical ropes challenge. There’s also a zip line canopy tour that includes seven zip lines ranging in length from 200 to 1,000 feet.
Admission
Adults (13 and up) — $13.95
Children (ages 2–12) — $11.50
Children (younger than 2) — FREE
Military (with military ID) — $12.95
Senior Citizens (ages 62 and up) — $12.95
Unlimited Daily Rides and Attractions Wristband** — $20 **Admission, Sky-High Safari and zip line are not included with purchase.*
Details here.
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Congaree National Park
No entrance or tour fees
Activities include hiking, primitive camping, bird watching canoeing & kayaking, Ranger guided interpretive walks and canoe tours, nature study, and environmental education programs.
Schedule of park events here.
803-776-4396
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Columbia Children’s Theatre
The premiere live theatre experience for children and their families in Columbia.
Shows and details here.
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Carolina Children’s Garden
a two-acre green oasis and teaching garden located in northeast Columbia on the Clemson University/Sandhill extension campus. The garden has twelve theme gardens where children explore, play, and learn in a natural environment of birds and butterflies along with storybook characters like Winnie the Pooh and Peter Rabbit; The Three Bears Garden, Old McDonald’s Farm, McGregor’s Carrot Patch, and an Alphabet garden displaying plants that start with each letter of the alphabet.
Hours of operation here.
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Saluda Shoals Park
A 400-acre riverfront park with educational, recreational, and cultural opportunities. Fishing, canoeing, kayaking, picnicking, bird watching, nature hiking and more! Both paved and unpaved paths are available for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Also: geocaching, obstacle courses, bird walks, flower safaris
icrc.net
5605 Bush River Rd., Columbia, SC | 803-731-5208
Details here.
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12.5 miles of scenic lighted and paved trails and boardwalks that run along the riverbanks where the Saluda, Broad and Congaree rivers meet.
Details here.
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For more kid-friendly daytrips/weekend getaways from Savannah, click here.