ok just moved to Residence at Sandhills...... advice (Columbia, West Columbia: new home, neighborhoods)

[crippus]

and love it so far. Since we are new to Columbia, from Charlotte, I need some good ideas(and addresses or gps points) so we can go explore when I am notworking. I want to try and help "plan" things for us to do this week, so wecan get a feel for the city. We will have a Garmin Nuvi, so any tips would be great with corresponding addresses to plug in. I want to see the cool shopping areas/walking areas and nice neighborhoods.
Thanks
Craig

[crippus]

as well as any other ideas to get a flavor for the city. I'm working in N Augusta, but it seemed much sleepier than Columbia, and we want to know our new home better.....

[jlboney]

Great little wine shop in Sandhill called Corked down from the Wild Wing near the back of Belk.

River Front Park is Downtown at 312 Laurel Street.
If you exit from it to the right on Huger Street and take a left on Gervais Street, it will take you throgh the heart of the Vista area od downtown. There are tons of restuarants, bars, and shops throughout. You will also see the State House on the right hand side as you travel through.

If you go all the way down Gervais to Harden and make a right you will go through the middle of 5 Points. There are also bars, shops, and restuarants there as well. It's a little less spread out than the Vista, and there is more of a college crowd that hangs out there.

Right up the road from Sandhill off Two Notch Rd is Sesquicentennial State Park. 9564 Two Notch RD

River Walk is is just behind New Orleans Restaurant in West Columbia. 121 Alexander St

[waccamatt]

Saturday night concerts at Finlay Park
Five Points
The Vista
Columbia Museum of Art
State Museum
The State House
Edventure (if you have kids)
USC Horseshoe
Riverbanks Zoo
Lake Murray Dam (very cool to walk across)
Congaree National Park
Sesquicentennial State Park (near you)
Dreher Island State Park (on Lake Murray)
Historic downtown Camden

[crippus]

thanks for the advice. I will try and check it all out

[crippus]

how far is Camden?

[waccamatt]

Originally Posted by crippus

how far is Camden?

From Sandhills maybe 20-25 minutes north on Rt. 1 (Two Notch Rd).

[stevehawk]

Originally Posted by crippus

how far is Camden?

If you are into history there isa revolutionary war park just south of rt 1 in Camden. There was a big battle there. (Actually a slaughter). If you go past Camden you will get to Bishopville. Home of the famous LIZARDMAN. Camden is a neat old town. Very historical. Don't foprget Lake Wateree since you are on this side of town. Camping,boating,not as good swimming but good fishing.

[crippus]

which lake would be closer, or more importantly better for swimming with the kids? Is there a "beach" that we could swim at?

[waccamatt]

There is a beach on the south side of the Lake Murray dam; I'm not sure about Lake Wateree. There is also a water park at Fort Jackson (Palmetto Falls), but is only open to the public on certain days.