Welcome to the Unexpected, Urban South
In the heart of South Carolina, tradition and tomorrow pair perfectly in Columbia. It’s a modern city where stately buildings buzz with new businesses, and centuries-old sites give rise to fresh perspectives.
Nothing compares with the real connections, ideas and engagement of gathering face to face. Rest assured our hotels, restaurants and facilities are preparing to safely welcome you back. But for now, set your sights on the possibilities of what lies ahead when you plan a meeting in Columbia SC.
It’s got all the gracious charm you’d expect from a Southern destination – nothing saccharine, just good old-fashioned kindness. As home to both the state’s capital and its largest university, it’s a vibrant city and creative hub that’s bursting with big ideas, forward thinkers and modern attitudes. With dynamite shopping, food and tons to see and do year round, it’s the real Southern hot spot.
With evidence of renewal everywhere, Columbia SC will leave you looking forward to what’s next.
Venue Details
Hotels149
Convention center142,500 sq. ft.
Guest Rooms11,663
Guest rooms at 1 hotel300
Special event venues32
Average room rate$129.00
Occupancy rate68%
Restaurants450
Daily food cost$75.00
Tax rate7%
Venue typeCVB
Discover ColumbiaSeasonal Availability
Do you want to know if your event is during the high or low season? Check the season availability for this hotel.Jan
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High season
Sep 01 - Nov 15Mar 01 - Apr 30
Shoulder season
Jan 01 - Feb 28May 01 - Jun 30
Low season
Jul 01 - Aug 31Nov 16 - Dec 31
Getting Here
Distance from airport
8 mi from Columbia Metropolitan Airport
Distance from Columbia Metropolitan Airport airport 8 mi
Location
Local Attractions
Five Points
Business district
An influx of college students, professionals, and hipsters keeps Five Points buzzing by day and by night. Columbia’s original village neighborhood gets its affable character from a cluster of mom-and-pop coffee shops, boutiques, bars, and restaurants.
Columbia, SC, US 29205
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Main Street
Business district
Don’t let the SC State House fool you. Main Street means more than business in this capital city. Whether you’re looking for art, indie films, special events, or a quiet escape, the renaissance of this district lives up to the hype.
Columbia, SC, US 29201
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The Vista
Business district
Take a district once marked by textile mills and rail lines, pour in an array of art galleries, patio dining, and shopping and you’ve got The Vista. It’s a collision of old and new that brims with vibrancy no matter what day of the week.
Columbia, SC, US 29201
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Three Rivers Greenway
Park
Here you'll find where city and nature meet. The Three Rivers Greenway is a beautiful series of riverfront pathways – where the Broad, Saluda, and Congaree Rivers meet. It includes lighted trails and boardwalks, outdoor amphitheaters, restrooms and breathtaking views of the Columbia skyline in a dog friendly and ADA accessible environment. This linear path is currently 9 1/2 miles, with plans of growth on the horizon.
121 Alexander Road
West Columbia, SC, US 29169
Riverbanks Zoo & Garden
Park
One of the top ten zoos in the nation, Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is home to more than 2,000 animals and one of the nation's most inspiring botanical gardens. Meander through the park to interact with the giraffes, feed the penguins, and peek at the tigers. Or, cool off with your kids at Waterfall Junction. If adventure is more your thing, take a chance at the zip line or ropes course.
500 Wildlife Parkway
Columbia, SC, US 29210
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EdVenture
Museum
The South's largest children's museum is the home of Eddie, the world's largest child, along with 300 exhibits to inspire children to experience the joy of learning. Where else but EdVenture can children talk to a skeleton, drive a real fire truck, anchor the news or visit another country?
211 Gervais Street
Columbia, SC, US 29201
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South Carolina State Museum
Museum
The South Carolina State Museum, the largest and most comprehensive museum in the state, is located along the banks of the Congaree River in downtown Columbia, SC. Boasting four floors of permanent and changing exhibits, a digital dome planetarium, 4D interactive theater and an observatory, this museum appeals to all ages and interests.
301 Gervais Street
Columbia, SC, US 29201
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Columbia Museum of Art
Museum
Founded in 1950, the Columbia Museum of Art opened its new building on Main Street in 1988 by transforming an urban department store into a sleek and airy, light-filled space with 25+ galleries. The museum boasts an eclectic collection and national exhibits that travel through the museum every few months. If you're here during a special event, you'll catch a fair amount of Columbia locals on Boyd Plaza eating, drinking, and mingling the night away.
1515 Main Street
Columbia, SC, US 29201
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South Carolina State House
Historical landmark
The South Carolina State House and grounds are home to historic monuments, flowers, plaques, and the iconic state house steps, all showcasing the history of South Carolina. Take a guided tour inside the building during certain hours to learn more about Columbia's past.
You can also meander through the historic building or the grounds on your own accord with the help of a State House brochure. Be sure to look out for the bronze stars on the outside of the building that mark where Sherman's cannons hit during the Civil War.
1100 Gervais Street
Columbia, SC, US 29201
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Historic Columbia
Historical landmark
Historic Columbia’s historic house museum tours offer a peek into the past. Tour the Robert Mills House & Gardens, Hampton-Preston Mansion, Mann-Simons Site or Woodrow Wilson Family Home to learn more about Columbia's history.
1601 Richland Street
Columbia, SC, US 29201
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Congaree National Park
Park
The only national park in South Carolina, Congaree National Park offers more things to do than there are hours to do them. Think canoeing, hiking, fishing, and camping-- just to name a few. Especially awe-inspiring are the synchronized fireflies that make their debut mid-May to mid-June.
100 National Park Road
Hopkins, SC, US 29061
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Lake Murray
Recreation
Whether you enjoy canoeing through calm waters, navigating your sails through cutting winds, water skiing and tubing behind a speed boat, or leisurely cruising in your fishing boat, Lake Murray is the place for you. With a vast area of water covering 650 miles of shore line, there's room for activities of all kinds.
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University of South Carolina
University
Chartered in 1801 as South Carolina College, the University has grown from one building on the historic Horseshoe to over 155 facilities on more than 358 acres. The University of South Carolina offers more than 350 undergraduate and graduate courses of study. Programs range from liberal arts and sciences to business, law, medicine and other professional studies. The serene horseshoe is the perfect place to take a stroll and take in Columbia's sunny weather.
911 Sumter Street
Columbia, SC, US 29201
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Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center
Convention center
Centrally located in Columbia, the Convention Center is in the middle of an exciting urban scene that includes open-air cafes, deluxe accommodations, live music, exciting sports venues and concert tours. Sitting just minutes away from a major airport and three interstates, getting there is easy.
Built in 2004, our downtown convention center is a modern and architecturally significant complex that's played host to some of the best special events in the Southeast. The center is an impressive 142,500 square foot meeting/exhibit facility that boasts a 17,135 square foot ballroom, 15,145 square feet of meeting space and a 24,700 square foot exhibit hall.
1101 Lincoln Street
Columbia, SC, US 29201
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Koger Center for the Arts
Theater
The Koger Center for the Arts is USC’s and Columbia’s performing arts center. The Koger Center seats over 2,400 guests, and also has two meeting rooms available. It is home to several local arts groups, including regionally-known Columbia City Ballet.
1051 Greene Street
Columbia, SC, US 29201
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Township Auditorium
Theater
Centrally located downtown, the Township Auditorium is a 3,099 seat auditorium/arena. The auditorium hosts plays, concerts, and comedy shows throughout the year-- just to name a few.
1703 Taylor Street
Columbia, SC, US 29201
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Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE)
Airport
The Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) is located six miles southwest of Columbia’s central business district and is also conveniently located near interstate highways, which are centered in Columbia. These highways include I-20, I-26, I-77 and nearby I-95.
Major airlines serving the airport include American Eagle, Delta, United, and US Airways. Nonstop destinations from Columbia include Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, New York, Philadelphia, Washington Dulles and Washington National.
3000 Aviation Way
West Columbia, SC, US 29170
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Colonial Life Arena
Theater
The Colonial Life Arena is the largest arena in the state of South Carolina with 18,000 seats, and the tenth largest on-campus basketball facility in the nation. Located on the beautiful University of South Carolina campus, this one-of-a-kind facility features 41 suites, four Entertainment Suites, and the Frank McGuire Club, a full-service hospitality room that has a capacity of 300.
The state-of-the-art facility also features plush seating, a technologically advanced sound system, a four-sided video scoreboard, and a one-of-a-kind selection of unique concession foods that will delight fans of all ages.
801 Lincoln Street
Columbia, SC, US 29201
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Convention Centers
Columbia Metropolitan Convention CenterSouth Carolina's only downtown Convention Center offers beautiful modern meeting space featuring up to 18 breakouts, a 23,700 sq. ft. column free Exhibit Hall and 16,700 sq. ft Ballroom, just steps from more than 80 bars, restaurants, and hotels.
Exhibit Space23,700 sq. ft.
Total meeting space126,362 sq. ft.
Guest rooms 1 mi. from convention center2,005
Experience Columbia SC Frequently Asked Questions
Explore frequently asked questions from the Experience Columbia SC regarding Health and Safety, Sustainability, and Diversity and Inclusion
Sustainable Practices
Please provide comments or a link to any publicly communicated Experience Columbia SC's sustainability or social impact goals/strategy.
No response.
Does Experience Columbia SC have a strategy that focuses on the elimination and diversion of waste (i.e. plastics, papers, cardboard, etc.)? If yes, please elaborate on your strategy of elimination and diversion of waste.
No response.
Diversity and Inclusion
For US hotels only, is Experience Columbia SC and/or parent company certified as a 51% diverse owned business enterprise (BE)? If yes, please indicate which one of the following you are certified as:
No response.
If applicable, could you please provide a link to Experience Columbia SC's public report on their commitments and initiatives related to diversity, equity, and inclusion?
No response.
Health and Safety
Were practices at Experience Columbia SC developed based on health service recommendations from public governmental entities or private organizations? If Yes, please list which organizations were used to develop these practices.
No response.
Does Experience Columbia SC clean and sanitize public areas and publicly accessible facilities (i.e. meeting rooms, restaurants, elevator banks, etc.)? If yes, describe any new measures that are taken.
No response.
Please explain, if applicable, the carbon offsetting options you offer to corporations.
Please provide, if applicable, an e-mail address for a contact who can address any follow up questions relating to sustainability and social impact goals and initiatives.
Has your hotel taken steps to reduce single-use plastics, such as removing plastic straws (except upon request for guests with disabilities), stirrers and cotton buds? If yes, please provide detail as to the steps you have taken to reduce single use plastics?
Does your hotel generate (onsite) or purchase (offsite) renewable energy (beyond your utility's standard offerings)? If yes, please describe your practices for generating or purchasing renewable energy.
Does your hotel engage in activities to protect & restore the natural environment in which it is located (i.e. trees planted, coral reef restored, etc.)?
Will your hotel be imposing any additional fees for cleaning services? If yes, please specify those fees.
Are specific cleaning/disinfection routines in place for pillows, duvets and their covers, headboard, bathrobe etc.? If yes, please describe.
Please include a link to your public report on community impact if applicable.
Please provide any other comments you wish to make regarding your efforts/initiatives to obtain certification in these programs.
Please provide, if applicable, an e-mail address for a contact who can address any follow up questions relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
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