South Carolina’s story flows from the statehouse dome in Columbia to the tidal creeks of Charleston. In five days you’ll taste the state’s soul—barbecue smoke and she-crab soup—walk oak-lined streets, and drift through one of America’s last great old-growth floodplain forests at Congaree National Park.

Columbia is the state capital and a college town powered by the University of South Carolina. Expect murals, markets, and a serious food scene anchored by local purveyors and seasonal menus. Riverbanks Zoo & Garden and the South Carolina State Museum add family-friendly substance.

Then it’s on to Charleston for cobblestones, steeples, and iconic Lowcountry cuisine. Think horse-drawn carriage tours, Fort Sumter history, and pastel alleys. Spring and fall offer mild weather; summers are humid—pack light layers, sunscreen, and bug spray (especially for Congaree).

Columbia

Columbia mixes college-town energy with capital-city culture. Stroll Main Street’s galleries and the revitalized Vista district, wander the historic USC Horseshoe, and catch sunset along the West Columbia Riverwalk. Food is hyperlocal: seasonal bistros, wood-smoked barbecue, and excellent cocktail bars.

• Top sights: Riverbanks Zoo & Garden, South Carolina State Museum, Columbia Museum of Art, USC Horseshoe, West Columbia Riverwalk, Congaree National Park (nearby).
• Where to stay: Downtown/Main Street for walkability; The Vista for dining/nightlife; Cottontown/West Columbia for quieter residential vibes.

Book stays: Browse vacation rentals on VRBO Columbia or hotels on Hotels.com Columbia.

Getting to Columbia: Fly into Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE). Compare fares via Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com.

Day 1: Arrive, Main Street & The Vista

Afternoon: Arrive in Columbia and check in. Stretch your legs on Main Street: pop into the Columbia Museum of Art’s rotating exhibitions, then stroll the historic USC Horseshoe, an oak-shaded quadrangle dating to 1801.

Evening: Dinner in the Vista at Motor Supply Co. Bistro—seasonal, farm-driven plates change daily; ask about the house charcuterie and whatever’s freshest from local farms. For a bourbon-forward Southern supper, Bourbon on Main serves boudin balls, jambalaya, and a deep whiskey list. Nightcap at Lula Drake Wine Parlour (Old World bottles, candlelight) or the rooftop at Hendrix for city views and a crisp gin cocktail.

Day 2: Markets, Museums, and Riverbanks Zoo

Morning: Coffee at Indah Coffee (Cottontown roaster—try a pour-over of a seasonal single-origin). If it’s Saturday, browse Soda City Market on Main Street—over 150 vendors with local produce, shrimp and grits bowls, and biscuits; otherwise start at the South Carolina State House grounds for statues and garden strolls. Brunch at Cafe Strudel in West Columbia (the Hangover Hashbrowns are a local rite of passage).

Afternoon: Head to Riverbanks Zoo & Garden. Split time between the botanical garden’s tranquil pathways and the zoo’s standout habitats (giraffe feeding is a hit). Late lunch nearby at The War Mouth (whole-hog barbecue, Carolina gold rice, and catfish stew) or Home Team BBQ in Five Points (smoked wings “Alabama white” style).

Evening: Walk the West Columbia Riverwalk at sunset—breezy boardwalks with Broad River views. Dinner on Main at Halls Chophouse Columbia (iconic hospitality, prime steaks, and a robust seafood list) or Smoked (raw bar, wood-fired plates). For something playful, The Grand on Main pairs craft cocktails with boutique bowling lanes.

Day 3: Congaree National Park—Big Trees & Blackwater

Morning: Drive ~30 minutes to Congaree National Park. Tackle the 2.4-mile Boardwalk Loop to see champion-size loblolly pines and cypress knees mirrored in the blackwater. Bring bug spray year-round and waterproof sandals if water levels are high.

Afternoon: Picnic at the park or return to town for a hearty plate at Palmetto Pig Bar-B-Q (classic buffet—pulled pork, mustard sauce, and hash over rice). If you’re keen on the water, book a guided kayak or canoe on Cedar Creek (typically 3–4 hours, ~$60–$90 per person; water levels dependent). Back in Columbia, browse the South Carolina State Museum—four floors of science, history, art, and a planetarium.

Evening: Casual dinner in Five Points at Publico Kitchen & Tap (Korean BBQ tacos, street corn, and 40+ taps) or burgers at Pawleys Front Porch (try the Wadmalaw with fried green tomatoes). Finish with a local pint at Savage Craft Ale Works in West Columbia; climb the tower for a sparkling skyline view.

Charleston

Founded in 1670, Charleston is a living museum of Lowcountry architecture, church spires, and sea breezes. Its secret sauce is the blend of Gullah-Geechee heritage, port-city history, and oysters on ice.

• Top sights: Historic District, Rainbow Row, Battery & White Point Garden, Waterfront Park, Fort Sumter, French Quarter galleries, King Street shopping.
• Where to stay: French Quarter for postcard-perfect lanes; South of Broad for quiet elegance; Upper King for dining and nightlife.

Book stays: Compare options on VRBO Charleston or Hotels.com Charleston.

Getting from Columbia to Charleston: Drive ~115 miles via I-26 E (about 1 hour 45 minutes; allow 2+ hours with traffic). Buses run 2.5–3 hours (~$20–$35) depending on schedule. If you prefer to fly home from Charleston (CHS), compare fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com.

Day 4: Drive to Charleston, Carriage Tour, Rainbow Row, and Haunted Tales

Morning: Depart Columbia around 8:00–8:30 a.m. to reach Charleston by late morning. Grab coffee and a biscuit at Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit or a latte with a cheddar-chive scone at Harken Cafe.

Afternoon: Orient yourself with a classic horse-drawn carriage ride through the Historic District (about 1 hour, ~$50 per person). Your guide narrates Charleston’s 18th- and 19th-century townhouses, churches, and hidden gardens.

Charleston’s Old South Carriage Historic Horse & Carriage Tour

After the tour, walk Rainbow Row’s pastel facade line and the Battery seawall to White Point Garden. Lunch at Leon’s Oyster Shop (chargrilled oysters, crispy chicken sandwich) or Rodney Scott’s BBQ (whole-hog barbecue and rib plates).

Evening: Take the ferry to Fort Sumter for Civil War history and harbor views (allow 2–2.5 hours roundtrip; ~$35–$45 per person). Sunset on the return is gorgeous over the Cooper River.

Fort Sumter Admission and Self-Guided Tour with Roundtrip Ferry

Dinner at Husk for heirloom grains and Lowcountry heritage dishes or at The Ordinary for seafood towers and crudo. Cap the night with a spooky spin through the district by carriage—stories of pirates, patriots, and lingering spirits.

Haunted Evening Horse and Carriage Tour of Charleston

Day 5: Hidden Alleyways, Brunch, and Departure

Morning: Join a small-group walking tour to slip into quiet lanes and secret gardens while your guide threads together centuries of history (about 2 hours, usually mid-morning).

Hidden Alleyways and Historic Sites Small-Group Walking Tour

Afternoon: Brunch at Millers All Day (fluffy biscuits, country ham) or Clerks Coffee Company for a light salad and pastry before you depart. If time allows, pause at Waterfront Park’s Pineapple Fountain for a last harbor breeze, then head to CHS or drive back to CAE for your flight—compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Optional swaps and extra ideas

• If you prefer more wildlife: Add a Cedar Creek paddle in Congaree (water levels permitting) or swap in Charleston Harbor dolphin sailing in warm months.
• Food lovers: Book a dedicated food tour day in Charleston to trace the city’s culinary story from benne wafers to shrimp and grits.

Dining cheat sheet (save for later):

• Columbia breakfast/coffee: Indah Coffee (roastery), Cafe Strudel (brunch classic).
• Columbia lunch: The War Mouth (Carolina dishes), Home Team BBQ (smoked wings), Palmetto Pig (buffet BBQ).
• Columbia dinner/drinks: Motor Supply Co. Bistro (seasonal), Bourbon (Cajun-Creole and whiskey), Halls Chophouse (steaks), Hendrix rooftop (cocktails), Lula Drake (wine).
• Charleston bites: Leon’s Oyster Shop (oysters, fried chicken), Rodney Scott’s BBQ (whole-hog), Husk (heritage Southern), The Ordinary (seafood), Harken Cafe / Callie’s (coffee + biscuits).

This 5-day Columbia and Charleston itinerary blends river city culture, national park nature, and coastal history into one memorable South Carolina road trip. You’ll leave with barbecue smoke on your clothes, salt in your hair, and stories stitched from the state’s palmetto-lined past.