Photography: Forrest Clonts Need to get away from the hustle and bustle? In Columbia SC, it doesn’t take long to get from the middle of town to what feels like the middle of nowhere. With local restaurants and breweries around every corner, and the serenity of nature just minutes away, what more could you ask for? Check out our itinerary for an outdoor adventure weekend in Columbia SC. Photography: Forrest Clonts Friday Afternoon We know you’ll be eager to stretch those legs, and we won’t hold you back. At The Lantern, Columbia’s newest boutique hotel, you’ll find yourself in the middle of all the action. Start with a late lunch at the hotel’s restaurant, Ladder 13, that serves Mediterranean-inspired fare and spirited cocktails. After you’ve wrapped up lunch, it’s time to walk off the food coma with a self-guided public art tour. If you look around, it won’t take long to notice the vibrant colors and artwork that are woven in throughout the city. In The Vista, you’ll find the welcoming Lady Vista mural and a few blocks up, you may sense someone watching you by way of the Windows to the Soul mural. Continue on toward Main Street and you’ll be surprised by what you find hiding in plain sight. Photography: Vagabond3 Evening After you’ve taken in the sights and sounds of downtown, it’s time to experience a taste of Columbia SC. Your evening begins at The Hollow, just a few blocks away from your hotel. This forest-to-table restaurant specializes in the traditions of rustic American cooking. Their menu focuses on wild game and seasonal produce, and you’ll be sure to appreciate their greenery covered bar. Not ready to call it a night? Stroll down the block to The Dragon Room and enjoy a nightcap on their patio before heading back to the hotel for a good night’s rest. Photo by Columbia SC photographer Sean Rayford Saturday Morning Time to fuel up, and it’s only fitting that you go to Café Strudel, a local favorite in West Columbia. “The Pre-game” breakfast with some Hangover Hash Browns will give you the energy boost you need to kick-start the day. Photography: Forrest Clonts Afternoon The cool water and calm currents of the Congaree River make for the perfect escape on a hot day. With the help of Palmetto Outdoor, a local outfitter, you can rent tubes for a laidback float. Guided and self-guided kayak tours are also offered for those who like a game plan and the thrill of whitewater rapids. Rather stick to dry land? Pop over to the Cayce Riverwalk Park and walk, jog, or bike down the 12-mile path that overlooks the Congaree River. As you stop and take in the beauty of the riverfront, you might just notice public art installations by local artists in the midst of your natural surroundings. After working up an appetite, head back to The Vista to smallSUGAR where they serve up hot coffees and teas, and mouth-watering bites made from the freshest of ingredients. Photography: Jeff Blake Evening Once you’ve cleaned up and taken a nap (you earned it), it’s time for dinner with a view. On the shores of Lake Murray, you’ll find Liberty on the Lake, where you can savor a traditional American dish with a modern twist as you watch boats float by. Prefer to have your dinner on the water? Take a sunset dinner cruise with Spirit of Lake Murray! Photography: Forrest Clonts Sunday Morning Rise and shine. It’s time to seize the final day of your trip. Grab a pour-over coffee and a bite to eat from Drip in Five Points, then lace up your hiking shoes. Drive away from the buzz of the city to Congaree National Park, the largest intact expanse of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the Southeastern United States. Whether you stroll the 2.4-mile Boardwalk loop or decide to take on the 25 miles worth of marked trails, be sure to take a moment and look up at some of the tallest trees in Eastern North America and keep an eye out for the woodland creatures that call Congaree home. Photography: Forrest Clonts Afternoon Goodbyes are always bittersweet, but we won’t let you leave with an empty stomach. Stop by Hunter-Gatherer Brewery at The Hangar, and cheers to a great weekend spent in the heart of SC with classic ales and small bites, before hitting the road. Don’t worry! We’ll be ready to welcome you back when your next adventure calls. Explore more of everything the heart of SC has to offer at ExperienceColumbiaSC.com The post Where City Meets Nature: Your Outdoor Getaway to Columbia, SC appeared first on Atlanta Magazine. ...read more read less