Community Interest
Current Columbia Curiosities
From the hundreds of local businesses that form its backbone to the residents who nurture its strong sense of community, Columbia offers endless opportunities for discovery.
From the hundreds of local businesses that form its backbone to the residents who nurture its strong sense of community, Columbia offers endless opportunities for discovery. Around every corner are little wonders, creative works, and unique experiences ready to be found. Whether you’re a longtime local or a curious visitor, there’s always something new to fall in love with here in our home city. Browse this list to learn some of the current curiosities that give Columbia its character.
- Did you know Columbia is the mustard BBQ capital of the world? We’re at the heart of the “mustard belt,” stretching from Columbia to Charleston, and proudly known for our iconic Carolina Gold mustard BBQ sauce.
- The only national park in South Carolina, Congaree National Park is home to the largest trees east of the Mississippi River.
- There’s a system of tunnels right beneath our city streets, known as the Columbia Catacombs. It’s theorized that these tunnels connected some of Columbia’s most historic homes like the Robert Mills House, Hampton Preston House, the University of South Carolina, and the State House. Now, these tunnels are used for drainage and maintenance.
- Soda City is a producer-only market, meaning vendors must make or grow their own products. Not only is Soda City an exceptional hub for chefs, farmers, and artists—it was voted the top farmer’s market in the country in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards!
- The catacombs are home to a popular urban legend of their very own: the Third-Eye Man. A staple of USC’s campus lore, this local cryptid is an excellent topic for a research rabbit hole this spooky season!
- Our very own Riverbanks Zoo & Gardens is one of ten zoos in the U.S. with a koala exhibit!
- Get an up close and personal look into the skies above at the Melton Memorial Observatory, which houses a 16-inch Cassegrain telescope right on USC’s campus!
- The Ra Obelisk is a remnant of an old railway trestle that was previously demolished. Painted by Richard Lane in 1993, some of the symbols on the painting can be translated to popular songs by The Beatles. Pay a visit to the Ra Obelisk at 900 Heyward Street.
- If you’ve lived around Columbia for any length of time, you’ve probably seen Dog West: avid walker, frequent dancer, and one of the most well-known Soda City citizens amongst our locals. In recent years, he’s been featured in WestMetroNews, ColaDaily, and countless TikToks.
Want to discover more local? Follow Fig on Facebook and Instagram for inspiration.
