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Get to Know the Areas Making Up the SC Midlands
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items The Midlands of South Carolina is a diverse and welcoming region, encompassing a variety of cities, towns, and communities that cater to different lifestyles. From the bustling capital city of Columbia to the charming small towns surrounding it, each...
Map
Sections
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Lexington, SC
Columbia, SC
Irmo, SC
Batesburg-Leesville, SC and Further West
West Columbia, SC
Cayce, SC
Lexington, SC
Vibe: Family-friendly suburb with great schools and lake access. Shopping: Target, Kohl’s, local boutiques, Town of Lexington Square. Dining: Alodia’s Cucina Italiana, O'Hara’s Public House (Irish pub). Attractions: Lake Murray, Icehouse Amphitheater...& events).
Lake Murray is one the biggest attractions in Lexington County. It provides a stop on the Bass Pro Fishing Tour and is a great lake for recreation and living as well!
Lake Murray | The Jewel of South Carolina
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Red Bank is a rapidly growing suburb of Lexington located off of Highway 6. It has seen tremendous growth over the past fifteen years, with the addition of a Lowe's Home Improvement, Wal-Mart, Publix, Chick-Fil-A, and the newest addition of Lowe's Fo...
Red Bank, South Carolina
The Icehouse Ampitheater is the place to be if you're looking for concerts! With their Spring Concert series, there is bound to be a band for everyone! They usually have beer/wine and food vendors present during these concerts as well!
Icehouse Amphitheater - Lexington
Columbia, SC
Vibe: Lively capital city with a mix of history, culture, and modern amenities. Home to the University of South Carolina. Shopping: Columbiana Centre, Columbia Place Mall, Five Points district, Devine Street boutiques. Dining: Motor Supply Co. Bistro...& Garden, South Carolina State Museum, Congaree National Park.
The Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park is absolutely gorgeous. You can spend an afternoon here picnicking or plan a scenic trip here for your daily place to bicycle or jog. You may even spot a Columbia Gator!
Riverfront Park & Historic Columbia Canal - SCTrails
One of my favorite spots for fine dining in Columbia, Smoked's menu features some wild game options, excellent cocktails, and more toned down food options for the less explorative diner too!
Smoked
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The Vista encompasses a few blocks around Gervais Street, Assembly Street, and Hampton Street. You will find plenty of places to eat, hotels to sleep, and bars to party!
The Vista - Columbia
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Main Street in Columbia can be walked easily and is found at the foot of the South Carolina State House. You will find restaurants, boutiques, a bowling alley, theatre, and hotels. There are plenty of places to discover on Main Street, and don't miss...
Main Street District | Columbia, SC
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Five Points is the place to gather for nightlife and lunch if you're an undergrad at the University of South Carolina. Located just minutes from USC's campus, there is something here for everyone to enjoy! This is also a great lunch area for anyone o...
Five Points • Columbia, SC's Original Village Neighborhood
Home of the SC Fireflies Baseball Team and Segra Park, the BullStreet District is attracting new businesses every month! Home of Tupelo Honey, Publico, REI, and a soon-to-be food court!
The BullStreet District
As a Gamecock Alumni myself, I'm a little bias here, but I think you'll love a stroll around the campus of the real USC! Start at The Horseshoe and soak in nature in the heart of Columbia! Make your way over to the Russell House for plenty of food ch...
University of South Carolina
Irmo, SC
Vibe: Bustling suburban town known for great schools and easy access to Lake Murray. Shopping: Harbison shopping district, Columbiana Centre, specialty boutiques. Dining: Bistro on the Boulevard (American), Miyo’s (Asian fusion), The Melting Pot (fon...
Columbiana Centre is a great place to shop and dine! Their food court provides plenty of options for all members of your family, and it has large variety of clothing, jewelry, and shoe stores!
Columbiana Centre Shopping Mall
Leo's Landing is a great playground for smaller kiddos! It is located within Saluda Shoals Park and an excellent place to spend an afternoon with the family.
Leo's Landing Inclusive Playground
Moore Park features an Amphitheater, playground, and it's home to the Irmo Okra Strut Festival which usually occurs in September each year!
Moore Park | Town of Irmo
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Submerse yourself in nature JUST outside of the bustling Harbison area of Irmo. Plan a short walk, backpacking trip, or bike ride through the woods of Harbison Forest!
Harbison State Forest
Batesburg-Leesville, SC and Further West
Vibe: Small, charming towns with strong local character. Shopping: Local markets and shops. Homeland Brewing and Axe Throwing. Dining: Shealy’s Bar-B-Que (Batesburg-Leesville), Juniper (fine dining in Ridge Spring). Attractions: Poultry Festival, Rid...
This is an excellent craft beer bar to get a feel for the small town of Leesville, SC!
Homeland Craft Beer & Wine
You will be hard-pressed to meet a local who doesn't know about Shealy's BBQ in Batesburg-Leesville. Featuring a Southern Style Buffet, this place is the epitome of how we like to eat down South! They also offer catering and to-go plates as well!
Shealy's BBQ
Juniper is fine dining at its best, nestled within the small town of Ridge Spring, SC. Enjoy a lovely, scenic ride through farmland and older homes along Highway 23 before arriving at your fine dining destination.
Juniper | Ridge Spring SC
Highway 23 is one of my favorite rides to to get a true feel for the heart of South Carolina. You'll pass through farmland in between the towns of Batesburg-Leesville, Monetta, Ridge Spring, Ward, Johnston, Edgefield, and Modoc. These towns all get t...
Highway 23
After filling up your belly at Shealy's, make a trip a little more West for a true drive-in movie experience! The Big Mo is a staple in this area, and will transport you back in time to what movies should really be experienced!
The Big Mo
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Hollow Creek Distillery distills their own whiskeys, vodkas, moonshine, and tequila! They have MUCH better versions of popular favorites like their Cinnamon Whiskey (White Hot), Peanut Butter Whiskey, Honey Whiskey, Peach Mint Vodka, and Apple Pie Mo...
Hollow Creek Distillery - South Carolina Hand-Crafted Spirits
West Columbia, SC
Vibe: Quaint, artsy riverside community with scenic views of the Congaree River. Shopping: Local boutiques, antique shops, easy access to Columbia retail. Dining: Black Rooster (rooftop views), Cafe Strudel (famous for Hangover Hashbrowns). Attractio...& live music).
Savage Craft Ale Works has outdoor seating which is dog-friendly, they brew their own beer, and they have a great variety of food to choose from too! Their rooftop bar provides a great view of where the Saluda and Congaree Rivers join together, and a...
Savage Craft Ale Works
WeCo Bottle and Biergarten is a great place to gather with a large group and enjoy our SC weather!
WECO Bottle and Biergarten
Black Rooster was once home to French Cuisine, but recently they have swapped over to a more Italian themed dining experience. This place offers some of the BEST views of the Saluda/Congaree Rivers with their rooftop dining as well!
Black Rooster
With locations in Lexington and West Columbia, Cafe Strudel is a bustling spot for Brunch! I personally prefer the West Columbia location due to their larger variety of spike coffee drinks, and this is the original location as well, but you won't be ...
Cafe Strudel – Restaurant, Bar, Cafe
Cayce, SC
Vibe: Small-town feel with growing developments and riverfront parks. Shopping: Local businesses, close proximity to Columbia shopping. Dining: Steel Hands Brewing (craft beer & food trucks), Kingsman (best burgers & steaks). Attractions: Cayce Riverwalk, Timmerman Trail.
The River Arts District in Cayce is an up and coming area featuring the Cayce Riverwalk, the Cayce Art Lot, the Cayce Historical Museum, Piecewise Coffee, and Steel Hands Brewing (My favorite brewery in the Midlands)!
The River Arts District in Cayce, SC
Steel Hands features their own beers brewed in-house, cocktails, and delicious food too! They have an outdoor stage, 2 separate outdoor seating areas, and plenty of seating inside as well. They are dog-friendly and I HIGHLY recommend their Coffee Lag...
Steel Hands Brewing: Landing
Located in Triangle City (The Conjunction of Cayce, Lexington, and West Columbia), Zesto is home to the BEST chicken in the Midlands. I have lived in Lexington my entire life, and my parents took us to Zesto on MANY Friday nights with a trip to Krisp...
Zesto of West Columbia
South Congaree, Gaston, Swansea, & Pelion (East Lexington County)
These rural towns of South Carolina provide country living at much more affordable prices than Lexington, Irmo, West Columbia, and Columbia. Some areas are nicer than others within these towns, but they all offer their own unique experiences and plac...
Pizza, Cannoli's, a Salad Bar, Pasta Dishes, and Lamb Chops are just a few of the options you'll find at this Greek inspired House of Pizza. This is one of the most frequented restaurants for us due to the variety of food choices, great service, and ...
South Congaree House Of Pizza
Homemade bread for their subs, delicious pizza, and amazingly stuffed Calzones! Paparoni's is one of the few restaurants serving the Swansea area and well worth the visit!
PapaRoni's Pizzeria & Grill
Feed & Seed. Axe Throwing. Apparel. Hunting. Warehouse Parties. Local Goods, Foods, & Honey. Cigars. And SO much more! Come see how Bishop's at the Mill is revitalizing one of Swansea, SC's most iconic memories. Run by a local of Swansea, thi...
Bishop's at the Mill
Known for their Chicken Salad, this is a great spot to stop for lunch and it sits right along the back route to Hilton Head Island as well!
Sweet Magnolia's Deli and Grille