| set off interstate 77 via the farrow road (exit 19), this modern hotel is 10 miles' drive from downtown columbia. rooms feature flat-screen tvs with premium cable channels, microwaves, minifridges and free wifi, as well as chic decor and custom-designed beds. there's also an indoor pool, a whirlpool tub and a fitness center. other amenities include 3,500 sq ft of meeting space, a business center and coin laundry. in addition to the cooked-to-order breakfast (fee) and on-site restaurant serving american cuisine, there's a low-key bar and a 24/7 convenience store. check-in time: 3:00 pmcheck-out time: 11:59 am
Columbia Metropolitan Airport 25 min
Soda City Market (16 min)
Lively Saturday gathering of trendy food trucks & tented stalls offering locally made wares. Robert Mills House and Gardens (14 min)
1820s neoclassical mansion by architect Robert Mills, featuring period decor & parklike grounds. South Carolina State House (16 min)
Grand edifice for the state's House, Senate & Governor's office, with free tours & leafy grounds. Riverbanks Zoo & Garden (18 min)
Zoo with African & Australian animals, reptile galleries, a bird house, a farm & botanical gardens. Harbison State Forest (26 min)
This 2,137-acre forest offers an environmental education center, multi-use trails & a canoe landing. U.S. Army Basic Combat Training Museum (13 min) South Carolina State Museum (16 min)
Exhibits on art, history, nature, science & technology, housed on 4 floors in a former textile mill. Columbia Museum of Art (15 min)
Paintings & sculptures spanning thousands of years, displayed in a contemporary building. Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park (17 min)
Old pump houses shed light on the canal works amid natural hiking & biking trails & picnic tables. Riverbanks Botanical Garden (22 min)
Gardens at Riverbanks Zoo featuring themed areas for native & exotic plants & a kids' splash zone. Sesquicentennial State Park (8 min)
Forested park with a lake offering campsites, kayak & canoe rentals, a bicycle loop & nature trails. Governor's Mansion (15 min) EdVenture Children's Museum (17 min)
Over 350 hands-on exhibits that allow kids to explore human biology, nature, inventions & careers. Finlay Park (16 min)
An outdoor oasis with waterfalls, a lake, playgrounds, a pergola with swings & seasonal concessions. Historic Columbia (13 min)
Historic site, music, architecture, historic house museum, and museum | 
