Your guide to exploring Northeast Columbia 🗺
As a native Blythewoodian, I can say this: Northeast Cola can be a confusing place to outsiders. Where does it start? Where does it end? Why are there so many San Jose’s? (I still don’t understand how you can get on Two Notch Rd. from I-77, I-20 + somehow even from 2-77 – but it happens.) Don’t get too lost in the Two Notch maze (a.k.a US 1) – if you drive up it enough you might end up in Maine.

With the large area the Northeast covers (I personally include Elgin, Blythewood, Pontiac, etc. as part of it) comes a large population (~60,000 people) – and, contrary to popular belief, not just a commuter-filled place to shop, but a lil’ city-within-a-city that you should you put on your radar for when you have a weekend with no plans. (Since some parts are ~45 mins away, it counts as a mini-vacation, right?)

Friday

6 p.m. // Dish | Stop at the International Corridor on Decker Blvd. on your way home to avoid the commuter traffic (which still isn’t that bad compared to other Columbia ‘burbs.) There is a place for any of your cravings:

For Korean: Check out Korean Garden + get any type of BiBimBap.

For Mediterranean: Get the hummus (because hummus, ALWAYS) at Boeshreen – one of the few Halal restaurants in Columbia.
For Vegan: Head up Two Notch Rd. to the Rawtopian Bliss Gourmet Raw Vegan Deli for some vegan pizza or Shepherd’s Pie (how do they do that?).

Warning: Many of these places might not look like much on the outside – but trust me… there’s more than meets the eye. Stay tuned for a full guide to International Boulevard eats in Monday’s email.

7:30 p.m. // Play | You can stay on Decker to catch some laughs at the Comedy House – check out their schedule here. Or you can go + give your own show at Tsubaki Karaoke Bar. Your squad can rent out at room for $20/hr or you can be brave + belt out your own rendition of Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” in front of a room full of strangers. I’ve been known to be in there singing duets… with my mom. 🎤

Saturday

9 a.m. // Drink | Depending on where you are in the NE, you could go to Grace Coffee Co. in Blythewood – I.M.H.O., one of the most Instagrammable spots in/around Cola – or you can go to Boeshreen (if you missed it last night) to get their Turkish coffee. If you’re over on Two Notch you can get some early morning sweets at Tiffany’s Bakery & Eatery.

10 a.m. // Outdoors | Take your pick:

Sesquicentennial State Park | I’m still confused as to how an 1,419-acre state park fits off of Two Notch Rd., but somehow Sesqui does like Tim Gunn + makes it work. There are activities for every types of outdoorsman/woman – you can rent a pedal boat/kayak/canoe/paddle board + take a leisurely float around the pond; take a short hike (on a 3.5 or 1.9 mi. trail); or just lay out + go fishing. There’s a $5 entrance fee – but it’s worth it to get lost in there.

The lake at Sesqui | Photo by @thewalkergang

Clemson Extension | I think you can put your school loyalty aside for an afternoon + take a look around Clemson extension (across the street from Sandhills). There’s a big, open field perfect for kite flying; you can learn about all things agriculture (like learning how to use prescribed burning) + be a part of wildlife through their Wildlife + Natural Resources program. On Wednesdays they host a farmers market + any day of the week you can take your soil to get analyzed (to tell you what crops grow best + what fertilizer to use in your own garden).
Here are 3 more parks with playgrounds for the kids via Columbia SC Moms Blog.

2 p.m. // Afternoon Snack | Take a ride over to Jimmy’s Mart for a famous hot dog. My dad still reminisces about getting one when he was a student at Spring Valley… which was a WHILE ago. Maybe while you’re there pick up a lottery ticket – it is one of the luckiest spots in the state, ya know.

Jimmy’s Mart hot dog | Photo by @chloerodgers

If you’d rather do something sweet, check out Sweet Pea’s Ice Cream Parlour in Blythewood. Their rainbow sprinkle cones look so good.

3 p.m. // TheBuy | Shopping in the NE is more than just going to Target + The Village at Sandhill. Two Notch is boomin’ with great antique + resale places. Check out Spring Valley Antique Mall, Ivy House or Re-Find.

6 p.m. // Dish | Time to indulge – you’re hangry after a long day of being lost + confused on Two Notch Rd. Do not take what I’m about to say lightly: you need to try Solstice Kitchen. They’re a sister restaurant of Cellar on Greene + Mr. Friendly’s so you know it’s good. Try their BBQ pork spring rolls + fried green tomatoes (you’re welcome).

Solstice swordfish | Photo by @solsticekitchen

8 p.m. // Drink | You’ve found your second wind. Head to Random Tap Craft Beer for a neighborhood feel + great beer selection. Did you even know a place with Craft and Draft vibes like this existed in the NE? It’s full of hidden gems, I tell ya.

Random Tap | Photo by @emilyhancockrealtor

Sunday

10 a.m. // Brunch | Head out to Cola’s only Famous Toastery location for some eggs benedict, omelets or their famous hash. Or if you’re feeling a little bit more Southern, go and try Kiki’s Chicken & Waffles for some different takes on this classic staple. (Owner Kiki Cyrus is a 2018 South Carolina Chef Ambassador – a.k.a. a big deal – and even got to hang with Rachael Ray earlier this year).

Famous Toastery eggs florentine | Photo by @dherrigesfitness

1 p.m. // Active | The NE is riddled with golf courses + tennis courts for you to get your game on. You can tee off at The Woodlands, Spring Valley ,The Windermere Club + Cobblestone Park without a membership (price per round info here) – but maybe if you decide you’re into it, you can get an #exclusive membership at Columbia Country Club or Wildewood/Woodcreek.

5 p.m. // Drink | Now that you’ve done almost everything there is to do in the Northeast, go to Henry’s Northeast for a beer (or one of the four San Jose locations for a marg; we won’t judge). You earned this.

It’s almost impossible to jam everything that is in the NE into one weekend – so I guess we’ll see you again soon.

What are your go-to spots in the NE? Let me know so I can hit ‘em up next time I’m at home in Blythewood. But for now, I’m heading back to Auburn to start my senior year.

Thanks for a great summer, Cola.

– Katie, COLAtoday summer intern