Columbia, you had us at hello. 💌 It’s no secret that we’re majorly in love with our city, but we asked on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter + in our newsletter what you’d write in a love letter to Cola.

Here are a few things our interns would include…

Lauren: I love the growing food scene in Columbia + the abundance of events that take place (esp. Soda City and Cola Food + Wine). I also love that our city sits on the river and all of the gorgeous views the rivers + sunsets offer. Cola also wouldn’t be complete without UofSC.
Katie: My favorite thing about Columbia is that our community does a great job of making our city feel so small. I love eating locally at all of our great restaurants, concerts at Colonial Life Arena, all of the exciting sporting events + of course, the beautiful weather.

… and what you would add.

“Soda City Market every Saturday is definitely my #1 love.”– Amber W.

“It's the biggest small city in America, which makes it just right!”– Janice B.

“UofSC of course.”– @chavisjm

“I love that the restaurant scene has improved since 2001 - there's a lot more diversity and decent price ranges.”– @FaithFitMommy

“The sense of community.”– @ShealyReibold

“My faves about our great city are endless but I love its spirit and its sense of adventure. Family friendly haunts @riverbankszoo… treats @silverspoonbakeshop... spa love @urban_nirvana... brunch @cafe_strudel… Festival faves @columbiafoodandwine”– @mellasnipes

“@UofSC , @gamecocksonline , @smallsugarsc , @huntergathererbrewery at Curtiss-Wright Hangar at Owens airfield, @sodacity These are just a few of the things I love about Columbia!”– @nealiedsmith

“The river walks!! And main st!!”– @valuemindedmama

“Kaminskys for desserts! Love the riverwalk paths for bike dates or running with friends!”– @citlalli93

“Cola’s sunsets are pretty spectacular”– @racmac99

“EVERYTHING 😭😭😭😭 need to move back ASAP”– @shannonstowers_

“I most like Columbia’s creative, adventurous, fearless spirit: ‘Give it a try!’”– @breakthroughhorizon

“I love how Columbia has grown!! I just moved home and I’m amazed and in love with my city! I love some of the new craft breweries... some of the amazing new restaurants… or classics like #rockawayathleticclub or #saludas!! #mainstreetcolumbia and #devinestreet are just fantastic!!!”– @ashley.elizabeth.0728

“It's close to Charlotte and the beach and the mountains”– @kp_carolinasagent

“Cola offers rivers, a lake, Sandhill region, the beautiful Piedmont, swamps, proximity to the ocean without the hurricanes and mountains without the cold and extra snow.”– @kalamat88

“I love how Cola always has a fun event going on in different areas of downtown, I love Soda City which just builds Colas community & small businesses, Colas unique eats, variety of breweries, & of course the river walk! Cola is my home 💛”– @abbykristina

“Kaminskys!”– @mkeeler19

“The cool summers” – @Sandlapper704

“Fav thing about Columbia: 1. small town vibes: the cashier at @publix knows my name.💓 2. Great food: cannot beat @hometeambbqcola‘s wings & game changers! 💓 3. @sodacitysc market: perfect for fresh produce and local finds! 💓”– @thecolaguide

“Steamed clams with garlic wine broth from @pearlzcolumbia 😁💕💕💕” – @katherinekawamoto