25+ Things to Do Near Fort Jackson in Columbia, SC

Welcome to Fort Jackson. Located in the Palmetto State, South Carolina, you’ll find plenty of sunshine and outdoor activities to keep you busy. We’re sharing a few of our favorite things to do with kids, your four-legged friend, your date, or alone. Check out our favorite day trips if you’re looking to explore a bit farther.

5 Places Near Fort Jackson That Are Military Friendly

The areas near Fort Jackson understand the military community and offer many special deals for service members and their families. We’re describing military-friendly as reduced admission for active-duty service members and families, or veteran-owned businesses. Whether you stay on base or adventure off base to nearby areas, military-friendly things to do abound. Check out a few of our favorites below.

U.S. Army Basic Combat Training Museum

The U.S. Army Basic Combat Training Museum, located on base, features more than 7,500 square feet of exhibit space that tells the evolution of basic combat training from 1917 through the present day.

Address: 4442 Jackson Blvd, Columbia, SC 29209

Hours: Tuesday through Thursday, 1000-1600

Admission: Free

Phone: (803) 751-7419

U.S. Army Chaplain Museum

The U.S. Army Chaplain Museum on base is a place where faith and service are captured in the objects that shaped the Chaplain Corps' history from the Revolutionary War through today.

Address: 10100 Lee Rd, Columbia, SC 29206

Hours: Monday through Friday, 0900-1600

Admission: Free

Phone: (803) 751-8827

U.S. Army Finance Corps Museum

The U.S. Army Finance Corps Museum on base focuses on the significant leaders and events that contributed to the Army and the Finance Corps and their relevance to today's Financial Management personnel.

Address: 4392 Century Division Ave., Columbia, SC 29207

Hours: Monday through Friday, 0900-1600

Admission: Free

Phone: (803) 751-3771

Weston Lake Recreation Area

Weston Lake is a peaceful getaway right on base featuring watercraft rentals, camping sites, a sandy beach, and much more.

Address: 4420 Leesburg Rd, Hopkins, SC 29207

Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 1000-1700, Saturday & Sunday, 1000-1400

Admission: Watercraft rentals and camping site prices vary. The beach and playgrounds are free.

Phone: (803) 751-5253

Palmetto Falls Water Park

Located right on base, you’ll find fun at Palmetto Falls Water Park. Featuring a 10,000 square foot pool, five water slides, a splashdown pool, lazy river and more, there’s something for everyone at this water retreat.

Address: 6511 Strom Thurmond Blvd., Fort Jackson, South Carolina 29207

Hours: Wednesday & Thursday, 1100-1900; Friday & Saturday, 1200-2000; Sunday, 1300-1900

Admission: Daily Fee, $13; Season Pass, $70 (includes Legion Outdoor Pool)

Phone: (803)751-3475

5 Restaurants Near Fort Jackson That Are Sure to Please

Sure, you can grab a bite to eat on base at the Post Exchange food court, but with so many options off post, get out to explore some local favorites. We’ve listed a few below.

MidWood Smokehouse

MidWood Smokehouse is just a few minutes from base in Columbia and features traditional smoked meats, pimento cheese fries, and so much more.

Address: 702 Cross Hill Rd, Columbia, SC 29207

Hours: Sunday through Thursday, 1100-2100; Friday & Saturday, 1100-2200

Tacos El Puebla

Tacos El Puebla is a local favorite serving up authentic street-style tacos, chips, drinks, and more.

Address: 4330 Fort Jackson Blvd, Columbia, SC 29205

Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 1100-2200

Pasta Fresca

Pasta Fresca is a popular local restaurant featuring delicious, made-from-scratch Italian food.

Address: 4722 Forest Dr, Columbia, SC 29206

Hours: Tuesday & Wednesday, 1630-2100; Thursday through Saturday, 1630-2130

Inakaya

Inakaya is highly recommended by locals, claiming this is the best spot in town for authentic Sushi, sashimi, and chirashi.

Address: 224 O'Neil Ct Ste 9, Columbia, SC 29223

Hours: Tuesday through Thursday, 1145-1400 & 1700-2200; Friday, 1145-1400 & 1700-2300; Saturday, 1700-2300; Sunday, 1630-2030

California Dreaming

California Dreaming is an iconic local favorite located in the historic 1902 Union Station. Serving up American classics, there’s something for everyone on this menu.

Address: 401 Main St, Columbia, SC 29201

Hours: Sunday through Thursday, 1100-2100; Friday & Saturday, 1100-2200

What Are Some Pet-Friendly Places Near Fort Jackson?

You don’t want to go out, leaving your four-legged family member at home, and neither do we. Below are several pet-friendly outdoor spaces and restaurants in the areas surrounding Fort Jackson.

Outdoor Spaces

• Cayce and West Columbia Riverwalk: Take a stroll with your furry friend along the paved paths bordering the Congaree River.
• Harbison State Forest: Featuring over 2,000 acres, this forest has miles of pet-friendly trails for you and your four-legged friend to explore.
• Sesquicentennial State Park: This state park features a large lake and miles of shaded nature trails, plus a small dog area for off-leash play.

Fur-Family Friendly Restaurants

• Publico Kitchen & Tap: Take your furry friend out for a bite to eat at this restaurant serving up tacos for you and a special puppy menu for your four-legged friend on their large outdoor patio.
• Jake's on Devine: This popular spot serves up craft beers and appetizers on a pet-friendly outdoor patio.

5 Things For Couples to Do in Columbia

Needing to reconnect after your PCS, or just looking for ways to get out with your special someone? Columbia, just outside the gates of Fort Jackson, has just what you need. Check out a few of our favorite date ideas below.

Trustus Theatre

The Trustus Theatre is a performing arts theatre presenting new plays and musicals in a historic space with an attached bar. You can select from two stages. The Thigpen Main Stage, with 132 seats, is a more community feel for your theatre experience.

And the Trustus Side Door Theatre, with 50 seats, is a more intimate, romantic feel. Whatever you choose, you and your date will be able to connect over the productions performed here.

Address: 520 Lady St, Columbia, SC 29201

Soda City Market

The Soda City Market is a producer-only market, meaning everything sold here is created or grown by Southeast vendors. Antique and vintage items are expected to be sustainably curated.

The Soda City Market is a place you and your date can stroll through the streets, grabbing anything you need to nourish your brains, bellies, and bodies. The market is open year-round every Saturday, 0900-1300, rain or shine.

Address: 1300-1700 Main St, Columbia, SC 29201

Art Bar

The Art Bar is Columbia’s most unique dive bar. This “galactic roadhouse” features comedy nights, karaoke, trivia, live music, and more. If you’re looking for a fun night out with your date, this just might be it!

Address: 1211 Park St, Columbia, SC 29201

One Eared Cow Glass Studio & Gallery

The One Eared Cow Glass Studio & Gallery is a place where you can watch the art of making glass creations or take a class for you and your special someone. You can also stop in for a quick shopping trip to purchase some of the unique creations.

Address: 1001 Huger St., Columbia, SC 29201

Columbia Food Tours

Experience Columbia one bite at a time with a food tour of the city. A 2.5- 3-hour walking food tour, you’ll taste Columbia’s best local restaurants while hearing about the area’s history and fun facts.

Address: 1100 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC, 29201

Check Out These Nearby Day Trips Perfect for a Quick Getaway

From beach trips to historical getaways, you’re not far from great adventures. Check out our list of day trips below for some favorite things to do within 3 hours of Fort Jackson.

Lake Murray, SC

Drive time: 45 minutes

• Dreher Island State Park: Perfect for hiking, camping, and fishing, this island on Lake Murray is the perfect place to unwind.
• No equipment, no problem. Tidal Wave Watersports has your watercraft needs covered for fun on the lake.
• Over 650 miles of shoreline and a variety of fish species, this angler’s paradise is sure to be a catch!
• The Lake Murray Dam Walkway (1.7 miles each way) is located directly across the top of the Dreher Shoals Dam, offering beautiful views of Lake Murray and the Columbia skyline.

Edisto Beach

Drive time: 2.5 hours

• Edisto Watersports & Tackle has your equipment needs covered for you to explore the area by water.
• Edisto Beach State Park features over 4 miles of hiking and biking trails that take you into the ancient maritime forest.
• With 37 public beach access points, you’re sure to find the perfect spot to play in the sand and sun at Edisto Beach.
• Visit one of the many parks if you want to get away from the beach for a bit. The Town of Edisto Beach has a few different parks to choose from.

Charleston, SC

Drive time: 2 hours

• Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum: Featuring 2 ships, 27 aircraft, an immersive Vietnam experience and so much more, Patriots Point has enough for you to spend an entire day exploring.
• Fort Sumter National Monument: Learn about the start of the American Civil War and Fort Sumter’s role at this national monument.
• Looking for something historic, with a twist? Take a tour of the haunted history of Charleston with Charleston Ghost Tours.
• Take a tour of the magnificent Magnolia Plantation and Gardens where you’ll learn about the history of the plantation and take in beautiful sights.

7 Things For Kids to Do in Columbia

The military-friendly area surrounding Fort Jackson includes many kid-friendly museums and activities!

• Flip Factory Zone: Get all your wiggles out in this indoor play area. Flip Factory Zone offers a wide variety of activities for kids of all ages. You’ll find bumper cars, ropes courses, trampolines, and so much more.
• Riverbanks Zoo & Garden: The Riverbanks Zoo & Garden is a 170 acre zoo located along the Saulda River. This zoo is home to more than 2000 animals and an inspiring botanical garden.
• EdVenture Children’s Museum: EdVenture Children’s Museum is a place featuring hands-on experiences and interactive spaces designed to encourage learning and creativity in young children.
• Frankie’s Fun Park: Frankie’s Fun Park is a sprawling park with a little bit of everything. You’ll find go carts, mini golf, amusement park rides, an arcade, and much more!
• Sesquincentennial State Park: “Sesqui,” as the locals know it, is a state park covering nearly 1,500 acres. Enjoy a trail hike, cool off at a splash pad, take a float in a canoe or pedal boat, or choose from one of the other many activities this park has to offer.
• South Carolina State Museum: The South Carolina State Museum is dedicated to the history of South Carolina and features four floors of exhibits, a planetarium, theater, and an observatory.
• Richland Library: The Richland Library is an award-winning space meeting the many needs of the community with crafts, story times, performances, and more.

Don’t Miss These Seasonal Events Near Fort Jackson!

We’re sharing 5 seasonal events taking place near Fort Jackson that you won’t want to miss.

• South Carolina State Fair: Taking place for 12 days in October, this state fair has all your favorites from rides to cuisine; you’ll find it here in Columbia.
• Nobody does Fourth of July quite like the military. Fort Jackson puts on a beautiful celebration each year.
• Columbia hosts a Food and Wine Festival each spring to showcase regional chefs, restaurants, and wineries.
• Soda City Comic Con is an annual fall pop-culture and comic convention held at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.
• Christmas in July is a seasonal event right on base at the Palmetto Falls Water Park, featuring holiday-themed activities, games, and treats.

Don’t Miss Out on These Fun Things to Do Near Fort Jackson!

Fort Jackson's prime location just outside of Columbia puts you right in the heart of South Carolina's vibrant Midlands. Whether you are spending a quick weekend celebrating a new Soldier's graduation or settling in for a multi-year PCS, you never have to look far to find your next great weekend activity.

From the bustling downtown districts and scenic river walks to the serene state parks and family-friendly museums, there is a corner of the community tailored to everyone. So grab the leash, rally the kids, or just bring your sense of adventure, and start making the most of your time in the Palmetto State!