Congaree Vista Overview
The Congaree Vista, or ”The Vista” is a revitalized cultural and entertainment district in downtown Columbia, South Carolina located between the Congaree River and the central business district. The Vista is a renovated textile mill and trainyard district transformed into one-stop entertainment hub of art galleries, national clothing stores, Class-A offices, urban dwellings and hotels, many lined along brick paved streets, and all surrounded by downtown eateries and historic landmarks. Rich in history and forward-thinking, the Vista is known as Columbia’s top arts and entertainment district for a reason. While Columbia’s industrial and rail hub once gathered dust, today the rustic warehouses and mills enjoy new lives as music and entertainment venues, art galleries, Class-A office, delightful boutiques, urban dwelling places, and award-winning restaurants. New and renovated buildings mesh rustic details with sleek, downtown style. The Vista area continues to experience a surge of new construction and rehabilitated projects. In the heart of Columbia, the Vista is adjacent to the South Carolina State House and the University of South Carolina. The Vista sits on the banks of the Congaree River. From kayaking to checking out the shoreline, the river’s beauty is a unique asset to the district. Stroll of bike on the Vista Greenway, an urban oasis, which connects the Vista to other city neighborhoods.
Numerous Vista public venues:
• Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center 142,000 square feet and 15 hotels within a 1-mile radius
• 8,242 seat University of South Carolina baseball park (Founders Park)
• 18,000 seat Colonial Life Arena and the 2,256 seat Koger Center for the Arts
• Three Rivers Greenway with its Vista linkages and the centerpiece, the Congaree Regional Riverfront Park in the planning phase with full funding
• South Carolina State Museum with annual attendance exceeding 120,000 visitors
• EdVenture, the largest children’s museum in the Southeast, with its 177,000+ annual attendance
Numerous Vista public venues:
• Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center 142,000 square feet and 15 hotels within a 1-mile radius
• 8,242 seat University of South Carolina baseball park (Founders Park)
• 18,000 seat Colonial Life Arena and the 2,256 seat Koger Center for the Arts
• Three Rivers Greenway with its Vista linkages and the centerpiece, the Congaree Regional Riverfront Park in the planning phase with full funding
• South Carolina State Museum with annual attendance exceeding 120,000 visitors
• EdVenture, the largest children’s museum in the Southeast, with its 177,000+ annual attendance
