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3 Best Picnic Spots in Columbia, South Carolina

Picnics are a summertime favorite. The best parks in Columbia, South Carolina, make the perfect picnic destination as soon as the weather heats up. When choosing the perfect picnic spots, we're looking for something not too busy, with ample shade, and good overall esthetics. Here are three picnic spots in Columbia, South Carolina, that are worth a visit.  
  1. Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park
Enjoy your picnic while listening to the peaceful sounds of the waterfall. They also have well-maintained walking trails to enjoy before or after your picnic or to lead to you to the perfect spot. You'll find the picnic tables in the main section of the park.   This park is one of the most scenic that Columbia has to offer. It also provides a historical experience. You can visit the old pump house and learn about the history of the canal. Other facilities include bike trails and playgrounds.  
  1. Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Garden
This may seem like an odd choice, heading to a zoo for a picnic. Riverbanks, however, is much more than just a zoo. They have a beautiful botanical garden you can walk through and a specified picnic area. The area is nicely shaded as it is wooded and has picnic tables (no pesky ants in your food).   This is a great place to extend your picnic, and the perfect place if you have kids. You can come and go from the picnic area to the zoo without additional charges. They have an interactive children's area with a splash zone (for those really hot days), and there is a variety of animals you can feed. Just make sure you don't feed them your picnic food!   If your picnic is so big it becomes an event, you can even hold a private function here! If you keep an eye on their schedule of events, your day of fun in the sun can continue into the evening. They have summer movie nights, and if you're "of age," be sure to keep an eye out for their wine in the garden events.  
  1. Irmo Community Park
With its modern facilities, Irmo Community Park is a great place to visit for picnics, and it is very family-friendly. This park features lush grass, shaded picnic areas, ponds with fountains, and playgrounds. This park also hosts events such as summer movie nights in their amphitheater. There are also food vendors if you missed anything when packing your picnic basket.   Whether you're looking for a romantic evening picnic with a movie or a great place to bring your kids, a place to go for a run with your dog or a peaceful walk, Irmo Community Park is one of the best around.   Columbia has many great parks to offer. Decide how you want to spend your day and the type of activities you enjoy and you'll be able to plan your picnic with it. Each picnic spot is easily accessible, has ample parking, and a variety of facilities to make your day convenient and enjoyable.   Image via Flickr by davebloggs007
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