Photography

The 5 Most Instagrammable Spots in Columbia, South Carolina

There’s no denying that Columbia is beautiful. From the tree-lined suburban neighborhoods to the charming downtown, it’s the kind of city we love to photograph. And it’s the kind of place with endless Instagram material - we could’ve easily quadrupled this list! But in an effort to keep things manageable and doable, we’ve narrowed it down to our Top 5 Most Instagrammable Spots in Columbia - and judging by the pictures, you’ll know why! ;)

1. GRADUATE COLUMBIA :: 1619 Pendleton Street

It’s colorful, it’s whimsical, and it’s full of Southern charm… Graduate Columbia is one of the most Instagrammable hotels we’ve ever stayed at. Even if you don’t stay there, their colorful lobby and chic bar area make for picture-perfect photo opp’s. (And they are dog friendly, too!)

2. COLUMBIA MUSEUM OF ART :: 1515 Main Street

This modern and beautifully arranged museum is a must-see in general, but it also makes for a stunning landscape for your Instagram feed. Strike a pose in the stunning lobby, that features a wild and fanciful glass centerpiece by Dale Chihuly. Whether you wander through their many permanent or traveling exhibits, you’re sure to take some gorgeous photos. And be sure not to miss their iconic Andy Warhol painting!

3. THE SOUTH CAROLINA STATE HOUSE :: 1100 Gervais Street

You can’t visit Columbia without a photo in front of the historic and iconic state capitol building. The architecture is captivating, and the grounds are meticulously kept. Get there early and your chances of getting a shot on the front steps without any other people will be a lot better… or do like we did, and get creative! ;)

4. LINCOLN STREET TUNNEL

We’ll never turn down an opportunity to pose in front of a colorful mural, and the entrance to this walking trail is filled with them! These vibrant murals tell the story of Columbia, and this newly revitalized area is only going to continue to evolve. Bring a few outfit changes, and you’ll have Instagram content for days!

Celebrating the arrival of fall in front of a Lincoln Street Tunnel mural!

5. COLUMBIA CANAL AND RIVERFRONT PARK

For the nature lovers out there, head to the scenic Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park, where you’ll find picturesque bridges, benches to cozy up with a loved one, and a walking trail that’s alluring no matter the time of year! If you’re up for getting some exercise, rent bikes and take them for a spin along the canal!

Did we miss a spot? Leave a comment and let us know!

Essential Gear Spotlight - JOBY HandyPod Mobile

Bobby, here! In recent weeks we’ve been getting requests to share about our favorite gear, our “essentials”, if you will. As traveling content creators, we’ve found that we really appreciate and navigate towards gear that is extremely efficient. Efficient in doing its particular job well, and in saving space, as we’re often traveling out of the car and have enough between the two of us (not to mention Sally!).

All that to say, the JOBY HandyPod Mobile has been a recent addition that will undoubtedly be with us on every trip to come. It’s a small phone tripod that is ideal for mobile content creators like us, because of its compact and versatile design. The tripod is stable and secure for our phones, and it also has collapsable legs that then transforms it into a perfect handheld for selfies, video, etc.

We took it with us on our recent trip to Bend, and used it as we brewery-hopped around town with Sally. The built-in ballhead allowed us to capture both landscape and portrait shots. And a few family paw-traits as well :) One thing we were really impressed by was the stability of the tripod. The legs can stay secure in a variety of positions (based on how you’re balancing your phone/camera), and once you find your position, they are super sturdy.

Perfect for selfies

And family paw-traits!

After taking it on this recent trip, we’re sold. It’s easy to pack, easy to use, and it allowed us to capture content more effectively on the road. 

If you’re in the market for a simple, dependable tripod, we highly recommend JOBY and its phone tripods. Beyond that, we’ll also throw a shout out to our JOBY GorillaPod, that has gone all over the world with us from the beginning of Traveling Newlyweds!