Renaissance Plaza is centrally located on Lady Street in the Vista so it’s easy to enjoy the very best of Columbia, everyday! Here are some of the highlights of our location, all of which accessed from our condo. See vistacolumbia.com for a complete directory of things to see and do in the Congaree Vista.

Music and Entertainment

The Congaree Vista is Columbia’s arts and entertainment district featuring sporting and musical events at the Colonial Center (7 blocks), South Carolina’s largest arena. Catch the South Carolina Philharmonic, USC Symphony Orchestra, ballets and a variety of other fine and performing arts at the Koger Center for the Arts (10 blocks) or performances by up-and-coming artists at the adjacent USC School of Music.

Besides fine performing arts, you can see a variety of local and regional bands at one of the Vista’s many smaller venues. Some of your options are rock at Headliners (3 blocks), jazz and blues at the Blue Martini (2.5 blocks) or hip, avant-garde bands at the Art Bar (5 blocks). Tired of being indoors? Walk over to the outdoor concerts Thursday evenings after work at Jillian’s(3.5 blocks) during spring and fall months or to the Summer Concerts Series in Finlay Park (4 blocks) on Saturdays during the summer.

Theater and Movies

Our next door neighbors at Trustus Theatre (1 block) feature a wide range of classic, eclectic and new works in a casual, intimate space. Other theaters nearby include the Workshop Theater (1.1 mi) as well as the Town Theater (10 blocks) boasting performances held in the oldest community theatre building in continuous use in the US. We’re lucky to have the Nickelodeon (10 blocks) nearby which is the only non-profit art house film theater in the state.

Sports

With USC being just up the street there seems to always be some kind of USC sporting event going on. The indoor sports (basketball, volleyball) are hosted at the nearby Carolina Coliseum (1.1 mi) or Colonial Center (7 blocks) and William’s Brice stadium (football) is only a few miles away. If you prefer professional sports, or if you can’t get tickets to a college game, you’re sure to find a good seat at one of the many sports bars within walking distance such as Carolina Wings and Rib House (2 blocks), Wild Wing Cafe (1.5 blocks) and Wild Hare Sports Café (4 blocks).

Culture and Museums

The Columbia Museum of Art (8 blocks) is home to a splendid collection of American and European fine arts and hosts changing exhibits from renowned museums. If you’re a science or history buff, the South Carolina State Museum (5 blocks) is nearby. This museum has permanent art, cultural history, natural history and science exhibits and is housed in the old Columbia Mill textile building, built in 1893 – a great example of adaptive reuse common to the Vista area.

Art Galleries and Shopping

The Vista is home to several art galleries such as Gallery 80808 (2.5 blocks) and Carol Saunders Gallery (5 blocks). If shopping for art makes you hungry, there’s Nonnah’s (5 blocks) which is filled to the brim with paintings and serves food.

Dining (and Groceries)

There is an abundant selection of restaurants including Motor Supply, Blue Marlin, Oyster Bar Columbia and Saki Tumi, all within 5 blocks or less. You can’t bet the convenience of having Publix which is located just across Lady Street in the renovated in the historic Confederate printing building.

Businesses

Business district in the city center. Walk to work.

State Government

State capitol complex.

University of South Carolina

USC campus is about a mile away. Innovista.

Parks and Rivers

Memorial Park (2 blocks away) and Finlay Park (4 blocks) are easily accesible for you to stroll through. Finlay park hosts many events throughout the year such as the Summer Concert Series.

The easily accessible Three Rivers Greenway offers many miles of paved trails are nearby and are a great way to enjoy Columbia's three rivers. Walk to the Gervais Street bridge to strong along the Saluda and Congaree rivers, or head over to Riverfront park and walk along the old Columbia canal, fed by the Broad River. If the pool is full and you want to get a little wet, pick up a canoe or kayak at the River Runner Outdoor Center only a few blocks away in the Vista or rent a tube at the West Columbia Amphitheatre across the Gervais Street bridge.

Medical Care

For medical professionals or those needing medical care there are many medical facilities and hospitals conveniently located in the downtown area such as Palmetto Health Baptist (1 mi) and Palmetto Health Richland (2.8 mi). There are also many special practices in the city center within a few blocks of the hospitals.