Experience a change of pace with access to South Carolina’s rich history and great outdoors by making the leap from the capital city to Cayce. This riverside city combines the charms of a small hometown with the modern conveniences of a developing district, making it a fascinating alternative getaway in the Columbia, SC, metropolitan region.
Cayce is a remarkable destination because of its easy access to the lush Midlands region. It’s never a challenge to feel close to nature in Cayce. A stroll through any of the Three Rivers Greenway will treat you to the glorious beauty of the Congaree River, West Columbia, and its surrounding areas. You can enjoy it as a mere backdrop to a relaxing day, but you will more than likely want to immerse in it by hiking, kayaking, and fishing to your heart’s content.
Cayce is a historic city, with landmarks and museums proudly detailing the area’s rich heritage. Guests can enjoy this aspect simply by walking through its streets and neighborhoods, visiting one of its well-curated museums, and joining themed walking tours.
Immerse in one of South Carolina’s gems just off downtown Columbia when you book a fishing trip in the nearby city of Cayce, where history and nature surround you every step of the way.
Sitting on the banks of the Congaree River, Cayce is the ideal place to cast a line in this excellent river. The river is known for its striped bass, but anglers can also find other fish species, including smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, bowfin, channel catfish, redbreast sunfish, and yellow perch. One of the most convenient places to fish in the river is via the Cayce Riverwalk, one of the Three Rivers Greenway in the district. This beautifully designed park has hiking trails, pathways, and fishing points for people of varying physical capacities. It’s connected to the Thomas A Newman Boat Landing, which gives anglers boat launch access and a fishing pier.
Venture a few minutes outside Cayce, and you can fish on another side of the river from the Congaree National Park. The park offers easy access to recreational fishing for 24 hours, and apart from catch-and-release seasons, there is no closed season for any of its game fish species.
The Saluda River is one of the state’s top fly fishing destinations. April is the ideal month to visit the river, particularly at the junction of its lower part with the Upper Congaree. This is where you can find great numbers of brown and rainbow trout along with striped bass.
Lake Murray offers arguably some of the best freshwater fishing in South Carolina, and many of its public boat ramps and amenities are easily accessible from Cayce. The lake provides many South Carolina freshwater favorites, including different bass species, catfish and bullhead species, panfish such as perch and sunfish, and many more.
A unique art hub in the middle of the city, the Cayce River Arts District is the location for the famed Riverwalk but not only that — it is an excellent place to visit if you want to insert some artisanal flair into your travels. If you can only visit one area in the city, make it this creative district where you can enjoy a variety of innovative and fun activities, including visiting art studios, signing up for pottery classes, sampling some local craft beer, and enjoying live music.
This 170-acre outdoor area is South Carolina’s biggest gated attraction and one of the region’s best-loved tourist spots. It combines a zoo, aquarium, and botanical garden just a few miles from the city center.