Northwest Columbia - Columbia, SC

The Saluda River valley northwest of Columbia was first settled by German, Dutch and Swiss immigrants in the 1750s. This part of South Carolina contained large plantations, including the Lorick house, from the 1840s to the Civil War. The area grew as railroads came through the area in the late 1800s. Irmo became established Dec. 24, 1890 after the Columbia, Newberry and Laurens Railroad started routes through town. Dreher Shoals Dam was constructed in the late 1920s to produce hydroelectric power for the area. Shopping centers and newer homes came about in the 1990s.

The Lorick house serves as the Lake Murray visitor center, and the Law Enforcement Hall of Fame sits along Broad River Road. Harbison Theatre provides a performing arts venue, while Belladonna's art gallery contains contemporary local artwork. The Irmo Okra Strut Festival marks a two-day event each October, with proceeds benefiting community organizations.

Most restaurants, bars and nightlife options sit close to the intersection of I-26 and Harbison Boulevard. More choices exist further away from the city towards Lake Murray in Irmo and near U.S. Highway 76. Choose from fast food chains, casual eateries, ethnic establishments and upscale restaurants when you feel hunger arising. Nightlife choices here range from dive bars to higher-end taverns and tap rooms.

Liberty Tap Room in Irmo on Lake Murray specializes in upscale Southern-style cuisine with great views of the lake and several local microbrews on tap. The housemade pretzel has queso and ale mustard. For appetizers, seared ahi tuna gets topped with soy ginger, wasabi cream and sriracha. Dinner entrées include pizza, hamburgers, sandwiches and house specials. Make sure you order the Southern burger, it arrives at your table underneath bacon and onion marmalade with pimento cheese and all the fixins.

Pizzeria Opa features Italian and Greek cuisine. Pizzas come loaded with cheese with plenty of toppings underneath. Try the eggplant or veal subs that each come with marinara sauce and cheese. Lamb gyro sandwiches mark Monday specials. The restaurant used to be called Zorba's Express, and the place re-branded as Pizzeria Opa and became part of the 256togo.com delivery service for Columbia residents. If you can't dine in or carry out, you can get your pizza, pasta and sandwiches delivered to your door.

Lucky's Burger Shack along I-26 represents a hidden gem among burger joints in Columbia. Every hamburger gets made with fresh ground beef, and the staff cuts French fries just before they enter the fryer. Choose from one of five breads, including a tomato basil wrap. The Greek burger gets topped with feta cheese, kalamata olives, pepperoncinis, lettuce, tomato and onions. The breakfast burger comes with an egg, bacon, cheese, lettuce, tomato and mayo. Every burger contains 6 ounces of beef except for the whale, which arrives on your bun weighting in at a hearty 12 ounces. If you don't want hamburgers, Lucky's serves hot dogs, salads, soups and sandwiches. Enjoy live music every weekend at Social Grill in Irmo, with open mic night happening every Wednesday. Hemingway's Music Pub, also in Irmo, features live acts two nights per week. The British Bulldog Pub has live music every Sunday.

The British Bulldog Pub has a full menu, plenty of European-style brews and English Premier League soccer matches on big-screen televisions. Try authentic English pub food brought to you by two owners originally from Liverpool. This place stays open until 2 a.m. every night of the week.

Definitely bring a car to this neighborhood to naviage its large, wide-open spaces. Most residential streets have sidewalks for strolls with your family, but connecting roads require motorized transportation. Side streets with homes make the perfect terrain for cyclists as homes have driveways and garages. St. Andrews Road represents a bicycle-friendly thoroughfare, while Lake Murray Boulevard has dedicated bike lanes and a trail that crosses I-26 near Harbison Boulevard.

Connect to I-26 via several streets, such as Harbison Boulevard, Piney Grove Road, Lake Murray Boulevard and Highway 176. Shopping centers and public spaces have plenty of free parking spots. Call one of a few cab companies if your car breaks down and you need ride. Uber ride sharing also services this neighborhood.

COMET buses from route 34 stop at Park Terrace and Harbison, near the Columbiana Centre, from 5:48 a.m. until 9:38 p.m. weekdays. This route reaches the downtown transit center every hour.

Harbison State Forest serves as the major park of the neighborhood. Follow 18 miles of trails by foot or on your bicycle. Float your canoe along the Broad River. Purchase a parking pass at one of the fee centers in the park. The Harbison Environmental Education Center has displays and educational opportunities for visitors and students.

The Riverbanks Zoo and Garden hosts several annual events, some of which require admission to the park. Take your kids to Boo at the Zoo for trick-or-treating near Halloween. See holiday light displays in December, or get your garden ready during the Garden Festival in late March.

Living costs less in this part of Columbia as compared to downtown. A one-bedroom apartment runs you approximately $615 per month. A pint of beer goes for around $3 at local bars for happy hour specials. A gallon of gasoline typically runs 10 percent lower than the national average. A day pass for COMET buses costs $3 to go anywhere in the system.

The Columbiana Centre near the intersection of I-26 and Harbison Boulevard serves as a large retail center in the neighborhood. Many high-value and high-end shops call the Columbiana Centre home as all four corners of that intersection have large stores. Dutch Square contains retail outlets near the junction of I-26 and I-20.

Shas Boutique features upscale women's fashions and accessories such as outerwear, cardigans, vests, boots, necklaces and jewelry for casual occasions. Whether dressing for date night, school or work, find everyday clothing here. Quantities can be limited on some items, so check social media websites for updated stock and discount opportunities.

Jo-Lin's Bridal represents a full-service bridal boutique in Irmo. Match your dress with shoes, tiaras and bridal gifts for your perfect day. After you purchase your dress, receive complimentary steamings, discounts on future purchases and access to Jo-Lin's in-house seamstress. The shop displays dresses from 10 designers and eight shoe companies.

Two Walmart Supercenters mark the most prevalent grocery stores in the neighborhood. The Irmo Farmers Market sells fresh, locally grown produce two Saturdays per month from April to September. Otherwise, a few farmers markets set up shop in downtown Columbia.