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Question for USCe fans..

We're staying out by the Lexington Medical Center off I-26. Is there a bus system we can use to get to the stadium to start tailgating, then back from the bars after, should we pay for a parking pass a couple of blocks away from the stadium, get a cab both ways, or mix bus there and cab back at the end of the night?

What would be your suggestion on getting to the action, then back to the hotel after it's time to call it a night?

I wouldn't waste your time with a bus system. Lexington Medical Center is in Lexington county, while Columbia is in Richland. While they share a transportation agency, I just don't think the logistics are worth it. Public transportation is pretty shitty in Cola.

I'd pay for parking near the stadium, and really soak in the tailgating atmosphere. People rail on USC because the stadium is off-campus, but honestly, that's my favorite thing about it. It keeps the trash and traffic off of campus, and campus stays pristine after the weekend. Anyway, prepare to do a lot of walking. There's a lot to see and take in if you're parked anywhere near the stadium.

As far as making it back to the bars, you've got a couple of options. Your best bet is to drive back to the Vista and find parking. You *can* walk north on Assembly (and I have, many times) in order to avoid traffic. If you choose to do this, it'll be an easy cab ride back to your car, and you won't have the headache of trying to park downtown. By the time you're ready to go back to the hotel, the traffic will have cleared out, and it's smooth sailing back to your hotel.

And I'd echo what SC Libertarian said. Take 378/78 out of Columbia and back to Athens. It's beautiful countryside, and the most direct route to get to Athens. You'll be approaching Athens from the south east, with most of the gameday traffic from Augusta. (Trust me, you'd rather deal with the Augusta traffic than the Atlanta traffic).

I hope that helps.