Columbia, South Carolina Visitors Guide
Founded in 1786, Columbia is just 3 miles shy of being
in the exact center of South Carolina. It is the state
capital and a wholesale and retail trade center. It
is a city of antebellum mansions, museums, and historic
churches. Columbia is the site of nine schools of higher
education, including the University of South Carolina.
It has several museums where you can spend time learning
about art, history and culture. At the Columbia Museum of
Art you will find Renaissance paintings, 19 & 20th century
American works, and European paintings. There are changing
exhibitions, concerts, films, lectures and special exhibit
events. For a look at life in the 1700’s, visit the Lexington
County Museum complex where you will see period country
furnishings, textiles and decorative arts. There are also
spinning and weaving tours available. On the campus of the
University of South Carolina, you will  find the
McKissick Museum which houses the Bernard M. Baruch Silver
Gallery with antique European silver, the J. Harry Howard
gemstone collection, the Laurence L. Smith mineral collection,
the Catawba Native American Art Collection and the Southern
Folk Art collections. For art exhibits, natural and cultural
history displays, dioramas and hands on exhibits visit the
South Carolina State Museum.
Fun in the sun can be found at Congaree National Park which has 20 miles of hiking trails, fishing, canoeing and boardwalks. At the Sesquicentennial State Park, you will find lake swimming, boating, and fishing, as well as a playground, picnic shelters and a recreation building. For more vigorous activity the park has nature trails, biking and exercise trails. At Lake Murray, you can go swimming, water skiing, boating or fishing on the 41 mile long lake. You may want to take a long a picnic basket or camping gear as these facilities are also available.
There are many historical buildings in Columbia. Whether you choose the museum and training center at Fort Jackson, the Hampton-Preston Mansion with its antebellum furnishings and decorative art or the Robert Mills Historic House and Park built by the architect and designer of the Washington Monument, you will learn fascinating facts and see incredible architecture! Other buildings of interest include the First Baptist Church on Hampton Street, the First Presbyterian Church on Marion Street, Trinity Cathedral which is the oldest church building in Columbia, and the Governor’s Mansion.
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Do you enjoy watching dramas or listening to uplifting music? Then visit the Towne Theatre where you can see one of America’s oldest community theatre groups perform Broadway plays or musicals. For a more diverse selection, check out the Koger Center for the Arts on the University of SC campus. This modern structure is host a variety of musicals, theatre and dance programs.
So, come to Columbia! You will find plenty to do, whether its just relaxing,
enjoying the many attractions or eating at the Hampton Vineyard
or at Ristorante Divino, you’re sure to have a great visit!
Riverbanks Zoological Park & Botanical Gardens
The 170 acre historic Riverbanks Zoo is a 2007’s Palmetto Parent Family Choice Award and has been listed on the National Registry for Historic places since 1973. It is home to over 2,000 animals and 350 species. You can tour the African Plains where the giraffes, zebras and ostriches live, the 20,000-square-foot Aquarium Reptile Complex, the Koala Knockabout, Lemur Island, or visit the Sea Lions and see many other animals from around the world.
If you enter the Zoo from the west Columbia entrance you can tour 10 magnificent gardens. There you will find a shade garden with its columbine, spider lilies, and crested iris, the pitcher plants of the bog garden, a dry garden with plants like the prickly pear and yucca, an old rose garden, a 34,000 square foot walled garden, as well as nature trails and Garden Education Programs. There is always something happening in the gardens so you are sure to have a wonderful visit no matter what the season.
500 Wildlife Parkway, Columbia
Open: year round, except Thanksgiving and Christmas
Hours: 9a-5p
Capital Building Photo by Jim Bowen
House by DB King
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