ATTRACTIONS
Amusements
EdVenture Children's Museum
211 Gervais Street • Columbia, SC 29201
803-779-3100
EdVenture is the southeast's largest children's museum that houses eight world-class exhibit galleries. Geared towards children 0 to 12, EdVenture is a 67,000 square foot museum that is both fun and educational. more... mapFrankie's Fun Park
140 Parkridge Drive • Columbia, SC 29212
Located in the Harbison Area
803-781-2342
A wonderful 14-acre family oriented amusement center, Frankie's Fun Park includes three go-cart tracks, three 18-hole miniature golf courses, a 5,000 square foot multi-level laser tag arena, nine-position batting cage, an arcade with over 150 state-of-the-art games, bumper boats, and a pizza restaurant and snack bar. more... map
Historic Homes & Buildings
Big Apple, The (circa 1916)
1000 Hamton Street • Columbia, SC 29201
Downtown Business District
803-252-7742
Originally built as a Jewish synagogue, this Columbia landmark is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and once housed a nightclub in the 1930's that spurred the Big Apple dance craze. The building is available for rent for all special occasions including weddings, corporate meetings, conferences, and rehearsals. more... mapEnsor Keenan House (circa 1868)
801 Wildwood Avenue • Columbia, SC 29201
Downtown Business District
803-733-8510
Built by Dr. Joshua Fulton Ensor, a major in the Union Army during the Civil War who was sent to Columbia to treat wounded Union soldiers and who served as Superintendent for what is now the South Carolina State Hospital, this beautiful house is a popular rental facility for weddings, parties, reunions, and special events and features beautifully landscaped grounds that contain a scenic pond, fountain, and concrete picnic tables. more... mapFirst Baptist Church (circa 1859)
1306 Hampton Street • Columbia, SC 29201
Located in the Downtown Business District
803-256-4251
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this church was the site of the first Secession Convention in 1860, one year after it was built. The church was built for a congregation dating from 1807. The brick-pillared portico, slave balcony, and the pulpit furnishings are original. more... mapFirst Presbyterian Church (circa 1853)
1324 Marion Street • Columbia, SC 29201
Downtown Business District
803-799-9062
Beautiful historic church that features a 188 foot steeple that was once the tallest structure in Columbia and a churchyard cemetery where many notable figures in the history of the church and Columbia are buried including the first pastor of the church and his wife, as well as the parents of President Woodrow Wilson. more... mapGovernor's Mansion, The (circa 1855)
800 Richland Street • Columbia, SC 29201
Located in the Historic District
803-737-1710
Built as a residence for officers of the Arsenal Military Academy and spared during the burning of Columbia in the Civil War, the Mansion was selected as the official residence for the state's governors in 1868. Two other houses, the Lace House and the Caldwell-Boylston House, are located on the nine-acre grounds. Governor's Mansion staff and the gift shop are presently located in the circa 1830, Greek Revival-style Caldwell-Boylston House. Built in 1854, the Lace House is the official guesthouse for the state of South Carolina. more... mapHampton-Preston Mansion and Garden (circa 1818)
1615 Blanding Street • Columbia, SC 29201
803-252-1770
A beautifully restored antebellum mansion that is filled with period furnishings and antiques, the Hampton-Preston Mansion and Garden offers visitors a unique glimpse into the lives of the influential families, the Hamptons and Prestons, that lived here between 1818 and 1873. more... mapKensington Mansion (circa 1854)
Located in Eastover on Highway 601 • Columbia, SC 29044
Six Miles South of Highway 378
803-353-4050
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this magnificent Italianate Revival-style mansion is owned by International Paper and is furnished with the Scarborough-Hamer Collection of decorative arts and fine furniture from the Victorian Period, 1830 to 1901. Tours are available every Friday and Saturday. more... mapMann-Simmons Cottage (circa mid-1800s)
1403 Richland Street • Columbia, SC 29201
803-252-1770
Preserved as a historic house museum, the Mann-Simmons Cottages has the distinction of being one of only a few houses in South Carolina once owned by free blacks in antebellum days. The former home of Celia Mann, a slave who acquired her freedom in Charleston and one of only 200 free blacks in Columbia during her time, this lovely house features the original dining room with hand pressed nails, a midwife room, and the original brick fireplace. Her descendants occupied the home for more than 100 years. more... mapRobert Mills House and Park (circa 1823)
1616 Blanding Street • Columbia, SC 29201
803-252-1770
Designed by architect Robert Mills, the designer of the Washington Monument, this beautifully restored Federal-style home displays decorative arts of the early 19th century, including American Federal, English Regency, and French Empire pieces. more... mapSouth Carolina State House (circa 1907)
1100 Gervais Street • Columbia, SC 29201
803-734-2430
Construction began in 1855 on this building that is one of the most historic buildings in Columbia and South Carolina. The building withstood Sherman's March in 1865 and today features six bronze stars that mark the impact of the shells from the Union cannons. more... mapSt. Peter's Catholic Church (circa 1906)
1529 Assembly Street • Columbia, SC 29201
Located in the Downtown Business District
803-779-0036
Founded as an outreach to Irish canal workers in 1821, this historic church is the oldest South Carolina parish outside of Charleston. It was originally built in 1824, but was later destroyed by a fire. The church's graveyard holds the remains of many notable Columbia figures including John Niersee, the architect of the State House. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this church was visited by Pope John Paul II in 1987. more... mapTrinity Episcopal Cathedral (circa 1814)
1100 Sumter Street • Columbia, SC 29201
Located in the Downtown Business District
803-771-7300
A beautiful example of English Gothic architecture, this historic church features original closed rental pews, a baptismal font created by sculptor Hiram Powers, Carrara marble alter, and marble tablets inscribed with the Lord's Prayer, Apostles' Creed and the Ten Commandments. more... mapUSC Horseshoe (circa 1801)
900 Block of Sumter Street • Columbia, SC 29201
803-777-0169
The original campus of the University of South Carolina, this four block area contains ten historic buildings that provide a wonderful glimpse of early 19th century architecture. All of the buildings have been restored to their original Antebellum appearance and are now used to house classrooms, living quarters, and faculty offices. mapWoodrow Wilson Family Home (circa 1872)
1705 Hampton Street • Columbia, SC 29201
803-252-1770
This Tuscan Villa-style cottage was the only house the Wilson family ever owned. The boyhood home of Woodrow Wilson, the 28th president of the United States, is furnished with 1850s - 1870s pieces, including the birth bed in which Wilson was born on December 28, 1856, in Staunton, Virginia. more... map
Historic Sites & Monuments
African-American History Monument
301 Gervais Street • Columbia, SC 29201
Grounds of the South Carolina State House
803-734-2430
Sculptured by Ed Dwight of Denver, Colorado, this monument displays images, including the Jim Crow era, an auction block and sports and political pioneers, that depict African-Americans' history from the Middle Passage to the present. At the base of the monument's obelisk are four rubbing stones from regions of Africa where slaves were captured - Senegal, Sierra Leone, the Republic of Congo and Ghana. mapMillwood Plantation Ruins
Off Garners Ferry Road
803-252-1770
The former plantation home of General Wade Hampton, this mansion was burned during the Civil War. Tours of the plantation ruins are held by appointment only the last Sunday of each month from March through October. map
Libraries & Research Centers
Archives & History Center
8301 Parklane Road • Columbia, SC 29223
Corner of Parklane & Farrow Roads
803-896-6100
A huge collection of South Carolina governmental records dating back to 1671 is housed at this research center with records including legislative records, court records, treasury records, court records, county and municipal records, military service records, and a large microfilm collection of public and semipublic records relation to South Carolina. more... mapRichland County Public Library
1431 Assembly Street • Columbia, SC 29201
Downtown Business District
803-799-9084
This 242,000 square foot library contains a huge selection of books and reference materials plus features programming activities that include storytimes for children, Internet access computers, legal seminars, cultural activities, and theatrical performances. The Main Library downtown is also home to more than 20 pieces of original artwork by noted artists. more... mapSouth Caroliniana Library
910 Sumter Street • Columbia, SC 29208
Located on the Horseshoe at USC
803-777-3131
The first free-standing academic library building in the United States, completed in 1840, the South Caroliniana Library served as the main library of the University of South Carolina until 1940. Today it holds a great inventory of published and unpublished South Carolina-related material, including books, newspapers, manuscripts, pamphlets, serials, maps, audio recordings, and visual images. more... map
Museums & Galleries
Cayce Historical Museum
1800 12th Street • Columbia, SC 29033
Located at the City of Cayce Municipal Complex
803-739-5385
The Cayce Historical Museum chronicles the history of the first European settlement in the early 1700's in the South Carolina Midlands by interpreting the agricultural, social and cultural heritage of Old Saxe Gotha, Granby, Cayce and West Columbia areas. more... mapColumbia Museum of Art, The
Main and Hampton Streets • Columbia, SC 29201
Located in Downtown Columbia
803-799-2810
One of the largest fine art museums in South Carolina, the Columbia Museum of Art contains a world class collection of American and European decorative and fine art that spans centuries including the Samuel H. Kress Collection of Italian Renaissance and Baroque paintings. more... mapCriminal Justice Hall of Fame
6400 Broad River Road • Columbia, SC 29212
803-896-8199
Focusing on historical and contemporary aspects of law enforcement in South Carolina, this museum contains numerous exhibits on South Carolina law enforcement and stands as a memorial to officers killed in the line of duty, as well as to the officers who risk their lives in the day-to-day performance of their duties. more... mapFort Jackson Museum
Building 4442 Jackson Boulevard • Columbia, SC 29207
Located at Fort Jackson
803-751-7419
Depicting the history of the post and training of American soldiers, the Fort Jackson Museum features large military equipment displayed outdoors, as well as over 3,800 uniforms, tactical vehicles, and military weapons from 1917 to the present. mapMcKissick Museum
816 Bull Street • Columbia, SC 29208
803-777-7251
Located in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of South Carolina, the McKissick Museum offers a variety of permanent collections that focus on Southern folk art, culture, and natural sciences. This museum also features changing exhibits, adult and children education programs, and scheduled tours. more... mapSC Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum
301 Gervais Street • Columbia, SC 29201
803-898-8095
Organized in 1896, by the Wade Hampton Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, the oldest museum in the Columbia area is dedicated to preserving all eras of the state's military history, with specific interest on the Civil War. The SC Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum features a large collection of military relics, including uniforms, flags and weapons. more... mapSouth Carolina State Museum
301 Gervais Street • Columbia, SC 29202
803-898-4921
Located next to the historic Gervais Street Bridge in downtown Columbia, this museum is one of the major tourist attractions in Columbia. It contains four floors of changing and permanent exhibits regarding art, history, natural history, and science. more... mapU.S. Army Adjutant General Corps Museum
Strom Thurmond Boulevard & McGruder Street • Columbia, SC 29207
Located in Fort Jackson
803-751-1747
One of over 60 Army museums located across the country and around the world, this museum depicts this history of the Adjutant General Corps from 1775 to present and contains numerous exhibits, materials, and general information on the history of the U.S. Army. mapU.S. Army Chaplain Museum
10100 Lee Road • Columbia, SC 29207
Located in Fort Jackson
803-751-8079
The U.S. Army Chaplain Museum, located at the U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School, tells the history of the U.S. Army Chaplaincy, which was implemented in 1775. Artifacts on display include kits and religious items, such as alters, organs, and vestments that have used on the frontline to provide spiritual and medical comfort. Inspirational stories are also a valuable part of the museum. more... map
National Parks & Natural Wonders
Congaree National Park
100 National Park Road • Columbia, SC 29061
Located in Hopkins
803-776-4396
"The largest remnant of old-growth floodplain forest remaining on the continent," Congaree National Park is a 27,000-acre National Natural Landmark and is home to several state and national champion trees. Visitors enjoy such activities as hiking, camping, bird watching, picnicking, canoeing, and kayaking more... mapSumter National Forest
4931 Broad River Road • Columbia, SC 29210
803-562-4000
Wildlife and green space, hiking and biking trails, and tranquil solitude are available in this 118,529 acre woodland that borders the scenic Thurmond Lake. A number of state parks and recreational areas also are located in this section of the Sumter National Forest. more... map
Parks, Gardens & Zoos
Columbia Riverfront Park & Historic Canal
Located off Laurel Street
803-545-3100
Centering on Columbia's original waterworks and hydroelectric plant, the world’s first electrically operated textile mill; this 167-acre park features a jogging and walking trail, as well as picnic tables and benches. You can learn about the history of the Columbia canal while walking through one of the old pump houses at the park or enjoy running, bicycling, and fishing activities. more... mapFinlay Park
930 Laurel Street • Columbia, SC 29201
Located in Downtown Columbia
803-545-3100
The 18-acre Finlay Park includes the Watermark Cafe, a waterfall, lake, playground, and a walking track. Several summer events are held each year. more... mapGranby Park
1 Catawba Cir • Columbia, SC 29201
803-545-3100
Part of the Three Rivers Greenway, Granby Park is a 24-acre linear park which was opened as a gateway to the rivers of Columbia. Overlooking the Congaree River, Granby Park includes canoe access, fishing spots, bridges, and a nature trail. mapMemorial Park
Located One Block South of Finlay Park
803-545-3100
Bordered by Hampton, Gadsden, Washington and Wayne Streets, Memorial Park is a four-acre tract of land in the Congaree Vista which serves as a memorial to those who served their country, especially natives of South Carolina; in Vietnam, Korea, and World War II.Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Garden
500 Wildlife Parkway • Columbia, SC 29210
Located in the Downtown Business District
803-779-8717
A sanctuary for more than 2,000 animals, including endangered species, this magnificent zoo features an array of animal exhibits and special feedings for visitors. The 70-acre botanical garden is filled with woodlands, gardens, historic ruins, and plant collections. more... mapSaluda Shoals Park
5605 Old Bush River Road • Columbia, SC 29212
803-731-5208
Along the banks of the lower Saluda River, this 300-acre riverfront park includes an environmental education center, a state-of-the-art conference facility, seasonal interactive zero depth water playground for children, picnic facilities, an observation deck, a canoe launch, fish cleaning station, an outdoor amphitheater, tennis courts, and hiking, biking and horseback riding trails.Seven Oaks Park
200 Leisure Lane • Columbia, SC 29210
803-772-3336
A community recreation center and many athletic fields are located inside this popular park where you can find a fitness center, baseball and softball fields, walking trails, lighted tennis courts, gymnasiums, meeting rooms, an art studio, children's playgrounds, and picnic shelters. map
Science & Technology
Challenger Learning Center
2600-A Barhamvile Road • Columbia, SC 29204
Downtown Business District
803-929-3951
A unique hands-on learning center that features full space missions and high-tech space flight simulators that provide visitors a variety of learning opportunities in engineering, problem solving skills, math, science technology, and team work. Tours and a summer space camp are available. more... map
Tours & Cruises
Historic Columbia Foundation
1601 Richland Street • Columbia, SC 29201
803-252-7742
Learn about the unique history of Columbia by exploring the historic neighborhoods, houses, churches, and landmarks throughout the city. This foundation offers a variety of tours including walking tours, trolley tours, and customized tours. more... mapNature Learning Company
124 South Shields Road • Columbia, SC 29223
803-736-9662
Columbia's premier science and nature guiding service. Deluxe guided nature walks, awesome full service birthday parties and weekly science explorers club. more... map
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