EdVenture Children's Museum 211 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC 29201, Located in the Downtown Business District, 803-779-3100, The biggest children's museum in the South, this wonderful 74,000 square foot, hands-on children's museum and learning facility offers a wide variety of learning experiences for children. EdVenture Children's Museum features eight galleries, two resource centers, an array of traveling exhibits, and many educational programs. more... 

Frankie'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... 

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... 

Ensor 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... 

First 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... 

First 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... 

Governor'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...

Hampton-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... 

Kensington 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... 

Mann-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... 

Robert 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... 

South 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...

St. 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... 

Trinity 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... 

USC 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.

Woodrow 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... 

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.

Millwood 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.

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... 

Richland 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... 

South 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... 

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...

Columbia 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...

Criminal 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...

Fort 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.

McKissick 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...

SC 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... 

South 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... 

U.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.

U.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...

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...

Sumter 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... 

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...

Finlay 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...

Granby Park Catawba Street, 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.

Memorial 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... 

Saluda 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.  more...

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. 

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... 

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... 

Nature 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...