Columbia, SC Attractions
Columbia (founded 1786), capital of South Carolina, lies roughly in the centre of the state on the Broad and Congaree Rivers. The imposing State House (Main and Gervais Sts.) with its dome and its massive granite columns was built between 1855 and 1907. Bronze stars mark hits by Sherman's artillery during the siege of the town. Opposite State House is Trinity Church (1846), one of the largest Episcopal churches in the United States. To the south is the large campus of the University of South Carolina (founded 1801), the central element in which is the brick complex known as the Horseshoe.
A number of antebellum houses have been preserved in the north-east of the town, including the Hampton-Preston Mansion (1818), the Robert Mills Historic House (1823) and the Mann-Simons Cottage (1850). The Woodrow Wilson Boyhood Home, in which the 28th President of the United States spent his early years, was built after the Civil War.
A number of antebellum houses have been preserved in the north-east of the town, including the Hampton-Preston Mansion (1818), the Robert Mills Historic House (1823) and the Mann-Simons Cottage (1850). The Woodrow Wilson Boyhood Home, in which the 28th President of the United States spent his early years, was built after the Civil War.
Riverbanks Zoo & Botanical Garden
To the east of Columbia, on the Saluda River, is the Riverbank Zoo, the terrarium, aquarium and bird house of which are particularly remarkable.
Riverbanks Zoo & Botanical Garden
Box 1060
Columbia, SC 29202-1060
United States
Box 1060
Columbia, SC 29202-1060
United States
Phone 1 (803) 779-8717
Fax 1 (803) 253-6381
Hours
April 3 to October 9
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
October 10 to April 2
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Always closed on:
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
South Carolina State Museum
The South Carolina State Museum, located in a historic building, offers four floors filled with the natural history, science and technology, art and cultural history of South Carolina. The museum features educational hands-on exhibits, a science theatre, and changing exhibits. Also on site are a store and café.
All values are in United States Dollars
Hours
May 31 to September 5
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 13:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
September 6 to May 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 13:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Always closed on:
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
| Adult | $ 7.00 |
| Military discount | $ 6.00 |
| Senior over 62 | $ 5.00 |
| Child 12 & under | $ 3.00 |
| Child 2 & under | FREE |
Disabled
Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Facilities
Gift shop
Restaurant or food service
Wheelchair loan or rental
Restaurant or food service
Wheelchair loan or rental
Columbia Museum of Art
The Columbia Museum of Art features Italian Renaissance and Baroque paintings from the Samuel H Kress collection. The museum also features a large collection of decorative arts.
All values are in United States Dollars
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 12:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
| Adult | $ 10.00 |
| Senior over 65 | $ 8.00 |
| Military discount | $ 8.00 |
| Students | $ 5.00 |
| Child 5 & under | FREE |
Facilities
Gift shop
EdVenture Children's Museum
The EdVenture Children's Museum in Columbia provides 350 hands-on exhibits for children 12 and younger and their families. Visitors can talk to a skeleton, anchor the news, drive a fire truck, climb on a camel and explore the inside of EDDIE - the world's largest child!
First Baptist Church
The First Baptist Church of Columbia was built in 1856. It was the site of the first Secession Convention which led to the Civil War.
First Baptist Church of Columbia
1306 Hampton Street
Columbia, SC 29201-3316
United States
1306 Hampton Street
Columbia, SC 29201-3316
United States
Phone 1 (803) 256-4251
Fax 1 (803) 343-8584
Fort Jackson Museum
Fort Jackson was established in 1917 in Columbia as a U.S. Army Training Center. The Fort Jackson Museum was established in 1972 and features military weapons, uniforms and other equipment to illustrate how the American soldier has been trained to perform his duties in peacetime and war. Several typical military vehicles and artillery pieces from World War I to the present are displayed outside.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | Closed | Closed |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Martin Luther King's Birthday - USA (3rd Monday, January )
President's Day - USA (3rd Monday, February )
Memorial Day - USA (last Monday, May )
Labor Day - USA (1st Monday, September)
Columbus Day - USA (2nd Monday, October )
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Veteran's Day - USA (November 11)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Martin Luther King's Birthday - USA (3rd Monday, January )
President's Day - USA (3rd Monday, February )
Memorial Day - USA (last Monday, May )
Labor Day - USA (1st Monday, September)
Columbus Day - USA (2nd Monday, October )
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Veteran's Day - USA (November 11)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
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McKissick Museum
The McKissick Museum is located on the campus of the University of South Carolina in Columbia. The museum's collections include folk art, culture and the natural environment.
McKissick Museum
College of Liberal Arts, University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC 29208
United States
College of Liberal Arts, University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC 29208
United States
Phone 1 (803) 777-7251
Fax 1 (803) 777-2829
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 11:00 | Closed |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 15:00 |
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
Parking
Pay
Disabled
Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Riverfront Park & Historic Columbia Canal
Riverfront Park is located beside the Columbia Canal in Columbia. It has a trail for cycling and hiking. Visitors can walk through one of the old pump houses to learn about the history of the Columbia canal and Water Works.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 |
| Close | 21:00 | 21:00 | 21:00 | 21:00 | 21:00 | 21:00 | 21:00 |
South Carolina Archives and History Center
The South Carolina Archives and History Center in Columbia has governmental records dating back to 1671. Quarterly exhibits feature the historic and cultural heritage of South Carolina.
South Carolina Archives and History Center
8301 Parklane Road
Columbia, SC 29223-4905
United States
8301 Parklane Road
Columbia, SC 29223-4905
United States
Phone 1 (803) 896-6100
Fax 1 (803) 896-6198
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | Closed |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
American Independance Day (July 4)
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
American Independance Day (July 4)
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
Facilities
Gift shop
South Carolina Confederate Relic Room and Museum
The South Carolina Confederate Relic Room and Museum in Columbia is located in the former Columbia Mills building. The museum contains military relics reflecting state military history.
All values are in United States Dollars
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | Closed |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
| Adult | $ 5.00 |
| Senior over 62 | $ 4.00 |
| Military discount | $ 4.00 |
| Child 17 & under | $ 2.00 |
| Child 12 & under | FREE |
Facilities
Gift shop
South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame in Columbia is a memorial to law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty and in recognition of all law enforcement officers in the day-to-day performance of their duties. Exhibits include photographs, artifacts, uniforms and a firearms collection.
South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame
5400 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29212-3553
United States
5400 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29212-3553
United States
Phone 1 (803) 896-8199
Fax 1 (803) 896-8067
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | Closed | Closed |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
South Carolina State House
The South Carolina State House is located in Columbia. It was built using native granite between 1855 and 1907. Other features of the building include a copper dome, marble floors, stained glass windows and six bronze stars on the exterior that mark the location where cannonballs struck the building during the Civil War.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 10:00 | Closed |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Trinity Cathedral
The Trinity Cathedral in Columbia began as a small Mission outpost in 1812. It was established by the Protestant Episcopal Society for the Advancement of Christianity in South Carolina. The church features a baptismal font designed by the sculptor, Hiram Powers, the Trinity or West Window over the main door, the Carrara marble altar, and the inscribed marble tablets in the sanctuary.
Trinity Cathedral
1100 Sumter Street
Columbia, SC 29201-4249
United States
1100 Sumter Street
Columbia, SC 29201-4249
United States
Phone 1 (803) 771-7300
Fax 1 (803) 254-4885
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