As the capital of South Carolina, Columbia is a city rich with history. There are numerous things for the entire family to see and do throughout the city. Whether you like visiting places important in history, enjoying the arts, playing or watching sports, attending festivals, or participating in outdoor activities, Columbia is the place for you. Please take a moment to see all Columbia has to offer!

www.columbiacvb.com

The African American History Monument, the first of its kind on any of the nation's statehouse grounds, was designed to recapture the rich history of African Americans and their contributions to the state of South Carolina. Sculptor Ed Dwight of Denver, CO, modeled the monument after an African village built in the round. A map of the continent mounted in granite shows the original homelands of the enslaved Africans. The monument's panels pick up the story from their arrival in the port city of Charleston into the 21st century. More about the African American History Monument

The Hampton-Preston Mansion epitomizes the lives of the planter elite in antebellum South Carolina. Both the Hamptons and the Prestons moved in the highest social and political circles of Columbia society. Their wealth came from cotton plantations in Columbia and sugar cane plantations in Louisiana, on which hundreds of slaves labored. Serving as a Union Army Headquarters in 1865, the mansion survived the burning of Columbia. The mansion's collection represents fifty years of occupancy. The rooms reflect an evolving interpretation from the Federal period to the early postbellum years. Many of the objects in the mansion belonged to the Hamptons and Prestons, objects that they acquired both domestically and abroad. More about the Hampton-Preston Mansion & Gardens

The Columbia Fire Museum celebrates the rich history of South Carolina's largest fire department. Located downtown at Fire Department Headquarters, 1800 Laurel Street, it is near the historic Robert Mills House, Hampton Preston Mansion, and Woodrow Wilson's boyhood home. Some of the artifacts date to the mid-1800's and include antique fire fighting equipment, an interactive exhibit, a photo history of fire fighting in Columbia and a history of African-American firefighters in the CFD. More about the Columbia Fire Museum

The Columbia Museum of Art is South Carolina's premier international art museum with extraordinary collections of European and American fine and decorative art that span centuries. Founded in 1950, the museum opened its new building on Main Street in 1988 by transforming an urban department store into a sleek and airy, light-filled space with 25 galleries. More about the Columbia Museum of Art

One of the best known parks in the state of South Carolina, Finlay has hosted just about everything from festivals and political rallies to road races and Easter Sunrise services. This beautiful 18-acre park has had two lives; first dedicated in 1859 as Sidney Park, named in honor of Algernon Sidney Johnson, a Columbia City Councilman, the park experienced an illustrious but short tenure. The park is situated between the streets of Assembly, Taylor, Gadsden and Laurel and remains one of the treasures of Columbia. It is across the street from the Governor's Mansion and has one of the most photographed views of downtown. More about the Finlay Park

"A Taste Of The South" was founded 10 years ago, to help the world discover some of the best secrets of the delicious south. Secrets that southerners have been enjoying and cherishing for years. From a Mom and Pop operation we grew into a corporation with several thousand square feet of manufacturing and warehousing, and a team of employees that are dedicated to bring you the best the south has to offer. More about a Taste of the South

Riverbanks is home to more than 2,000 magnificent and fascinating animals and one of the nation's most beautiful and inspiring botanical gardens. Hailed by Horticulture magazine as one of 10 gardens that inspire and by HGTV as one of 20 great public gardens across America, Riverbanks Botanical Garden boasts 70 acres of unparalleled beauty. Dramatic and themed gardens showcase more than 4,200 species of native and exotic plants, providing a living classroom for gardeners and non-gardeners alike. More about the Riverbanks Zoo & Garden

Open daily from dawn till dusk, this river walk in its natural setting, provides beautiful views of the Congaree River, West Columbia and Columbia. The park is dog, bike and in-line skate friendly and offers bridges, boardwalks, overlooks, bank fishing, 24-hour security, emergency call boxes, parking and restroom facilities. The lighted eight-foot-wide concrete paths and ADA requirements and can accommodate all levels of physical access including baby carriages and wheelchairs. More about the Cayce Riverwalk Park

A story-oriented evening walking tour, departing at 8 PM daily from the George Washington monument on the north side of the State House. Schedule may vary seasonally. Call for availability. The Ghost and Legends Walking Tours, the first of their kind in Columbia, draws on the rich story telling and folkloric tradition of the region. There are literally hundreds of ghost tales, hag stories, and other supernatural encounters on record, and now the Ghosts and Legends of Carolina walking tours bring the best of them to life. More about the Ghosts and Legends of Columbia

1101 Lincoln Street
PO Box 15
Columbia SC, 29202
Tel : (803) 545-0000
Toll Free: (800) 264-4884
Fax: (803) 545-0013
Internet: www.columbiacvb.com