Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is considered to be among the best attractions not only in Columbia but also South Carolina. Established in 1974, this award winning place is nestled by the Saluda River and is spread across 170 acres (69 hectares). With over 2000 animals including over 350 species of mammals, reptiles, fish and birds from across the globe, the zoo is divided into none zones. The African Plains is like the savanna in Africa and features ostriches and zebras. See amphibians, fish, reptiles and more at the Aquarium Reptile Complex (ARC). Get fascinated by the red-necked Wallaby, lorikeets and Koala at the Australian Animals. Ndoki Forest gives a glimpse of an African forest. Their bird habitats will delight you with exotic and beautiful avian species. Get awed as you see African lions and Siberian tigers. Check out their themed botanical gardens which are equally engaging. Get spellbound as you stroll through these gardens that changes as per the season and will please your eye with amazing blooms.
Opened in 2003, EdVenture is an interesting museum directed towards the little ones. The museum has eight galleries and a variety of interactive exhibits along with a theater. A learning experience through and through, children can learn about cooking, technology, travel, seasons, animals, and the human body. One of the most striking exhibits in the museum is Eddie, a statue that can be explored inside-out. Children can literally get inside Eddie's body and familiarize themselves with internal organs such as the heart, lungs, and so on. The museum also arranges for educational camps for the little ones. Birthday parties can also be held here.
The Congaree National Park is nature's stunning canvas replete with emerald expanses, babbling rivulets, and captivating animal life. Known to be one of the largest hardwood forests in the United States, the national park spans over 26,546 acres (10,742 hectares). It's a rich terrain, quenched by the confluence of rivers Congaree and Wateree, shaded with towering Point Loblolly Pines and lush American Elms. The verdant landscape is teeming with deer, dogs, armadillos, and otters while turtles, bowfins, and catfish revel in the waters making the place a delight for wildlife enthusiasts. The Cedar Creek which cuts through the park is a popular destination for canoeing and the winding trails beckon hikers all year around.
Founded in 1950 and currently housed inside a spacious building replete with smaller galleries, the Columbia Museum Of Art contains an astounding collection of European and American decorative art, Asian antiquities, and paintings from the Baroque and Renaissance Ages. While the outdoors boast fine landscaping, sculptures and state-of-the-art facades, the interiors of this museum are a marvelous chronicle of art and artists which will stir something inside you. Lectures, film screenings, recitals and concerts are always on while private events can be arranged in its fully-equipped rooms. Whether you appreciate fine or contemporary art, you'll enjoy touring the Columbia Museum of Art, which is home to soulful and diverse exhibits by the likes of Imogen Cunningham and Jane Peterson.
Opened in 1988, South Carolina State Museum is housed in a historic building from the late 19th Century and is nestled by the riverside. Spread across four distinct levels, this state-of-the-art repository is considered to be not only the biggest but also most extensive in the state. There are many reasons why it is a must visit when in town. Get a glimpse of the galaxies and beyond at the South Carolina Planetarium, the region's largest planetarium or the 4-D theater for a unique experience. Look out in the sky at the Boeing Observatory and the see the planets and stars near the earth. If you are into astronomy, then the vintage instruments that showcases telescopes from the 18th Century will intrigue you. Get to know South Carolina's natural history through fossils, displays and the giant shark exhibit. Have fun at the interactive science and technology zone. Get to know the states vast cultural history or local art. Don't miss the Cotton Mill Exchange to buy souvenirs or gifts that are one-of-a-kind.
Columbia Canal is the only canal remaining of the canals built in 1824. The Riverfront Park includes this National historic Place which is now a hydroelectric power plant. Opened in 1983, the park is spread across 167 acres (64.75 hectares) on a land in between the canal, Broad River and Congaree River. This straight-lined park features walking trails, biking trails, an amphitheater, outdoor gym, picnic spots, birding sites, fishing zones and hiking paths. It also hosts annual festivals and concerts.
Portraying a combination of long-standing history as well as architectural finesse, this elegant state house dates back as far as the 1800s. The South Carolina State House is the official state capitol building, housing the South Carolina General Assembly. Work on this grand building began in 1851 but ran into issues with the architect and construction, delaying the completion. After a redesign, construction was once again stopped during the Civil War, the site even suffering some damage from General Sherman's cannons. After more than 50 years after its initial conception, the building was fully manifested. Today, the South Carolina State House grounds are home to several monuments including one honoring the history of African-Americans, and one paying tribute to those who lost their lives as part of the Confederate Army. Today, the marks left in the wake of General Sherman's firing are replaced by a string of bronze stars. Awash in stately Greek Revival architecture, the state house has been proclaimed a National Historic Landmark.
It was supposed to be the home of Ainsley and Sarah Hall when they asked Robert Mills, a renowned American architect in 1823. However Robert Mills House and Gardens didn't become the dream house due to Ainsley's death and the building was sold by his widow to the Presbyterian Church. If you love architecture or historical buildings, then this one which is among the five National Historic Landmarks in the city will certainly intrigue you. This grand Classical Revival building was the home of the Columbia Theological Seminary from the 19th Century till 1960. After a massive renovation, it opened as a house museum in 1967 and displays some of the best early 19th-century decorative art pieces in Columbia. The gardens were not part of the original plan and was added after it became a museum. The beautiful, landscaped gardens are available for private functions and weddings.
Hampton-Preston Mansion is touted as one of the most ancient landmarks of the city. This palatial mansion was home to two influential and elite families: the Prestons and Hamptons. The furniture and displays in the house speak volumes about the rich and lavish lifestyles of its past occupants. Converted into a museum, it showcases collectibles, artifacts, ceramics, and other objects that are arranged in chronological order. Temporary exhibits are also based on interesting themes like Victorian Mourning Clothing or Gothic Fashions that take us back to the bygone era. The grounds of this property are available for private events and are one of the most coveted event venues of Columbia.
Sesquicentennial State Park is a picturesque patch of green in the otherwise busy city. Spread over 1,419 acres (5.74 square kilometers), the park is a hot-spot for outdoor enthusiasts, with a host of activities to indulge in. Featuring numerous walking and biking trails, basketball courts, picnic tables and baseball fields, there's a number of ways to unwind at this serene haven. The park also contains a lake, wherein one can enjoy a peaceful boat ride, or even try their luck at catching a sizable fish.