Attractions in Columbia, South Carolina

Amusements

Carolina Carriages 803-754-4724
1 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Since 1994, Carolina Carriages, a family owned and operated horse carriage service, has been adding romance and elegance to weddings and other special occasions... more info map
Chuck E. Cheese's 803-772-0435
1775 Burning Tree, Columbia, SC 29210
Visit Chuck E. Cheese's for a day of fun. Kids of all ages will enjoy the assortment of games, rides, prizes and entertainment. Freshly baked pizzas and a fresh salad... more info map
EdVenture Children's Museum 803-779-3100
211 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC 29201
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... more info map
Frankie's Fun Park 803-781-2342
140 Parkridge Drive, Columbia, SC 29212
Located in the Harbison Area
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... more info map
Studio Cellar 803-929-0709
912 Lady Street, Columbia, SC 29201
The Vista
Studio Cellar is a paint and drink studio open to the public. Come mix and mingle with the "I can't even draw a stick figure", the self-proclaimed, and professionaly... more info

Historic Homes & Buildings

Big Apple, The 803-252-7742
1000 Hamton Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Downtown Business District
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... more info map
Ensor Keenan House 803-733-8510
801 Wildwood Avenue, Columbia, SC 29201
Downtown Business District
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... more info map
First Baptist Church 803-256-4251
1306 Hampton Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Located in the Downtown Business District
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... more info map
First Presbyterian Church 803-799-9062
1324 Marion Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Downtown Business District
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... more info map
Governor's Mansion, The 803-737-1710
800 Richland Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Located in the Historic District
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... more info map
Kensington Mansion 803-353-4050
Located in Eastover on Highway 601, Columbia, SC 29044
Six Miles South of Highway 378
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this magnificent Italianate Revival-style mansion is owned by International Paper and is furnished with the... more info map
Mann-Simmons Cottage 803-252-1770
1403 Richland Street, Columbia, SC 29201
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... more info map
Robert Mills House & Gardens 803-252-7742
1616 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201
One of only five National Historic Landmarks within Columbia, the Robert Mills House is a restored stylish Classical Revival townhouse that was designed by Robert Mills... more info map
South Carolina State House 803-734-2430
1100 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC 29201
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... more info map
St. Peter's Catholic Church 803-779-0036
1529 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Located in the Downtown Business District
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,... more info map
Trinity Episcopal Cathedral 803-771-7300
1100 Sumter Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Located in the Downtown Business District
A beautiful example of English Gothic architecture, this historic church features original closed rental pews, a baptismal font created by sculptor Hiram Powers, Carrara... more info map
USC Horseshoe 803-777-0169
900 Block of Sumter Street, Columbia, SC 29201
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... more info map
Woodrow Wilson Family Home 803-252-1770
1705 Hampton Street, Columbia, SC 29201
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... more info map

Historic Sites & Monuments

African-American History Monument 803-734-2430
301 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Grounds of the South Carolina State House
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... more info map

Libraries & Research Centers

Archives & History Center 803-896-6104
8301 Parklane Road, Columbia, SC 29223
Corner of Parklane & Farrow Roads
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,... more info map
Richland County Public Library 803-799-9084
1431 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Downtown Business District
This 242,000 square foot library contains a huge selection of books and reference materials plus features programming activities that include storytimes for children,... more info map
SC Department of Archives & History 803-896-6196
8301 Parklane Road, Columbia, SC 29223
Entrusted with more than 300 years of government records and historic documents, the SC Department of Archives & History's mission is "to preserve and promote the... more info
South Caroliniana Library 803-777-3131
910 Sumter Street, Columbia, SC 29208
Located on the Horseshoe at USC
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... more info map

Museums & Galleries

Cayce Historical Museum 803-739-5385
1800 12th Street, Columbia, SC 29033
Located at the City of Cayce Municipal Complex
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,... more info map
Columbia Museum of Art, The 803-799-2810
1515 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Located in Downtown Columbia
The Columbia Museum of Art contains a world-class collection of Renaissance and Baroque art. more info map
Criminal Justice Hall of Fame 803-896-8199
6400 Broad River Road, Columbia, SC 29212
Focusing on historical and contemporary aspects of law enforcement in South Carolina, this museum contains numerous exhibits on South Carolina law enforcement and stands... more info map
Fort Jackson Museum 803-751-7419
Building 4442 Jackson Boulevard, Columbia, SC 29207
Located at Fort Jackson
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... more info map
McKissick Museum 803-777-7251
816 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29208
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... more info map
SC Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum 803-898-8095
301 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC 29201
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... more info map
South Carolina Confederate Relic Room 803-737-8095
301 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC 29201
The mission of the South Carolina Confederate Relic Room & Military Museum is to collect and preserve the military history of South Carolina from the Revolutionary War... more info
South Carolina Military Museum 803-299-4440
1225 Bluff Road, Columbia, SC 29201
One of the largest National Guard museums in the United States, the South Carolina Military Museum's mission is "to honor and chronicle the South Carolina citizen... more info
South Carolina State Museum 803-898-4921
301 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC 29202
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... more info map
U.S. Army Adjutant General Corps Museum 803-751-1747
Strom Thurmond Boulevard & McGruder Street, Columbia, SC 29207
Located in Fort Jackson
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... more info map
U.S. Army Chaplain Museum 803-751-8079
10100 Lee Road, Columbia, SC 29207
Located in Fort Jackson
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. ... more info map

National Parks & Natural Wonders

Congaree National Park 803-776-4396
100 National Park Road (Mailing Address), Columbia, SC 29061
Located in Hopkins
"The largest remnant of old-growth floodplain forest remaining on the continent," Congaree National Park is a 27,000-acre National Natural Landmark that is home to... more info map
Sumter National Forest 803-562-4000
4931 Broad River Road, Columbia, SC 29210
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... more info map

Parks, Gardens & Zoos

Columbia Riverfront Park & Historic Canal 803-545-3100
Located off Laurel Street
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... more info map
Finlay Park 803-545-3100
930 Laurel Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Located in Downtown Columbia
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 info map
Granby Park 803-545-3100
1 Catawba Circle, Columbia, SC 29201
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... more info map
Memorial Park 803-545-3100
Located One Block South of Finlay Park
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... more info
Riverbanks Zoo & Garden 803-779-8717
500 Wildlife Parkway, Columbia, SC 29210
Located in the Downtown Business District
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Riverbanks features more than 2,000 animals, Waterfall Junction, a three-acre interactive children's garden within... more info map
Saluda Shoals Park 803-731-5208
5605 Old Bush River Road, Columbia, SC 29212
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... more info
Seven Oaks Park 803-772-3336
200 Leisure Lane, Columbia, SC 29210
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... more info map

Science & Technology

Challenger Learning Center 803-929-3951
2600-A Barhamvile Road, Columbia, SC 29204
Downtown Business District
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... more info map

Tours & Cruises

Historic Columbia Foundation 803-252-7742
1601 Richland Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Learn about the unique history of Columbia by exploring the historic neighborhoods, houses, churches, and landmarks throughout the city. This foundation offers a... more info map

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