what to do in columbia s.c. this weekend
fifteen Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Exercise in Columbia, SC
We may earn a commission from affiliate links ()
Southern hot spot Columbia, in S Carolina, is steeped in history and culture, and calls to tourists with heritage-filled neighborhoods, beautiful parks, globe-class museums, and plenty of fun outdoor adventures. South Carolina's capital city since 1786, Columbia was physically and culturally transformed past the Ceremonious War.
Today, the metropolis is the vibrant abode of the Academy of South Carolina; enjoys a diverse economical landscape fueled past loftier-tech, pharmaceutical, and manufacturing industries; and has emerged as a contemporary, shining New South urban center. A favorite identify to visit in the southeast for tourists, Columbia is known for its compact, hands navigable streets, every bit well equally its Southern charm, cuisine, and hospitality.
For the best sightseeing opportunities exist sure to refer often to our list of the top attractions and things to do in Columbia, South Carolina.
Note: Some businesses may be temporarily closed due to contempo global health and safety bug.
1. Have Some Family Fun at Riverbanks Zoo
More than than two,000 creatures make their home at this 170-acre zoo and garden. Particularly well-suited for family outings, Riverbanks Zoo is a two-time recipient of the Governor's Loving cup Accolade for South Carolina's near outstanding tourist attraction, drawing upwards of a 1000000 visitors each twelvemonth.
Defended areas like the Reptile House, Bird Complex, and Petting Zoo make information technology easy for visitors – specially the wee ones – to go extra shut to various species and larn through interactive exhibits. Want to observe out what goes into apiculture? You lot'll acquire here in a special showroom. At Riverbanks, you lot tin can even feed the giraffes lettuce that is provided for a small fee.
Official site: www.riverbanks.org
two. Riverbanks Botanical Garden
Exist sure to also allocate some time to explore the zoo's Riverbanks Botanical Garden. While entry to this beautiful 70-acre gardens is included with admission to Riverbanks Zoo, it's certainly worth visiting separately if you tin spare the time to explore everything there is to see here.
Gear up on the due south bank of the Saluda River and connected to the zoo by a picturesque pedestrian span, the gardens are home to over iv,200 dissimilar species of exotic and native north American plants, along with numerous exotic examples from overseas. The gardens are easily navigable due to their existence laid out past theme, and tours and workshops are available.
Visitors interested in the area's material history should look out for the self-guided 0.3-mile River Trail. Beginning at the Saluda Bridge and winding along the river to the Saluda Mills Interpretive Center, the trail provides a shut-up view of the beginning h2o-powered fabric mills in South Carolina.
Address: 1300 Botanical Pkwy, West Columbia, Southward Carolina
Official site: www.riverbanks.org/botanical-garden/
3. Accept a Gratis Tour of South Carolina Land House
1 of the most visited tourist attractions in the state, the South Carolina Statehouse is a fine example of Greek Revival architecture that was in way during the pre-Civil War period in the South. While construction started in 1851, it wasn't completed until after the war. The highly-regarded design piece of work of John Niernsee, the capital towers 180 feet high, with a patinaed copper dome.
Visitors exploring the vast capitol grounds get a sense for the circuitous state history hither, viewing the Revolutionary State of war Generals Monument, American-Mexican State of war Monument, the African-American History Monument, the Amalgamated Monument, and other statuary honoring George Washington, S.C. Senators, and fallen State Police force Enforcement Officers.
Be certain to expect for the 5 stars along the building's exterior highlighting where Union cannonballs struck the façade during the Ceremonious War, earlier the construction was completed. Free tours take visitors through the impressive inner corridors of the capitol edifice and provide views of both the state senate and house chambers. Hours vary depending upon when the legislature is in ession.
Address: 1100 Gervais Street, Columbia, South Carolina
Official site: world wide web.scstatehouse.gov/visit.php
iv. Explore History at the Due south Carolina State Museum
Since information technology opened in 1988, the South Carolina Country Museum has established itself as the go-to allure for those seeking to learn more than about this bully state's history.
Spread across 4 floors of a 19th-century manufacturing plant are a mix of displays of the museum'due south own collections, as well equally rotating exhibits focusing on of import events in the state's history, along with stories of its people through the lens of art, culture, science, and technology. At that place'due south also a not bad deal of information regarding natural history, besides.
In addition to the exhibits, visitors tin enjoy shows in the museum'due south state-of-the-art planetarium, equally well every bit in its interactive 4D theater. Other highlights include an observatory, the first steam locomotive to be built in the United states of america, equally well as an early submarine.
Address: 301 Gervais Street, Columbia, South Carolina
Official site: http://scmuseum.org
five. Accept a Stroll along Columbia Canal & Riverfront Park
Columbia Canal & Riverfront Park is a pop linear urban park running along the Saluda River and the Columbia Canal. Miles of paved paths attract bikers, joggers, and walkers. This is an unusual city park in that information technology has an outdoor gym with vii pieces of equipment, and y'all can enjoy a free conditioning using the lat-pull, vertical press, rower, leg printing, and elliptical machines.
This fourteen-acre downtown park is wheelchair friendly, and you'll find picnic tables, restrooms, and quiet river views here.
Address: 312 Laurel Street, Columbia, Due south Carolina
vi. See the Artworks at Columbia Museum of Art
With more than 25 galleries and a global drove covering v,000 years of history, the Columbia Museum of Art is one of the well-nigh highly regarded institutions of its kind in the southeast. The museum is a multiple laurels winner, capturing prestigious National Fine art Education honors, the Governor'southward Laurels for outstanding contribution to the arts in Due south Carolina, and the National Park Foundation Accolade.
Worth a special visit is the Printing Collection, a world-grade assemblage of Renaissance and Baroque art. Florentine primary, Sandro Botticelli'southward Nativity Fresco is the sole such piece of work exterior of his native Italy. Impressionist Claude Monet's View of the Seine is considered the collection's crowning jewel.
The museum has an equally impressive American fine art collection, including works by portraitist Charles Willson Peale, sculptures by Frederic S. Remington, and marble work by Hiram Powers. Early and mid-century American decorative arts are also displayed, including furniture designed past Duncan Phyfe and ceramics past Victor Toothaker.
Accost: 1515 Principal Street, Columbia, South Carolina
Official site: www.columbiamuseum.org
7. University of South Carolina Visitor Eye
With a sprawling 359-acre campus set shut to vibrant downtown Columbia, University of Southward Carolina (USC) should definitely be included on your travel itinerary. Starting time your exploration at the university's visitor center. Located a brusk stroll from downtown attractions such equally the Columbia Museum of Art, you tin can gather data non merely about the history of the university, just of fun things to do while exploring.
Topping our list is taking a self-guided walking tour of the campus. Forth the way, you'll follow a network of old brick paths and paved trails through the historic "horseshoe," a park-like setting and the original 1801 campus around which are some of the academy'southward well-nigh important landmarks, including McCutchen Firm.
The company heart is also dwelling to the McKissick Museum, worth visiting for its large collections of cultural artifacts related to the American South. You'll find an excellent interactive map of this easy-to-follow tour on the university's official website.
Accost: 1501 Pendleton St, Columbia, South Carolina
Official site: https://sc.edu/visit/
8. Wander the Waverly Historic District
This cocky-guided walking tour takes visitors in and around Columbia'south kickoff suburb: Waverly. The community is well known as a diverse enclave encouraging black artistry, craftsmen and women, professionals, and social activists. Roughly jump by Hampton, Heidt, Gervais, and Hayden Streets, the neighborhood today is home to Benedict Higher and Allen University. These ii widely acclaimed historically black colleges provided higher educational activity during the time of segregation in the South.
Other highlights of the tour include Bishop'due south Memorial AME Church building, built in 1885 and listed in the National Annals of Historic Places. You'll besides see Daddy Grace'due south Parsonage, Heidt-Russell House, and the Waverly Five & Dime, forth with Carpenter's Hall and Carver Theater.
Check the official website link below for the full walking bout itinerary.
Address: 2222 Washington St, Columbia, South Carolina
Official site: world wide web.historiccolumbia.org/online-tours/waverly
ix. Explore Historic Columbia: Robert Mills Houses, Hampton-Preston Mansion & Woodrow Wilson Family Domicile
Three of Columbia's almost historic homes are lovingly restored and open for tours made bachelor by Historic Columbia, a non-profit preservation organization.
Robert Mills House and Gardens was built in 1825 in the Classic Revival style equally a private residence by Robert Mills, the designer of the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C. Saved from the wrecking-brawl in 1961, the abode reopened equally a historic museum and features an extensive drove of flow pieces and decorative arts furnishings, many in the American Federal and French Empire styles. The gardens were a belatedly post-restoration add-on in the 60s and are in the archetype English style.
The Hampton-Preston Mansion and Gardens has enjoyed many prior lives. Built in 1818 as a private residence and dwelling to the prominent Hampton family unit, information technology went on to serve as a Union Army Headquarters during the Civil War and subsequently the Governor'south Mansion. The home is also listed in the National Annals of Celebrated Places. The Antebellum Gardens surrounding the four-acre grounds were designed by former owners and mother-girl duo of Mary A. Hampton and Caroline H. Preston.
The Woodrow Wilson Family Home is the only presidential site in S Carolina. This Italianate-villa-style manse was the boyhood home of Woodrow Wilson, the 28th president of the U.s.a.. Exhibits, vignettes, and backstories tell nigh "Tommy," as Wilson was and then known, and provide an early narrative (circa 1871) to the history of this great American.
Address: Celebrated Columbia, 1601 Richland Street, Columbia, Southward Carolina
Official site: www.historiccolumbia.org
x. Take the Kids to EdVenture Children'due south Museum
From the moment you step into EdVenture Children's Museum, you realize this is a special, one-of-a-kind attraction. Here, fun take a chance awaits, with hands-on exhibits enhancing the experience for kids and adults alike. Eddie, the world's largest child, greets everyone upon arrival to the primary atrium. The perpetually 10-yr-old boy is 40-feet tall and weighs more than than 17.v tons. His wide grin and encouraging nature encourages kids to climb over and through his giant frame.
Dedicated exhibits include Wags and Whiskers, a faux pet intendance lab, where the kids can learn nearly training and caring for their four-legged friends, hither in plush-toy class. Marketworks is a fun and imaginative inventor'due south lab, where young tinkerers (age five and upward) use blocks, Lego, and kid-friendly tools to work on various projects.
World of Work shows the immature ones what may expect them as they grow older and enter the workplace. They tin can visit (and climb upon) a real fire engine at Dalmatian Station, stock the shelves at the Neighborhood Market, and go behind the wheel of a tractor. Planet Putt & Play engages children of all ages using math and geometry combined with indoor miniature golf to conquer this tricky course.
Carousel Café has plenty of favorite child-friendly snacks and meals including mac 'n' cheese, burritos, and hot dogs.
Address: 211 Gervais Street, Columbia, South Carolina
Official site: http://edventure.org/
11. South Carolina Confederate Relic Room & Armed services Museum
The Due south Carolina Confederate Relic Room & Armed services Museum is the third-oldest museum in South Carolina and tells the story of the state'south armed services history from the Revolutionary War though the present-day war on terrorism.
Much of the collection focuses upon the Civil State of war and shares a vast and well-preserved grouping of uniforms, guns, medical gear, memorabilia, and artifacts that help tell the story of the "War between united states of america." More than but remnants, the detailed letters, manuscripts, ledgers, and written documentation paint a graphic picture show of life during the war.
The museum is established and maintained by the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Address: 301 Gervais Street, Columbia, South Carolina
Official site: https://crr.sc.gov/
12. Catch a Game at Williams—Brice Stadium
Famous as the home turf for the Gamecocks, the University of S Carolina'due south football squad, Williams—Brice Stadium has been a fixture for sports fans in the South since 1934.
Located adjacent to the South Carolina Land Fairgrounds, this state-of-the-art, fully renovated stadium hosts full crowds of upward of lxxx,000 fans on game day and commonly sells out in advance, so plan ahead if you're wanting to grab a game.
The stadium also regularly hosts stone and popular concerts, with such legends every bit U2 and Paul McCartney having performed here.
Address: 1174 George Rogers Boulevard; Columbia, South Carolina
Official site: https://gamecocksonline.com/feature/williams-brice-stadium
13. Explore the Past at South Carolina Military Museum
A visit to the S Carolina Military Museum is definitely ane of the top things to do for free in Columbia for history buffs. Formerly the National Guard Museum, the museum features a big drove of uniforms and artifacts related to the land's military importance.
A number of vintage vehicles are on display, along with a big collection of weapons dating from the pre-Civil War menstruation. Interesting displays reveal a timeline of military history, along with background material and photos.
While the museum can easily exist enjoyed with a self-guided bout, hr-long guided tours are as well available with advance notice.
Address: one National Guard Route, Columbia, S Carolina
Official site: www.scmilitarymuseum.com
xiv. Take in a Evidence at Koger Center for the Arts
Located on the grounds of Academy of South Carolina, the Koger Center for the Arts has been providing earth-class amusement to students, visitors, and locals alike since information technology opened in 1988. Featuring an auditorium capacity of 2,256, it'due south a regular terminate for everything from striking Broadway musicals to music stars and stone bands.
It's likewise the permanent dwelling house of the South Carolina Philharmonic Orchestra and Columbia City Ballet, both of which feature a rich twelvemonth-round plan of performances. The venue'due south location in Columbia'south designated arts and entertainment district means it's close to numerous dining experiences.
Accost: 1051 Greene Street, Columbia, Southward Carolina
Official site: https://kogercenterforthearts.com
xv. Congaree National Park
Low-country outdoor splendor is on total brandish at the 26,000-plus acre Congaree National Park, where the nutrient-rich Congaree and Wateree rivers overflow onto the flooring of this depression-lying hardwood forest.
A good first stop hither is the Hampton Visitors Center, where y'all can pick up trail, canoe, and kayak maps, chat with a ranger, and acquire nearly the amazing biodiversity of one of the tallest deciduous forests in the earth. The average tree canopy elevation is well over 100 feet alpine. The middle has some small yet interesting exhibits, forth with scale models and a Junior Ranger Program to brand the visit extra fun for the kids.
The nearby 2.5-mile Boardwalk trail will continue your feet clean and dry out as you hike out into the hardwoods. Marked rails testify numbers corresponding with your map providing descriptions of the park's ecology. Y'all'll desire sturdy boots and hiking gear on any of the other trails, as the lowlands can be wet and muddied. Cedar Creek flows through the center of the park and is well suited for boating and kayaking.
The park doesn't offer rentals, so you'll want to bring your own gear or check out a local outfitter. Some of the all-time can as well organize tours at Cedar Creek and other nearby water attractions such as the Saluda River, Broad River, and Lake Murray.
Address: 100 National Park Route, Hopkins, South Carolina
Official site: world wide web.nps.gov/cong/alphabetize.htm
Where to Stay in Columbia for Sightseeing
If you lot're planning on spending holiday time – or perhaps a romantic couples' getaway – in Columbia S Carolina, exist sure to bank check out these top-rated hotels first:
Luxury Hotels:
- A favorite for those seeking a luxury hotel stay in South Carolina's capital, Hilton Columbia Center features exquisitely busy rooms and suites with floor-to-ceiling windows, an on-site steakhouse, plus a 24-hour fitness heart.
- A contemporary feel is very much the in-thing at the loftier-end Hyatt Place Columbia / Downtown / The Vista , which offers its guests not just a great central location close to museums and shops, only also vivid mod rooms with plenty of living space, and pullouts.
- The Sheraton Columbia Downtown Hotel is another reputable luxury hotel and features a mix of rooms and suites with classy fixtures and loftier ceilings, forth with an on-site restaurant and a rooftop lounge.
Mid-Range Hotels:
- For a great quality boutique hotel experience in the heart of downtown Columbia, consider staying at the trendy Hotel Trundle , featuring classy rooms with kitchenettes, plus a peachy gratuitous continental breakfast.
- Although at the higher-end of the mid-range pricing level, the SpringHill Suites Columbia Downtown/The Vista is worth checking out for hotel deals due to its quality rooms, free breakfast, and corking amenities.
- As well worth checking out for deals, the Hampton Inn Columbia - Downtown Historic District features comfortable rooms and beds, plus amenities including a saltwater swimming pool.
Budget Hotels:
- Although like most budget hotels and motels in Columbia it's located outside of the downtown expanse, the Sleep Inn at Bush-league River Road is well-regarded for its make clean rooms with fridges and microwaves, plus gratis hot breakfast.
- The Comfort Inn on Blush River Road is another good option, as is the Holiday Inn Express Columbia I-26 at Harbison Boulevard , both of them shut to major highways.
More Related Articles on PlanetWare.com
The Best of South Carolina: Just a short bulldoze from Columbia, you'll find yourself in the picturesque old boondocks of Charleston SC, largely unspoiled and one of the best places in the country to enjoy a waterfront walking experience. Prefer a beach vacation? Head to either Myrtle Beach for its countless stretches of sand and lovely boardwalks, or to Hilton Head Island for a relaxing walk on 1 of the widest – and longest – beaches on the E Coast.
The Best of North Carolina: That other Carolina, North Carolina, is non without fun vacation destinations of its own. A favorite for historians for its well-preserved compages and the battleship North Carolina, the picturesque former streets of Wilmington are worth exploring. So too is the land'south largest city of Charlotte, habitation to the NASCAR Hall of Fame and the Carolinas Aviation Museum.
Top Places to Visit in the South: Few US cities are every bit attractive as Savannah, Georgia, popular for its well-preserved former homes and waterfront district complete with its original warehouses and cobbled streets. The much larger city of Atlanta, Georgia is also worthy of a getaway stay and is home to numerous attractions, including an aquarium and a fascinating civil rights museum. And you tin can't travel much further due south in the Usa than the tropical paradise of Central Westward, tucked away at the bottom of Florida and the perfect playground for couples and adults seeking a fun escape from the cold.
claytonwergeled87.blogspot.com
Source: https://www.planetware.com/south-carolina/top-rated-attractions-things-to-do-in-columbia-south-carolina-us-sc-22.htm
Publicar un comentario for "what to do in columbia s.c. this weekend"