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Surely You’ll Want to Go! 7 Popular Tourist Spots in Columbia, South Carolina
Surely You’ll Want to Go! 7 Popular Tourist Spots in Columbia, South Carolina

Surely You’ll Want to Go! 7 Popular Tourist Spots in Columbia, South Carolina

Apr 10, 2025
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Columbia is located in the central part of South Carolina, a region boasting 300 days of sunshine per year. The city is traversed by three large rivers and has developed as a thriving commercial hub where water and land transportation intersect. Along its banks, you can find many tourist spots such as museums, music halls, art galleries, and national parks.

Lining the main thoroughfare are grand mansions dating back to before the Civil War. Just strolling through the area lets you feel history come alive in the beautiful cityscape.

In this article, we delve into the charm of Columbia—a city where people of various backgrounds live together and whose rich history remains strongly evident. You’ll surely feel inspired to visit!

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Surely You’ll Want to Go! 7 Popular Tourist Spots in Columbia, South Carolina

1. South Carolina State Museum

If you visit Columbia, the first place you must go is the South Carolina State Museum. The textile mill that once thrived here was designated as a historic site in 1982, and the museum built on its former grounds has become an essential tourist spot in Columbia, attracting many visitors.
Inside this impressively large four-story building, exhibits display weapons, vehicles used during the Civil War, scenes of daily life from that era, and the development of the city as a center of commerce, all presented clearly with models.

On another floor, you can view dinosaur fossils discovered in South Carolina and even an actual automobile from the early production run by the famous car manufacturer Ford—an absolute treat for both dinosaur and car enthusiasts!
More than just a museum, this facility also includes a science center and planetarium, making it an engaging tourist attraction where both children and adults can enjoy learning about history.

Name: South Carolina State Museum
Address: 301 Gervais St, Columbia, SC

2. Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Garden

Ranked 19th in the world among zoos, this popular zoo and botanical garden is a huge hit with tourists. The vast grounds are divided by a river into a zoo and a botanical garden, offering a full day’s worth of fun.

At the zoo, the animals are kept so close that you can feed the giraffes by hand and watch parrots land on visitors' shoulders. Meanwhile, the botanical garden is designed to showcase plants in their natural forms, and its open spaces even allow for water play, ensuring that children are delighted. It’s also the perfect place for adults to enjoy a leisurely stroll.

Both sections are full of greenery, making it easy to find shade. Recently, the zoo’s gorilla was featured on Japanese television, and even a koala from Kagoshima, Japan, has made an appearance—sparking an immediate sense of familiarity and charm.

Name: Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Garden
Address: 500 Wildlife Pkwy, Columbia, SC 29210

3. Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park

This park, known as Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park, serves as a local haven for relaxation. Many locals say, “When I’m tired of everyday life, I come here,” because the park is abundant with nature and exudes a calm, unhurried atmosphere. It has now become a well-established tourist spot.

Listening to the gentle murmur of the Columbia River while spending a relaxed time is delightful, and you might even join locals for running or cycling. Conveniently located near downtown Columbia, it’s a great spot to casually drop by while exploring the city.

Name: Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park
Address: 312 Laurel Street, Columbia, SC 29201

4. EdVenture Children's Museum

When it comes to traveling to America with children, this museum is a must-visit! The EdVenture Children's Museum is extremely popular among kids in Columbia, South Carolina.

True to its name, this museum is designed so that children can touch, use, move, and play with the exhibits to learn a variety of subjects. Whether they want to pretend to be scientists or veterinarians, local children are known to be so engrossed that a single day isn’t enough.

There’s an area for babies and even a butterfly garden where butterflies flutter around, making it a tourist spot the whole family can enjoy. On sunny days, the outdoor water play area is bustling with activity.

Name: EdVenture Children's Museum
Address: 211 Gervais St, Columbia, SC 29201-3067
Official/Related Website URL: http://www.edventure.org/

5. Fort Jackson National Cemetery

Fort Jackson National Cemetery is a joint cemetery adjacent to Fort Jackson, the largest U.S. Army base in Columbia, South Carolina. Selected as a national cemetery site in 2008, it now features 5,000 gravestones lined up in an orderly manner.
You might think, “You’re going on a trip and you want to visit a cemetery?” but seeing it in person is truly worth it. In fact, many tourists make a point of visiting!

Appropriately maintained as a national cemetery, the vast grounds with neatly arranged gravestones exude a solemn beauty and a dignified atmosphere. It’s a quiet place to listen to the voices of the great figures who shaped American history.

Name: Fort Jackson National Cemetery
Address: 4170 Percival Rd, Columbia, SC 29229-8307
Official/Related Website URL: http://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/ftjackson.asp

6. Columbia Marionette Theater

Puppet theater has its own charm in Columbia. Established in 1988 to provide children in South Carolina with a fun way to learn about culture and history, it has since become a tourist attraction. The puppets are quite large, and their lifelike movements and expressions are so realistic that you can almost hear their voices.

After the performance, visitors can even peek backstage, and near the exit, the puppets greet you. You can also try your hand at manipulating a puppet, making it a thoroughly enjoyable experience. With famous productions like Peter Pan and Snow White among its offerings, the performance schedule varies with the season, ensuring that every visit is full of surprises.

Name: Columbia Marionette Theater
Address: 401 Laurel Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Official/Related Website URL: https://cmtpuppet.org/

7. Trinity Episcopal Cathedral

Trinity Episcopal Cathedral is one of the oldest churches in Columbia, quietly standing on the east side of the South Carolina State House in the heart of downtown. Modeled after York Minster in England, this Gothic cathedral is renowned for its beautiful architecture and was designated a historic property in 1971.

The furnishings and decorations inside the church are very elegant, and the stained glass on the façade is breathtakingly beautiful. Surrounded by green spaces, it also serves as a favorite walking route for local residents, making a leisurely stroll here a wonderful way to create lasting memories.

Name: Trinity Episcopal Cathedral
Address: 1100 Sumter Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29201

◎ Summary

How was it? Columbia, South Carolina—a name you might not often hear, but now it may feel a bit closer to home.
Columbia offers a wealth of tourist spots that can be enjoyed by both children and adults!

Since time immemorial, Columbia has been known for its beautiful cityscape and the warm hospitality unique to the South, developed amidst a vibrant cultural scene. It is a strong and beautiful city that has grown significantly despite its colonial past, racial challenges, and even a dividing war between North and South. Why not embark on a journey to see its history for yourself?



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