Columbia is full of history, with the first record of its location written in 1540 by Spanish explorers. The first inhabitants of the area were called the Congaree, after the nearby Congaree River. Modern Columbia was created in 1786 by the South Carolina General Assembly, as it was central and easily connected to the ferry system in place in the nearby rivers. Since it was one of the first planned cities in the United States, its population quickly grew to almost 1,000 people in the early 1800s.

In 1865, in the last few months of the Civil War, much of Columbia was destroyed by Sherman’s Union Troops, as Columbia had been a key player in causing Southern states to secede from the Union. Following this came a reconstruction period with a construction boom and repairs. At the beginning of the 20th century, Columbia became a successful textile manufacturing center, with six mills in operation. It later became a prominent trading center, and more buildings and shops popped up as a result.

Luckily, Columbia has been able to preserve a large part of its history, from refurbished buildings to history museums and preserved landmarks. Today, it remains an important state government site and recent renovations have made it an even better place to be, from a new skyscraper and music venues to a revival of some of the downtown districts.

In Columbia, you’ll never run out of fun things to do. If you’re a college sports fan, you can enjoy basketball games at the Colonial Life Arena or football games at the Williams-Brice Stadium along with other USC Gamecocks fans.

If you are into arts and culture, there are endless options. You can go to the South Carolina State Museum, which has a planetarium, 4D theater, observatory, and changing exhibits. The Columbia Museum of Art is also a great spot for people of all ages, with themed galleries and activities for kids. For live music and performances, West Columbia Riverwalk Park and Amphitheater is a beautiful location, along with The Senate, Township Auditorium, Tin Roof, and Koger Center for the Arts, to name a few.

There are also lots of tours offered throughout the city for history fanatics. You can check out the South Carolina State House for free to learn more about the state’s history. The Robert Mills House is an interesting history museum, as it shows the work of the architect who designed the Washington Monument among other famous structures. Also in Columbia is the Woodrow Wilson Family Home, where the 28th President grew up, and just down the street is the World’s Largest Fire Hydrant.

If you like the outdoors, Riverbanks Zoo & Gardens is a must-see, with 170 acres of wild and farm animals, botanical gardens, historic landmarks and more. You can also hike in the Congaree National Park, tubing and kayaking down the Congaree River, boating on Lake Murray, and much more. Finlay Park and Memorial Park are great spots to get away from the concrete downtown for a breath of fresh air.

For families with kids, the EdVenture Museum for Kids is the largest children’s museum in the Southeast United States. It has over 350 hands-on exhibits for kids to learn and play. Families can also enjoy the Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens together, where kids will surely love getting to see over 2,000 animals from all over the world up close.

Among the business buildings of Columbia are restaurants for every craving, from Southern barbeque to vegan cafés. Just across from the historic Gervais Street Bridge is the fine dining restaurant Terra, and if you want a view while eating, you’ll have to check out Liberty on the Lake. The Vista district is a recently revitalized area with art galleries, shops, bars, popular restaurants and more.

The Five Points district neighborhood is the perfect place to grab a bite and relax with some music. Among the local venues in this area are bars, craft stores, art galleries, and restaurants of every cuisine. It’s also known for its nightlife, which isn’t just for college students!

Whether you’re a local or visitor, you’ll never run out of food, beautiful views, and fun things to do in Columbia, SC!