Location: Columbia
Top Things to do in Columbia
10 Historic Sites in Columbia That You Shouldn't Miss
Columbia is South Carolina's capital and home to the University of South Carolina. Along Columbia's wide avenues are historic sites ranging from an antebellum mansion to the former home of a slave who bought her freedom, plus museums, galleries, music venues, theaters and shops. Columbia's three rivers, lake, canal, national park and several city parks offer opportunities for recreation and relaxation. Among the kid-pleasing destinations are a zoo and the largest children's museum in the south.
Restaurants in Columbia
1. First Baptist Church
2. Robert Mills House & Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 62 reviews
One of only five National Historic Landmarks within Columbia, the Robert Mills House exemplifies the skill of the first architect born and trained within the United States who designed some of the nation's most prominent buildings, including the Washington Monument. Today, the structure stands as a testament of its designer's architectural ability and the preservation efforts of generations of Columbians. --- Historic Columbia is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving Columbia and Richland County's historic and cultural heritage.
3. South Carolina State House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 629 reviews
A beautiful building with wonderful architectural detail.
Reviewed By Wanderer536102
If you really want to know about the history of South Carolina - visit the gift shop. Easy, pleasant beautiful building - great tour! I have done it several times.
4. Governor's Mansion
5. First Presbyterian Church
6. Mann-Simons Site & Outdoor Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 6 reviews
Located in the heart of Columbia's downtown, this property was home, work place, spiritual center and a source of pride for members of the same African American family from 1843 through 1970. Formerly enslaved Charlestonians, Celia Mann, a midwife, and Ben Delane, a boatman, became the first generation of family members to live on the property and laid a social and material foundation that allowed successive generations to pursue a variety of businesses and social undertakings. Although only one house stands today, the Mann-Simons Site was a collection of commercial and domestic spaces owned and operated by the same African-American family from at least 1843 until 1970. The property and its multiple buildings changed considerably over time to better accommodate the needs, tastes, and aspirations of this remarkable family. The Mann-Simons Outdoor Museum features five "ghost structures," frames of buildings that once stood on the site, including a former lunch counter, grocery store, outhouse and residences. Interactive interpretative signage tells the story of these former structures. This outdoor museum is a first for South Carolina and one of a handful of exhibits of its kind nationwide.
Reviewed By SAExplorers - San Antonio, United States
Fascinating family! A must visit to learn how this unique family overcame being enslaved, the civil war, reconstruction and a variety of other challenges faced by the black community. It was a unique view of the time period.
7. Hampton-Preston Mansion and Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 51 reviews
One of Columbia's oldest remaining structures, the Hampton-Preston Mansion explores the lives of enslaved workers and their planter-class owners. This site is available for tours and as an outdoor rental space.
Reviewed By Dave2015Joan - Key Largo, United States
Our tour guide, Heather, was pleasant and very informative, sharing the history of the home, the families that lived there, the restoration of the buildings and grounds, and some information on the enslaved people who lived here, based on limited availability of that type of data from the era. The house itself is in fantastic condition, and is somewhat unique in that it was not burned during the Civil War. This tour was time and money well spent.
8. Adluh Flour Mill
9. Woodrow Wilson Family Home
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 28 reviews
The home of former President Woodrow Wilson.
Reviewed By BKinTexas - Columbia, United States
When we visited the house, our tour guide was a graduate history student studying at USC. Along with the history of the Woodrow family, she told us about Restoration and how Woodrow Wilson was shaped by the era when he was raised. The house was beautiful; however, the tour was more than we expected.
10. Site of the Surrender
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