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Located in the center of historic South Carolina, Columbia is a hub for history buffs. The local Riverbanks Zoo, State and Civil War Museum and EdVenture provide local sites to enjoy. Within an hour's drive there are numerous plantations and historic markers to tour. Quaint small towns surround the area and offer unique cultural experiences with local shops and restaurants.

Key facts

A great place to start your visit to Columbia is downtown. The state capital building and its surrounding grounds offer memorials to historic events including the burning of Columbia and Shermans March. Nearby Main Street, the Vista and Five Points offer fine and casual dining from local owners. The home of the USC Gamecocks provides popular hotels and B&B's for a good selection of places to stay. Driving a couple of hours to the north can lead you to the upstate of South Carolina and modern Greenville or a day trip to boho chic Asheville, North Carolina. Driving to the east you will visit rural small towns on the way to the famous Grand Strand and Myrtle Beach. Just a little over an hour to the south in Charleston you can tour the Battery and Fort Sumter where the Civil War began.

Hints and tips

Columbia has a mild climate most of the year with temperatures ranging from winter days of about 40 degrees to warmer summer days of 85 to 95 degrees. July and August are very humid. The Columbia Metropolitan Airport offers a regular flight schedule to connecting cities.