Columbia is not exactly a straight shot, but it is pretty much just one road there and the same road back. At just a hair over 200 miles away, your trip on I-20 East should take around 3 1/2 hours. Well worth it when you find out what this city has in store.
Originally created by the South Carolina General Assembly in 1786, the largest city in South Carolina boasts a metro population of more than 700,000 and has frequently been cited for its high quality of life. It was recently chosen by Partners for Livable Communities as one of the best among 30 mid-sized cities.
During the Civil War, most of Columbia was destroyed by fire. Today, tourists visiting the city can retrace the path Gen. William T. Sherman and his army took as they lay waste to the area, and see remnants and buildings that have survived.
More information about the area's history can be found with a visit to the South Carolina State Museum, which is located centrally just outside of downtown Columbia on Lincoln Street.
The facility is housed in what is its largest artifact, the former Columbia Cotton Mill, originally built in 1894. Over four floors it contains more than 70,000 artifacts in its collection, among them a Civil War submarine and a railroad and train exhibit, as well as an important African-American history display, which focuses on the experiences of slaves in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Don't miss
For a change of pace, the Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Garden is one of the most heralded resources of its kind on the East Coast. Among the many animals housed here are giraffes, zebras and ostriches on a reproduction African savanna. But there's even more — an Aquarium Reptile Complex, a birdhouse that features penguins, birds of paradise, an avian showcase, which includes birds from Africa and South America. Don't miss the Koala Compound that includes far more than just the Australian marsupials — there's also wallabies and lorikeet. In other areas of the compound you'll find lions, leopards, apes and rare lemurs.
A visit to the Botanical Garden reveals more than 4,000 species of flora and fauna across 70 acres. There's a bog garden complete with waterfall and water-loving plants from around the globe, gardens that focus on arid regions, shade-comfortable foliage, a rose garden and a 34,000-foot walled garden, which includes rare seasonal and themed plant sections.
History
If you're looking for a direct connection to some American history, then the Woodrow Wilson House is the place for you. Wilson lived here as a teenage boy during Reconstruction while his father was a professor at the Columbia Theological Seminary. Built in 1872, the classic Italian villa-style home is currently closed for renovations, but continues to offer tours of the surrounding grounds, and hosts renovation parties. In September the Historic Columbia Foundation will host a reception to announce completed renovations, along with a presentation about the Wilson family and a tour of the site.
Nature
For those who love water and nature — there's the Three Rivers Greenway. Overlooking the Congaree River from West Columbia (a town all its own but still a part of the Columbia metro area) the Greenway offers pristine views of nature, the city skyline and plenty of opportunities to get some exercise.
What to eat
Want something high end to eat? Try Saluda's, Harpers or Garibaldi's of Columbia. All a bit pricey, but each offers its own take on fine cuisine.
If you feel the party spirit coming on in the late- night hours, check out Art Bar. It's exactly what the name suggests: laid back, cool music and an alternative crowd. Then there's Speakeasy — with a nice jazzy feel and a mixed clientele that likes to mingle amidst comfortable, overstuffed couches and a warming fireplace. Delaney's Music Pub is an Irish-style pub that attracts a younger set of mostly college students and local musicians playing original compositions. There's far too much more in Five Points to be listed here — the key is to get out and explore.
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