Sights and landmarks in Columbia

Sights and landmarks in Columbia

1. See

   Columbia Museum of Art

   South Carolina's premier international art museum has 25 galleries of extraordinary collections of European, American and Asian fine and decorative art that span centuries. The museum's collection includes masterpieces of the Italian Renaissance through the 18th century from the Samuel H. Kress Collection, a strong collection of European and American furniture and decorative arts, as well as modern and contemporary art, art glass, and 20th-century design. Of particular interest are Sandro Botticelli's Nativity, Canaletto’s View of the Molo, Claude Monet's The Seine at Giverny, and art glass by Louis Comfort Tiffany. The museum’s collection of Asian art and Antiquities has grown through generous gifts to the collection, including an impressive collection of Korean and Chinese ceramics and Roman portrait heads. The museum also offers changing exhibitions from renowned museums and educational programs that include group and public tours, lectures, films, and concert series. The Museum Shop is open during museum hours.

2. See

   Fort Jackson

   Fort Jackson is one of the major draws of visitors to Columbia. Essentially, there are three types of visitors to Fort Jackson: 1. the miserable private going through Basic Combat Training; 2. friends and family of graduating basic trainees; 3. A.I.T. (Advanced Individual Training) students. For those visiting for B.C.T graduation, graduation will be held at Hilton Field or, in the case of inclement weather, the Solomon Center. You should not surprise the soldier you're visiting, because they must report whether they is going home with a family member or at government expense. Failure to alert your soldier will cause him/her to be required to leave on government transportation. Furthermore, leave contact info with your soldier, so their drill sergeants can alert you to any changes in plans.

3. See

   Hampton-Preston Mansion and Gardens

   One of the few houses left from antebellum Columbia, it was built in 1818 and has many authentic furnishings.

   Tue-Sat 10AM-3PM; Sun 1-4PM·For house: adults $5; age 65+, college students and military $4, ages 6-17 $3

4. See

   Riverbanks Zoo

   Riverbanks Zoo has grown tremendously in the past decade. Recent additions include a gorilla habitat and koala bears donated from their native Queensland. Considered to be in the top ten US zoos, it has the added benefit of being small enough for those with difficulty walking to manage. Children will enjoy the petting zoo, pony rides, and demonstrations.

5. See

   South Carolina State Museum

   This museum is often visited by South Carolina school groups, and tourists on rainy days. Children may enjoy the hands-on exhibits, but parents will note that this place is long on reproductions and short on explanations. Come prepared for lessons on history, geography, industry, and economics. The gift shop has many South Carolina-themed items.

   Tue-Sat 10AM-5PM, Sun 1-5PM. Open Mondays Memorial Day through Labor Day. Closed on New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day

6. See

   South Carolina Statehouse

   With a copper dome and bronze stars marking places where Sherman's cannonballs struck, the Statehouse is well worth the trip for fans of history and architecture alike. Though the Confederate flag no longer flies on the top of the dome, it stands atop a memorial directly in front of the building at the intersection of Gervais and Main. The grounds include several monuments and a small Italianate rose garden.

7. See

   Confederate Relic Room and State Military Museum

   Tue-Sat 10AM-5PM, 1st Sun of the month 1-5PM

8. See

   Edventure Children's Museum

   Lots of fun for those with small children.

9. See

   Thomas Woodrow Wilson Boyhood Home

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Columbia (CC BY-SA 4.0).