Columbia South Carolina is the state capital and is situated conveniently in the center of the state. The location of South Carolina Columbia makes it a handy trip from Charleston, Greenville and Myrtle Beach. Tourist attractions in Columbia also make Columbia itself a fun place to visit and the capitol building is a particular favorite among history lovers. Columbia South Carolina was first established as a city in 1786 and has been a thriving part of South Carolina’s economy ever since.

Two of the best-known activities in Columbia South Carolina are kayaking and canoeing down the Congarees River, which runs right through Columbia South Carolina. Columbia is located on the “fall line” from the Appalachian Mountains, meaning that the river coming down from the mountains to Columbia is non-navigable, and Columbia is located at the spot where it becomes navigable. This makes Columbia the perfect location for gentle boating trips down the river, and the town has gained attention for this reason.

Other tourist attractions in Columbia include the Riverbanks Zoo, which is one of the best places to go in Columbia with a family. The zoo is open daily and the surrounding park features a number of picnic tables for lunch and a playground for children. Another of the best tourist attractions in Columbia is the State House, which is open during the day for tours. This is the capitol building of Columbia South Carolina and one of the best examples of 19^th century architecture in South Carolina.

Other historic homes found in South Carolina Columbia can also be a lot of fun to visit. Woodrow Wilson’s boyhood home is among them, and was first constructed in 1872. Visitors can see many pieces of the Wilson family’s furniture, and the house is open during the day for walking tours. The Hampton-Preston Mansion is another downtown building with some interesting history. The house was built in 1818 and is the picture of fine southern living. It was occupied by the Hampton family, who were considered to be the “Kennedys of the Old South”. This house is also open daily for walking tours during daylight hours.

For trips to locations just outside the city, try taking a drive to the State Farmer’s Market, which is the largest of its kind in the state and among the top 10 largest farmer’s markets in the United States. Over 500 stalls are in place each Saturday and Sunday with local growers selling vegetables, flowers, and various prepared food and clothing items. The farmer’s market also has a full cover, so rain and bad weather need never get in the way of a day at the market, and it stays open all year long.

After you shop the market, try heading to nearby Edisto Memorial Garden, which is the longest black-water river in the world. Especially during the spring, the gardens are alive with incredible blossoms and are well worth visiting. Best of all, they are available free to the public all year during daylight hours.