Visitors
We love having visitors, and you could say we know a thing or two about hospitality. Whether you’re interested in adventure or a laid-back vacation, Richland County has the attractions you’re sure to love. With so many great places to see and things to do, it's hard to decide where to begin: The planetarium? The children's museum? The ballet? College football? Shopping? A round of golf?
Or, you could take a tour of the South Carolina State House, visit an award-winning art museum, take a float down the river, enjoy a farmers' market or street festival, see a top musical act, hike in a national park, tour a historic presidential home or be one of the 1 million guests who visit Riverbanks Zoo & Garden each year!
General Tourism
Experience Columbia SC
Capital City Lake Murray Country
Attractions Around the County
South Carolina State House
The State House is the seat of state government in South Carolina, home to the Governor’s office and the House and Senate chambers. Stroll the grounds while maintaining social distance. Have a picnic or pay a visit to the African American Monument, among other structures found on the grounds. State House tours have resumed on a limited basis; call the tour office at 803-734-2430 for more information. The State House Gift Shop is open 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. most Saturdays.
Columbia Museum of Art
The Columbia Museum of Art (CMA) is South Carolina’s premier international art museum with traveling shows, exclusive exhibitions and internationally renowned collections. The CMA is open to the public with cleaning and physical distancing practices in place, including limited timed admission tickets, reduced gallery capacities, robust cleaning practices and the required use of face masks or cloth coverings.
EdVenture
EdVenture is an award-winning children's museum dedicated to creating new generations of lifelong learners through museum experiences, programming and camps. EdVenture is open with extra safety precautions in place. To plan your family day, purchase tickets in advance online, and bring face coverings for explorers ages 3 and older.
Historic Columbia
The mission of Historic Columbia is to nurture, support and protect the historical and cultural heritage of Columbia and its environs through advocacy, education and preservation. Semi-guided house tours are back at Historic Columbia properties on Tuesdays and Friday through Sunday. Visitors can also stroll the gardens of several properties for free and at their own pace at these times.
Riverbanks Zoo & Garden
Riverbanks Zoo & Garden requires online ticket reservations for all members and guests. Time slots are available every half hour beginning at 9 a.m. each day, with no limits on the length of visits. Anyone without a face covering or an advance online reservation will not be admitted.
South Carolina State Museum
The State Museum is a state-of-the-art facility featuring four floors of permanent and changing exhibits, a digital dome planetarium, a 4-D interactive theater and an observatory. All guests older than 11 are required to wear face coverings, and advance online ticket purchases are highly encouraged, especially if you wish to see a planetarium show. Because of health and safety needs, the 4-D theater is currently closed.
Visitors Guide
Whether you’re here in Richland County on business or pleasure, you’ll find there’s always something inspiring to see or do. Watch our Events page for upcoming happenings. And the Columbia Visitors Bureau and Capital City/Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Office always keep a full calendar of fun events.
Convention Center
Turn your next corporate meeting or special event into a truly memorable occasion at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. Its 142,500 square feet include pre-function spaces, well-equipped breakout rooms, a 24,700-square-foot exhibit hall and a 17,135-square-foot ballroom. Learn more about events at the Convention Center.
Transportation
Whether you arrive in Richland County via the County's Jim Hamilton-L.B. Owens Airport or Columbia Metropolitan Airport, or by car, bus or train, you’ll find getting around the area is easy. Rely on The COMET public transit system to get you where you need to go!
Recreation
Calling all adventurers, bikers, hikers, boaters and swimmers! If you love stunning natural beauty and an active lifestyle, Richland County has the parks, trails, rivers and lakes you’ve been looking for. Explore Richland County’s recreational opportunities.
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