Attractions
Richland County is the cultural epicenter of the state, featuring top locally-and nationally-ranked attractions.
This vibrant and culturally rich community is also home to a booming arts and music scene.
Richland is also an outdoor paradise with the Three Rivers Greenway offering over 15 miles of riverfront trails along the Broad, Congaree and Saluda rivers, kayaking/tubing, walking/hiking trails, Lake Murray access, Congaree National Park and its annual synchronous fireflies display, Finlay Park and numerous other green spaces/parks speckled throughout the
Cultural 8 – Uni
Benedict College and Allen University
Cultural + Historical Sites
Two of the eight Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the state, you’ll find Benedict College and Allen University side-by-side within our capital city. Each campus has been critical in paving the way for equal opportunity in higher education and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Cultural 7 – SC State House
SC State House and Grounds
Cultural + Historical Sites
The anchor of our capital city and legislative activities, the South Carolina State House and its grounds are a monument to state history and progress. Originally constructed in 1753 along our state’s coast, it was relocated to Columbia more than 30 years later but destroyed by a fire in 1865 during General Sherman’s march on the State Capital. The newer construction that stands today was completed at the turn of the 20th century, and has since undergone numerous renovations and expanded into a 22-acre complex with 7 buildings and 30+ monuments.
Cultural 6 – Koger
Koger Center for the Arts
Cultural + Historical Sites
Recognized as the premier local destination for arts, the Koger Center brings performances to life with some of the state’s most prominent performance groups, like the South Carolina Ballet and South Carolina Philharmonic. It’s also host to the the Columbia Classical Ballet, USC Symphony Orchestra, and Broadway in Columbia.
Cultural 5 – Arena
Colonial Life Arena
Cultural + Historical Sites
From theater to music to sporting events, the Colonial Life Arena brings a little bit of everything to the Columbia SC region. CLA has hosted big names like Bruce Springsteen, Taylor Swift, Foo Fighters and Aerosmith over the years. For locals and Gamecocks Basketball fans, it’s the destination to catch a game of the University of South Carolina’s championship women’s and men’s basketball teams.
Cultural 4 – Art Muse
Columbia Museum of Art
Cultural + Historical Sites
Located along downtown Columbia’s bustling Main Street, the Columbia Museum of Art is features world-class exhibits with a focus on modern museum accessibility and activity. CMA is a recipient of the prestigious National Medal for Museum and Library Science award, and it celebrated a milestone 75th anniversary in 2025.
Cultural 3 – Edventure
Edventure Children’s Museum
Cultural + Historical Sites
Not just for kids, EdVenture sparks curiosities among all ages with fully-immersive, hands-on experiences. Not only does EdVenture offer exhibits to explore, it also hosts labs and camps where eager minds can dive deep into topics of interest.
Cultural 2 – SC State Museum
South Carolina State Museum
Cultural + Historical Sites
The largest and most comprehensive museum in South Carolina, the State Museum can be found in the heart of downtown Columbia. SCSM features a variety of exhibits about state, natural and cultural histories, as well as special traveling exhibits, a 55-foot digital dome planetarium, and more. The museum holds the distinction of being the first in the United States to house a planetarium, observatory, and 4D theater under one roof.
Riverbanks Zoo + Gardens
Riverbanks Zoo + Gardens
Cultural + Historical Sites
A repeat nationally-ranked zoo, Riverbanks showcases over 3,000 animals and more than 5,700 varieties of native and exotic plants in its 70-acre botanical garden. Recent upgrades have enhanced experiences for animals and attendees alike, and support the zoo’s ongoing conservation and educational efforts.
Sports 8 – Cobblestone Park Golf Club
Cobblestone Park Golf Club
Sports + Outdoor Adventure
Year-round temperate conditions make our community a dream for drivers and putters. No matter your skill level, the Cobblestone Park Golf Club is lusciously curated acres of greens are perfect for hosting a fun outing, company fundraiser, or even prep for a tournament. The course, designed by P.B. Dye, is the official home of USC’s men’s and women’s golf teams.
Sports 7 – Lake Murray
Lake Murray
Sports + Outdoor Adventure
Coined the “Jewel of South Carolina”, Lake Murray’s 600+ miles sparkle year-round for boaters, fishers and swimmers. Land that once hosted a town with 5,000 residents, relics of its former life can be found submerged beneath the waters that poured into what was once the world’s largest man-made reservoir. Lake Murray is recognized as the #1 Best Lake for Water Sports by USA Today for 2024 and 2025.
Sports 6 – Palmetto Falls Water Park
Palmetto Falls Water Park
Sports + Outdoor Adventure
The nation’s largest army training base – Fort Jackson – is also home to the Palmetto Falls Water Park! With a pool, water slides, lazy river and more, this water wonder is an oasis for visitors during the summer’s warmest days.
Sports 5 – Finlay Park
Finlay Park
Sports + Outdoor Adventure
Undergoing multiple updates and enhancements since first created in the late 1840s, Finlay Park (fka Sidney Park) is Columbia’s first public park and a 12-acre green space that locals and visitors enjoy regularly for popular events or casual days in the sunshine. A massive revitalization effort began in 2023 to overhaul park amenities to improve lawn areas, create new and improve existing amenities, and build new multi-use structures.
Sports 4 – Three Rivers Greenway
Three Rivers Greenway
Sports + Outdoor Adventure
At more than 12 miles and growing, the Three Rivers Greenway is an astonishing outdoor network for walkers, cyclists and kayakers. Riverfront pathways weave through the growth along the Broad, Saluda, and Congaree Rivers, putting visitors in the midst of nature’s beauty just steps away from the bustle of business and entertainment.
Sports 3 – Segra Park
Segra Park + Columbia Fireflies
Sports + Outdoor Adventure
The largest communal center of the BullStreet District, Segra Park is among the newer athletics facilities in Richland County. The Columbia Fireflies, a single-A Minor League Baseball Team, call the park home; and during the off season the park is a year round event venue
Sports 2 – USC Athletics
USC Athletics
Sports + Outdoor Adventure
No matter the season, you’ll hear the rally cry of die-hard fans of the South Carolina Gamecocks teams echo throughout the streets of downtown Columbia. And it’s no wonder why – USC’s women’s basketball program has won multiple NCAA championships, and its football program is steeped in tradition and beloved by generations of “Fighting Gamecocks” fans.
Sports 1 – Congee Park
Congaree National Park
Sports + Outdoor Adventure
Congaree National Park is the sole national park in South Carolina and the largest intact expanse of old growth bottomland hardwood forest that remains in the southeastern US. Once per year, the park lights up at night with a spectacular, rare showing of fireflies and attracts visitors from all around the world.
Festivals 10 – Harambee Festival
Harambee Festival,
Festivals + Events
The legacy and impact of local HBCU Benedict College goes beyond its classroom doors. The college has been hosting the Harambee Festival since the late 1980s, promoting history, arts, culture, and health to the community. It’s been voted one of Columbia Neighborhood’s Best Festivals.
Festivals 13 – Jam Room Music Fest
Jam Room Music Fest
Festivals + Events
Need a reason to jam out? How about this FREE day-long music festival featuring an eclectic mix of musicians with local artists and food trucks to back up the fun. Come check out the Jam Room Music Fest today!
Festivals 12 – SC State Fair
South Carolina State Fair
Festivals + Events
An event so big it has its own property in the heart of our community! The South Carolina State Fair dates back to the mid-1800s when smaller fair events inspired the creation of a larger statewide fair. Nowadays, the State Fair welcomes nearly 400,000 guests to its fairgrounds. When not in use, the fairgrounds are used for smaller celebrations, markets, and rentals.
Festivals 11 – Main Street Latin Festival
Main Street Latin Festival
Festivals + Events
Grab your dancing shoes and a partner for this dance-filled street festival in Columbia’s Main Street. Every year, the Latin Festival fills the downtown with sounds of salsa and merengue, and the tastes and smells of Latin cuisine in celebration of the culture.
Festivals 9 – Columbia Food + Wine Fest
Columbia Food and Wine Festival
Festivals + Events
Gather with thousands of your fellow foodies at this massive annual festival. Started in 2018, the Columbia Food and Wine Festival has attracted more than 12,500 visitors to enjoy treats and libations from over 270 culinary partners from the greater Columbia area.
Festivals 8 – Mardi Gras Columbia
Mardi Gras Columbia
Festivals + Events
No need to travel to Louisiana when you can celebrate Mardi Gras here at home! Since 2010, festival founders and volunteers have assembled a lineup of local bands, brews, and bites for visitors to enjoy. It kicks off with a free community parade (where beads are encouraged).
Festivals 7 – SC Pride Festival
South Carolina Pride
Festivals + Events
Things get famously hot in the heart of the Columbia region for the Famously Hot South Carolina Pride! Festival. The festival finds its roots in the very first SC Pride march held in 1989, and is part of a larger year-round offering of celebrations through S.C. Pride!, like concerts, Pride Week, and a gala.
Festivals 6 – St. Pat’s in Five Points
St. Pat’s in Five Points
Festivals + Events
All things go green in the Five Points district as the state’s largest one-day festival takes over the streets and merchants. St. Pat’s in Five Points brings out the crowds and big names in entertainment for a celebration like none other. And there’s a little something for everyone, including a 5K/10K and family fun run, parade, kids playland, and more.
Festivals 5 – NOMA Cookie Crawl
NOMA Cookie Crawl
Festivals + Events
Get your steps in and enjoy some delicious treats along the way with the Cookie Crawl in NOMA, The Trestle district. Part of the annual Light Up NOMA, the Cookie Crawl celebrates the businesses in the district with an afternoon of door-to-door cookie tasting and shopping.
Festivals 4 – Vista Lights
Vista Lights
Festivals + Events
The Congaree Vista district kicks off the holiday season in twinkling fashion with its annual Vista Lights. A ceremonial tree lighting tradition at the State House, live entertainment throughout the district, an artisan market, and family activities set the scene for a jolly good time.
Festivals 3 – Artista Vista
Artista Vista
Festivals + Events
Highlighting some of the best of the local arts scene, Artista Vista puts Columbia’s Congaree Vista district in the spotlight. With events that unveil new art installations and live artists demonstrations to gallery crawls where participants can browse a mix of galleries and art, this art-centric event brings out our community’s many talents.
Festivals 2 – Columbia International Festival
Columbia International Festival
Festivals + Events
See, taste, and shop a little of the world at the annual Columbia International Festival. This massive celebration welcomes visitors for an eclectic display of entertainment, delicacies, and learning experiences from more than 100 countries. The Columbia International Festival is recognized as the state’s largest multicultural event.
Festivals 1 – Soda City Market
Soda City Market
Festivals + Events
What started as a small market in 2005 with just six vendors has grown to more than 200 vendors and five city blocks! Soda City Market is a producer-only market held every Saturday along Columbia’s Main Street. In its many years, it’s not just grown in popularity among locals but garnered national attention, as well. Soda City Market was recognized as the the No. 1 Best Farmers Market in USA Today’s 2025 10Best rankings.
