About
Columbia is the capital of South Carolina, set in the middle of the state in the southeastern United States. It is the seat of the state's government, so a visit here often has a civic character, with the business of the state running alongside the everyday life of the city.
A city of learning and government
Columbia is home to the University of South Carolina, and the campus gives the city much of its student energy and educational weight. Together, the university and the state government make Columbia the political and educational center of South Carolina, a role that shapes its streets, its events and its pace.
What a visit offers
- A look at the capital of a U.S. state, with its government buildings and public life
- The atmosphere of a university town, especially when classes are in session
- A base for exploring the rest of South Carolina from the state's central point
Visitors who enjoy seeing how a state's institutions and academic community sit side by side will find Columbia worth the trip. Those looking for a purely scenic destination may want to plan a broader itinerary, using the city as one stop among several in the region.