Downtown Columbia Travel Guide
Columbia
Visit Downtown Columbia
Popular places to visit
South Carolina State House
Inspect the many monuments and political symbols that decorate the grounds and majestic mansion of the state’s most important structure.
Columbia Museum of Art
Bring kids to this fun gallery with a focus on medieval, Renaissance and Baroque art and fascinating traveling exhibits.
Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park
Explore the great outdoors at Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park, a lovely green space in Columbia. Experience the area's acclaimed theatre scene or attend a sporting event.
Hampton-Preston Mansion and Gardens
Tour the premises and learn about the aristocratic residents who lived in this impressive mansion with a restored landscape garden.
Finlay Park
Play sports with your kids in this scenic park, wander along the woodland paths and see the extraordinary fountain and cascades.
Founders Park
Catch an event at Founders Park during your trip to Columbia. Experience the area's acclaimed theatre scene or attend a sporting event.
Things to do
Bucharest Small Group Walking Tour: Beers, Bites & Local Markets
Top hotels in Downtown Columbia
Courtyard by Marriott Columbia Downtown at USC
The hotel is clean but if you book the room with any kind of discount they will but you on the 3rd floor where they fill all the room and it gets noisy. I asked to be moved to the 2nd floor and told there would be a $90 charge for the same type room that I already had. Very strange.
Reviewed on 16 Dec 2025
Cambria Hotel Columbia Downtown The Vista
Needs to do better and dusting and vacuuming.
Reviewed on 16 Dec 2025
Tru By Hilton Columbia Downtown
Great staff very clean.
Reviewed on 19 Dec 2025
Graduate by Hilton Columbia SC
Everything was awsome! My daughter had an exam early so we drove up the night before and it made everything perfect.
Reviewed on 18 Dec 2025
Hyatt Place Columbia/Downtown/The Vista
Bed area clean but bathroom needs to be updated. Also more parking would be nice. But night shift host/frontdesk were amazing and very nice.
Reviewed on 14 Dec 2025
Holiday Inn Columbia - Downtown by IHG
Great
Reviewed on 19 Dec 2025
Check Downtown Columbia hotel availability
Other neighbourhoods around Downtown Columbia
The Vista
The Vista is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Colonial Life Arena and Koger Center for the Arts while in the area.
Arsenal Hill
Unique features of Arsenal Hill include the restaurants and live music. Make a stop by Governor's Mansion or Matthew J. Perry, Jr. U.S. Courthouse while you're exploring the area.
University Hill
Visitors to University Hill appreciate its restaurants. A visit to South Carolina State House and Township Auditorium might round out your trip if you're looking to see more of the area.
Five Points
The bars and live music are a few reasons travellers visit Five Points. Want to see more of the surrounding area? Township Auditorium and South Carolina State House are a few top sights nearby.
Waverly
Though Waverly may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Township Auditorium and Hampton-Preston Mansion and Gardens.
Lyon Street
While Lyon Street isn't home to many top sights, Township Auditorium and Charlie W. Johnson Stadium are some notable places to visit nearby.
