With an estimated population of 135000 residents, Columbia is the largest city in the state of South Carolina. The city lies at the confluence of the Broad River and the Saluda River, and is home to the University of South Carolina. Columbia enjoys a diversified economy. Many companies have set their headquarters in Columbia and that have made the city into a major trading center that attracts business people across different industries.
Greenville Zoo: Greenville Zoo is an excellent venue to meet North American animal and bird species. Toucans, leopards, monkeys, and elephants call this zoo their home. Visitors can also enjoy special features such as overnight stays, family adventure programs, and unique educational opportunities while at this facility.
Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, Columbia: Over 2000 exotic and local animals representing over 350 species call this park their home, which include koala cubs, kangaroo joeys, grizzly bears, Siberian tigers, African lions, zebras, giraffes, wide variety of birds, and many others. Main attractions at the zoo include zip lines, daily animal demonstrations, and a botanical garden.
South Carolina State Museum, Columbia: With four floors covering areas of science and technology, and natural history and culture, this is the state’s largest museum. The museum features changing exhibits, a planetarium, a science theatre, and educational hands-on displays. Visitors will certainly find this museum intriguing with its numerous exhibitions.
Huntington Beach State Park: With more than 300 species of birds, this park is considered by both the locals and foreign visitors to be the finest bird watching spot in the state of South Carolina. Visitors can also see alligators at the park’s freshwater lake.
South Carolina State Museum: This museum tells the story of South Carolina through its numerous programs and exhibits, and is housed in the historic Columbia Mill Textile Building that was built in 1893. The museum is situated beside the Edventure Children’s Museum and the historic Gervais St. Bridge, and is just a few blocks west of the State Capitol in downtown Columbia.
Sesquicentennial State Park: This park is situated in the middle of the Sandhills region. The park features a stunning 30-acre lake that is surrounded by picnic areas and trails. Fishing and paddling in Sesqui’s scenic lake is a popular pastime for visitors.
Historic Columbia Foundation: Visitors can follow the progress of places and people of Columbia over three centuries through a guided tour that bring visitors to five downtown Historic Columbia Foundation sites. Alternatively, visitors can opt to discover how communities within and outside South Carolina are connected through history with a series of self-guided walking tours around the five sites.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT): Located less than 92 miles from Columbia, the international airport is city-owned and operated by the Charlotte Aviation Department. The terminal building has four concourses that cater to a variety of airlines. The airport also has two concrete runways that are in the 18R/36L and 18C/36C directions as well as two asphalt/concrete runways that are in the 5/23 and 18L/36R directions.
Charleston International Airport (CHS): Located approximately 106 miles away from Columbia, the international airport is operated by the Charleston County Aviation Authority and is open for public and military use. The airport is composed of one passenger terminal and an airfield that has four general areas. There is a general aviation area that is located to the east. The airport is also equipped with one asphalt runway in the 03/21 direction and a concrete runway in the 15/33 direction.
Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE): Located less than six miles southwest of Columbia, this is the main commercial airport for the city. The airport has one terminal building and nearly 40% of its aircraft operations are general aviation. The airport has two runways, where one is fully asphalt (11/29) and the other with grooved concrete (5/23). There is also a concrete helipad that is open for use.
Augusta Regional Airport (AGS): Located approximately 80 miles from Columbia, Augusta Regional is a public airport and resides at an elevation of more than 100 feet above mean sea level. The airport has two asphalt runways that are in the 17/35 and 8/26 directions. More than half of its aircraft operations are contributed by general aviation activities.
Florence Regional Airport (FLO): Located approximately 86 miles away from Columbia, the airport mainly facilitates general aviation flights and a majority of the aircraft based here are single-engine aircraft. The airport also has two asphalt runways in the 1/19 and 9/27 directions.
Jim Hamilton–L.B. Owens Airport (CUB): Located less than three miles from Columbia’s central business district, the airport handles general aviation flights and has a single asphalt runway in the 13/31 direction. The airport is also able to handle more than 100 aircraft operations per day.
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