Columbia, South Carolina, sits in a beautiful part of the American South. Sitting along the border between the Piedmont uplands and the coastal plains, there are plenty of locations where nature’s beauty really stands out throughout the city and the surrounding area. Columbia is also an old city with a lot of beautiful architecture to admire. To get an idea of what Columbia has to offer, try visiting the following spots the next time you get the chance. 
South Carolina State House
Sitting right in the heart of the city, the South Carolina State House demonstrates the same Neoclassical architecture that defines most of Washington, D.C.’s most famous buildings and monuments. It’s still the seat of South Carolina’s legislative and executive branches, but visitors are allowed in throughout the day for both guided and self-guided tours. Both tours are free. The most scenic spots by the capitol building are probably the ones where you can see the building from the outside.
Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park
The Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park sits between the city’s water treatment plant and the oldest working hydroelectric plant in the state. The park’s biggest feature is a 2.5-mile hiking trail that runs the length of the 167-acre park, and you can get some wonderful views of the Columbia Canal and the Congaree River. If you go all the way to the end of the park and cross the bridge, you can keep walking along the Three Rivers Greenway that follows the river or possibly catch a concert at the brick Riverfront Park Amphitheater.
Columbia Murals
In an effort to decorate the town and combat graffiti, Columbia nonprofits and businesses have been hiring artists to paint murals all throughout the city. All kinds of styles are on display, including realistic landscapes and portraits, impressionistic works, and even a few simple cartoon designs. The full list of designs is long and constantly growing, so while you can follow a list to track down some of the murals, you can also discover plenty more on your own by wandering around through downtown Columbia on your own.
Lake Murray
Lake Murray is an artificial lake dammed in the 1920s to provide hydroelectric power for Columbia and other parts of South Carolina. It’s a beautiful place where you can explore a lot of inlets, go for a swim, or toss out a fishing line. There are several yacht clubs and private homes that sit on the shore and take advantage of the great views, but anyone can enjoy the lake by visiting Lake Murray Public Park or Dreher Island State Park.
With so much natural beauty to see and so many great buildings and decorations throughout the city, Columbia is a great city to visit when you want to find a scenic spot. From the old canal and reservoir to the state capitol building and all the murals decorating downtown walls, it’s hard to find a part of the city that doesn’t have a unique charm.
Image by blakeamick via CC BY 2.0
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