Embassy Suites by Hilton Columbia Greystone

From elephants to koalas to penguins and sharks, formal gardens to natural woodlands, Riverbanks Zoo and Garden promise new discoveries around every corner!

The State Museum has more than 70,000 artifacts in its collection, and it is still a very young institution. The State Museum is housed in its largest artifact, the former Columbia Mill. This former textile mill also is a world-first. When it opened in 1894, manufacturing cotton duck cloth (a canvas-like material), it was the first totally-electric textile mill in the world. It was also the first major industrial installation for the General Electric corporation. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Visit the vibrant Congaree Vista district with distinct dining, shopping and attractions. Congaree Vista is a cosmopolitan section of Columbia, South Carolina, near the banks of the Congaree River, which was revitalized during the late 1990s and early 2000s. The section includes many small, upscale shops and restaurants, often in renovated warehouse buildings. "The Vista," as it is known by locals, is centered on one of the city's old train stations along Gervais Street. Also in this area is the historic Adluh Flour Mill, one of the few productive remnants of the district's industrial past which is often photographed for its uniqueness in architecture and location. The Vista is constantly expanding due to support from both the City of Columbia and the State of South Carolina. Columbia's Congaree Vista continues to be a center of both history and culture to the residents of South Carolina.

Home of the South Carolina Gamecocks Basketball but regularly features concerts, shows, events, etc.

The University of South Carolina is a public, co-educational research university in Columbia, South Carolina, United States, with seven satellite campuses. Its campus covers over 359 acres in downtown Columbia not far from the South Carolina State House. The University is categorized by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as having "highest research activity." It has been ranked as an "up-and-coming" university by U.S. News & World Report, and its undergraduate and graduate International Business programs have ranked among the top three programs in the nation for over a decade.

Come explore the excitement of EdVenture! Engaging, hands-on exhibits, programs and events will make you wonder how learning can be so much fun.

The State House is located at 1100 Gervais Street, which is at the intersection of Gervais and Main Streets, Columbia, South Carolina. Guided tours are available. Each tour is preceded with the viewing of a 15 minute DVD on the history and architecture of the State House. Reservations for groups are recommended. Once a reservation is made, the tour office will send an information packet which includes information on parking. Typically, parking is allowed along Sumter Street for school buses and vans. Private vehicles must use metered spaces near the State House. For more information or to schedule a guided tour, call the Tour Office at (803) 734-2430 or visit www.southcarolinastatehouse.com.

Founded in 1870, Benedict College is a private, co-educational liberal arts institution located in Columbia, SC. Benedict College has produced over 15,000 graduates and currently has over 3,100 students enrolled in baccalaureate degree programs. Benedict was recently named one of the top 100 institutions in the nation graduating African American scholars by Diverse Magazine. The College is a major economic contributor to the region and South Carolina, with a local annual economic impact of $106.7 million.