Things to do in Columbia for self travelers

This in-app audio tour is perfect for history buffs and art enthusiasts eager to experience the storied streets and vibrant visual expressions of Columbia, South Carolina. The tour takes a deep dive into the city's gripping Civil War history and its evolution into a canvas for contemporary street art. With an immersive narrative to guide, you will become both witness and explorer of Columbia's past and present as the tales of war heroes and artistic revolutions unfold with each step. The tour begins at the State House, marked by battle scars, and ends at bustling Main Street, making the city's transformation tangible. Along the route, you'll encounter the resilience of pre-Civil War homes, the grace of the Hampton Preston Mansion's gardens, and the solemnity of historical monuments, including the thought-provoking African-American Monument. Beyond history's grasp, the tour's second half brightens the mood with dynamic public art, from whimsical installations like Busted Plug Plaza to the evocative mural, Tunnel Vision. As you traverse from the echoes of cannon fire to inspiring street art, Columbia's narrative will reveal itself in unforgettable chapters written in architecture, memorials, and bursts of creative flair. By the tour’s conclusion, both your mind and your camera roll will be filled with the indelible marks of Columbia's journey from ashes to expression.