European colonizers arrived in modern-day Columbia in 1540 while exploring the Southeast. At this time, the area was a part of the regional Cofitachequi chiefdom of the Mississippian culture and home to the Congaree Native American people who lived along the Congaree River. In 1786, the State Senator introduced a bill to create a new state capital. They chose the site but debated the city's name, with "Washington" being one nomination. Ultimately, the townsfolk decided on "Columbia." Columbia was first incorporated as a village in 1805 and then as a city in 1854. Columbia experienced a developmental and economic boom between 1786 and 1800 when they built the Santee Canal. The function of this canal was to connect Columbia with Charleston by a direct water route. In 1801, city officials built the University of South Carolina in Columbia to try and unite residents and prevent students from leaving to study in England. By 1816, Columbia's population had grown to more than 1,000. When the city became chartered in 1854, it elected a mayor and six council members. During the 1850s and 1860s, the town became the largest inland in the Carolinas. The city's chief commodity was cotton, which farmers transported via railroad, and provided most of the city's employment. The city of Columbia was also home to many slaves. By 1860, there were roughly 3,300 enslaved people in the town. Many worked in the cotton fields, but some worked in their masters' households. Some owners even hired out their slaves to residents and institutions in the city. Although owners prohibited their slaves from learning to read and write, many were literate. Some enslaved people even offered classes to their peers in secret. Regrettably, a large portion of the city was destroyed by fire in 1865, in the last months of the Civil War. General Sherman ordered his soldiers only to destroy militarily significant structures, but high winds spread the fire across the city. Officials began the process of rebuilding and elected African-American Republicans to state government. The 1940s was a time of social unrest in Columbia, as African Americans increased activism for their civil rights. By 1945, a federal judge ruled that black teachers should receive equal pay to white teachers. A ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1954 finally ruled that segregated public schools in the country were unconstitutional.

Columbia in South Carolina offers a range of activities and attractions, such as:

⁠Riverbanks Zoo: The zoo homes over 2,000 animals and is 170-acres in size. Make sure to visit the Reptile House, Bird Complex, and Petting Zoo.

⁠South Carolina State Museum: This museum occupies four floors of a 19th-century mill, which the public has been enjoying since its opening in 1988. It houses the state's history through art, culture, science, and technology, providing a comprehensive perspective of Columbia's background.

⁠Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park: This urban park located along the Saluda River and the Columbia Canal is perfect for bikers, joggers, and walkers. The park is 14-acres, has an outdoor gym, is wheelchair friendly, and has ample picnic spots.