Best Western Executive Inn & Suites

South Carolina Republican Party Headquarters

by b1bob

Columbia is a very political town being the state capital. Pictured is the headquarters of the dominant party of the state. My guess is the counterpart for the Democrats is a broom closet or a phone booth somewhere across town.

Casual or Fine dining?

by m1nkey about Harper's

Recently I had a nice meal at Harper's but I'm confused. The food was good but very overpriced. The service was ok but again not to the level of the prices. I have eaten at most of the casual and fine dining spots in Columbia Harper's should make up it's mind to either be casual and lower the prices. Or to be fine ding and upgrade the food and service.

State House tour

by b1bob

Mark and I weren't sure whether they offered a tour on Saturdays at the State House. We were in luck- they did offer a video tour. What surprised me there was that the narrator has a syrupy Southern drawl as opposed to the bland "six o'clock news" dialect normally obligatory in documentaries. Also, the tour wasn't guided, but that wasn't all bad. We were free to roam about the State House with no known restrictions on photography.

The present State House is the 3d. The first was in Charleston, built in 1751 and destroyed by fire in 1788. The second one was in Columbia, built in 1789 and destroyed by fire in 1865 at the hands of General Sherman. After 2 fires, this 3d building was designed to be fireproof. It displays portraits of famous South Carolinians. Columns on each portico were carved from a single piece of stone. 44000 pounds (20000 kg.) of copper was used to cover dome. The State House is 300 feet (91 m.) wide, 100 feet (30 m.) wide, and 180 feet (55 m.) tall. The lobby has a false dome and metal stamped ceiling. There is a Statue of South Carolina statesman John C. Calhoun and a reproduction of the Ordinance of Secession.

The capitol city with a small town feel, and mind.

by m1nkey

"I've lived here way too long."

Columbia could be a great place to live and visit if it had more to do. There are no shortage of restuarants and museums and bars. But there is a severe lack of concert venues(the ones we have are under utilized) cultural events and tourist attractions. The "powers that be" here have passed up many chances to improve our attraction to travelers. Specifically, a PRO football team, a PRO hockey team, a unique bridge convention center(there is onlly one other in the world, in France) and on and on....
Before you think I'm down on Columbia, know this. I was in the entertainment industry for over 15 years and I fought hard to get larger venues here, more current touring acts and much more. There is a very oppressive thumb pressed on this town from those with the control of the money...er...government.