DESTINATION

Columbia

Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman entered Columbia on Feb. 17, 1865, and set a fire the same night that destroyed three-fourths of the city, including every house on Main Street except that of the French consul. The university, public buildings and statehouse also were spared. The South Carolina Governor's Mansion, the surviving structure of a destroyed military school, is open by appointment; phone (803) 737-1710.

Chartered in 1801, the University of South Carolina plays a prominent role in Columbia. The original campus of the university, known as the Horseshoe, contains 10 restored buildings dating to the early 19th century; the buildings are currently used for classrooms, offices and living quarters. The visitor center has displays and interactive exhibits about the university's history and campus. It's located in the McKissick Museum , which is at the top of the Horseshoe. Campus tours are available; phone (803) 777-0169 or (800) 922-9755 for schedule and other information.

Segra Park is home to a South Atlantic League minor league baseball team, the Columbia Fireflies.

Visitor Centers

Experience Columbia SC 1010 Lincoln St. Columbia, SC 29201. Phone:(803)545-0000 or (800)264-4884

Self-guiding Tours

Brochures for self-guiding walking tours of various historic neighborhoods and sites can be picked up from the visitor center and from the Robert Mills House museum shop.

Shopping

Columbia offers three specialty shopping districts. In the Five Points district there are nearly three dozen shops, many of which are on Harden Street and Saluda Avenue. Congaree Vista, a former industrial and warehouse district, is now a 1,200-acre historic district filled with shops and art galleries. Many of the old buildings now house these new establishments. The Doors of Devine features upscale shops along Devine Street. All three districts also include restaurants, and Five Points and Congaree Vista are entertainment and nightlife hubs, too.

For the basics, turn to Columbia Place (7201 Two Notch Rd.), with Macy's. Columbiana Centre (100 Columbiana Cir.), offers Belk and Dillard's. Village at Sandhill (481 Towncenter Pl.) has JCPenney along with an array of other mall stores.