Group Walking Tours
See Columbia’s history come alive, one step at a time. From vibrant gardens and historic neighborhoods to bustling downtown streets, our walking tours connect architecture, culture, and community stories across more than 150 years. Guided by local experts, each tour offers a fresh perspective on the people and places that shaped the capital city.
Available Tours
Gardens of the Hampton-Preston Mansion
The Hampton-Preston family ensured that the four acres of grounds surrounding their mansion reflected their wealth and power. During the antebellum period, the people they enslaved transformed this landscape into regionally acclaimed gardens that showcased a remarkable collection of native and exotic plants from around the world. Guided by a cultural landscape masterplan, Historic Columbia is recreating the gardens and ancillary structures in the spirit of the historic Italianate garden design that was popular from the 1840s through the 1860s. Explore the past and present on this hour-long tour.
Main Street
Offering more than one-hundred-and-fifty years' worth of architectural trends, Columbia's Main Street is a physical legacy of its citizens' aspirations and accomplishments. Come see the city's oldest "skyscraper," an IBM-punch-card-inspired office building, and the State Capitol. Walk through Columbia's first indoor shopping mall and learn how an old department store became an art museum.
Bull Street District
This tour delves into the rich history of the former main campus of the South Carolina State Hospital, highlighting the experiences of men, women, and children affected by mental illness—whether as patients, caregivers, or family members—from the early 19th century to the late 20th century. Their stories and the retention of historically significant buildings have driven Historic Columbia’s preservation advocacy efforts throughout the site’s redevelopment as The Bull Street District, which began in 2015. Attendees will view the exterior of some of the remaining historic buildings during this walking tour.
Scheduling Your Experience
Book Your Group Tour
#form Ready to explore Columbia’s historic neighborhoods? Use the form below to inquire about scheduling your guided tour and experience the stories, struggles, and triumphs that shaped our community. Questions? Please contact Adam Miller, Group Tour Coordinator at (803) 252-1770 ext. 23.