The capital city of South Carolina, Columbia, stands in the middle of this south-eastern US state, 120 miles from Charleston on the coast and a similar distance from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the west. If you hire a car in Columbia you'll find it's a thriving university city that grew up at the point where two rivers tumble from the Piedmont hills and meet to form the Congaree River, which then flows across flat coastal plains. Columbia's central location makes it an important road hub; three Interstate Highways pass through the city. Columbia is also famous as the site of Fort Jackson, the biggest US Army training camp, which includes vast tracts of enclosed terrain.
If you have a hire car in Columbia you'll be able to tour the city and its attractions. Start at Congaree Vista, the revitalised riverside area of historic buildings converted to galleries, restaurants and antique shops. Highlights include the South Carolina State Museum, housed in a 19th century mill, and EdVenture - one of the largest children's museums in the US. Elsewhere the Fort Jackson base has its own interesting museum, there's the acclaimed Riverbanks Zoo and Garden to visit and, a short drive to the south, the Congaree National Park, which includes a vast hardwood forest, nature reserves and outdoor activity centres.
