Columbia combines all the graces of the rich past with the vibrance of the emerging Sun Belt. It;singparens the state capital and home to a major university. One of America;singparens outstanding zoos, Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Gardens, is just minutes from the state capital. The State Museum also tells the colorful history of South Carolina. If you like water sports, Lake Murray is a 50,000-acre playground less than 15 minutes from the heart of the city.