Nestled in the Midlands region of South Carolina, Columbia is home to over 130,000 people. Healthcare, education, government, and the military drive the economy. The biggest employers are Fort Jackson, the Palmetto Health hospital system, Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina, and the energy company SCANA. In fact, Fort Jackson is the largest and most active combat training facility for the U.S. Army.

Columbia also has plenty of natural beauty to offer. It sits at the intersection of the Saluda and Broad rivers, where they come together to make the Congaree River. Congaree National Park has a large hardwood forest with hiking trails and creeks for canoeing and fishing.

The South Carolina General Assembly established Columbia and made it the state capitol in 1786. Home to one of the nation's first canals, the city became an important trade center when Santee Canal connected the Santee and Cooper rivers in 1800. During the Civil War, the city hosted the South Carolina Secession Convention. Members voted for South Carolina to become the first state to leave the Union. Because of its convenient location, Columbia became a common meeting place for other Confederate conventions. Near the end of the war in 1865, most of the city lay in ruin. In 1964 Columbia earned the All-America City Award for its progressive efforts toward integration.

With such a complicated history, Columbia has many historical sites to learn from. The Historic Columbia Foundation offers people the chance to explore historic house museums. Discover the stories behind 200 years of history in the Robert Mills House, the Woodrow Wilson Family Home, the Hampton-Preston Mansion, and the Mann-Simons Cottage. Housed in a historic colonial building, the South Carolina State Museum is the largest museum in the southeast United States. Exhibits cover local history, art, natural history, science, and technology.

For people looking to get outside, the Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Garden has almost 2,000 animals from around the world. Enjoy 70 acres of gardens with both native and exotic plants. At the end of a long day, locals can enjoy the city's culinary staples. Favorites include Little Pigs Barbecue and classic burgers from Pawleys Front Porch. Students flock to Mr. Friendly's New Southern Cafe for comfort food and a great place to hang out.

Whatever you choose to do with your free time in Columbia, it should be a fun and relaxing experience. Don't waste time on the tedious and often dangerous task of maintaining your property's trees. LawnStarter matches you with high-quality tree care specialists to make life easier.

Download the app or go to the website and enter your ZIP code. Choose the service you want and get a curated list of companies to help solve your problem. They plant new trees, keep trees healthy with regular pruning and trimming, and remove hazardous fallen trees. Spend your weekends experiencing Columbia's history or enjoying a delicious meal with your family. Let LawnStarter pros handle tree care hassles.