My friends and I visited the State Capital on a sunny, warm Saturday. There is literature inside that gives you a walking self-tour of the grounds as well as the interior when you enter where the sign leads you to complimentary tours. We saw a bit of the outside first, then went in and looked around, then took the tour (which starts with a brief video). Our guide explained the history of Columbia as the state capital and the building. Architectural features and art work surround you as you move inside. The video and guide give you an overview of the way the state is governed as well as some interesting historical facts. After the tour we went back outside and saw more of the grounds as well as where the cannon balls struck the building. Very interesting stop overall. We spent about 2 hours there and took advantage of the restrooms.

Visited the state house while we stayed in Greenville. Guided tours offered a few times each weekday and no reservation necessary. There’s a little gift shop in the building and we picked up some souvenirs. Worth the trip especially on a rainy day!

AMAZING! This is an active government facility, so be prepared for a security check. After that, take it slow, look everywhere, pay attention. This is a gorgeous building, built and decorated in an age when things like that were done right and done well. Notice the detail, see things from different angles, sit and watch, lie on the floor (like I talked my wife into doing) and take a photo up into the cupola. Saturday is a great day to go if you don't want to get caught up in the working staff traffic.

We passed through the security check and picked up three brochures about the grounds, the building, and the African-American monument on the Sumter Street side. Those were very helpful for not missing any points of interest. There is a gorgeous stained glass window inside the building. The African-American monument is really impressive, with a granite map showing slave routes to Charleston and 12 panels representing different events/periods in black history.