The Gold Rush town that refused to die is a charming place for adults and children alike to visit. The town's pedestrian-only business district has been preserved with shops, restaurants, hotels and look-in-the-window exhibits illuminating what life was like in the 1850s.
Plan your visit for the second Saturday of the month or during one of many special-event weekends to be charmed by the many local volunteers who don period dress to help create a Gold Rush atmosphere.
DogTrekkers will enjoy walking around with their four-legged friends but will have to stay elsewhere as the two historic hotels in town do not accept canines.
Ample picnic grounds are available. Admission and parking are free, as are town tours offered daily at 11 a.m. from mid-June through Labor day and weekends the rest of the year.
When in the area be sure to visit Railtown 1897 State Historic Park in Jamestown, six miles from Columbia. This outdoor museum devoted to all things railroad also welcomes visitors with dogs.
