Columbia’s Civil War & Street Art Tour Review

Columbia’s Civil War & Street Art Tour offers a unique blend of history and contemporary culture. Accessible through a smartphone app, the self-guided experience provides flexibility for exploring pre-Civil War homes and the city’s vibrant art scene. However, the strict cancellation policy and mixed reviews suggest a cautious approach when booking this tour. Delving deeper into the tour’s features and considerations could help determine if it’s the right fit for one’s interests and needs.

Tour Overview and Features

The self-guided audio tour of Columbia, South Carolina allows visitors to explore the city’s pre-Civil War homes and vibrant art scene at their own pace.

The experience is flexible – users can start, pause, and resume the tour as needed. The tour is downloadable via smartphone, with no Wi-Fi required.

Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata is provided, and the tour is available in English with lifetime access. The VoiceMap app is compatible with both Android and iOS devices.

The tour starts and ends at the South Carolina State House, with detailed instructions available after downloading.

Meeting and End Points

The meeting point for the tour is the South Carolina State House, located at 1100 Gervais St, Columbia, SC 29208, USA.

From there, the self-guided audio tour explores pre-Civil War homes and the city’s art scene. The tour ends back at the starting point, the State House.

Detailed instructions on reaching the starting location are available after downloading the tour.

The flexible experience allows visitors to start, pause, and resume the tour at their convenience using a smartphone and headphones.

No WiFi is needed, as the audio, maps, and geodata are accessible offline.

Availability and Scheduling

The self-guided Columbia’s Civil War & Street Art Tour is available from July 30, 2020 to March 4, 2026, allowing visitors to explore the city’s history and art scene at their convenience.

The tour can be accessed daily, 24 hours a day. However, it’s recommended to confirm the start time with the local provider in advance.

The experience offers:

1. Flexible scheduling – start, pause, and resume the tour as needed.
2. Downloadable content – no WiFi required for accessing the audio, maps, and geodata.
3. Lifetime access – revisit the tour anytime, even after the initial download.

Inclusions and Requirements

To participate in the Columbia’s Civil War & Street Art Tour, visitors need a smartphone and headphones.

The tour doesn’t include tickets or entrance fees to museums and attractions. Infants must sit on laps, and service animals are allowed.

The tour is stroller accessible but not wheelchair accessible. Most travelers can participate, as this is a private tour for your group only.

There’s no need for WiFi, as the audio, maps, and geodata are available offline through the VoiceMap app, which is compatible with both Android and iOS devices.

Pricing and Cancellation Policy

From $11.99 per person, the Columbia’s Civil War & Street Art Tour offers a competitively priced self-guided experience.

However, the tour’s cancellation policy is strict – it’s non-refundable, and no refunds are given for cancellations. This may be a consideration for some travelers:

1. The tour is non-refundable, so there are no refunds for cancellations.
2. Travelers must confirm the start time with the local provider in advance.
3. With only a single review on Viator and Tripadvisor, and no 5-star ratings, the tour’s reliability and value may be uncertain.

Exploring Pre-Civil War Homes

As visitors commence on the Columbia’s Civil War & Street Art Tour, they have the opportunity to explore the city’s well-preserved pre-Civil War homes. These historic residences offer a glimpse into the antebellum period and the architectural styles that defined the era. Strolling through the neighborhoods, guests can admire the intricate details, grand columns, and elegant facades that characterize this bygone era. The tour provides an enriching experience, allowing participants to step back in time and gain a deeper appreciation for Columbia’s storied past.

Home	Year Built	Architectural Style	Historical Significance	Preservation Status
Ainsley Hall House	1857	Greek Revival	Former home of prominent politician	Fully restored
Hampton-Preston Mansion	1818	Federal	Showcases life of wealthy Southern planters	Partially restored
Woodrow Wilson Family Home	1871	Italianate	Birthplace of former U.S. President	Well-maintained
Seibels House	1849	Greek Revival	Oldest surviving urban home in Columbia	Meticulously preserved
Robert Mills House	1823	Federal	Designed by renowned architect Robert Mills	Carefully restored

Discovering the City’s Art Scene

Beyond the historic homes, the Columbia’s Civil War & Street Art Tour also allows visitors to discover the city’s vibrant art scene.

The self-guided audio tour highlights three key features:

1. Murals and Installations – Explore the city’s vibrant street art, including colorful murals, sculptures, and artistic installations that showcase the creative spirit of Columbia.

2. Art Galleries – Wander through the charming galleries downtown, featuring works by local and regional artists across a range of mediums, from paintings to photography.

3. Public Art – Discover the thought-provoking public art pieces scattered throughout the city, reflecting the city’s dedication to supporting the arts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Tour Available in Languages Other Than English?

The tour is only available in English. The tour description states that it provides "Lifetime access to tour in English" and does not mention any other language options.

Are There Any Discounts or Special Offers Available?

According to the tour overview, there are no special discounts or offers mentioned. The tour is priced from $11.99 per person, and the policy is non-refundable with no 5-star ratings received.

Can I Bring My Own Food and Drinks on the Tour?

No, bringing your own food and drinks is not allowed on this self-guided audio tour. The tour overview indicates that only smartphone and headphones are required, and the inclusions do not mention any provision for outside food or beverages.

Is the Tour Suitable for Visitors With Disabilities?

The tour isn’t wheelchair accessible, but it’s stroller-friendly. Infants can join, sitting on laps. Service animals are allowed. The tour may not be suitable for all visitors with disabilities. It’s best to check with the local provider beforehand.

What Is the Duration of the Full Tour Experience?

The tour provides a flexible, self-guided experience, allowing visitors to start, pause, and resume the tour at their convenience. The full tour duration is not specified, but can be completed at the user’s own pace.

The Sum Up

Columbia’s Civil War & Street Art Tour provides a unique blend of historical and cultural exploration. The self-guided experience offers flexibility, but the strict cancellation policy and mixed reviews call for careful consideration before booking. Ultimately, the tour’s appeal lies in its ability to immerse participants in the city’s pre-Civil War heritage and vibrant art scene at their own pace.