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Location
Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible, sensory-friendly and disability-adapted experiences available, ASL interpretation, assistive listening devices, captioning available, committed to providing accessible and inclusive experiences
Visitor tip
Plan your planetarium show strategically: watch it early in the day rather than mid-afternoon, as the aurora borealis show can make you drowsy and ends by walking toward the museum's beginning, potentially causing you to miss exhibits.
Best time
Visit on a Tuesday afternoon or weekday to enjoy a quiet museum with easy navigation. Avoid midday visits, as the Heroes and Villains and other popular exhibits develop long lines that block access to surrounding displays.
About South Carolina State Museum
Art, antiquities & science exhibits. Exhibits on art, history, nature, science & technology, housed on 4 floors in a former textile mill.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Natural History Museum
- Location
- 301 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC 29201
- Highlights
- South Carolina's role in American Revolution, bird exhibitions, art collections, planetarium laser shows
- Hours
- 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Special Features
- Sensory-friendly programs, free admission for active military
What visitors say
This was such a wonderful experience! The musicians were so talented and played with such joy! Loved hearing Abba songs (their songs lend themselves to be played by a string quartet) as well as the Queen songs. We even had audience…
Four floor, South Carolina historically oriented museum. Interesting progression from prehistoric to present. I suggest grabbing one of the free maps to help you navigate the somewhat twisty turny display routes. There are two "movie"…
This was my first time visiting the South Carolina State Museum and I really enjoyed it. The staff were very friendly. The museum has four floors with exhibits on state history, natural history, science, and art. I especially loved the…
From 4,121 Google reviews Read all reviews
Did You Know?
- Housed in a former textile mill on 4 floors, the museum transforms an industrial building into a multi-disciplinary cultural space covering art, history, nature, science, and technology
- Features a planetarium with laser light shows set to music from major artists including Michael Jackson, Prince, and Queen, in addition to educational astronomy presentations
- Offers specialized accessibility programs including the Morning Rainbow Fish sensory-friendly program, ASL interpretation, assistive listening devices, and disability-adapted experiences throughout the museum
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