Living in a state so rich with history gives the city of Columbia an amazing variety of museums! From history to art, education to military, Columbia has every type of exhibit for which you could ask. Get exploring today!
Freedom Now: Happening Through March 29
Moments captured in Civil Rights History.
This exhibit features photos taken during the height of the Civil Rights Movement. As many of the images are undocumented, visitors are invited to come into the State Library to help identify the people the photos, and the dates they were taken.
This exhibition is a significant part of our state’s history, and will be on display until March 29th! Read more here.
Monday- Friday, 8:30 AM – 5 PM |1500 Senate Street | 803-739-5385
Cayce Historical Museum
1800 12th Street | 803.739.5385 | Website
Housed in a replica of a 1765 Cayce trading post, the Cayce Historical Museum aims to share the rich history of the Cayce, Old Saxe Gotha, Granby, and West Columbia areas with visitors.
Visiting Hours: Mondays & major holidays: Closed | Tues – Fri: 9am – 4pm | Sat & Sun: 2 – 5pm
Admission:
- Adults: $3
- Seniors(62+): $2
- Military(with ID): $2
- Children(3-12): $1
- Infants 2 and under FREE
*Free Admission Sundays
Columbia Museum of Art
1515 Main Street | 803.799.2810 | Website
The Columbia Museum of Art is among the leading art institutions in the country, with over 25 galleries that house art that spans 5,000 years of history!
Jackson Pollock: Mural – Until May 19, 2019.
Monday: Closed | Tues – Fri: 11am – 5pm (Open until 8pm on the first Thursday of each month) Sat: 10am – 5pm
Admission:
- Members: FREE
- Children (<6): FREE
- Adults: $12
- Seniors (65+): $10
- Military: $10
- Students: $5
Edventure Childrens Museum
211 Gervais Street | 803.779.3100 | Website
All exhibits at EdVenture are hands-on and experiential. Introduces kids to the worlds of flight, the human body, pets, cooking, making things, the natural world and more.
Monday – Sunday: 9 AM – 5 PM
Admission:
- Members: FREE
- Children under 2: FREE
- Children and Adults: $11.95
- Seniors (age 62+): $10.95
- Military (with ID): $10.95
- Educator (with ID): $10.95
- Groups (15+ w/RSVP): $8.50
Historic House Museums
1616 Blanding Street | 803.252.7742 | Website
Five house museums each give insight into the lives of generations of Columbians, beginning back in the early 1800’s.
Tours start at 10am Tuesday-Saturday; Sundays at 1pm.
Admission:
| Age Group | Tour One House | Tour Two Houses | Tour Three Houses | Tour All Four Houses |
| Adults | $10 | $19 | $28 | $36 |
| Youth (6-12) | $7 | $13 | $19 | $24 |
| HC Members | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| 5 and under | Free | Free | Free | Free |
Lexington County Historical Museum
231 Fox Street | 803-359-8369 | Website
Through its 36 historic structures and furnishings, the museum focuses on the early history of Lexington County and its residents, providing a thorough and informative experience.
Open Tuesday – Saturday: 10 AM- 4 PM| Sunday: 1 PM- 4 PM
Admission:
- Adults: $5.00
- Children: $2.00
South Carolina Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum
301 Gervais Street | 803-737-8095 | Website
Collects, preserves, and exhibits South Carolina’s military culture from the colonial era to the present. The museum was founded in 1896, and is the third oldest museum in the state. Explore South Carolina’s military history through informative and award-winning exhibits, featuring many rare and one-of-a-kind artifacts.
Open Tuesday – Saturday: 10 AM – 5 PM | First Sunday of the Month: 1 – 5 PM
Admission:
- Adults (18-61): $6.00
- Seniors (62+): $5.00
- Military (active duty and veterans): $5.00
- Youth (10-17): $3.00
- First Sunday of the Month: $1.00
- Children (<9): FREE
- Members: FREE
South Carolina Military Museum
1 National Guard Rd. | 803-299-4440 | Website
This historic and educational museum is one of the largest National Guard museums in the country. Featuring both real and replica military equipment, you’ll learn about our nation’s defense system in a fascinating, hands-on way!
Monday – Saturday: 10 AM – 4 PM
Admission: FREE
South Carolina Railroad Museum
110 Industrial Park Rd. | Website
Exhibits many pieces of rolling equipment, cars, cabooses and engines. Offers regular rides on its own track. Located in Winnsboro, 30 miles north of Columbia.
Admission:
- Adults: $20 Advance Tickets
- Children: $15 Advance Tickets
South Carolina State Museum
301 Gervais Street |803-898-4921 |Website
Four floors of permanent exhibits on history, art, natural history and science and technology as well as a variety of changing and traveling exhibits, a 55-foot digital dome planetarium, 4D theater, and 2,500 square foot observatory that features a Alvan Clark refracting telescope from 1926!
Monday, Wednesday – Friday: 10 AM – 5 PM | Tuesday: 10 AM – 8 PM | Saturday: 10 AM – 6 PM| Sunday: 12 PM -5 PM
Admission:
- Adult (13-61): $8.95
- Seniors (62 +): $7.95
- Children (3-12): $6.95
- Infants (<2): FREE
*Active duty military personnel in uniform receives free general admission on Thursdays.
USC’s McKissick Museum
1501 Pendleton Street | 803-777-7251 | Website
Located on the University of South Carolina’s campus, this museum provides insight into the history of USC, as well as the community, culture, and environment of the American South.
Swag & Tassel: The Innovative Stoneware of Thomas Chandler – Through July 20, 2019.
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM- 5 PM| Saturday: 11 AM- 3 PM.
Admission: FREE
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