South Carolina State Museum is a history, science and art museum in Columbia, Richland County, in South Carolina's Midlands. Adult admission is $13. Hours: Sun: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m; Mon: CLOSED; Tues. – Sat: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Facts read from the official site on October 25, 2026.
- Hours10 a.m.–5 p.m. (Tue–Sat)official hours below
- Admission$13 adults
- WhereColumbiaRichland County, Midlands
- DogsNot published
About South Carolina State Museum
The South Carolina State Museum in Columbia covers the state's history, art, natural history, and science and technology on four floors. It also has a digital dome planetarium, a 4D theater and an observatory.
- Four floors of permanent and changing exhibits
- Digital dome planetarium
- 4D interactive theater
- Boeing Observatory
- Billed as the largest and most comprehensive museum in the state
Plan It In Three Lines
Getting In
Admission: $13 adults. Parking: Accessible parking spaces first come, first served (general parking details not read)..
10 a.m.–5 p.m. (Tue–Sat)Bring The Dog?
not
Full rule belowMake It A Day
EdVenture Children's Museum is about 0 miles away (straight line).
6 places within 30 miles
South Carolina State Museum Hours
Hours in a day
- OpenTue–Sat10 a.m.–5 p.m.
- OpenTue–Sat11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Days of the week today is outlined
- Sun: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
- Mon: CLOSED
- Mon closed
Bars that fade start at sunrise or end at sunset or dark, which move with the season. The full hours, word for word, are in the list below.
- Sun: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
- Mon: CLOSED
- Tues. – Sat: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Boeing Observatory: Sun 1-5 p.m.; Tues.-Sat. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Mon closed
Hours source: official site, read October 25, 2026.
Admission And Parking
- With TWO show add-ons: Adult$21.00
- General Admission: Adult$13.00
- Members: free general admissionFree
The first price on each official line (where online and gate prices differ, the line below says which). Read October 25, 2026.
- General Admission: Adult $13, Senior (62+) $11, Children (3-12) $10
- With ONE show add-on (planetarium or 4D): Adult $18, Senior $16, Children $15
- With TWO show add-ons: Adult $21, Senior $19, Children $18
- Members: free general admission
Parking: Accessible parking spaces first come, first served (general parking details not read).
Directions And Contact
- Address: 301 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC 29201
- Phone: 803-898-4921
- Map point: 33.99895,-81.04797, from OpenStreetMap. Directions in Google Maps
- Official site: scmuseum.org
Dogs And Accessibility
- Dogs: not published
- Accessibility: Elevators to all four floors; accessible restrooms on each floor and family restrooms on floors 1 and 4; wheelchairs, rollators and portable stools available; accessibility mornings offered.
Near South Carolina State Museum
- 1EdVenture Children's MuseumChildren'S Museumunder 1 mi
- 2Columbia Museum of ArtArt Museumunder 1 mi
- 3Riverbanks Zoo and GardenZoo And Botanical Gardenabout 2 mi
- 4Three Rivers GreenwayRiverfront Greenwayabout 2 mi
- 5Sesquicentennial State ParkState Parkabout 10 mi
- 6Pine Island State ParkState Parkabout 13 mi
Straight-line distances between map points, not driving miles. Dots sit in their true compass direction; distance is stretched near the middle so close neighbors stay readable.
Coming Up Near South Carolina State Museum
- Through May 31EdVenture Children's Museum (Columbia)On nowColumbia · about 9 mi
- Through Oct 30Boo at the Zoo (Riverbanks Zoo & Garden)On nowColumbia · about 9 mi
- Nov 1 – Mar 7South Carolina State Museum First SundayColumbia · about 9 mi
- Nov 2David SedarisColumbia · about 9 mi
- Nov 3Gamecocks men's basketball vs. Stetson (home opener)Columbia · about 9 mi
- Nov 6American Patriot Coffee Holiday MarketCamden · about 31 mi
67 more on the full events calendar.
Events within 40 miles, measured in a straight line to the centre of the event's town. Dates come from our checked events list; confirm with the organizer.
FAQ
How much does South Carolina State Museum cost?
$13 adults. General Admission: Adult $13, Senior (62+) $11, Children (3-12) $10; With ONE show add-on (planetarium or 4D): Adult $18, Senior $16, Children $15; With TWO show add-ons: Adult $21, Senior $19, Children $18
What are the hours at South Carolina State Museum?
Sun: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.; Mon: CLOSED.
Can I bring a dog to South Carolina State Museum?
not published
What We Could Not Verify
- General parking not read
- Holiday closures not published on pages read
- Site header showed 'Open today from 10:00 AM' on Sunday Oct 25, which conflicts with the listed Sunday noon opening
- Hours and prices change; check the official site the day you go.
Sources
- South Carolina State Museum: hours (read 2026-10-25)
- South Carolina State Museum: official site (read 2026-10-25)
- OpenStreetMap (map point)
Last checked October 25, 2026 by the It’s South Carolina editor. Spot something out of date? Tell us.
Cite this page: It's South Carolina, “South Carolina State Museum”, itssouthcarolina.com/places-to-go-in-south-carolina/south-carolina-state-museum/ (updated ). By the It's South Carolina editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.