South Carolina State Museum

Address:	301 Gervais St, Columbia, SC 29214, USA
Phone:	+1 803-898-4921
Site:	scmuseum.org
Rating:	4.6
Working:	10AM–5PM 10AM–8PM 10AM–5PM 10AM–5PM 10AM–5PM 10AM–6PM 12–5PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 7

Anna Rip

Fun way to spend the day. Observatory up on the 4th floor thats part of admission. Staff member is on hand to discuss astronomy. Got to view the sun, but it was too cloudy that night to view the night sky. If youre interested in this, its worth a look at the weather beforehand. Though smoke was also an issue that night. The planetarium also does live sky views, weather permitting, but I was able to see a show of a simulated night sky with details about the constellations, milky way, black holes, planets, etc. The whole place was pretty interesting and has some cool artifacts, though many are castings. The dioramas are thoughtful and informative. I also really liked the science area, though it could probably use a face lift. Id say my only real complaint is the Julius Caesar exhibit was a bit lackluster, especially for extra admission. My husband even pointed out a historically inaccurate face mask worn by a gladiator. And there was a gift shop about 1/4 the size of the exhibit with cheesy Roman inspired souvenirs. Also some of the interactive things werent working. Also some updating in certain areas would probably be a good idea. Otherwise though, still an amazing place and I am already planning to go back. In 4 hours we got through the museum and enjoyed it thoroughly. I want to try the 4d theater and see the night sky on a clear night. Pro tip: Theyre open till 8 on Tuesday during winter time (and 10 when daylight savings start) and its cheaper admission after 4. My husband and I got admission with the special exhibit and a planetarium show for only $26 for both of us. Also there was very few people on this day, made it even more enjoyable to mill about with only a few people here and there.

Korey M.

Let me start by saying my children had a wonderful time here. Our afternoon started out on a very bad note we walked in having never visited the museum before had a few questions for the girl behind the counter. We have 5 children and were initially just going to buy the attraction tickets for them when I noticed that the member pricing was much cheaper I asked what we needed to do to become a member and all she did was hand me a pamphlet and say read this. We asked her a few other questions about membership and she seemed very annoyed. We were the only ones in line at the time so it wasnt like we were holding anyone else up. She did not know the answer to many of our questions because she said it changes all the time. When my nine-year-old daughter touched a sign on the counter and asked what it was for her response was for you not to touch. I was disgusted. We asked to speak to a manager , Scotty the retail manager came out and assisted us and was happy to answer all of our questions and listen to our complaint about the service from the young lady behind the counter you made our day better but we will still have a bad taste in my mouth after starting off our afternoon being treated rudely after spending over $100 just to get in the door.

Elizabeth Zumbrun

Our three children (ages 6, 8 and 10) attended the State Museum summer camp for the first three weeks of the summer. The topics covered included Space, Art, Science (STEM and STEAM) and paleontology. The education team at the state museum provided a tremendous experience for our children! They have been going to summer camps for years, and we have never seen them come home so happy, interested and inspired! They came home each night chattering with each other and us about the stimulating and unique things they did and learned. They were also filled with confidence and pride about what they had done. Our son said he was "famous for his scientific personality". As their time at the camp unfolded, it seemed that more than ever, they were turning their attention towards reading books (especially unusual for them during the summer!). This camp really set the best possible tone for the entire summer and made a tremendous positive impact on them. The extended hours were also perfect for us since both of us work full time. We really cant say enough great things about The State Museum Camp and look forward to signing the children up again next summer.

Shawn Newman

We had a wonderful experience at the Museum during the total solar eclipse on August 21st. Both the coordination of the event and the Excellence of the museum itself made a lasting impression on both me and my children. This was our first visit to Columbia and this Museum certainly makes us want to come back. We started the day off exploring the art exhibits and the geologic history exhibits. We are especially Amazed by the Savage Seas exhibit, which shows some of the amazing prehistoric life of the Inland shallow American sea during the period about 80 million years ago. This exhibit had full skeletons of a huge variety of animals that lived at this time in quite life-like positioning. As for the activity surrounding the eclipse itself, the museum certainly outdid itself and its peers. Not only did they arrange for an orderly and extremely pleasant that was neither too crowded nor too expensive, they also had exhibits from NASA and a local astronaut hero who spoke to the crowd before the full eclipse. They arranged for delicious local catering provided water and glasses to all attendees. I cant wait to go back.

Pros Incharge

I was racially profiled and it was very insulting. My mother, a retired SC school teacher,, has been a member for years of this museum. I and my 2 children accompinied her to specifically visit the Bollywood exhibit last month. When we arrived in the exhibit, my family were the only ones there. The volunteer, a young white male, did not speak or acknowledge our presence. Fine, no problem. I noticed him following us around the exhibit. Ok!!! Didnt really bother me. As others came in with their families, this Boy, continued to follow me and my family. I homeschool my children, I so I took my time explaining things to my children and this seemed to disturb him. So I began making sudden movements around the exhibit to make sure I wasnt crazy. As I moved, he moved. I said, hello, can I help you. He said, I want to make sure you dont touch anything. Mind you, there were at least 10 other people in there at the time. So my 83 year old mother, told him off. Had she not been there, he would have had a big problem. I still havent gotten over this

David

The SC State Museum is a gem. They have ever-changing and traveling exhibits, as well as permanent exhibits to browse. They host a lot of great art. The exhibits themselves are always detailed and informational. A membership is well worth the price. I stay abreast of the changing and traveling exhibits and visit frequently to catch them all. I love bringing the family and checking out everything and learning together. They often have modern exhibits featuring science and technology, and how they both play a role and impact our day to day lives. I couldnt ask for more from South Carolinas flagship museum. A must visit.

A Private User

I was disappointed by the front desk service during my recent visit to the museum to see the pirates exhibit. The attendant assisted another customer who arrived at the desk after I did. When I told him how astonished I was that he ignored my wife and me, and how upset we were, he did not offer a discount, or even an apology, but as an explanation he only offered that changing the receipt paper after the previous customer flustered him. Despite the young man working Saturday morning, the pirates, natural history and silver collections were quite nice, and if I had children I would return to show them.