Checked October 2, 2026 on the museum's own pages: hours and admission, First Sunday, planetarium, observatory, accessibility and group visits. Prices and shows change, so check before you go.
The South Carolina State Museum fills four floors of a former textile mill in the Vista with the state's art, cultural history, natural history and science. The museum says the building was the first fully electric textile mill in the United States and became the State Museum in 1988 (scmuseum.org). It also has a 55-foot digital dome planetarium, a 4D theater and a working observatory.
The basics
| Address | 301 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC 29201 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 803-898-4921 |
| Hours | Tuesday–Saturday 10 am – 5 pm, Sunday noon – 5 pm, closed Monday |
| Adult ticket | $13 (general admission) |
| Cheapest day | First Sunday of the month: $1 general admission |
Tickets and prices
General admission covers all four floors of permanent and changing exhibits (hours and admission):
| Ticket | Adult | Senior (62+) | Child (3–12) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General admission | $13 | $11 | $10 |
| + one planetarium or 4D show | $18 | $16 | $15 |
| + two shows | $21 | $19 | $18 |
Children under 3 get free general admission (Museums for All). When you buy online you choose the date and the show times you want.
Ways to pay less
- First Sunday: general admission is $1 for everyone on the first Sunday of every month, noon to 5 pm. Planetarium and 4D shows are $5 each extra that day. First Sunday tickets are sold at the admissions desk when you arrive, and the $1 price can't be combined with other discounts (First Sunday).
- Museums for All: guests who receive SNAP/EBT, WIC or Medicaid pay $2 per person for up to four people in the household. Bring the card or proof of Medicaid and a photo ID (Museums for All).
- Military: active-duty military and up to five family members get free general admission under Blue Star Museums, but only from Armed Forces Day to Labor Day (in 2026, May 16 to September 7) (Blue Star Museums).
- Groups of 10 or more can book discounted group rates (group visits).
- Members get free general admission and pay $4 per show.
What to see
- American Battleground: South Carolina's Revolution, the new exhibition for the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. Its signature object is the flag carried by the 2nd South Carolina Regiment, and an interactive "Battle Stations" map covers hundreds of battles and skirmishes across the state (exhibition page).
- Changing exhibitions listed in October 2026 include South Carolina Remembers 9/11: 25 Years Later, South Carolina Wings of Wonder (birds), Native Communities of South Carolina and When I See Myself, I See..., a portrait series by Natalie Daise (scmuseum.org).
- Under renovation: the museum notes that some third-floor exhibitions are closed for gallery renovation, and that the Dinosaur Gallery and Habitats display is closed until an expected reopening in November 2026. If dinosaurs are the reason for your trip, check first.
Planetarium, 4D theater and observatory
- Planetarium: a 145-seat, 55-foot digital dome with 4K laser projection. Shows listed in October 2026 include HalloScream Laser Lights, James Webb Space Telescope: The Story Unfolds, Into America's Wild, Solar Superstorms, Live Sky Experience and Black Holes (planetarium).
- 4D theater: 3D films with air bursts, moving seats and other effects; the museum calls it the only permanent theater of its kind in the state. Current films are Animal Kingdom 4D: The Wild Awaits and BUGS 4D. Timed tickets are required (4D theater).
- Boeing Observatory: a 1926 Alvan Clark refracting telescope on the fourth floor. Daily solar viewing is included with admission, weather permitting: Tuesday–Saturday 11 am – 5 pm and Sunday 1 – 5 pm. Night-sky viewing happens only at special events (observatory).
Parking and getting in
The museum says there is ample parking in front of the building and in a parking deck on the left side of it; accessible spaces are in the lower section of the deck, first come, first served (group visits, accessibility). Guests parking in the deck can enter through the Atrium (museum map).
On city streets nearby, the City of Columbia doesn't charge for parking after 7 pm on weekdays, all day Saturday (except the Five Points and Bull Street districts) or all day Sunday (City of Columbia parking).
Accessibility
Elevators serve all four floors, accessible restrooms are on every floor, and family restrooms are on the first and fourth floors. The museum also runs sensory-friendly Accessibility Mornings on the first Saturday of the month, 9 – 11 am (accessibility, scmuseum.org).
How long to spend, and what to pair it with
Plan on two to three hours for the galleries plus one show. Good pairings within a few minutes' walk:
- EdVenture next door, for children up to about 10. See our EdVenture guide.
- The riverfront: the Three Rivers Greenway and Riverfront Park start nearby. See the Three Rivers Greenway guide.
- Dinner in the Vista: our downtown Columbia restaurants guide lists places on Gervais Street a few blocks away.
- Soda City Market on Saturday mornings: see our Soda City Market guide.
Tips
- Mondays are out: the museum is closed every Monday.
- Do First Sunday early in the afternoon: it opens at noon and the $1 day is popular.
- Book show times online on busy weekends so you get the planetarium slot you want.
- Rainy-day plan: EdVenture in the morning, the State Museum after lunch. More ideas in things to do with kids in Columbia.
The full list, by category: things to do in Columbia, SC.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the South Carolina State Museum?
General admission is $13 for adults, $11 for seniors 62 and over and $10 for children 3 to 12 (October 2026). Adding one planetarium or 4D show makes it $18, $16 and $15. Children under 3 get free general admission.
What are the South Carolina State Museum's hours?
Tuesday to Saturday 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday noon to 5 pm. The museum is closed on Mondays.
Is the South Carolina State Museum free on certain days?
Not free, but on the first Sunday of every month general admission is $1 (noon to 5 pm). Planetarium and 4D shows cost $5 each extra that day.
Where do you park for the South Carolina State Museum?
The museum has parking in front of the building and in a parking deck on its left side, with accessible spaces in the lower section of the deck. Guests in the deck can enter through the Atrium.
Is the dinosaur exhibit open at the SC State Museum?
Not right now. The museum says the Dinosaur Gallery and Habitats display is closed for renovation and is expected to reopen in November 2026.
Where is the South Carolina State Museum?
301 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC 29201, in the Vista next to EdVenture Children's Museum.