Most reviewed Speciality Museums in South Carolina
5.0Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum(4.611 reviews) - Do The Captain's Tour of The Yorktown For Incredible Views Of The Ship Not Available To General Admission Tuesday: 9:00 AM - 6:30 PM Spent More than 3 hours Military Museums • Speciality Museums • History Museums
The history of Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum began in June 1975 when the legendary aircraft carrier USS Yorktown entered Charleston Harbor. A few months later, the USS Yorktown was dedicated as the first ship of the Naval & Maritime Museum on the 200th birthday of the United States Navy. Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum was officially opened to the public on January 3, 1976. Today the museum consists of the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown (CV-10) with 29 aircraft on display from WWII to the present; the USS Laffey (DD-724), a Sumner-class destroyer; and the USS Clamagore (SS-343), a GUPPY III submarine. The Congressional Medal of Honor Society is headquartered here and their official Medal of Honor Museum is onboard the USS Yorktown. There is also a Cold War Sub Memorial and Vietnam Support Base Camp on the surrounding grounds.See more..
4.5Coastal Discovery Museum(1.225 reviews)from $12.00 - Good place to check out Tuesday: 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM Speciality Museums
If the beach gets boring, families head to this interactive museum to learn about the history and wildlife of sea islands.See more..
4.5South Carolina State Museum(643 reviews) - Loved the Wizard of Oz exhibit Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Speciality Museums
The South Carolina State Museum is a state-of-the-art facility featuring four floors of permanent and changing exhibits, a digital dome planetarium, 4D interactive theater and an observatory. The museum is located in downtown Columbia, South Carolina. Please visit the website for the most current and accurate operating hours and pricing.See more..
4.5BMW Zentrum(411 reviews) - Awesome tour and tour guides Tuesday: 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM Speciality Museums
My wife booked our tour way in advance and still couldn't get the two hour tour in the afternoon. We took the one hour tour in the morning. You start in the BMW museum where they break you up into smaller groups. You are driven to the assembly plant on a really nice motor coach. At the factory you are given safety glasses and earbuds so you can hear the tour guide while you are on the factory floor. The tour through the assembly line lasts about an hour with the guide giving you information about each part of the assembly process. It is amazing how organized this plant is. They make you turn off your phones and no cameras, video or pictures are allowed on the tour, but you are free to take as many as you like in the museum. If you ever get the chance to take this tour, do it, it is well worth the money. Super educational and will give you a new perspective on how automobiles are made.See more..
4.5Museum of York County(109 reviews) - Interesting tour Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Speciality Museums • Natural History Museums • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Explore the Carolina Piedmont and its connections to the world at the Museum of York County! Our Naturalist Center is the only Smithsonian-styled education center in South Carolina, with more than 2,000 specimens at your fingertips. Our staff will guide your learning adventures from the Piedmont and across the globe. In the Settlemyre Planetarium, travel the cosmos from the comfort of your seat with state-of-the-art digital projection and new programs. Based on the imaginative artwork of nationally-known illustrator and long-time Rock Hill resident, Vernon Grant, a playful learning space awaits our youngest visitors in Tot Town, while the Gallery features changing exhibitions for the young and young-at-heart. Don’t miss award-winning exhibitions and programs exploring a variety of natural history topics. Our Museum Gift Shop offers items of interest for all ages. A picnic area and Nature Trail offer outdoor experiences.See more..
4.5Anderson County Museum(95 reviews) - Great Museum of Local History Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Military Museums • Speciality Museums • History Museums
Welcome to the Award Winning Anderson County Museum! Our 12,000 square foot gallery offers inspiration and innovation experiences through our collections, exhibits, programs and events. We engage visitors with our artifact-driven approach in galleries that are not static, but offer new and exciting exhibits, events, and programs monthly. For more than 35 years we have told the stories of Anderson County and South Carolina. These stories educate visitors on the local, regional, and national significance our rich history proclaims. As a museum with more than 25,000 artifacts, our permanent exhibits are always changing. New temporary exhibits are presented quarterly as we collect, preserve and interpret objects in the ACM collection.See more..
4.5Lexington County Museum(86 reviews) - A must visit for Lexington Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums
The Lexington County Museum, located in downtown Lexington, offers a rare and unforgettable experience – the chance to see and touch a way of life gone forever. The Museum interprets and exhibits historic structures and artifacts that tell the story of everyday life for Lexington County residents in the colonial and antebellum period and contains many everyday items people used in the 18th and 19th centuries. The Museum features over 30 historic structures on seven acres. Some of these include the Leaphart/Harman house, built around 1790; the Corley Cabin, the oldest documented building in Lexington; the Ernest Hazelius House, where the traditional song "Give Me That Old Time Religion" was composed, the two story-John Fox House, built in 1832, and the Fox House slave quarters. The Museum serves as an invaluable educational tool by promoting the county's history and attracting school groups. The Museum offers thirteen hands-on tours to school groups for free.See more..
4.5World of Energy(84 reviews) - Good place for kids & adults Speciality Museums
This is a FREE self guided tour. Lots of information on how the power plant works and it's impact on the environment.See more..
The Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum and Baseball Library is an independent, non-profit organization located in the former home of Joe and his wife, Katie. We are dedicated to honoring the life and preserving the legacy of the greatest natural hitter to ever play the game. Through the research, collection, and display of many original artifacts, photos, and countless books in our on-site research library, we provide comprehensive context for Joe's place in baseball history. In addition to dispelling myths and educating the public about the truth of Joe's life and career, our mission is to be an active, contributing member within our local communities, continuing to grow the game of baseball for generations to come.See more..
The Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum celebrates the great tradition of racing and Aiken’s vital role in it. Forty Champion Thoroughbreds have trained at the famed Aiken Training Track. The Hall of Fame immortalizes each in the Iselin’s charming, old carriage house. The Hall of Fame features both flat racers and steeplechase horses, from 1942 through the present. Photos, trophies and other memorabilia highlight these outstanding horses.See more..
2 museums in one- first the Cotton Museum= fantastic presentation on the history of cotton in SC. The gentlemen who gave us a brief intro was great. Friendly and knowledgeable about the subject. Clean museum with exhibits that are clear to understand and fascinating to view. Well done. The veterans museum section was outstanding as well- wonderful relics and uniforms on display. I've been to a lot of military museums and was quite impressed with the exhibits here. Great gift shop on the complex. Always enjoyed the local folklore of The Lizard Man, and items on the subject are here on sale. The Doc Blanchard statue across the street is stunning, as is the Gratitude Train on the street. A military jet is also on display outdoors. Overall, a wonderful museum. This world traveler was impressed!See more..
4.5Daufuskie Island Historical Foundation(50 reviews) - Wonderful- Visited with Sallie Ann Authentic Gullah Tour Tuesday: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Speciality Museums
The Daufuskie Island Historical Foundation was founded in 2001 to preserve the historical and cultural heritage of Daufuskie Island, South Carolina. The museum complex has many items of interest which shows the heritage of Daufuskie Island.See more..
The State Tobacco Museum's collection of four centuries of tobacco artifacts illustrate how tobacco affected the economies and societies of the rural south. A reconstructed tobacco barn and market allow visitors to immerse themselves in the stories, sights and smells of tobacco history. Guided tours of the museum and of Mullins are available.See more..
Were a small historical museum all about Summerville and it's rich history, Started on Feb 12, 1992 until today and its's grown and it's continuing to teacher visitors about the area. Starting in the late 1600's to present day. We off a beautiful garden which can be used as a venue for hosting small gatherings and weddings. We hope you'll check us out. Small admission fee.See more..
4.5Button Museum(30 reviews) - A fun and quaint road trip stop Speciality Museums
We were on a road trip and had it on our list to see the Button Museum. It didn’t disappoint. We went into the hangar, turned on the lights and were met by JD who introduced us to the museum, turned on a DVD of Dalton Steven’s television appearances and offered to answer any questions that we had. When finished with questions, JD left us to peruse the museum and just asked us to shut the door and turn out the lights when finished. The collection is small but impressive and fun. We recommend this unusual stop to anyone who is looking for something to see that’s not the norm.See more..
Spending the night in Walterboro? Plan to see the Colleton Museum. This is a great example of a local museum which educates visitors about area history with big budgets for dark rooms and fancy lit displays. We came away with a new appreciation for the Low County.See more..
If you like trains, this is a good place to visit. The museum is rather small, inside a historic train depot. It has train tracks on both sides of the depot to watch trains go by. A note of warning, it is hard to see the tracks in front because it is down a ravine, so they have put risers to help.See more..
4.5Burt Stark Mansion(27 reviews) - Lovely old home, End of the War between States happened here. Tuesday: Speciality Museums
First I am shocked someone would leave a review that they didn’t go in to this home because of a $10 fee. Our entrance fees to historic sites are what helps keep them alive for us to see. Donations are always accepted as well. These houses just don’t take care of themselves. SMH. This house was lovely! Our tour guide was well informed on the house, she is a member of the chamber and the historical society. President Davis signed the papers to end the Confederacy in this house. The town of Abbeville has so much rich history. All the building are from the 1900’s and some before and all have stories. Highly recommend you stop by and check this one out. Make sure you call ahead of time. And keep in mind all the tour guides are VOLUNTEERS. They don’t get paid to do this they do it because they love it. Pay the fee and enjoy it with them!See more..
The Dupont Planetarium is located at the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center at USCAiken. They do shows for the public every Saturday night with two showings. The planetarium has a vast array of shows and changes them every month. After your done if it is a clear night you can go up on the roof to the Observatory and use the magnificent telescope to view Saturn's rings and many other heavenly bodies. Inside the Ruth Patrick is a great Science store which is open during the public shows.See more..
4.5Model Trains Station(22 reviews) - AWESOME place to visit for families with young kids / children !!! Tuesday: Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums
Mini World of Trains (DBA) Model Trains Station has move to Taylors Mill. It is a family fun adventure for all ages with multiple displays of model trains from N Scale to G Scale. Join us in celebrating in our expanded train displays and expanded children's area. A multi-purpose room for birthdays, meetings, training classes with accommodations for up to 45 people.See more..
5.0Morris Center for Lowcountry Heritage(21 reviews) - The Morris Center is wonderful Spent < 1 hour Speciality Museums • Art Museums • History Museums
We are so fortunate to have this museum in Ridgeland. The programs offered are varied so there is something for every age. There are many free exhibits, demonstrations and speeches as well as classes in exercise, art, culinary, crafts, etc. for a very reasonable fee. The last instructional class that I attended, taught me to make beautiful Christmas wreaths from magnolia leaves and bows. It was sponsored by our local Garden Club so we learned from the best!See more..
4.5Sumter County Museum(19 reviews) - Sumter Co Genealogical Society (Sumter family history) Speciality Museums
Historic Williams-Brice House, Heritage Education Center, Research Archives, Outdoor Exhibits, Carolina Backcountry Homestead, Living History, Public Programs and Gift Shop Located in Downtown SumterSee more..
A must see for those that haven't been. Artifacts from the Great Pee Dee and the Mars Bluff Naval Yard, Artifacts recovered from the Florence Stockade, period drawings and a scale model of Weapons, camp items, and relics recovered from several battlefields personal belongings of many veterans. If in the area it's a must see. See more..
4.5Rock Hill Fire Station Museum(19 reviews) - Great place to get wiggles out Tuesday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums • Children's Museums
Our kids had a blast! There is a fireman’s pole, a place to dress up as a fireman, a fire truck to climb on, and an ambulance (among other play things). Sizable bathroom with changing table! Places to sit and chill while kids play. Requested donation for your time (no entry fee). See more..
4.0Catawba Cultural Center(19 reviews) - Very nice-with great walking trail!! Speciality Museums
The Cultural Center is located in an old school house building on the Catawba Indian Reservation. It serves as an educational center for people to learn about the history and interesting culture of the Catawbas. Inside the center are excellent examples of Catawba pottery, baskets and other ethnic/historical items. All are presented in nice displays. The gift shop was very nice. A lot of items for sale at very good prices. The lady working there was very kind in asking and answering any questions we had.There are three trails to walk, but the one I suggest starts at the center and goes down to the Catawba River. Along the trail is a replica roundhouse, an old house replica from the 1900's and various info/display signs telling about the Catawba history and legends. Very fun and informative. The center is FREE. Donations are accepted. easy to follow signs from I-77 will lead you to the reservation. If you like to learn about history and cultures, then I suggest you stop by and enjoy.See more..
Several reviews said this was a small museum but we were pleasantly surprised. For a small town, this is a nice museum. Lots of history and well done decent sized displays. We were told they are planning expansions as well. Well worth the $5 admission in my opinion. See more..
We were in Pickens to meet friends for lunch and were looking for something to do in the morning. Luckily we decided on Pickens County Museum of Art and History. It had many very interesting exhibits and was much larger than expected. If you happen to be in Pickens you need to make time to visit this museum.See more..
Just visited the new World War I exhibit. It was wonderful to see things from Camp Wadsworth and other items related to the era. A must see for those interested in history.See more..
4.5Sigal Music Museum(18 reviews) - Informative staff! Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Speciality Museums • History Museums
Museum. Formerly Carolina Music Museum. Now home to one of the largest collections of various musical instruments in the world.See more..
4.5Hartsville Museum(15 reviews) - Small but nice! Speciality Museums
Just one level but packed with Hartsville memories. It has a really neat loom and spinning wheel. It is a nice little stop.See more..
4.0Tearificteapot Museum(15 reviews) - Terrific Teapot Museum Tuesday: 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums
Small town Elloree, SC showcases a gem of an attraction in J's Tea-rific Teapot Museum. Local pharmacist Mr. Boland has collected (it all started with his gift of a teapot to his wife) and now shares his passion for all-things-teapot through a space which is shaped like, what else, a teapot! Open 11:00 am - 5:00 pm Wednesday,Thursday and Friday, the collection is mind-boggling in sheer numbers of teapots as well as the clever ways they are displayed -- by color, material, theme, subject matter, size, manufacturer, country of origin, and usage. This unique "little" museum is a not-to-be-missed showcase of one man's passion for teapots, plain and expressive. Mrs. Boland is the teapot museum's gracious guide.See more..
4.5Hagood Creek Petroglyph Site(15 reviews) - Wowser! Pickens County did it right. Wonderful petroglyph site and show. Go see it. Tuesday: Spent < 1 hour Speciality Museums • Historic Sites
The Hagood Creek Petroglyph Site is a museum located on the same grounds as the Hagood Mill Historic Site and is managed by the same parent non-profit organization, The Hagood Mill Foundation. The site features 32 prehistoric petroglyphs and is the most accessible and only protected rock art in the state. The site features an audiovisual presentation narrated by Tommy Charles, the archaeologist that led the investigation. The museum also has a number of portable petroglyphs and Native American artifacts, art and books. The Petroglyph Site is wheelchair accessible. This museum is just one stop on "Our Native Roots: An Interpretive Trail," the latest installment at the Hagood Mill Historic Site. This is a true gem of the state and is certainly worth a visit!See more..
5.0The Ultimate Driving Museum(14 reviews) - Great way to spend an afternoon. Tuesday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Speciality Museums
We are a BMW Automotive and Motorcycle Museum. Our archives hold memorabilia and historical relics from BMW history. Our Museum hosts an annual exhibit. For the 2023 exhibit we will be featuring: BMW Motorcycles, A Century of Innovation. * This exhibit will open May 19, 2023 and run through January 18, 2024. It will feature BMW motorcycles from 1923 - to present day, as well as some crossover vehicles. We also have a great gift store for your BMW enthusiast shopping experience. Check it out at www.BMWCCAFoundationStore.comSee more..
5.0BMW Car Club of America Foundation(14 reviews) - Incredible display of historic vehicles Tuesday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums
The BMW CCA Foundation is home to The Ultimate Driving Museum and Street Survival. This is the national office for both organizations. We have the Museum, a gift store, and more.See more..
4.0Comporium telephone museum(13 reviews) - Little gem in this small town Speciality Museums We are a social group of women from the Fort Mill area who enjoy getting together for luncheons and dinners. Since we were going to a local restaurant I found this museum nearby and we took an hour tour. This is a terrific museum for anyone who wants to know the history of Rock Hill as well as telephone history in general. There are several hands on activities for children and we had a docent tour which was very good. Opened 10-2, tours are given by retirees from Comporium While small, the exhibits are done extremely well and the history, very interesting!! There is no audio tour. No fee and parking right in front of the museum makes it an easy outing.See more..
3.5Slave Relic Museum(11 reviews) - Call and see if it's open Speciality Museums
I enjoyed this museum, it is an important place to visit and story to tell, however since I visited it has been difficult to find the the place open on a set schedule - this may have improved - but just be sure before you go. Location is in the heart of Walterboro, exhibits are enhanced by the tour/curator. Plan to do this along with a visit downtown or to other memorial sites in town.See more..
4.5Chester County Historical Museum(10 reviews) - Stop in at the Museum Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums • History Museums
My husband and I were staying at a BB in Chester and decided to check out the museums in the little town. I was pleasantly surprised by this museum. It was very small but was jam packed with historical memorabilia. The curator of the museum was wonderful. She knew her subject matter inside and out and was very nice to give us a personal tour of the museum. Very worth the time to go in and see the museum.See more..
4.5York W. Bailey Museum(10 reviews) - Penn Ctr. Museum Decitcated to the Gullah Speciality Museums
An interpretation of the history of Penn School through artifacts and the collection of historic photographs.Art Exhibitions; cultural demonstrations;guided tours; a bookstore & gift shop. Hours: 11:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Saturday.See more..
4.5Cross Keys Plantation(9 reviews) - Plantation Tour Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums • History Museums
Great visit. There were volunteers in period costume to personally escort you around the property and through the house. As expected, some were not all period specific. Some of the buildings on the property were not originally there but were moved there to represent. An interesting aspect is the reconstruction, the balancing of the protection and keeping it original. It has been closed for the better part of a year, due to covid. But it is back, two times a month, donations accepted.See more..
SC State University is the Only Black University in the Entire country that has a Planetarium!! The University is in the quaint southern town of Orangeburg, S.C. Home of friendly people and great southern cookin. The museum/planetarium houses a tremendous amount of artifacts and art. In May, it showcases graduating Seniors works of Art. And throughout the year hosts varied interesting and informative exhibitions. Many times, you can attend the openings and meet artists from various backgrounds with varied skills and training. Whenever travelling to SC, it is a Must-See.See more..
5.0Saluda County Museum(8 reviews) - Saluda-Where Texas Began Speciality Museums
Saluda county is rich in history in many different ways. The connection to the Alamo through Travis and Bonham is probably the best known oneSee more..
3.5Marion County Museum(7 reviews) - Worth a Visit!! My Creation back in the early 1980s Speciality Museums
Director Rosanne Black open Tuesday-Friday 9.00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.See more..
For The Miniaturist and Doll Enthusiast The Forde Doll and Doll House Collection features a rare exhibit of more than 50 doll houses, room boxes, toy kitchens, paper dolls and antique dolls all on permanent display. The Collection has been featured in Charleston's Post and Courier Low Country Edition Feb. 2006.See more..
5.0Old Edgefield District Genealogy Society(6 reviews) - Lovely place Spent < 1 hour Speciality Museums • History Museums Wicked nice ladies inside. Place doubles as the visitors center. Check it out, it’s worth a quick visit. See more..
5.0Bart Garrison Agricultural Museum of South Carolina(6 reviews) - Informative and fun Tuesday: Speciality Museums Ever wondered where the food on your plate comes from? Ever wondered how a farmer, two mules, and an iron plow managed to coax crops from the ground? Ever tried to weave a piece of cloth on a simple loom? You are in luck - all your agricultural questions can be answered here. A really interesting place to get a glimpse of what life was like for our forebears on the farm especially in SC. Their exhibit on King Cotton also explained with great clarity how the invention of the cotton gin greatly contributed to the demand for slave labor and led to the US civil war. When in the Clemson area, stop by for a visit.See more..
Very interesting tour and learned a lot. I have never been so close to old cars like the Model T, Model A etc. I have never even heard of a Model N and they had one there. They also have an old school bus and a lot of other historical transportation items. Our tour guide Hap was very knowledgable and a joy to talk to. I highly recommend seeing this "Hap"ening place lol See more..
If you like old labels and interesting personal products from days gone by, you will love this store. It was a general store before being turned into a museum, and the artifacts are what had been sold in general stores through the ages. I stopped by during apple festival and they were giving away cups that had been printed in the 70's that said "Westminster is a great place!" Or something on the bottom. Fun to imagine the conversations which must have happened around the pot-belly stove in the back!See more..
5.0Plantation Quilts(5 reviews) - Great place to visit Temporarily closed - Closed until further notice Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums
Current Exhibit & Book: "Keeper of the Fire: An Igbo Metalsmith From Awka" African & Plantation Quilts Collection documents my family's UGRR Secret Quilt Code legacy. Ms. Teresa Kemp's diverse family's military history is on view, rotating from the American Revolution to WWII in our Archives. We show guest how to document their family, community or church history. Over 50 quilts & textiles on view and 1,000 artifacts for a hands-on, experiential tour. We teach classes in Candy, Soap & Doll making. We have our guided turkey & deer seasonal guided hunting trips. Plan to visit our Gift Shop and select a one-of-a-kind handmade item. Sept.12- October 15, 2016 Gold Rush Exhibit - History of Gold & Gemstone Mining in Old Edgefield District, SC. Now Booking 2016-2018 Traveling Exhibits, Programs & Classes Ask About Our Programs: * UGRR Secret Quilt Code Patterns * My Igbo/Gullah-Geechie Culture * Stop Human Trafficking * Science & Math of the UGRR * Foods of the UGRR * Diversity & Team Building * Messages in the Music * Art of Language * Women of the UGRR Secret Quilt Code * Health-Generational Diseases * Churches of the UGRR * The Abolitionist & Methods of Escape * American Slavery - Not Just AfricansSee more..
