Explore

View of third and four floor exhibition galleries with biplane hanging from ceiling in the foreground
Exhibitions

Exhibition Galleries

Museum guests can explore exhibitions featuring the art, history, natural history and science and technology of the Palmetto State.

Learn More About the Exhibition Galleries
Close up image of four people shown from a back/side profile as they look up to watch a projection of the Milky Way in a planetarium dome
Astronomy

Planetarium

The 55-foot digital dome BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Planetarium takes guests on journeys to the deepest reaches of space and beyond.

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Young girl gasps in delight as she experiences a show in the in the 4D theater audience at the State Museum.
Events

4D Theater

Enjoy immersive film experiences featuring 3D visuals mixed with real world effects, including air bursts, seat movement, ankle ticklers and more.

Learn More About the 4D Theater
Observatory Educator Looks Through Alvan Clark Telescope During Solar Observing Hours With Dome Open Above Him Showing Blue Sky
Astronomy

Observatory

The Boeing Observatory at the South Carolina State Museum features a historic telescope, outdoor viewing terrace, and adjoining classroom.

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Red and white propeller airplane is suspended from the ceiling on display at the South Carolina State Museum.

Explore

Discover current exhibitions, learn about the museum's extensive collection of art, objects and fossils from South Carolina, see what our immersive theaters can offer and more.

Museum Hours

The museum is closed today

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Explore Your State Museum

Our state-of-the-art 4D theater, digital dome planetarium and observatory offer the chance to journey through the deepest reaches of space, immerse viewers in the wonders of the natural world and make learning come alive for guests and students. Go beyond the museum's amazing on site experiences to discover more about the collection that includes more than 1 million objects, artworks, fossils and specimens. Enjoy online exhibitions and see what the Astronomy Education Center has to offer from telescope live streams to virtual planetarium live sky shows and more.

What to See and Do When You Visit

A Mother with two daughters look at the exhibit entrance which features a large sign with the exhibit title done in a graffiti art style.

Exhibitions

Group of school children sit under the planetarium dome which projects an image of the milky way

Planetarium

4D Theater, South Carolina State Museum, Snow, Open For Fun

4D Theater

Boeing Observatory

Observatory

Explore the Collection

Learn more about the museum's collection featuring more than 1 million objects, artworks, fossils and specimens.

Learn More About Collections
Two hands in blue latex glove hold a whale tooth carved with a bird and images of ships and the sea
Pillars of Creation Image from James Webb Space Telescope Courtesy NASA

Astronomy Education Center

The museum is home to a wealth of astronomy related resources, including a state-of-the-art Observatory, a 55ft digital dome planetarium and a collection of antique telescopes.

Learn More about SCSM Astronomy

Museum News

Columbia, Spring Break. Spring Break Camps, family fun
Events
The South Carolina State Museum is excited to welcome campers back in 2023 with a new lineup of summer camps this June, July and August, presented by...
South Carolina State Museum Planetarium Exterior

Plan Your Visit

Explore four floors of exhibitions, enjoy 4D theater and planetarium shows and discover the universe in the observatory.

Plan Your Visit