Free Museums in Columbia

"Columbia’s cultural center has matured rapidly in the 20 years since it moved to Main Street. With 22,000 square feet of gallery space, the CMA has a custom-made Chihuly chandelier hanging at its main entrance and has hosted impressive traveling exhibits, including ones by Henri Matisse, Imogen Cunningham, and Salvador Dali. The permanent collection shows a timeline of American and European history from antiquity to modern times."

"Abundant with immaculate paintings and sculptures, a museum date through Columbia Museum of Art is always guaranteed success. Founded in 1950, Columbia Museum of Art is home to internationally renowned art pieces, some of which come from ancient Meditteranean times and showcases early Greek culture. Recently, the museum also opened galleries that feature modern artists such as Andy Warhol and Van Gogh."

"EdVenture is the largest children's museum in the Southeast, located in Columbia. It opened to the public in 2003 and has 8 galleries covering 67,000 square feet (6,200 m2), plus hands-on exhibits, 2 resource centers, and a 200-seat theater. 40,000 square feet (4,000 m2) of the total 67,000 square feet (6,200 m2) is devoted to exhibit galleries, laboratories and visitor amenities."

"EdVenture is one of the best children’s museums in South Carolina. You kids will have a blast while learning. All their exhibits are hands-on and allow them to role play and explore the world around them."

"What it commemorates: The first museum dedicated to the Palmetto State's military tradition opened in 1981, thanks to the vision of South Carolina National Guard Col. Hugh McLaurin III. It originally was located in Sumter in a small space. By 2007, the location was moved to Columbia and into a much larger area for displays. A second building was christened June 7, 2014, making this museum the largest land-based, military museum in South Carolina and one of the premier U.S."

"This collection focuses on Civil War artifacts but also exhibits an overview of regional history from colonial years up through the modern era. See military garb, weapons, and portraits and learn about military figures like Robert E. Lee, Francis Marion and Wade Hampton. Books and records allow visitors to look up any ancestors that served in the military."

"Military Museums301 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC 29201MoreLess Info. Founded in 1896, the South Carolina Confederate Relic Room & Military Museum is the third oldest museum in the state. The collection focuses on the military history of South Carolina with emphasis on the Civil War period."

"The largest and most active initial training center in the U.S. Army, reading 50% of its troops for service, Fort Jackson is a major player in midlands culture. The Fort house 3 public museums: The Basic Combat Training Museum, The Army Chaplain School and Museum, and the Adjutant General Corp and Finance Corp Museums."

"The United States Army-Fort Jackson museum focuses on the 200 years of South Carolina's military history. With more than 4,000 historic items, including weapons, uniforms and even vehicles, this is a fascinating glimpse at military life and development. Andrew Jackson – the fort's namesake – is featured prominently."

"The U.S. Army Basic Combat Training Museum is located at Fort Jackson, SC, and has been open since 1974. The museum provides an opportunity to learn about the evolution of basic combat training and gives an insight into the U.S. Army training procedures."

"South Carolina's historical records dating back to 1671 can be viewed in these extensive archives. A changing but always fascinating schedule of exhibits delves deeper into the state's rich past. Read more about South Carolina Department of Archives and History →"

"Situated right next to the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy at 5400 Broad River Rd. The SC Criminal Justice Hall of Fame is unique in honoring all of our state’s law enforcement agents. The museum features a restored 1950’s State Highway Patrol vehicle as well as a memorial rotunda that honors the over 360 officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty."

"Originally opened in 1859 as Sidney Park, this historic site experienced a rebirth in the early 1990s when it was given a complete overhaul and re-dubbed Finlay Park. The Vista district's green space features playgrounds, a lake, waterfalls, a fountain and playing fields, plus plenty of paved pathways for strolling and grassy areas for picnicking. The city hosts the free Sizzlin' Summer Concert Series here each year."

"This beautiful 18-acre city park has one of the most photographed views of downtown Columbia. Located in the Vista entertainment district, the park sits just a few blocks from the Capitol and across from the Governor's Mansion. From its highest point above the fountain you can see the skyline rising over the park's lush green landscape and signature lake."

"At the heart of Columbia, South Carolina sits Finlay Park, a huge verdant expanse that hosts most of the city's fairs, festivals and other large-scale outdoor gatherings. The park is open every day between sunrise and sunset, and many events held there last long into the night."

"The Woodrow Wilson Family Home is where the 28th president of the United States lived as a young boy.|© Historic Columbia Foundation. The only presidential landmark in South Carolina, the boyhood home of President Woodrow Wilson now houses the only museum in the country dedicated to the post-Civil War Reconstruction period. Wilson lived with his parents in this house as a teenager in the 1870s."

"If you’re looking for a more unique local museum, you need to check out the Woodrow Wilson Family Home Museum. The Woodrow Wilson Family Home is the United States’ 28th president’s childhood home built by Wilson’s parents. This museum features the history of the post-Civil War Reconstruction and is the nation’s only museum to dedicate to having this."

"The Woodrow Wilson Family Home is South Carolina’s only presidential site. It was the home in which Woodrow Wilson, America’s 28th president, spent much of his boyhood years. The home is a manse built in the style of an Italianate villa, standing out well from the backdrop of Columbia."

"From Coconut Cream Pie to Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake to Snickerdoodle Cake, you’ll be sorry if you don’t check it out for yourself. With a rotating selection of desserts, the only disappointing thing is that you won’t have room to try them all. We promise you’ll already be planning your next visit before you’ve even left."

"If you’re out in The Vista for dinner, swing by Kaminsky’s for a delicious dessert or drinks. They have a full bar and alcohol infused dessert drinks, but my favorite is the milkshakes or Sundays. They are perfect for splitting and enjoying one another’s company."

"Sweet Cake House promises its customers quality, attention to detail, and friendly personalized service. They specialize in cakes and pies but they are also currently featuring a wide selection of French, Greek and Italian desserts made fresh daily."

"The mother-daughter duo who own this spot are just as sweet as the treats coming from the kitchen. Whether you're celebrating a birthday, wedding or just making it through another work week, there's a delicious bite waiting for you up in the NoMa neighborhood at Main Street Bakery. Swing by and order from their list of everyday cakes or plan your visit around the daily cake specials."

"Main Street Bakery is focused on providing exceptional service and complete customer satisfaction. They will do everything they can to exceed your expectations and it’s their vision to be able to provide everything you may need by offering a variety of options."

"This Pan-Asian restaurant off Killian Road opened last year, and is a perfect little place to celebrate something special – like your love for each other!. Their menu is varied with top items from Chinese and Japanese cuisine, and prepared to perfection. The interior is upscale with linen tablecloths and seating includes private booths."

"Let's good time for sushi Let's go WASABI #wasabi #hardscrabble #columbiaroll #columbiasushi #wasabisushi #lakeCarolina 4561 Hardscrabble Road 803-736-9687. Wasabi Japanese Restaurant is a sushi and steak restaurant in Columbia that is popular for its colourful and delicious sushi rolls, as well as its mouth-watering steaks, flash cooked in Japanese style, which is a flashy hibachi-grilled, table-side cooking method that involves theatrics and much displays of fire. Talk about entertainment along with your food!"

"M Kitchen is a relatively new Chinese and Asian fusion restaurant that opened in 2015 within the heart of Harbison Boulevard, a premier shopping and dining district in Columbia. It includes a bar, where fresh cocktails are made and served within seconds of pouring. Diners can choose from light meals like pork ginger wontons and roast duck spring rolls or opt for authentic Chinese dishes such as stir-fried rice cakes, kung pao chicken or three cup basil chicken."

"340 Columbiana Dr, Columbia, SC 29212-2252Chinese, Japanese, Sushi, AsianLunch, DinnerTakeout, Seating, Parking Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Table Service, Reservations+1 803-764-0558http://www.miyos.com"