Best 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."

"Every night as you enter, you will immediately see Sam Suaudom –likely having a conversation with a lucky patron about the importance of balance, with respect to wine and his family’s food. If you were to peek in the kitchen, you’d see his father, Sam (also), working the wok; his mother, Nancy, working the curries/sauces; and his brother, Alex, on the grill and quality control. For years, Sam has been working with his wife and sons to bring Columbia a little of the savory, Northern Thai cuisine that he grew up with (and we’re so lucky he has)."

"A post shared by Baan Sawan (@baansawanthaibistro) on Dec 13, 2019 at 5:49am PST. Baan Sawan Thai Bistro or House of Sawan Thai Bistro has served traditional Thai food in Columbia since the late nineties. The dishes in Baan Sawan Thai Bistro are cooked from the heart using the freshest local and Thai ingredients along with careful execution of classical Thai cooking methods."

"Baan, as devoted regulars call it, is a family owned bistro where everyone is made to feel at home. As de facto family, visitors enjoy excellent Thai food, as well as superior wine and beer options. Chef Alex Du Monde and his parents cook up excellent versions of classic Thai dishes, innovative takes on those classics like tom kha matzo soup, and irresistible specials."

"Inakaya Japanese Restaurant is a highly-rated Japanese sushi restaurant that keeps to its promise of authentic Japanese cuisine. Before you do anything, make a reservation as this restaurant is always packed!. Go for the sashimi or raw fish first, followed by Inakaya Restaurant’s sushi appetisers and rolls."

"This neighborhood park features a playground and two outdoor basketball courts as well as a picnic shelter. There is a grassy field and a spray pool. The community center offers access to computers with Internet access."

"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."

"We liked the cicis in our home town until covid shut it down. We figured we would try this one on our way home from vacation. We honestly wish we stopped..."