As the state’s largest and most comprehensive museum, the newly renovated and expanded South Carolina State Museum offers visitors a unique, entertaining and educational experience. The State Museum, located in the heart of downtown Columbia’s Congaree Vista, is housed in its largest artifact, an 1894 textile mill full of character and charm. There is something for visitors of all ages to enjoy while visiting the State Museum. Guests can explore outer space in one of the largest planetariums in the Southeast, watch a multisensory 4D movie and look through a vintage telescope in a one-of-a-kind observatory. These exciting new opportunities are all in addition the museum’s permanent and changing exhibits representing South Carolina art, cultural history, natural history and science/technology. The State Museum’s popular store, the Cotton Mill Exchange, features a variety of unique gifts, apparel, jewelry, gourmet food products and more that represent every corner of South Carolina. During your visit, take a break and enjoy a delicious sandwich or a decadent dessert at the Crescent Café. Admission prices range from $8.95 - $19.95 for adults and $6.95 - $17.95 for children. Group discounts are available. General admission is free for all South Carolina school groups with advance reservations.