The Columbia Museum of Art is a vast complex with intriguing exhibits, fun workshops and camps for kids. The museum places an emphasis on family entertainment and dynamic displays as a way of getting children to connect with classic works of art.
Take a guided tour of the museum as part of your admission. Choices include a tour of featured exhibits on Saturday afternoons, a highlights tour on Sundays and brief overviews on Fridays. Book a group tour in advance for 10 or more people.
Make your way through the various temporary exhibits, which have covered relevant and controversial themes such as African-American art, spoken art and cinema costumes. The permanent assembly includes the Kress Collection, which has 77 Old Masters paintings. Admire masterpieces by Sandro Botticelli, Francesco Guardi, Tintoretto and many others.
Explore the artistic treasures of the Asian, American and European collections. In the Modern and Contemporary section, inspect the weird and wonderful works, ranging from teapots to cabbage to hats. Look around the Vogel Collection for minimalist and conceptual art.
Peruse the items for sale at the museum shop, which contains many tax-free artistic treasures such as books, decorative bowls and elegant handbags.
The museum opens Tuesday through Friday from late morning until late afternoon. It opens a little later on weekends and is closed on Mondays, although staff members remain on the site to answer questions. There is an entrance fee, with discounts for seniors, students and military personnel. Young children may enter for free. Sunday access to the collection is free.
Find the Columbia Museum of Art in the central district of Columbia. It is near many of the city’s main attractions, such as the South Carolina State House, the First Baptist Church and Finlay Park. If you arrive via train to Columbia Station, walk northeast for 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) to get here. Alternatively, drive and park the car along the street, which is free on weekends.
