Dine & Entertain Museums, History, & The Arts

Discover fascinating exhibits at the South Carolina State Museum, explore local heritage at the Lexington County Museum, or dive into hands-on learning at EdVenture Children’s Museum—home to Eddie, the world’s largest kid. Art enthusiasts won’t want to miss the Columbia Museum of Art, one of the Southeast’s top destinations for Baroque and Renaissance collections. Whether you're looking for museums in Columbia, historic sites near Lexington, or family-friendly attractions across the region, you’ll find plenty to explore. Ready to plan your trip? Check out our curated museum itinerary to experience the best of arts and history in Lake Murray Country.

Need help planning your trip? Explore lodging and dining options, and check out our Visitors Guide and curated trip itineraries for even more ideas of things to do—and places to eat—in Lake Murray Country.

Lake Murray Levels

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Featured Partners

SC State House

Strategically centered in downtown Columbia, the South Carolina State House is the seat of state government in South Carolina.

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Harbison Theatre

Harbison Theatre is a state-of-the-art performing arts venue on the Harbison campus of Midlands Technical College, located 15 minutes from downtown Columbia.

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SC Confederate Relic Room

Take a deep dive into South Carolina's military heritage at the S.C. Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum, located in the historic Columbia Mills Building.

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South Carolina State House

Strategically centered in downtown Columbia, the South Carolina State House is the seat of state government in South Carolina. The State House is home to both the Governor and Lt. […]

South Carolina State Museum

Housed in the historic 1893 Columbia Mill textile building, the “biggest artifact,” the South Carolina State Museum tells the history of South Carolina through many traveling museum exhibits, permanent collections, […]

The Green Book of South Carolina

The Green Book of South Carolina is the first mobile web travel guide to African American cultural sites across South Carolina, created by the S.C. African American Heritage Commission to […]

The Lace House

The Lace House is an antebellum home located on the grounds of the Governor’s Mansion  The House built in 1854,  is a three story historic home of approximately 9,606 square […]

The Museum of the Reconstruction Era at the Woodrow Wilson Family Home

The Museum of the Reconstruction Era at the Woodrow Wilson Family Home is the nation’s only museum dedicated to showcasing the post-Civil War Reconstruction period and is housed in South […]

Trinity Episcopal Cathedral

Trinity Episcopal Church, now known as Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, is the first Episcopal and the oldest surviving sanctuary in Columbia, South Carolina. It is a Gothic Revival church that is […]

U.S. Army Basic Combat Training Museum

The U.S. Army Basic Combat Training Museum in Columbia, SC, documents and preserves the history of the Army’s basic training program from 1917 to present day.

University of South Carolina Melton Memorial Observatory

The Melton Observatory is currently open to the public on clear Monday nights beginning at dusk, weather permitting. Anyone is welcome to come by and observe the Moon, planets, stars, […]