Greenville is a pretty cool city in South Carolina that’s got loads of stuff to check out for people of all ages and interests and you won’t believe how many awesome museums there are to explore in Greenville!
They’ve got everything from science and music to activities for kids and fancy art. Seriously, there’s a museum for everyone! So let me introduce you to the top 10 museums in Greenville that you absolutely have to visit on your next trip and trust me, you don’t wanna miss out on these
The Top 10 Museums in Greenville
1. The Upcountry History Museum
The Upcountry History Museum is a super cool place that’s connected to the famous Smithsonian Museum. It’s all about the history of the Upcountry region of South Carolina. They’ve got these awesome exhibits that are there all the time but they also bring in some cool stuff every now and then.
You’ll learn about Native American history like – the American Revolution, the Civil War, the textile industry, civil rights & much more! It’s not just a bunch of old stuff though, they’ve got interactive displays, stories from back in the day & real things like artifacts and old photos. It’s like stepping back in time!
The museum is right smack in the middle of downtown Greenville, on this place called Heritage Green. You can visit from Tuesday to Saturday, starting at 10 in the morning till 5 in the afternoon. And on Sundays, they open a little later, at 1 p.m., and close at 5 p.m. So you’ve got plenty of time to explore!
Now, let’s talk about tickets. For grown-ups, it’s 10 bucks to get in. If you’re a senior or a college student, it’s 9 bucks and if you’re a kid between 4 and 18, it’s 8 bucks. But hey, good news for the little ones—kids under 4 get in absolutely free!
2. The Children’s Museum for Upstate
The Children’s Museum of the Upstate stands as the children’s museum in the Southeast making it an incredible destination in Greenville for both enjoyment and educational experiences with your kids. With three floors filled with exhibits, the museum caters to a range of ages and interests. Immerse yourself in captivating subjects like art, music, science, engineering, health, nutrition and much more.
Notable attractions include a climbing wall, an enchanting giant piano, an engaging TV studio, a creative maker space, and a refreshing water play area. Throughout the year the museum also hosts programs, camps, and events that add excitement to your visit.
Conveniently located on downtown Greenville’s Heritage Green campus, the museum welcomes visitors from Tuesday to Saturday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., as well as on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission costs $10 for adults and children aged 2 years old or above while being free for children under 2.
3. M&G at Bob Jones University
So the next museum is M&G at Bob Jones University is a super cool museum that is jam-packed with European religious art. They’ve got 400 paintings, sculptures, and tapestries from way back in the 14th to the 19th centuries, all showing scenes from the Bible and religious peeps. It’s pretty epic!
You’ll spot works by famous artists like Rubens, Botticelli, Tintoretto, Rembrandt & more. Oh, and there’s also this gallery with ancient artifacts from Egypt, Greece, Rome, and other ancient civilizations.
If you’re thinking of checking it out, M&G sits right on the Bob Jones University campus in Greenville and they’re open from Tuesday to Saturday, starting at 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oh, and for tickets, it’s $7 for adults, $6 for seniors and college students, $5 for kids aged 6 to 18, and free for kids under 6.
4. Sigal Music Museum
Sigal Music Museum is a unique museum that celebrates the history and diversity of musical instruments from all corners of the globe. They got a mind-blowing collection of over 600 instruments on display! From ancient flutes and harps to modern guitars and keyboards, they got it all.
But wait, it gets even crazier! They got some really rare and exotic stuff too. I’m talking about a glass harmonica, a theremin, a hurdy-gurdy & more. Like, who even knew those things existed?
And here’s the sweet deal – you can listen to audio samples of some of these instruments! How cool is that? You’ll learn all about where they come from, who made them, and how they’re used. It’s like a whole musical journey!
Now, if you’re itching to check this place out, head to the Heritage Green cultural campus in downtown Greenville. They’re open from Tuesday to Saturday, starting at 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oh, and for the entry fee, it’s $7 for adults, $6 for seniors and college students, $5 for kids aged 4 to 18, and guess what, kiddos under 4 get in for free. So, bring the whole crew!
Don’t miss this chance to vibe with some epic musical history. Get yourselves down to the Sigal Music Museum and have a blast!
5. Greenville Museum of Art
Are you an art enthusiast? Let me tell you about the Greenville Museum of Art, the oldest art museum in this town. It’s a real gem if you wanna get a taste of local and regional art!
Picture this: They got over 2,000 works of art just sitting there, waiting for you to admire ’em. And guess what? These pieces focus on American art from colonial times to today. That’s right, a journey through time, all in one place!
You’ll find all sorts of artsy stuff to feast your eyes on – paintings, sculptures, prints, photographs & even some fancy ceramics. And get this, they’ve got works by big names like Andrew Wyeth, Jasper Johns, and Georgia O’Keeffe.
They keep things fresh with temporary exhibits featuring contemporary artists and cool themes. So, you never know what artistic wonders you might stumble upon!
Now, here’s the lowdown. The museum’s sitting pretty on the Heritage Green cultural campus right in downtown Greenville and you can pop in from Wednesday to Saturday, starting at 10 a.m. till 5 p.m.
Oh, and here’s the best part – admission is free! Yeah, you heard me right. So, gather your artsy friends, and let’s go soak in some culture at the Greenville Museum of Art!
6. The Ultimate Driving Museum
Rev your engines, folks, ’cause I gotta spill the beans on The Ultimate Driving Museum! It’s the place to be for all you car enthusiasts and speed demons out there, not to mention anyone who’s got a thing for style!
Hold on tight ’cause they’ve got a whopping collection of over 100 classic and exotic cars from way back in the 1900s to today. It’s like a journey through time, but with wheels!
It is a BMW-centric museum. Their focus is merely on collecting and preserving BMW history in their 80,000+ archives.
This museum has a permanent collection of 11 cars. They are not on display at the moment, but that could change in the future! The vehicles on display are changed each year with the exhibits. They are a wide variety and this museum focuses on showing the history.
But that ain’t all, my friends. Here’s the real deal – you get to learn all about the history, the designs, and how these babies perform.
And of course, you have to take some selfies with your favorite cars. I mean, who wouldn’t want to show off next to a sleek ride, am I right?
Now, let me tell you where this place is. It’s at 190 Manatee Court in Greer, SC 29651 Greenville. And you can drop by anytime from Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm and on Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm.
Admission will set you back a bit, but it’s totally worth it. It’s $12 for adults and $6 for youth ages 6-17 and hey, little ones under 5 get in for free! Do check out their website for timely updates.
So, gather your gearhead pals, and let’s make some memories at the Ultimate Driving Museum! Vroom Vroom!
7. Miniature World of Trains
Prepare yourself for a fun and educational adventure at the Miniature World of Trains! This museum is a real treat for anyone who’s into model railroading and loves little trains!
Picture this – they’ve got a massive display of miniature trains, buildings & landscapes. It’s like a tiny world right before your eyes, representing different parts of America and even the whole wide world!
You’ll see trains chugging through mountains, cities, and farms, crossing bridges, and going through tunnels. It’s a whole lotta excitement packed into one tiny place!
But here’s the best part – you can actually interact with some of the displays! Yeah, it’s like being in your very own train conductor dream. And while you’re at it, they’ll teach you all ’bout the history and the technology behind railroading. It’s a real learning experience!
Now, if you’re wondering where this magic happens, it’s right on Woodruff Road in beautiful Greenville. And you can hop on the train from Friday to Sunday, starting at 11 a.m. and going till 5 p.m.
Now, let’s talk about tickets. Admission ain’t too steep – it’s $10 for the grown-ups, $8 for those seasoned seniors and brave military folks, $6 for kiddos aged 3 to 12, and guess what? The tiny ones under 3 get in for free! That’s right, it’s a family-friendly kind of place.
So, grab your train-loving buddies and come on down to the Miniature World of Trains! It’s a ride you won’t forget!
8. Greenville Cultural Exchange Center
Now, I will tell you about another amazing museum which is the Greenville Cultural Exchange Center. It’s a really special place that keeps alive and celebrates the African-American culture and heritage of this town!
Step inside and you’ll be surrounded by exhibits filled with artifacts, memorabilia, old photographs & important documents that tell the story of African Americans in Greenville.
Here you’ll learn all about the history, the achievements, and the awesome contributions of African Americans right here in our community from education to religion, sports to entertainment & even civil rights!
They don’t just show you cool stuff; they’ve got tours, lectures, workshops & events that bring the African-American community’s diversity and richness to life.
Now, if you’re wondering where this magical place is, it’s right on Arlington Avenue in the heart of Greenville and they’re open and ready to welcome you from Monday to Friday, starting at 9 in the morning till 5 in the afternoon.
And here’s the best part – admission is absolutely free! Yep, you heard it right. So come on over bring your friends and family & let’s celebrate and honor African American culture at the Greenville Cultural Exchange Center!
9. Art Crossing
If you are an art lover then Art Crossing in downtown Greenville is the place to be for all things artsy and creative!
Imagine strolling through this vibrant district and you’ll find yourself surrounded by over 20 art studios and galleries. It’s a real paradise for art enthusiasts!
And the best part? You get to feast your eyes on a wide range of artworks by talented local artists. We’re talkin’ paintings, photographs, sculptures, dazzling jewelry, pottery and so much more. There’s something for every art lover!
You can actually meet the artists in person, watch ’em work their magic right before your eyes, and hey, if you fall in love with their creations, you can even buy ’em!
So, where is this artistic wonderland? It’s located along the scenic Reedy River at RiverPlace in the heart of downtown Greenville. And guess what? They’re open and ready to welcome you from Monday to Saturday, starting at 11 a.m. and going strong till 6 p.m.
Oh, and here’s the cherry on top – admission is absolutely free! Yep, you can explore this creative paradise without spending a dime.
So, grab your art-loving pals, and let’s head on down to Art Crossing! It’s a journey through creativity you won’t wanna miss!
10. ArtBomb
Step into the creative world of ArtBomb where artistic wonders await! This collaborative art space is home to more than 20 resident artists and each one a master in their own craft. They’ve got it all covered from painting and drawing to photography, sculpture, printmaking, and beyond.
And the best part is, you’re invited to explore their studios, soak in their captivating artworks, and even have a friendly chat with these talented artists. And if you fall in love with any piece, well, you can actually take it home with you!
But that’s not all, my friends. ArtBomb knows how to throw a party! They’ve got fantastic events lined up like art shows, workshops, classes, and even some groovy parties.
Now, let me tell you where this artistic haven is located. You’ll find ArtBomb right on Pendleton Street in the heart of Greenville and they’re open and ready to welcome you from Monday to Friday, starting at 10 a.m. and going strong till 5 p.m.
And admission is totally free! Yep, you can soak in all this art goodness without spending a single penny, So gather your art-loving friends and let’s head on over to ArtBomb!
Conclusion
Greenville truly shines as a city that boasts an array of museums catering to visitors of all ages & interests whether you’re eager to delve into the city’s history immerse yourself in its culture or get lost in the captivating world of art. Greenville museums are an ideal choice.
So when you plan your trip to this city make sure to include these fascinating museums on your itinerary as each one offers an enriching experience that will leave you with memories and a deeper appreciation for the beauty and diversity of Greenville.
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