Whoa, I was not prepared for how amazing this place was!…read more When we first arrived I thought it would be just kind of a silly tourist trap thing, but boy was I wrong! It is a very large collection of everything spooky, odd and strange! There are entire rooms focused on serial killers, such as Gacy, HH Holmes and Richard Ramirez. We were in there for a very long time and learned so much from the women running the tour. There was even a guy in our group who had been childhood friends with one of Gacy's victims, which was incredibly surreal and really hit home how real all of this was, and not just entertainment. They also have, or are going to have, another location in Chicago which is very exciting and I would definitely seek that out next time I am there. All in all a 10/10 experience.

This museum was MUCH bigger than I anticipated. We spent about an hour and a half and easily could…read morehave spent another or so in there learning and listening to the gals educate the group. There was so much to read, so much to see, and so much to experience. This is a very dark museum so if you have a weak stomach, are faint of heart if easily disturbed I would not recommend. Even still you are heavily warned about what is in each room should you not want to see or experience something by the staff. They were so helpful!! Their regular price is $25 OR $50 for a two day pass, tshirt, tote (or a pin), and sticker. Absolutely great deal if you're wanting some merch. Very spooky, eerie, and overall an interesting time!

The end of a long day we decided to come here. It was just perfect for that after a long day but…read morestill something to do kind of activity. Wish we walked around more but as my son kept saying he was tired of walking lol. Of course he wasn't to tired to go check out the gift shop :P

The Coastal Discovery Museum came up in a search of things to do on a rainy day in Hilton Head…read more While there is a museum component in the main house, much of the attractions are outdoors, so something to keep in mind should you visit when it's raining or when the weather isn't ideal. The outdoor component includes several boardwalks, sculptures, a butterfly enclosure, and gardens. It's meant to introduce you to the coastal ecosystem and marsh life, which makes it quite unique. Admission is complimentary and there's a decent amount of parking. The main house and museum (the Discovery House) I would rate a 3.5 out of 5 stars. The volunteers on hand do a good job in welcoming guests and introducing the site so that guests aren't just left to wander on their own. While the permanent exhibits explaining the local area, ecosystem, and history were decent, I felt the more modern artwork was quite underwhelming, with many of the works on display having price tags (leads me to believe it was amateur artwork for sale). It left me wishing the weather was nice so I could explore the grounds, but that wasn't meant to be as there was a downpour of rain outside. If you have free time in Hilton Head, I'd recommend a visit to the Coastal Discovery Museum, but probably moreso when the weather is nice so you can explore the grounds.

The Edisto Environmental Learning Center is an educational facility and museum that opened at…read moreEdisto Beach State Park in Edisto Island, South Carolina in 2004. The facility features exhibits that cover the natural and cultural aspects of the ACE Basin which includes the Lowcountry watersheds of the Ashepoo, Combahee, and Edisto rivers. Visitors can also see live animals, touch tanks, feeding programs, prehistoric fossils, and various educational programs. My family and I visited the Edisto Environmental Learning Center this past summer while we were on a road trip. We stayed in Edisto Island for a few days. One night while at dinner, a local resident noticed that my wife and I had small children and recommended that we take them to the center. We went to check it out the following day and we were glad that we did. There were lots of fun exhibits that focused on animals from the local river system, including crocodiles, fish and turtles. One of the staff even brought out a live baby alligator for our two sons to see and touch. The museum also had a really cool interactive replica of a research boat. My older son had a lot of fun pretending that he was the captain. Afterwards, we all attended a special presentation about alligators and snakes. There were even some live snakes for everyone to see. Overall we had a fun visit here and we recommend it to any families visiting Edisto Island!

This is a very interesting place to visit! There are nature trails with little crabs running…read morearound. You can touch hermit crabs and a horseshoe crab in a little pool. There are fossils galore. I also liked the rocking chairs!

What a fun little museum! This place packs a lot of information into a moderately sized space and…read morecovers much of South Carolina's history from the early indigenous days to the Revolution and Civil War. There is also a wonderful exhibit on Natural History, full of bones, skeletons, and various fossils that all tie back to the state. While we didn't have small children with us, we did stop in to check out the special kids exhibit (Kidstory) that features multiple hands-on mini exhibits. There were a variety of activities for children to do to get them interested in and involved with the history. Staff were friendly and welcoming. Admission to the museum Is priced well, and, if you're looking to knock a few places off your list in one day, you can purchase multi-site tickets and tour other affiliated properties for an even better deal. We purchased tickets online and the process was seamless. All we had to do was give our last name at the front desk to receive our tickets. Our tickets allowed us all day access so we could come and go if necessary. If parking in the museum lot (located behind the museum), be sure to have someone at the front desk validate your parking before leaving for the day. There is also parking located across the street from the museum at the visitors center -- this is important to note as the museum lot isn't large. There is a small gift shop located next to the front desk containing a variety of items. The space is handicap accessible with entrance ramps, elevators, and ADA accessible bathrooms.

The employees are very helpful about the museum, the package tours, and the bus/trolley system…read more The museum is well organized and the lighting low. There is a lot of reading.

This may have been my favorite place we stopped on our Charleston field trip! I feel like I…read morelearned so much it was very cool!! We started the tour by listening to our guide tell us more about the Hunley we sat in a small room with lots of large photos. She made the information interesting for the adults as well as for the kids. After we finished we switched with the other group and went to view the submarine and the artifacts found with it. It was awesome! Next, we ventured to the gift shop, of course! My kiddo picked out a lovely snow globe and an adorable stuffed bear. This is a must visit if you're in Charleston!!

I didn't really know what to except but am pleasantly surprised. Nice educational exhibit with some…read moresprinkling of videos and talks. You can actually see the Hunley, too at the back of the building. Driving there you may think that you're in the wrong place but then you see the entrance. They have a nice gift shop too!

Stopped in here with the kids today, had some time before an event so I figured we could come here…read more We were there about 30 minutes. It was fine. I like that it was very unique, I love specialty museums, and it had a really good collection of old fire trucks. As an adult I thought it was neat to learn about the history and evolution of fire trucks. Also an assortment of firefighting gear and equipment from different eras. But to me, this should be a museum mostly for kids, and there just wasn't much for kids here. There was some sort of playset in the middle of the room which was covered in kids while their parents looked at the fire trucks, and an incredibly long line at some sort of machine to make badges or patches or something. Like I said I enjoyed it, but it's just confused because the subject matter is something I usually associate with little kids but the material is mostly aimed at adults. J.Ja

Great experience for kids to see big fire trucks. Museum is geared toward teaching about fire…read morehistory. There is also a playhouse with slide that is a big hit. Also get to design fire badge to print out activity. The American LaFrance trucks span from centuries ago. They are on loan so the museum might close soon as the trucks are returned. Hurry to check it out!

This is one of Augusta's most rewarding museums, a place that manages to tell a 12,000‑year story…read morewithout ever feeling overwhelming. The Augusta Museum of History is the city's oldest historical institution, founded in 1937 and now the only accredited museum in the Central Savannah River Area, which gives it a level of curatorial depth you can feel as you move from room to room. The museum's signature exhibition, Augusta's Story, begins with the region's earliest Indigenous cultures, including artifacts from the Stallings Island people, and then moves through the Colonial Era, the antebellum period, the Civil War, and the city's twentieth century reinventions. You see everything from slave‑made pottery to a 12‑pounder bronze Napoleon cannon tube and an 1869 steam fire engine tied to the devastating 1916 fire that reshaped parts of the city. It's a rare chance to see Augusta's full arc laid out in a way that feels comprehensive. The museum also excels at capturing the city's cultural identity. The James Brown gallery is a highlight, celebrating the life and global influence of the "Godfather of Soul" with photographs, stage pieces, and biographical context that show how deeply he shaped Augusta's modern identity. Several media options to watch him performing and to hear other leading figures discuss his influence. The golf and Masters Tournament section offers a thoughtful look at how the sport became intertwined with the city's reputation, and the medical history exhibit includes an impressive wall of antique medicine bottles that gives you a sense of how local healthcare evolved over generations. One of the most enjoyable parts of the visit is the Transportation Corridor, which brings Augusta's mobility story to life with a 1914 steam locomotive, a 1917 steam trolley, a reconstructed 1930s gas station, and a range of early vehicles. Walking through the restored streetcar and stepping into the rail car for photos adds a tactile, playful element that balances the more traditional exhibits. Upstairs, the museum's radio history exhibit traces the rise of WBBQ, one of Augusta's most influential stations, including a "then and now" section installed for its 60th anniversary. There are also exhibits on local law enforcement and firefighting, as well as a gallery of regional legends that highlights entertainers, athletes, writers, and other notable Augustans. The entire museum is comfortably explored in about two hours, which makes it an easy and rewarding stop whether you're spending a full day downtown or pairing it with the Morris Museum of Art or the Riverwalk. It's the kind of place that leaves you with a clearer sense of Augusta's character, from its earliest settlements to the voices and industries that shaped the city you see today. Don't miss it. [Review 203 of 2026 - 904 in Georgia - 25392 overall]

We were in town for the weekend and decided to pay this place a visit. The admission price was…read moreonly a dollar so you really can't go wrong with that price. The first floor has a pretty extensive history of the city and was very interesting. The second floor has about five other sections including golf, James Brown, medical, and locals.

I absolutely love this building! Walterboro, South Carolina is a charming town with lots of…read morebeautiful architecture... especially the Bedon-Lucas House Museum located at 205 Church Street. I remember driving past this home the for the first time and audibly gasping! My partner thought I was choking at first, I was so excited. This building has so much character and patina! The 200 year old structure was originally built as a summer home for Richard Bedon in 1820, and has had a long history of owners and misfortunes over the years. It was significantly damaged by Hurricane Gracie in 1959, and laid dormant for over 40 years until the Palmetto Trust for Historic Preservation obtained ownership in 1996. The building is an example of the elevated "high houses" that are built in low country along the South Carolina coast. Notice how many steps lead to the front porch. The hope is this added elevation helps prevent the homes from being flooded. Indeed, the original heart pine flooring was able to be preserved after all of these years! This home is just oozing with historic charm and I hope readers will have an opportunity to visit one day. Please add more photos to this listing if you do!