South Carolina State House
South Carolina State House
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
A beautiful building with wonderful architectural detail.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
398 within 5 kms
Attractions
143 within 10 kms
See what travellers are saying
- CodyDCWashington DC, District of Columbia5,937 contributionsNice State Capital building and grounds - nice place for a walkWhile visiting Columbia for first time, my hotel was a few blocks away from the capital, so I had visited or walked by several times during my stay. The Capital was pretty nice architectural design and appearance with slightly different views from north or south side of building. My favorite time for viewing was during the blue hour at dusk with a clear sky. The grounds were also interesting with various statues, memorials, monuments. There is a website that provides detail information regarding each. Since I was visiting during the weekend, the inside was closed, so did not have opportunity for inside tour.Visited May 2023Written May 24, 2023
- Bruce GMoultonborough, New Hampshire16 contributionsThe grounds are well worth the visit aloneOne of the nicest capital buildings and grounds I have visited around the country. The grounds have the feel of a park that despite the busy city streets that surround it is peaceful and pleasant to tour. There is statues and artwork to view that is part of the state's history. I found it enlightening and very interesting. I spent a lot longer touring the grounds than I thought I would. Because of this I didn't have time to do the tour of the building inside. Well worth a visit and parking on the side street was easy.Visited March 2023Written July 19, 2023
- Alice D52 contributionsArchitecture, Artwork, Politics, Gardens & History In One StopMy friends and I visited the State Capital on a sunny, warm Saturday. There is literature inside that gives you a walking self-tour of the grounds as well as the interior when you enter where the sign leads you to complimentary tours. We saw a bit of the outside first, then went in and looked around, then took the tour (which starts with a brief video). Our guide explained the history of Columbia as the state capital and the building. Architectural features and art work surround you as you move inside. The video and guide give you an overview of the way the state is governed as well as some interesting historical facts. After the tour we went back outside and saw more of the grounds as well as where the cannon balls struck the building. Very interesting stop overall. We spent about 2 hours there and took advantage of the restrooms.Visited October 2023Travelled with friendsWritten October 8, 2023
- Mom21042Ellicott City, Maryland43 contributionsEasy Day Trip from GreenvilleVisited the state house while we stayed in Greenville. Guided tours offered a few times each weekday and no reservation necessary. There’s a little gift shop in the building and we picked up some souvenirs. Worth the trip especially on a rainy day!Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten October 29, 2023
- Rad D439 contributionsSouth Carolina Should Be Proud!AMAZING! This is an active government facility, so be prepared for a security check. After that, take it slow, look everywhere, pay attention. This is a gorgeous building, built and decorated in an age when things like that were done right and done well. Notice the detail, see things from different angles, sit and watch, lie on the floor (like I talked my wife into doing) and take a photo up into the cupola. Saturday is a great day to go if you don't want to get caught up in the working staff traffic.Visited November 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten November 21, 2023
- LovesPhotoOpsHoover, Alabama1,074 contributionsBeautiful building and groundsWe passed through the security check and picked up three brochures about the grounds, the building, and the African-American monument on the Sumter Street side. Those were very helpful for not missing any points of interest. There is a gorgeous stained glass window inside the building. The African-American monument is really impressive, with a granite map showing slave routes to Charleston and 12 panels representing different events/periods in black history.Visited February 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten March 2, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
666 reviews
Excellent
424
Very good
202
Average
32
Poor
8
Terrible
0
LovesPhotoOps
Hoover, AL1,074 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
We passed through the security check and picked up three brochures about the grounds, the building, and the African-American monument on the Sumter Street side. Those were very helpful for not missing any points of interest. There is a gorgeous stained glass window inside the building. The African-American monument is really impressive, with a granite map showing slave routes to Charleston and 12 panels representing different events/periods in black history.
Written March 2, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Multis
Sodankyla, Finland261 contributions
Feb 2024 • Business
A day full of politics and posture. The two-chamber state house is visually intriguing, but as I had a chance to see all the action, it made it all the more enjoyable.
Written February 28, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rad D
gainesville, fl.439 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
AMAZING! This is an active government facility, so be prepared for a security check. After that, take it slow, look everywhere, pay attention. This is a gorgeous building, built and decorated in an age when things like that were done right and done well. Notice the detail, see things from different angles, sit and watch, lie on the floor (like I talked my wife into doing) and take a photo up into the cupola. Saturday is a great day to go if you don't want to get caught up in the working staff traffic.
Written November 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mom21042
Ellicott City, MD43 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Visited the state house while we stayed in Greenville. Guided tours offered a few times each weekday and no reservation necessary. There’s a little gift shop in the building and we picked up some souvenirs. Worth the trip especially on a rainy day!
Written October 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rosemarie M
Wilmington, NC52 contributions
Sept 2023 • Solo
I took a guided tour of the building. The docent was informative about the chambers and architecture of the building. The marble tiled floor was something to see!
Written October 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alice D
52 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
My friends and I visited the State Capital on a sunny, warm Saturday. There is literature inside that gives you a walking self-tour of the grounds as well as the interior when you enter where the sign leads you to complimentary tours. We saw a bit of the outside first, then went in and looked around, then took the tour (which starts with a brief video).
Our guide explained the history of Columbia as the state capital and the building. Architectural features and art work surround you as you move inside. The video and guide give you an overview of the way the state is governed as well as some interesting historical facts. After the tour we went back outside and saw more of the grounds as well as where the cannon balls struck the building.
Very interesting stop overall. We spent about 2 hours there and took advantage of the restrooms.
Our guide explained the history of Columbia as the state capital and the building. Architectural features and art work surround you as you move inside. The video and guide give you an overview of the way the state is governed as well as some interesting historical facts. After the tour we went back outside and saw more of the grounds as well as where the cannon balls struck the building.
Very interesting stop overall. We spent about 2 hours there and took advantage of the restrooms.
Written October 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mobopolo
Palmer, AK79 contributions
Jul 2023
We just missed the tour, but walked around the gift shops and the bathroom was the nicest bathroom I've ever been in. Very friendly people here. Thank you.
Written August 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bruce G
Moultonborough, NH16 contributions
Mar 2023
One of the nicest capital buildings and grounds I have visited around the country. The grounds have the feel of a park that despite the busy city streets that surround it is peaceful and pleasant to tour. There is statues and artwork to view that is part of the state's history. I found it enlightening and very interesting. I spent a lot longer touring the grounds than I thought I would. Because of this I didn't have time to do the tour of the building inside. Well worth a visit and parking on the side street was easy.
Written July 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MominOC
Orange County, CA5,077 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
Excellent free tour of the capital. Docent was pleasant to listen to, she was very knowledgeable and a bit funny. Lovely elegant structure!
Written June 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2babesandabrew
Pensacola, FL282 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
What a fantastic tour today. Paul was amazing, he was a great historian and was very proud of his state, Columbia, the capital and women’s basketball. Thank you Paul for all the information you shared.
Written May 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sallysue1279
Fort Myers, FL459 contributions
is there a fee to visit?
Kathryn P
Columbia, SC
Our tours are complimentary, but we do offer a Gift Shop with unique South Carolina merchandise. Hope you'll visit soon!
fr0sty7
Irmo, SC
What is the web site? Is this attraction interesting for children ages 10 and 12?
bakfar
Goshen, CT201 contributions
The State house should be of great interest to kids but ONLY if it is in session. Then it is great to see governing in action and the term lobbying takes on a new meaning when seen live. Make your plans accordingly.
fr0sty7
Irmo, SC
What hours and days is the state house open.
JackR46
Fullerton, CA1,057 contributions
Note - you do not have to take the official tour - you can take you own self-guided tour most of the time when the building is open for guided tours. Here's what their offical website says:
• While the legislature is in session (January - May), tours are offered every half hour beginning at 9:30 a.m. and ending at 3:30 p.m. Tours are not offered at 12 p.m. or 12:30 p.m. during these months.
• Following session (June - December), tours are available every hour on the half hour beginning at 9:30 a.m. and ending at 3:30 p.m.. Tours are not offered at 12:30 p.m. during these months.
• The State House is also open for tours each Saturday (beginning July 12, 2014) except on the Saturdays after Thanksgiving and Christmas. Tours are given at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Visitors can also tour at their own pace using brochures available in the State House. The State House will be open between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
• Walk-in tours are welcomed and encouraged.
Is the State House wheelchair accessible?
jwcohenwa
Puyallup, WA87 contributions
Yes, Ramp at the entrance to the tour area (Left of the main State House steps)
ison67
Charleston, SC22 contributions
What hours are the tours given?
Jeff P
Copperhill, TN131 contributions
I think they are basically at the top of every hour. You see a very informative video at the start and excellent docents guide you every step thru the building and have tons of information about all aspects if capitol. Also remember that I'd you have time and are tight on cash....go Sunday so you can get into the museum down the street. Very nice paintings and antiques. You are allowed access to all the permanent exhibits but not the traveling. For an upcharge from free you can see the traveling exhibit. I did and saw the Andy Warhol exhibit. The Marriott downtown offers a convenient spot to walk all of Columbia. Only thing I am not sure of is if the state Capitol tour is open on Sunday. I think it is...enjoy Columbia, 1 day there and you will feel like you left your best friend. Enjoy....oh and if you go in the Summer paddle the Saluda river with adventure unlimited. Liked it so much and my kids did we are going back thus year to start our 2 week family vacation.
kitkat392014
oneonta33 contributions
How do you get tickets for the guided tours and is there parking there ? Thank you. Kathy w
gnagel
Orland Park, IL159 contributions
Free tickets are available at the information desk. Metered parking is available on the street--so remember to bring some quarters!
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listingSouth Carolina State House (Columbia): Hours, Address, Attraction Reviews - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about South Carolina State House
- Hotels near South Carolina State House:
- (0.01 km) Southern Tranquility
- (0.28 km) Hilton Columbia Center
- (0.22 km) Cambria Hotel Columbia Downtown the Vista
- (0.43 km) Aloft Columbia Downtown
- (0.40 km) Hampton Inn Columbia - Downtown Historic District
- Restaurants near South Carolina State House:
- (0.01 km) Calypso N' Roux
- (0.01 km) Outback Squirrelhouse
- (0.09 km) Cola's Restaurant
- (0.15 km) Bourbon
- (0.16 km) Menkoi Ramen House