Do you want to take the family somewhere to see dinosaurs? We’ve got a list of all the places to see dinosaurs near Columbia, SC. Our list includes some fabulous places to learn about dinosaurs in North Carolina and South Carolina. All of them make a great dinosaur day trip from Upstate, SC.
I don’t know if it was the Jurassic Park movies or what that kicked off my fascination with dinosaurs, but I definitely enjoy learning about them (and watching all the Jurassic Park films). Did I mention my kids love them, too? They do! Luckily for all of us, and you if your family also enjoys the giant animals, there are plenty of Greenville, SC dinosaur exhibits to see these life-size creatures in person.
Where to See Dinosaurs: Columbia, SC
The South Carolina State Museum
History buffs will love seeing 70 million-year-old dinosaur bones plus enjoy enormous dinosaur replicas throughout the natural history part of the museum.
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10 am – 5 pm, Sunday Noon – 5 pm
Admission: $8.95/adults, $6.95/ages 3-12; free for homeschooling families
Address: 301 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC
The South Carolina State Museum has dinosaurs, fossils, a planetarium, and tons of exhibits to explore.
Where to see Dinosaurs in Charleston, SC
The Mace Brown Museum of Natural History
This one is FREE! You’ll find it on the campus of the College of Charleston. We got a chance to check this one out and can confidently say it may just be your dino-loving kid’s new favorite.
Here’s our review of the Mace Brown Museum.
Where to See Dinosaurs: Greenville, SC
Roper Mountain Science Center
RMSC has an actual dinosaur trail that visitors can stroll through and see dinosaurs on either side of them. There are plaques that talk about each one so it’s easy to turn it into an educational and fun adventure. If you want to see and learn about dinos in Greenville, this is the place to be!
Hours: Public hours are 1:30-5:00 pm Thursday & Friday for Afternoon Explorations through May 8, 2026
Admission: $7/ages 3-12, ages 2 and under are free and it is free for members, $8/adults
Address: 402 Roper Mountain Road, Greenville
Sometimes Greenville Dino Spots
The Upcountry History Museum will occasionally host a dinosaur exhibit in Greenville, SC. Their most recent exhibit, The Land of Fire and Ice, was very popular among dinosaur fans. There is not a currently running dino exhibit at UHM, but stay tuned. We’ll let you know when another is on the way!
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am – 5 pm and Sunday from 1-5 pm.
Admission: $10/adults and $8/ages 4-12. Kids ages 3 and under are free
Address: 540 Buncombe Street, Greenville
Bob Campbell Geology Museum
This small museum on the campus of Clemson University has dinosaur fossils and bones for visitors to check out. It’s a great little add-on for a day trip in the area.
Hours: Monday – Sunday 10 am – 5 pm. They are closed on the official Clemson holidays.
Admission: Free
Address: 140 Discovery Lane, Clemson
Where to See Dinosaurs in North Carolina
The Schiele Museum of Natural History
This huge museum has an extensive dinosaur exhibit that is a lot of fun to walk through. Kids of all ages will love it. Plus, there is a planetarium, outdoor farm and Catawba Village, and a huge array of other exhibits.
Hours: Monday – Friday 10 am – 4 pm, Saturday 10 am – 5 pm, Sunday 1 – 5 pm
Admission: $12/adults, $10/ages 3-18, under 3 is free; free if you have a Roper Mountain Science Center membership
Distance from Greenville: 1 hour and 25 minutes
Address: 1500 East Garrison Boulevard, Gastonia, NC
Greensboro Science Center
Go play at the Kiwanisaurus Treehouse Adventure that has four treehouses and four crows nests. Life-size dinosaur replicas are throughout the area for guests to get up close to. Then, immerse yourselves in the prehistoric world at the Prehistoric Passages: Realm of Dragons exhibit which utilizes technology to let you feel like you’re standing beside real dinosaurs. Learn about fossils, the Jurassic stage, see life-size replicas, skeletons, and lots more.
Hours: 9 am – 5 pm, Tuesdays – Saturdays, except New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Admission: $12/adults, $12/children, $4/infants; free for members (Note that Greensboro Science Center is a member of both the AZA and ASTC which means if you have local memberships to the Greenville Zoo OR The Roper Mountain Science Center you may receive a discount or free admission depending on your membership and current membership reciprocity policies in place.)
Address: 4301 Lawndale Drive, Greensboro, NC
Catawba Science Center
Dinosaurs! is on display at the Catawba Science Center in Hickory, NC through December 6, 2026.
Hours: Wednesday – Saturday from 10 am – 4 pm and Sunday 1 pm – 4 pm.
Admission: $16/adults and $14/ages 3 and up. If you have a Roper Mountain Science Center membership, admission is free.
Address: 243 Third Avenue NE, Hickory, NC