Whether you’re looking to revisit the past or gain an appreciation for art, there are a variety of museums in the Upstate you can visit.
Anderson County Museum
202 E. Greenville St., Anderson
AndersonCountyMuseum.sc.gov
A collection of artifacts curated to spark interest and insight into the people and events that shaped Anderson.
Greenville County Museum of Art
420 College St., Greenville
GCMA.org
The South’s premier American art museum, with the largest public collection of watercolors by American icon Andrew Wyeth plus 40 works by Jasper Johns.
Greer Heritage Museum
106 S. Main St., Greer
greerheritage.com
Exhibiting artifacts from Greer’s dynamic history, with interactive displays for kids. Special events include a popular series of ghost tours.
Hub City Railroad Museum
298 Magnolia St., Spartanburg
HubCityRRMuseum.org
Located in the historic Southern Railway Spartanburg Union Depot, visitors will step back in time to learn about the origins of railroading in Spartanburg and the Upstate. Opportunities include learning how to become a telegrapher, ringing a locomotive bell, and exploring a fully restored caboose.
Military History Center of the Carolinas
14 Airport Rd. Ext., Greenville
MilHCC.org
A space dedicated to collecting and restoring military items. In addition to the museum, which has free entry, the museum displays items at events throughout the year.
Museum & Gallery
1700 Wade Hampton Blvd., Greenville
BJUMG.org
Featuring 105 Italian Baroque paintings in America’s largest collection of Old European Masters. Currently by private tour only.
Pickens County Museum of Art
307 Johnson St., Pickens
Co.Pickens.SC.US
A unique blend of local art and history exhibits. Items on display include a model of Fort Prince George, Hitler’s radio, and a 19th century doctor’s field kit. The museum hosts two annual art shows each year and features work from local artists, too.
Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum & Baseball Library
356 Field St., Greenville
ShoelessJoeJackson.org
Visit the baseball legend’s home and see the many artifacts, photos, and books that document Jackson’s place in baseball history.
Sigal Music Museum
516 Buncombe St., Greenville
SigalMusicMuseum.org
The No. 3 best new museum in the country, per USA Today, tells the diverse stories of musical instruments from across the globe.
Spartanburg Art Museum
200 E. St. John St., Spartanburg
SpartanburgArtMuseum.org
A regional museum promoting contemporary visual arts with a diverse range of exhibits and educational programs.
Spartanburg Regional History Museum
200 E. St. John St., Spartanburg
SpartanburgHistory.org
Reflecting the area’s rich heritage from before European settlers to the present day. Collections showcase life, industry and cultural arts.
The Children’s Museum of the Upstate
300 College St., Greenville
130 Magnolia St., Spartanburg
TCMUpstate.org
A Smithsonian affiliate that sparks a passion for curiosity and learning through play. Greenville’s interactive exhibits and hands-on activities interest children of all ages; Spartanburg’s programming is designed for ages 5 and under.
The Galleries at First Presbyterian Church of Greenville
200 W. Washington St., Greenville
FirstPresGreenville.org/Art-Gallery
There are three levels of viewing space with works on exhibit by local artists and internationally known artists like Makoto Fujimura.
The Upcountry History Museum
540 Buncombe St., Greenville
UpcountryHistory.org
Interpreting the Upstate’s history with 43,000 square feet of interactive exhibits. Family Fun Days and Neighborhood Nights make it accessible for all.
Upstate Pinball & Arcade Museum
109A W. Trade St., Simpsonville
UpstateArcade.com
A fully playable museum housing classic arcade games from the ’80s and ’90s, as well as pinball machines from the ’70s through today.
World of Energy
at Duke Energy’s Oconee Nuclear Station
7812 Rochester Hwy., Seneca
Duke-Energy.com
An engaging experience with educational exhibits about how energy works. There are educational video games and movies, too. Visitors are encouraged to pack a picnic and enjoy the views of scenic Lake Keowee.
FAST FACT:
Calling lovers of all things BMW: There are two nearby museums celebrating the past, present, and future of the company that has a massive manufacturing presence in the Upstate. BMW Zentrum, the only BMW museum in North America, has vehicles on display, the BMW boutique, and plant tours upon request. The Ultimate Driving Museum, presented by the BMW Car Club of America Foundation, has many vehicles in its permanent collection and special exhibits, too.
BMW Zentrum | Located in BMW at 1400 SC-101, Greer
The Ultimate Driving Museum | 190 Manatee Ct., Unit A, Greer
