{"id":46,"date":"2021-09-20T18:52:34","date_gmt":"2021-09-20T18:52:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/scaihs.org\/elm\/?page_id=46"},"modified":"2026-04-14T16:14:02","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T16:14:02","slug":"field-trips","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/scaihs.org\/elm\/elementary-information-hub\/field-trips\/","title":{"rendered":"Field Trips"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row][vc_column][vc_tta_accordion active_section=&#8221;100&#8243; collapsible_all=&#8221;true&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1635435993706{padding-top: 30px !important;}&#8221;][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;Science&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1635435956464-afffa33c-6534&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<strong><u>Riverbanks Zoo and Garden<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0is located at I-126 and Greystone Boulevard near downtown Columbia. The Botanical Garden entrance is located in West Columbia off Hwy. 378 at Botanical Parkway. Hours are 9 a.m. \u2013 5 p.m. and the zoo is open daily except for Thanksgiving and Christmas.\u00a0 Admission is $30.95 for adults, $27.95 for children ages 2-12 and free for children under two Military $28.95, Senior Citizens $28.95, Parking $5.\u00a0 Save $3 per ticket, free parking, and NO waiting at the ticket window when you buy online!\u00a0 Group rates and other discounts may apply with zoo membership plans.\u00a0 Riverbanks offers Homeschool Programs throughout the school year for homeschooled children ages 3\u201312, with hands-on learning and a variety of nature-focused topics.<strong>\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>Current homeschool options listed include Homeschool Classes (ages 5\u201313) and Homeschool Little Learners (ages 3\u20135 with an accompanying adult). Please note that if you are not a Riverbanks member, a general admission ticket is also required. For more information, call Riverbanks at (803) 779-8717 or visit their website at <u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.riverbanks.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Riverbanks Zoo and Garden<\/a><\/u>; Columbia, South Carolina.<\/p>\n<p><strong><u>SC Aquarium\u00a0(Charleston, SC)<\/u><\/strong> is located at 100 Aquarium Wharf, Charleston, SC 29401.\u00a0 The SC Aquarium is open daily 9 a.m.\u20135 p.m., with the last entry time is 3:30 p.m.\u00a0 They are closed Thanksgiving Day and December 25 and open 9 a.m.\u20131 p.m. December 24.\u00a0 Group rates and other discounts may apply with membership plans.\u00a0 The South Carolina Aquarium does offer homeschool-friendly opportunities, but they don\u2019t currently advertise a dedicated \u201cHomeschool Day.\u201d Instead, homeschoolers can participate through field trips, onsite educational activities, virtual programs, and special homeschool-organized group events hosted by local homeschool networks. Homeschool families can book school field trips just like traditional schools, programs are STEM-based, hands-on, and aligned with South Carolina science standards.\u00a0 You can also add Exhibit Activities, Discovery Bins, or Scavenger Hunts to enrich your visit.\u00a0 For more information, visit: <u><a href=\"https:\/\/scaquarium.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Visit the South Carolina Aquarium in Downtown Charleston SC<\/a><\/u><\/p>\n<p><strong><u>State Museum (Columbia, SC)<\/u>\u00a0<\/strong>is the largest and most comprehensive museum in the state, featuring four floors of exhibits covering South Carolina history, art, natural history, science, and technology. It also includes a 55-foot digital dome planetarium, a 4D interactive theater, and a Boeing observatory.\u00a0 It is located at 301 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC.\u00a0 It is open 6 days a week with varying hours; closed on Mondays, Tuesdays \u2013 Saturdays from 10am \u2013 5pm, and Sundays from 12pm \u2013 5pm.\u00a0 General admission tickets are $13.00 for adults, $11.00 for Seniors (62+), and $10.00 for children (3 \u2013 12).\u00a0 Group rates and discounts may be available.\u00a0 Families can also purchase add-on tickets for the planetarium and the 4D theater.\u00a0 While the SC State Museum does not offer specific homeschool days, it is very homeschool-friendly, offering educational field trips for homeschooling families and co-ops, standards-aligned programming, the planetarium and 4D shows that are ideal for science units, and special exhibits that rotate throughout the year.\u00a0 For more information, please visit their website at <u><a href=\"https:\/\/scmuseum.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Home | South Carolina State Museum<\/a><\/u> or via phone at 803-898-4921.<\/p>\n<p><strong><u>EdVenture<\/u><\/strong><strong>\u00a0<\/strong>is located at 211 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC 29201.\u00a0 It is one of the largest children\u2019s museums in the Southeast, known for its hands\u2011on, immersive exhibits designed to spark curiosity in kids from toddlers through early teens. It\u2019s located right next to the South Carolina State Museum, making it perfect for a combined day trip.\u00a0 Edventure is open 6 days a week; Mondays, Wednesdays \u2013 Saturdays, they are open from 9am \u2013 5pm, Sundays from 12pm \u2013 5pm, and closed on Tuesdays.\u00a0 Admission is $13.00 for children and adults; children under 2 get in free!\u00a0 Membership plans and group rates are also available.\u00a0 While Edventure doesn\u2019t advertise a dedicated homeschool day, they do offer field trip pricing for homeschool families and co-ops, standards-aligned educational programs, STEM labs, health science exhibits, and role-play areas for thematic units, and seasonal camps and classes.\u00a0 For more information, visit their website at <u><a href=\"https:\/\/edventure.org\/#visit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">EdVenture Children&#8217;s Museum<\/a><\/u>, or via phone at <a href=\"tel:8037793100\">(803) 779-3100<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong><u>Spartanburg Science Center (Spartanburg, SC)<\/u>\u00a0<\/strong>is a small, hands\u2011on science museum located inside the Chapman Cultural Center in downtown Spartanburg, SC. \u00a0It features interactive STEM exhibits, live animals, fossils, minerals, and simple machines, designed to excite and educate learners of all ages.\u00a0 It is located at 200 E. St. John St., Spartanburg, SC 29306.\u00a0 It is open on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10am \u2013 2pm.\u00a0 General admission tickets are $5.00 per person, adults and children (ages 5+).\u00a0 Group admissions can be accommodated by appointment only.\u00a0 The Spartanburg Science Center is great for homeschoolers because it has a strong STEM focus, the atmosphere is very family friend, it\u2019s perfect for hands on learning, especially for PreK \u2013 5<sup>th<\/sup> grade students, and it is great for tie-in science units, like animals, geology, and simple machines.\u00a0 For more information, visit: <u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.spartanburgsciencecenter.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Spartanburg Science Center | Excite. Engage. Educate | Home<\/a><\/u>.<\/p>\n<p><strong><u>Discovery Place in Charlotte, NC<\/u><\/strong> is one of the top science destinations in the Carolinas, offering hands\u2011on STEM exhibits, an indoor rainforest, an aquarium, and a massive IMAX Dome theater. \u00a0\u00a0It is located at 168 W 6th St, Charlotte, NC 28202. \u00a0\u00a0Discovery Place hours are Monday \u2013 Friday from 9:00AM \u2013 4:00PM, and Saturday \u2013 Sunday from 10:30AM \u2013 4:30PM.\u00a0 General admission tickets are $28.95 for adults 14-59 and $23.96 for children 2 \u2013 13.\u00a0 Discounts are available for senior citizens and groups; membership plans are also available.\u00a0 Discovery Place is an excellent field trip option for homeschoolers because of its unique activities, including an indoor rainforest, an aquarium with diverse underwater species, 400+ hands-on STEM activities for all ages, daily science demonstrations that can be tied into chemistry, physics, and biology units, and also interactive labs where kids can build, design, and experiment.\u00a0 Lastly, it is also home to an IMAX Dome Theater with a 79-foot screen and 12,000-watt sound system. \u00a0For more information, visit: <u><a href=\"https:\/\/discoveryplace.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Discovery Place Science Museum &#8211; Charlotte&#8217;s #1 for Family Fun and Things to do<\/a><\/u>.<\/p>\n<p><strong><u>South Carolina Botanical Garden in Clemson<\/u>\u00a0<\/strong>is a free, 295\u2011acre outdoor learning environment featuring specialty gardens, nature trails, a geology museum, historic buildings, and year\u2011round educational programs. It\u2019s one of the most diverse and family\u2011friendly science\/nature destinations in the state, open 365 days a year from sunrise to sunset.\u00a0 It is located at 150 Discovery Lane, Clemson, SC.\u00a0 The grounds are open from sunrise \u2013 sunset; the visitor center is open from 10AM \u2013 5PM daily (except University Holidays).\u00a0 Admission is free for all visitors.\u00a0 The SC Botanical Gardens is hope to 22+ themed gardens and nature areas, including a butterfly garden, wildflower meadow, desert garden, and many more!\u00a0 There are streams, ponds, boardwalks, and woodlands trails for easy family hikes.\u00a0 You can also find the Bob Campbell Geology Museum on site, with over 10,000 rocks, minerals, and fossils, and exhibits on geology and paleontology.\u00a0 There are also 2 historical structures, the Hanover House and the Hunt Log <u><a href=\"http:\/\/clemson.edu\/scbg\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">South Carolina Botanical Garden<\/a><\/u>.<\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;History&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1635435956465-8999acda-4301&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<strong><u>The South Carolina State House<\/u><\/strong> blends history, government, and architecture in a way that\u2019s accessible for all grade levels.\u00a0 It is located at 1100 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC, and it offers free guided tours for students, homeschool groups, and families.\u00a0 Tour availability changes depending on whether the legislature is in session; to find the most up-to-date availability, please check out their website.\u00a0 Groups larger than 10 should call ahead for scheduling; groups over 40 will need to reserve multiple tour times.\u00a0 These tours are free and recommended visit length is about 1 hour.\u00a0 At the SC State House, students will have the opportunity to learn about state government, South Carolina History, including the building\u2019s construction, Civil War, and Civil Rights era, and architecture and art, including portraits, monuments, and symbolic design elements to help students connect visual details to historical meaning.\u00a0 For groups unable to travel, the State House offers live virtual tours via Zoom or Google Meet. These include a guide, Q&amp;A time, and a walkthrough of key areas.\u00a0 For more information, please visit their website: <u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scstatehouse.gov\/visit.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">South Carolina Legislature Online &#8211; Visiting The State House<\/a><\/u><\/p>\n<p><strong><u>The Cayce Historical Museum<\/u>\u00a0<\/strong>offers a deep and unique look at South Carolina\u2019s history, from Native American life to the Revolutionary War and the development of the Cayce community. It is located at 1800 12th Street, Cayce, SC, 29033 inside the city\u2019s municipal complex, and its exhibits span an impressive range of eras and cultures.\u00a0 Admission is $3.00\/adults and $1.00\/children (ages 3 \u2013 12).\u00a0 Children under the age of 2 enter free; there are also senior and military discounts available.\u00a0 There is free admission every Thursday from 12pm \u2013 4pm.\u00a0 The museum is open from 9am \u2013 4pm on Tuesday \u2013 Friday, and from 10am \u2013 2pm on Saturdays.\u00a0 It is not open on Mondays or Sundays, or major holidays.\u00a0 The Cayce Historical Museum offers over 7,000 Native American artifacts, displays of Revolutionary War history, exhibits of colonial and early settlement life, Civil War and 20<sup>th<\/sup> Century artifacts, and even historic outbuildings, including a 1749 detached kitchen, an 1820 smokehouse, a railroad caboose, and a 1938 rail speeder.\u00a0\u00a0 This museum\u2019s blend of archaeology, colonial history, Revolutionary War stories, and local heritage makes it ideal for homeschooling families looking for social studies units, South Carolina history studies, and hands-on learning through artifacts and historic structures.\u00a0 For more information, visit their website at: <u><a href=\"https:\/\/caycesc.gov\/museum.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Museum | Cayce, SC &#8211; Time for Life<\/a><\/u><\/p>\n<p><strong><u>Drayton Hall<\/u>\u00a0<\/strong>offers one of the most historically rich field\u2011trip experiences in the Lowcountry. As the oldest preserved plantation house in America still open to the public, it provides powerful learning opportunities in history, architecture, archaeology, and African American studies.\u00a0 Drayton Hall is located at 3380 Ashley River Road, Charleston, SC 29414.\u00a0 Drayton Hall is open Wednesday\u2013Monday, 9:00 AM\u20134:30 PM (gate closes at 3:00 PM); it is closed Tuesdays.\u00a0 Tickets are $32\/adults and $15 for children, ages 7 &#8211; 15).\u00a0 Children under 7 are free.\u00a0 Tickets purchased online are discounted.\u00a0 Drayton Hall was founded in 1738 and stands as the nation\u2019s earliest example of fully executed Palladian architecture. Unlike many plantations, it has never been restored or furnished\u2014everything you see is original, making it a rare preservation site.\u00a0 At this site, students can encounter authentic 18th\u2011century architecture, archaeological collections, an African American cemetery, and galleries with artifacts, documents, and decorative arts.\u00a0 Drayton Hall does offer 2 curricula based, standards-aligned programs for specifically for grades 3 \u2013 8, led by professional education staff.\u00a0 These programs integrate social studies, science, geography, art, and literacy.\u00a0 Program 1 is <strong>A Day in the Life at Drayton Hall<\/strong>, which focuses on daily life of the Drayton family and enslaved laborers.\u00a0 Program 2 is <strong>The American Revolution at Drayton Hall<\/strong>, with a focus on Drayton Hall\u2019s role during the Revolutionary War.\u00a0 For more information on Drayton Hall and their educational programs, please visit their website: <u><a href=\"https:\/\/draytonhall.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Drayton Hall Charleston South Carolina Lowcountry Plantation<\/a><\/u>.<\/p>\n<p><strong><u>Boone Hall Plantation<\/u><\/strong> is one of the most immersive historic field\u2011trip experiences in the Lowcountry. Its combination of preserved architecture, agricultural history, and African American cultural interpretation makes it especially meaningful for homeschool groups and school classes.\u00a0 Located at 1235 Long Point Road, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464, Boone Hall is one of America\u2019s oldest working plantations, with over 320 years of continuous agricultural production.\u00a0 This plantation operates year-round with hours 9am \u2013 5pm Mondays \u2013 Saturdays, and from 12pm \u2013 5pm on Sundays.\u00a0 Admission is $30\/adults and $12\/children ages 6 \u2013 12.\u00a0 Children 5 and under are free.\u00a0 Senior, military, and AAA discounts are also available.\u00a0 Some key features of Boone Hall include the iconic Avenue of Oaks, planted in 1743, a Colonial Revival main house, nine original brick slave cabins with the <em>Black History in America<\/em> exhibit, working farm areas, marsh views, and gardens, and live Gullah culture presentations.\u00a0 Other learning experiences available at Boone Hall include covered wagon tours, guided house tours, outdoor history talks, and a tour of the stables.\u00a0 For more information, please visit their website at: <u><a href=\"https:\/\/boonehallplantation.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Boone Hall Plantation &amp; Gardens &#8211; Mt. Pleasant, SC<\/a><\/u>.<\/p>\n<p><strong><u>Historic Brattonsville<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0preserves the stories of the Scots\u2011Irish Bratton family, the enslaved African Americans who built and sustained the plantation, and the broader Carolina Piedmont community from the 1760s through Reconstruction. More than 30 historic structures can be found on the property, from log houses to antebellum homes, which show how the region evolved socially, architecturally, and agriculturally.\u00a0 Historic Brattonsville is located at 1444 Brattonsville Road, McConnells, SC 29726.\u00a0 It is open from 10am- 5pm Tuesdays \u2013 Saturdays, and 1pm \u2013 5pm on Mondays.\u00a0 They are closed on Mondays and major holidays.\u00a0 Admission is $8\/adults and $5 for children ages 4 \u2013 17.\u00a0 Children ages 3 and under are free.\u00a0 Visitors to Brattonsville will be able to experience historical farming techniques, including open-hearth cooking, craft demonstrations, and day-to-day plantation tasks, explore the Revolutionary Way battlefield, dive into exhibits of African American history, tour over 30 historic structures, and visit the Heritage farm.\u00a0 Historic Brattonsville is a great option for homeschooling families because you can tie in Revolutionary War and Reconstruction, and there are ample opportunities for hands-on demonstrations.\u00a0 There is also plenty of outdoor space and trails, perfect for movement and exploration.\u00a0 For more information, visit their website at: <u><a href=\"https:\/\/chmuseums.org\/brattonsville\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Brattonsville | Culture &amp; Heritage Museums<\/a><\/u><\/p>\n<p>The <strong><u>Museum of York County<\/u><\/strong>, located at 4621 Mt. Gallant Road, Rock Hill, SC 29732, is one of the strongest natural\u2011history museums in this region. It blends wildlife exhibits, astronomy, early\u2011learning spaces, and outdoor exploration into a single, easy\u2011to-navigate campus.\u00a0 The museum is open from 10am \u2013 5pm Tuesday \u2013 Saturday, and 1pm \u2013 5pm on Sunday.\u00a0 It is closed on Mondays.\u00a0 Admission is required for non-members; Sundays offer free general admission.\u00a0 To find out more about ticket pricing and membership plans, visit: <a href=\"https:\/\/sales.chmuseums.org\/calendar.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Online Purchasing | Culture &amp; Heritage Museums<\/a>. \u00a0\u00a0Major exhibits of the York County Museum include the Ice Age Carolinas, where you can explore prehistoric animals, the Naturalist Center, which offers more than 2,000 specimens to explore, the African and Piedmont Wildlife Galleries, the Catawba River Gallery, the Settlemyre Planetarium, which uses digital projection to simulate the night sky, Tot Town, which provides a playful, early learning environment designed for toddlers and preschoolers, and lastly, you can also find huge outdoor areas that include nature trails, educational gardens, and picnic areas.\u00a0 For more information on the York County Museum, visit their website: <u><a href=\"https:\/\/chmuseums.org\/myco\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Museum of York County | Culture &amp; Heritage Museums<\/a><\/u>.<\/p>\n<p>The <strong><u>South Carolina Military Museum<\/u>\u00a0<\/strong>offers a focused, hands-on look at the state\u2019s military history, with programs designed specifically for school groups and homeschoolers. The museum is known for being <strong><em>free<\/em><\/strong> and highly educational. Located at 1 National Guard Road Columbia, SC 29201, this museum is open from 10am \u2013 4pm, Monday \u2013 Saturday, and it is closed Sundays. Exhibits that visitors can view are South Carolina\u2019s military history from the Colonial Era to modern conflicts, observations of uniforms, weapons, vehicles, and artifacts, as well as listening to stories of service members and state military units. Additional experiences that families can add on to their experience are a camouflage and tie-dye lab, a South Carolina State Falg design activity, a Tea Party Engineering Challenge, a force and motion cannon launcher, and an opportunity to build your own forecasting instruments. If you would like to schedule a specific group field trip with the South Carolina Military Museum, scheduling must be booked at least 2 weeks in advance. You can reach the education coordinator at (803) 299 \u2013 2730.<\/p>\n<p>The <strong><u>South Carolina Railroad Museum<\/u>\u00a0<\/strong>blends hands\u2011on exploration, historic preservation, and scenic train rides along the Rockton, Rion &amp; Western Railroad. It\u2019s one of the most engaging STEM\u2011and\u2011history destination spots in the state.\u00a0 Located at 110 Industrial Park Road, Winnsboro, SC 29180, you can visit the museum from 10am \u2013 4pm, Wednesday \u2013 Saturday.\u00a0 Admission is free to explore the museum grounds and exhibits; tickets are required for special events.\u00a0 You can see the schedule of events here: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scrm.org\/calendar\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Calendar \u2014 South Carolina Railroad Museum<\/a>.\u00a0 Some of the experiences you\u2019ll be able to have at the Railroad Museum include viewing a historic train collection, some of which you can walk through, scenic train rides with seasonal themed rides and volunteers in period attire that share history and point out landmarks, and there is also a gift shop with railroad memorabilia.\u00a0 For more information about what the South Carolina Railroad Museum offers, visit: <u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scrm.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">South Carolina Railroad Museum<\/a><\/u><\/p>\n<p><strong><u>Biltmore Estates<\/u>\u00a0<\/strong>is not just a perfect getaway from adults; America\u2019s largest privately owned home and one of the most famous historic estates in the United States is an iconic visit that children and homeschooling groups can also enjoy.\u00a0 Biltmore Estates is located at One Lodge Street, Asheville, NC 28803; Biltmore Estates is open every day, but hours vary by season and attraction, as well as ticket prices.\u00a0 To find out more information about pricing, please visit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biltmore.com\/hours\/hours-of-operation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Biltmore Estate &#8211; Hours of operation<\/a>.\u00a0 Biltmore is very kid-friendly, with a mix of outdoor play, animals, hands-on exploration, and even options for a special audio tour of the home just for children.\u00a0 Some of the experiences children can have include the Pisgah Playground, a nature-themed play area with climbing logs, rock formations, water pump and sand play, Antler Hill Village and Farmyard, where kids can meet farm animals and explore the barn and village shops, children can explore the Biltmore house, and even participate in an audio tour that includes a children\u2019s audio guide narrated by Cedric, the Vanderbilt family\u2019s dog, which makes the mansion feel like a storybook adventure.\u00a0 Lastly, there are so many outdoor spaces; families can enjoy biking, hiking, and nature trails.\u00a0 For more information about specific parts that children can view at Biltmore, please visit: <u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biltmore.com\/visit\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Visit Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina<\/a><\/u>.<\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;Music &amp; the Arts&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1635436017611-e2cb1f84-e870&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<strong><u>The Columbia Museum of Art<\/u>\u00a0<\/strong>offers a variety of hands-on, story-rich, and creativity\u2011focused programs designed for toddlers through early teens.\u00a0 Located at 1515 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201, the museum is open every day, except Mondays.\u00a0 Times vary depending on the day of the week; you can find more information at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.columbiamuseum.org\/visit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Visit | Columbia Museum of Art<\/a>.\u00a0 Admission fees are $15\/adults, $10 for children 7 \u2013 18, and free for children 6 and under.\u00a0 Information on becoming a member can be found on their website.\u00a0 There are so many opportunities that the Columbia Museum offers, including\u00a0 world class art exhibitions featuring Italian Renaissance, Asian and American art, and highlights like Botticelli, Monet, and Chihuly, interactive and hands-on art experiences, workshops and classes, and a hands-on studio space where visitors of all ages can make art, and countless programs for children and families, including Glady\u2019s Gang which is a toddler story time, stroller tours for caregivers with infants, youth and family art programs, and summer art camps designed for children ages 4 \u2013 12.\u00a0 For more information about programs that the Columbia Museum of Art offers, please visit: <u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.columbiamuseum.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Columbia Museum of Art<\/a><\/u>.<\/p>\n<p>The <strong><u>SC Philharmonic<\/u>\u00a0<\/strong>is a professional symphony orchestra based in Columbia, South Carolina. They perform live orchestral concerts, run extensive education programs, and serve as a major cultural organization for the Midlands.<strong>\u00a0 <\/strong>The SC Philharmonic is located at 1704 Main Street, Suite 100, in Columbia, SC.\u00a0 A calendar of events with ticket information can be found at: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scphilharmonic.com\/tickets-events\/season-61\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Season 61 &#8211; South Carolina Philharmonic<\/a>.\u00a0 The SC Philharmonic is South Carolina\u2019s flagship symphony orchestra, offering world\u2011class performances and robust educational outreach that enriches families, schools, and the broader community.\u00a0 They provide dynamic educational opportunities, including youth orchestra programs, school concerts, kids to concerts, and sensory-friendly events.\u00a0 For more information about programs that the SC Philharmonic offers, visit the website at: <u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scphilharmonic.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">South Carolina Philharmonic<\/a><\/u>.<\/p>\n<p>The <strong><u>Koger Center for the Arts<\/u>\u00a0<\/strong>is truly one of Columbia\u2019s major performing\u2011arts hubs, with a mix of Broadway, concerts, dance, visual art, and community programming.\u00a0 It is located at 1051 Greene Street, Columbia,\u00a0SC\u00a029201.\u00a0 The Koger Center offers a variety of different experiences, including major performances like <em>Wicked <\/em>and <em>Beetlejuice<\/em>, the USC Symphony Orchestra, and the USC Dance Department performances.\u00a0 You can also enjoy concerts, jazz, and special music series, as well as tour rotating visual art exhibits. \u00a0\u00a0For more information on upcoming shows with ticket prices, please visit their website at: <u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kogercenterforthearts.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Home &#8211; Koger Center for the Arts at The University of South Carolina<\/a><\/u><\/p>\n<p>The <strong><u>USC School of Music<\/u>\u00a0<\/strong>offers a <em>wide<\/em> range of opportunities from baby music playgroups to full instrumental training and summer camps.\u00a0 The USC School of Music is located at 813 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC 29208.\u00a0 Music Play is an early childhood music program for newborns through age 3 that focuses on singing, chanting, movement, and informal music play. \u00a0\u00a0Piano programs are also offered for students in Kindergarten \u2013 12<sup>th<\/sup> grade, including private lessons, repertoire classes, recitals, and festivals.\u00a0 The USC School of Music also sponsors Carolina Music Studies, a flexible community program for all ages offering private lessons in brass, guitar, percussion, strings, voice, and woodwinds.\u00a0 Another popular opportunity offered by the School of Music is the USC String Project for children, ages 8+.\u00a0 This is a nationally recognized program where children learn violin, viola, cello, or bass through group classes and youth orchestras.\u00a0 These programs are taught by USC faculty and graduate students.\u00a0 For a complete listing of events, programs, and pricing, please visit the USC School of Music\u2019s website at: <u><a href=\"https:\/\/sc.edu\/study\/colleges_schools\/music\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">School of Music &#8211; School of Music | University of South Carolina<\/a><\/u>.<\/p>\n<p><strong><u>The Newberry Opera House<\/u>\u00a0<\/strong>offers a family\u2011friendly performing arts center with options for toddlers through teens.\u00a0 It is located at1201 McKibben Street, Newberry, South Carolina.\u00a0 The Newberry Opera House offers a wide range of experiences, including children\u2019s programs, family films and special screenings, youth-friendly theatre and musicals, and live music opportunities for all ages.\u00a0 For a complete listing of current programs and shows, along with admission information, please visit their website at: <u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.newberryoperahouse.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Newberry Opera House | Performing Arts Center<\/a><\/u>.<\/p>\n<p>The <strong><u>Columbia Marionette Theatre<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0is a beloved, long\u2011running children\u2019s puppet theater in downtown Columbia, South Carolina.\u00a0 It is located at 401 Laurel Street, Columbia, SC 29201. It\u2019s one of the few remaining marionette theaters in the United States that still performs regular, fully staged puppet shows.\u00a0 The Columbia Marionette Theatre is housed in a castle-themed building, complete with a 30-foot stage and built specifically for puppetry. Shows feature hand-crafted marionettes, original sets and props, local voice talent, and multiple puppetry styles, not just marionettes.\u00a0 Performances every Saturday at 11am and 3pm, with an additional show every third Monday of the month at 10:00AM. All seats are general admission, and tickets are sold at the door.\u00a0 Shows are typically 40-45 minutes, which is perfect for young children\u2019s attention spans. For a list of current showings and specific ticket prices, please visit their website at: <u><a href=\"https:\/\/cmtpuppet.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Columbia Marionette Theatre<\/a><\/u>.<\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;Miscellaneous&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1635436038114-05009d2e-50ab&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<u><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.internet4classrooms.com\/vft.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Virtual Field Trips<\/a><\/strong><\/u><br \/>\nLooking for a fun way to take a field trip without ever leaving home? You\u2019re in the right place! We\u2019ve put together a list of our favorite websites that let your child explore amazing destinations\u2014virtually!<\/p>\n<p><u><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/butterflies.org\/learn\/schools-and-youth-groups\/virtual-learning\/?utm_source=google&amp;utm_campaign=20321884752&amp;utm_content=148270465810&amp;utm_term=interactive%20virtual%20field%20trips&amp;utm_medium=672364252722&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=20321884752&amp;gbraid=0AAAAADl5MmctbrnHLiWIy3Dox4qPs6pGA&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwhLPOBhBiEiwA8_wJHPY2F0Ue2SqwwhGyAfx6NxylYIW2U18B_cvL1dxKFOXPPnQyr1HPmRoC0IkQAvD_BwE\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Butterfly Virtual Learning<\/a><\/strong><\/u><br \/>\nThis online education program brings live, interactive science learning straight to your home!\u00a0 It offers real-time sessions led by expert butterfly pavilion educators, up-close views of live invertebrates, and engaging visuals and hands-on demonstrations.<\/p>\n<p><u><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.discoveryeducation.com\/community\/virtual-field-trips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Virtual Field Trips | Discovery Education<\/a><\/strong><\/u><br \/>\nDiscovery Education offers high-quality, standards-aligned virtual experiences with educator guides. Topics include whales, wetlands, animal adaptations, solar telescopes, steel manufacturing, maritime careers, and more.<\/p>\n<p><u><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.weareteachers.com\/best-virtual-field-trips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">49 Best Virtual Field Trips for the Classroom<\/a><\/strong><\/u><br \/>\nThis is a massive collection of 49 virtual field trips, covering STEM, careers, dinosaurs, robotics, cloud computing, and so much more.\u00a0 Some of these even include teacher guides and worksheets.<\/p>\n<p><u><a href=\"https:\/\/fieldtripdirectory.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Find On-Site &amp; Virtual Field Trips | Field Trip Directory<\/strong><\/a><\/u><br \/>\nThis hub offers virtual zoo tours, aquarium cams, STEM programs, farm tours, botanical gardens, history experiences, SEL programs, and more.\u00a0 This is great for all grade levels.<\/p>\n<p><u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lifewire.com\/best-free-virtual-field-trips-4800629\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>16 of Our Favorite Free Virtual Field Trips of 2026<\/strong><\/a><\/u><br \/>\nThis website provides a fun list of 16 standout, virtual field trips, including an M&amp;M factory tour, the Stellarium Online Planetarium, the Louvre Museum Tour, and the NASA Space Exploration.<\/p>\n<p><u><a href=\"https:\/\/kidpillar.com\/60-free-fun-virtual-field-trips-for-your-classroom\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>60 Free Fun Virtual Field Trips For Your Classroom\u00a0 &#8211; KidPillar<\/strong><\/a><\/u><br \/>\nThis website offers a huge list of virtual field trip options, organized by age group.\u00a0 Some of the options include field trips to different zoos around the country, farm tours, aquarium cams, and even global landmarks like the Taj Mahal and the Great Barrier Reef.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_accordion][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row][vc_column][vc_tta_accordion active_section=&#8221;100&#8243; collapsible_all=&#8221;true&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1635435993706{padding-top: 30px !important;}&#8221;][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;Science&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1635435956464-afffa33c-6534&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]Riverbanks Zoo and Garden\u00a0is located at I-126 and Greystone Boulevard near downtown Columbia. The Botanical Garden entrance is located in West Columbia off Hwy. 378 at Botanical Parkway. Hours are 9 a.m. \u2013 5 p.m. and the zoo is open daily except for Thanksgiving and Christmas.\u00a0 Admission &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/scaihs.org\/elm\/elementary-information-hub\/field-trips\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Field Trips<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":14,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-46","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/scaihs.org\/elm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/46","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/scaihs.org\/elm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/scaihs.org\/elm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scaihs.org\/elm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scaihs.org\/elm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=46"}],"version-history":[{"count":26,"href":"https:\/\/scaihs.org\/elm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/46\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":316,"href":"https:\/\/scaihs.org\/elm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/46\/revisions\/316"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scaihs.org\/elm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/14"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/scaihs.org\/elm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=46"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}