Inside: A local mom takes her family to the Mace Brown Museum and shares all the cool things you’ll see when you visit for free. This is a great one for dinosaur lovers.
Looking for an indoor, educational adventure your whole crew can enjoy — without spending a dime? The Mace Brown Museum of Natural History in Charleston is a free, fascinating stop that’s perfect for families who love fossils, giant jaws, and a little hands-on fun.
Whether you’re dodging the heat or rain, or just have a curious kid who can’t get enough of dinosaurs, this museum is definitely worth your time.
What You’ll See at the Mace Brown Museum
The museum may be small, but it’s packed with kid-approved prehistoric exhibits that are both engaging and easy to explore in under an hour.
Watch! Our Visit
Check out this video of our visit and see inside for yourself!
Here’s what your family will love:
- A life-size megalodon jaw — this ancient shark’s mouth is as big as a doorway!
- A T. rex skull and several other large dinosaur fossils
- Outdoor dinosaurs in the courtyard (yes, even more dinos!)
- Fossil digging station where kids can dig, discover, and keep a fossil
- A helpful assistant at the front desk who can help ID your fossil finds using a catalog book
- A huge collection focused on prehistoric marine life, including ancient whales and dolphins
This is a self-guided experience, so families can move at their own pace and spend more time on the exhibits that spark their kids’ interest.
Tips for a Smooth Visit
- Short on time? You can easily see everything in under 45 minutes.
- Got dino lovers? They’ll be thrilled with the mix of fossils and dinosaur exhibits.
- Too hot outside? This is a great way to cool off and still learn something fun.
- Don’t skip the outdoor courtyard! The dino displays out there are a hit with kids.
Location, Hours & Parking
🦕 Address:
Mace Brown Museum of Natural History
202 Calhoun Street, Charleston, SC
Located in the School of Sciences and Mathematics Building at the College of Charleston.
🕒 Hours:
- Open daily except Wednesdays
- Hours may vary seasonally, so it’s always a good idea to check their website before visiting
💸 Cost:
Free! But donations are welcome and appreciated to help keep it going.
🚗 Parking:
- Street parking is available in the area
- There’s also a parking garage within a block for easy access
🚻 Restrooms:
Clean bathrooms are located on the first floor — easy to find and typically well-maintained.
Big Fun for Little Paleontologists
The Mace Brown Museum is a fantastic little stop in downtown Charleston that families with kids of all ages can enjoy. From digging up fossils to standing next to a megalodon jaw, this is one Charleston activity that’s educational, free, and actually fun for the whole family.
Mace Brown Museum of Natural History
202 Calhoun Street, Charleston, SC
Want to see more Dinosaurs?
This list started as places to see dinos in the Upstate and quickly grew to awesome destinations throughout the Carolinas, Georgia, and even Tennessee.
