Museum of York County — Attraction in Rock Hill

Excellent little museum that exceeds expectations. Their dioramas are top notch, and the big one in the naturalist center is spectacular. I grew up going to the Smithsonian in Washington DC and have been in world class museums from Berlin to Beijing, and I was impressed.

Don't get me wrong, it's small, it just punches above its weight. It's very informative on local natural history. Its pleistocene exhibit is very interesting and contains world class taxidermy. The naturalist center provides a small but decent library and cabinets of hands on specimens. We did not get to see the planetarium show due to time constraints. You can get through it in an hour or spend hours ogling the massive diorama and studying specimens. It was worth the 8 dollars, and I say that as someone who has been to the best Smithsonian museums 100 times FOR FREE, and am known to begrudge museum entrance fees.

The science presented was also more honest than some larger and more "venerable" institutions. Instead of pontificating the director's or curator's favorite theory, they weren't afraid to say something was still unknown and presented conflicting views for edification and consideration. I find that courageous and refreshing in today's climate of arrogant, self-important academia.

This museum doesn't do a lot, but what it does, it does well, and is worth a visit to see. The only thing we didn't get was the dark room full of illuminated fabric mushrooms, but every museum nowadays has something like that. It did not detract from the rest of the exhibits and is probably temporary anyway.

In the future, I hope they acquire the means and develop something more about the southeast woodland cultures and prehistoric people of the area. There is something about it, with some artifacts in excellent condition, but apparently it's hard to come across good sites in SC for this sort of thing. Which itself is informative.

When you consider that membership includes Brattonsville, the Main Street Children's museum, and a host of other small and not-so-small museums around the southeast, it's probably worth it if you're a museum person. Absolutely...

I don't know who enjoys this museum more- the kids or me! The first time we went there was a great exhibit on nocturnal animals ;however, the second time that was closed.

I love the taxidermied animals and a great learning experience for kids for different terrains and the animals and plants that grown within them. There are tables to investigate more and many books and information!

I have yet to be in the planetarium as they are limited in show times.

My kids really enjoy the kids room too- kitchen area, puppets, blocks galore. A safe and fun space for kids of all ages (probably best for those under 6).

Most employees very nice - one lady was getting on kids in kids area to clean up behind themselves in a strict manner.

Cute gift shop for local gifts.

I would love to see an upgrade to the outside of the building to be more welcoming and maybe something's done outside -- garden, bird houses, etc. For it to represent all of York County a few upgrades...

Not just for little dino fans!!! Teen and adult dinosaur enthusiasts will absolutely lovethe programming currently available at the Museum of York County! A great deal was organized/provided by the Natural History Museum and other museums and research facilities outside of York County, but the focus is largely on what has been discovered in South Carolina and where the dig sites have been.

The standard naturalist center with its drawers and drawers of fossils, samples and artifacts is still here and well-maintained, but the displays of ancient creatures and eras, and the connections to our lives today, have been revamped and do not disappoint.

Be sure to bisit the planetarium as well - two shows focused on the dinosaurs, and both end with a quick view of our current night sky. (Sky maps for the month you visit are provided after each show -...