University of South Carolina Campus Tour: Visitor Planning

Register for an individual visit through the university’s online visit registration system to see available activities and dates. Each prospective-student registrant may bring up to three guests, and the system accepts one registration per prospective student.

The general guided tour takes about two hours: first, a 20-minute admissions presentation, then a guided walk around campus. Guided tours are offered Monday through Friday, except holidays and extended student breaks; availability during winter, spring and summer breaks depends on University Ambassador availability. Tour schedules can vary, so check the official site before you go.

Arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled tour to check in. If you arrive more than 15 minutes after it begins, you forfeit your seat. February, March and April are the university’s busiest campus-tour months, and Mondays and Fridays are generally the busiest tour days.

The Visitor Center is in McKissick Museum on the historic Horseshoe, at 945 Bull Street. You can pick up a paper self-guided tour map from the mailbox in front of McKissick Museum, or use the university’s free self-guided tour app to customize your route.

A self-guided visit gives you more flexibility than the scheduled walking tour. Keep in mind that guided tours have limited access to academic buildings and the student union, and residence halls are not included on the tour at this time.

After you register for a visit, the university sends instructions for complimentary parking at the Visitor Center. If you are visiting without that arrangement, you can use metered visitor spaces on campus or metered spaces on surrounding streets; those spaces are not complimentary.

Hourly visitor parking is available at Bull Street Garage, Discovery Garage, Horizon Garage, 650 Lincoln Garage, Campus Village Garage, Pendleton Street Garage, Close-Hipp Lot, Capstone, Columbia Hall on Barnwell Street and Sumter Street Garage. Some locations have designated entry points or parking levels, so check the university’s parking information when choosing where to park.

Campus parking rules apply 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including during breaks and holidays. The Visitor Center is listed as open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; check the university’s official site before you go for current visitor arrangements.

For the drive and other city connections, the guide to getting around Columbia by car, transit and visitor routes can help with broader trip planning.

The historic Horseshoe is the setting for McKissick Museum and the University Visitor Center. Starting here lets you pick up a paper map before setting out on a self-guided walk, or find the Visitor Center for your registered tour.

Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes for the student-led walking tour, which can last up to two hours. If seeing academic buildings, the student union or residence halls is important to your plans, note that access to those spaces is limited or excluded on the guided tour.

For a campus visit that coincides with a game or other event, confirm your visit arrangements and parking plan through the university before setting out. The university enforces campus parking rules throughout the week, including on holidays and during break periods.

If your plans include other Columbia sights, a one-day Columbia sightseeing route can help you think through how to arrange the rest of your day.

Are University of South Carolina campus tours free?

Yes. The university describes its general guided campus tour and self-guided tour as free.

How long does the guided campus tour take?

Plan for about two hours, including an admissions presentation and a campus walk.

Can you visit campus without joining a guided tour?

Yes. You can use the free self-guided tour app or pick up a paper map outside McKissick Museum.

Where is the University of South Carolina Visitor Center?

It is in McKissick Museum on the historic Horseshoe, at 945 Bull Street.