FAQs
General Museum Information
TCMU-Greenville’s exhibits and programs are designed for children ages 0-12.
We recommend allotting 3 hours if it is your first visit to TCMU-Greenville. With three floors of exhibits, there is plenty to fill your time!
- Free weekly programming is offered every day except Sunday. TCMU-Greenville offers Story Time & More, Open Art Studios, steamWORKS and Healthy Hustle. To learn more click here.
- The museum also has a small cafe where you can enjoy a snack or meal during your visit.
The museum is regularly open Tuesday-Sunday and operates seven days a week in June and July. The museum occasionally closes for specific holidays and events, including (but not limited to): Easter, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Years Day, and for annual Staff Training. Please click here for more information on planning your visit.
Admission
General admission tickets are non-refundable. If your plans change, tickets may be used one year from the purchase date. Tickets are transferable and may be redeemed by someone other than the purchaser. Please note all transferable tickets are subject to museum capacities at time of visit. Only ticketholders for exact day and time, and museum members, are guaranteed entry.
No. All adults must be accompanied by a child. If you would like a guided tour of the museum, please e-mail [email protected] to schedule your visit. All appointments must be made at least 48 hours in advance.
All children must be accompanied by an adult. Adults are considered individuals ages 16 and older with a valid driver’s license. For group visits and field trips, no more than 5 children per chaperone will be admitted.
Yes. Admission covers all-day exploration. A sticker will be provided at check-in that will allow you to leave and return during museum hours of the same day.
Museums for All offers $3 admission for visitors who show an EBT or eWIC card. This discount is available for all household members and cannot be used for group visits or field trips. Learn more here. TCMU also offers discounted admission for educators, homeschool teachers, active or retired military and senior citizens. Therapists and early interventionists who visit TCMU in a professional capacity may receive complimentary admission to the museum. The therapist or early interventionist must be accompanied by a paying child and the child’s caregiver, or a valid TCMU member child and caregiver. Therapists must provide proof of licensure. Early interventionists must present a business card or alternate proof of employment, such as company apparel.
Membership
Membership benefits include unlimited visits to TCMU-Greenville and TCMU-Spartanburg, exclusive monthly Member Mornings, pre-registration for summer camps and events, discounts on birthday parties, discounts on purchases at The TCMU Store, discounts on special events, and discounted admission for all member guests.
Each membership must have at least one adult and one child listed. Every slot needs to be claimed by a specific individual, so anyone using the membership must be named on it.
You’re welcome to leave a slot open if it’s not actively in use, but we do not allow floating guest spots. Only the named individuals on the membership can use the membership.
Yes! We offer two discounted membership options:
- Foster Family Membership: A special membership is available for foster families. Contact Guest Services for more information.
- Museums for All Membership: This discounted membership is available for those with SNAP, EBT, or WIC. Contact Guest Services for more information.
Additionally, educators receive a $20 discount with proof of employment at a school or as a homeschool educator.
Generally, membership names are set at purchase and cannot be changed. However, in extenuating circumstances, we are open to reviewing adjustment requests on a case-by-case basis. Contact guest services to discuss your situation.
Only individuals named on the membership are eligible for free admission. However, if an unnamed guest accompanies a member, they are eligible for a member guest ticket at a discounted rate of $10 per ticket.
Each membership level covers a specific number of family members, with each slot assigned to an individual. For help choosing the right level, contact our guest services team.
Memberships can be purchased online, at our front desk, or over the phone.
A new membership is active and ready for use immediately upon purchase. It is valid for one year (12 months) starting on the date of purchase.
If your family grows or changes, we recommend upgrading to the membership level that best accommodates your new family size. Our guest services team can help you with any adjustments.
Yes, you have up to 3 months from the date of purchase to upgrade your membership and pay only the difference between the two price points. After the 3-month period, your membership can still be upgraded but will require a renewal at the full price of the desired membership level.
Yes, you can renew your membership at any time at the full price of the desired membership level. The renewed membership will be valid for one year (12 months) starting from your current expiration date, so you won’t lose any remaining months on your current membership. Memberships can be renewed online, at our front desk, or over the phone.
Memberships cannot be canceled and are non-refundable.
Our guest services team is here to help! Feel free to reach out by phone (864-233-7755), email ([email protected]), or in person at the museum.
Infants & Toddlers
Absolutely! If needed, there is unattended stroller parking near Geo’s Golf on the third floor, in front of The Dream Theater on the main museum floor and near the water tables on the first level.
Breast or bottle feeding is welcome anywhere in the building that a caregiver is most comfortable. A private Nursing Nook, with a changing table and sink, is available on the 3rd floor. TCMU provides bottle warmers in the Nursing Nook and Café.
TCMU-Greenville has several exhibits that are toddler friendly! These areas include Grandma Betty’s Farm, Toddler Lily Pond, Prisma Health Children’s Hospital: Your Healthy Body, Publix Market, Construction Zone’s toddler area.
Food
The Café on the 1st floor houses TCMU’s micro-mart vending machines that offer a variety of sandwiches, salads, snacks and refreshments. Vending machines accept credit card only. We ask that you please keep all food and drink inside the Café.
Yes! You are welcome to pack your lunch or snacks for the day. We ask that you enjoy all food and drink inside the Café.
Accessibility and Inclusion
- Yes! Our entire museum is wheelchair accessible. TCMU’s facilities and all exhibits, including the playground, are ADA accessible. Elevators and accessible bathrooms are available on each of the museum’s three floors. The museum’s main entrance is also accessible, but alternate entrance accommodations may be made by calling 864-233-7755 in advance and pressing 1 and then 1 again to speak with a staff member.
- Additional resources, including sensory backpacks, are available upon request at admissions.
- Service animals, animals in training to be service animals or animals involved in museum programs approved by the museum are permitted at TCMU. “Emotional support animals”, “comfort animals”, “companion animals”, and “therapy animals” that are not individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability are not considered service animals under the ADA.
- The museum is not required to care for, clean up after, or supervise animals, including service animals.
Algunos materiales y letreros del museo están disponibles en español. ¡Siempre estamos trabajando para agregar más! Empleado de admisiones estará encantado de ayudarle con los materiales traducidos. Si es necesario empleados bilingüe está disponible para ayudar a su familia.
Donations
Yes! Please note, as a non-for-profit organization, The Children’s Museum of the Upstate has a limited number of admission passes to distribute to like-minded organizations. Priority consideration will be given to fundraising efforts.
- Organizations must have a non-profit status and provide a 501(c)3 Tax ID Number and IRS letter.
- Organizations must focus on families, children, and/or educational efforts in our region.
- A request for donation must be submitted at least two (2) months prior to your fundraising event.
- Only one (1) request will be granted per organization per calendar year.
- Any donated tickets must be redeemed within six months of event date.
Still have questions?
Click to learn more about the museum’s policies.
Contact us at [email protected] with your question!
