Are you looking for a fun and educational place to spend some time with the kids? Greenville, South Carolina, is lucky to have a wonderful children’s museum. In 2026, it was even named #5 on Travel + Leisure Magazine’s list of the 9 Best Children’s Museums in the U.S.! We will share all the info you’ll need to plan your day at this popular destination for Upstate families.
Thank you to The Children’s Museum of the Upstate for providing tickets to write this review for our readers.
Looking for more Children’s Museum fun for ages six and younger?
Your Preschool-Aged Children are Going to Love TCMU’s Spartanburg Location
This article includes:
What to expect when you spend the day at TCMU
Young children and babies at TCMU
Accommodations for Children with Sensory Processing Needs
Special Programs at TCMU
TCMU Cafe
TCMU 1st Floor Exhibits
TCMU 2nd Floor Exhibits
TCMU 3rd Floor Exhibits
Tickets for TCMU
Spending The Day At The Museum
Three floors of fun await your family at the Children’s Museum of The Upstate. We will go floor by floor to review activities, but here is some helpful info to help you plan your trip.
Bringing Young Children and Babies To TCMU
A successful outing with young children often requires some planning in advance. The museum has everything parents will need to make time spent there enjoyable.
There is a bottle warmer available for parents to use on the first floor and a microwave in the cafe. Finally, on the third floor of Grandma Betty’s Farm, you’ll find a private Nursing Nook with another bottle warmer.
Both the men’s and women’s restrooms have changing tables. The entire museum is stroller-friendly, with a sizeable cargo-sized elevator located at the rear of the building and a smaller elevator situated in the museum’s front.
A Day At TCMU And Children With Sensory Processing Issues
As a parent of a special needs child, I understand that things can quickly shift from happy to panicked without notice. As is the case with most places filled with excited children, the museum can frequently become loud. If you own a pair of noise-canceling headphones, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to bring them with you just in case.
Things can go from great to NOT GREAT in a flash, and an escape route is handy to have in those moments.
- First Floor Quiet Spaces include:
- At the front of the building, the sensory area is straight back and to the left from the Reedy River Bend water play area.
- On slower days, the Cafe is usually fairly empty, and there is an outdoor patio area to grab a fresh breath of air.
- Adjacent to the rear elevator, there is a family-size restroom to utilize.
- SEAsations is in front of the small elevator past the Open Art Studios.
- Second Floor Quiet Spaces include:
- The Dream Theater can be a great place to escape from crowds and decompress when not in use.
- Next to the large rear elevator, there is a family-size restroom to utilize.
- Third Floor Quiet Spaces include:
- Next to the large rear elevator, there is a family-size restroom to utilize.
- Beside Grandma Betty’s Farm and steamWORKS, the Book Nook offers cozy reading spots where kids can settle in with a good book.
Special Programs At The Children’s Museum
In addition to all the activities available at the museum, here are some of the weekly enrichment activities going on throughout the week.
- Exploration Station: Tuesday–Friday, 9:30 am–12:30 pm (location varies)
- TCMU Tots: Tuesday–Saturday, 10–11 am (Get Up & Grow, Third Floor)
- Story Time: Tuesday–Saturday, 12 pm (Dream Theater, Second Floor)
- steamWORKS: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, 1–4 pm (Third Floor)
- Healthy Hustle: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, 2 pm (Dream Theater, Second Floor)
- Open Art: Wednesday and Friday, 1–4 pm; Saturday, 9:30 am–12:30 pm (Open Art Studios, First Floor)
- Random Acts of Science: Wednesday and Friday, times vary (listen for announcements)
- Yoga: Select Fridays, 3 pm (Dream Theater, Second Floor)
For a full schedule of events at the museum, see the TCMU Event Calendar
TCMU Café
Currently, the café on the first floor houses micro-mart vending machines offering a variety of sandwiches, salads, snacks, and refreshments. The vending machines accept credit cards only, so cash isn’t accepted.
TCMU allows parents to bring outside food and drinks in; it just needs to remain inside the café area.
Adventures That Await You On The Lower Level Of The Children’s Museum Of The Upstate!
The ground-level floor of the museum is where you’ll find fun for even the youngest of guests!
Bib’s World
This wheelchair-accessible outdoor playground has slides, a merry-go-round, and a tire fort courtesy of Michelin. The tire fort sits in the shade and is a favorite spot for kids! It’s also a great photo opportunity!
Toddler Lily Pond & Reedy River Bend
This water play area is excellent for all ages. Reedy River Bend’s water tables mimic a water mill and treatment plant, with tiny dams, waterfalls, and a secret bubble kids can pop up inside. The museum provides smocks to keep kids dry. The Lily Pond is designed for children 3 and under, with secure seats so little ones can sit and splash.
The Animation Station
Kids follow the steps to turn their own drawings into moving pictures using a zoetrope, then watch their cartoon come to life.
The Upside Down
This unique immersive room is literally flipped upside down. The exhibit features a room with objects flipped so that children can enjoy a different view of the world while walking through.
SEAsations
An ocean-themed space where kids explore the sights, sounds, and textures of the sea, meet sea creatures, and learn why ocean conservation matters.
Life in the Upstate: 1776
Kids can travel back to the American Revolution and see what daily life was like in Upstate South Carolina through hands-on activities and interactive storytelling.
Marsh Music
This room will allow your kids to make music! Play the strings of an alligator mouth, bang the bongos, and more as you travel the marsh with Froggy. Make sure you have your camera ready to capture the talent brought out in your kids!
Open Art Studios
Several times a week, themed art projects will allow your child to express their inner Picasso. Art can be left behind to dry if the paint is used, just set a reminder to go back and retrieve it at the end of your visit.
- Check the TCMU Event Calendar for current Open Art Studios times.
For a full schedule of events at the museum, see the TCMU Event Calendar.
Be Anything Place, Imagine It Room, & Discover It Room
Frequently utilized for private and special events, these rooms are not often open to the public as a part of a regular day’s general admission.
Birthday Party options start at $275 at the Greenville location, with an add-on option available.
- Wonder (up to 10 kids): $275. Includes private room, free all-day museum access, Publix cupcakes, and a party host.
- Dream (up to 15 kids): $375. Includes private room, free all-day museum access, Publix cupcakes, and a party host.
- Explore (up to 25 kids): $550. Includes private room, free all-day museum access, Publix cupcakes, and a party host.
- Play (up to 35 kids): $650. Includes private room, free all-day museum access, Publix cupcakes, a party host, and 35 complimentary swag bags.
- Adults enter free with all packages.
More information about booking private events at The Children’s Museum of The Upstate
Hop In A Race Car To Do Some Grocery Shopping On The Second Floor Of The Children’s Museum Of The Upstate
The main level (floor two) is where the museum entrance is located. The ticketing area and guest services are located to the right of the door as you enter.
Tickets can be pre-purchased on the TCMU website.
Wheels on the Ground
An exploration of the automotive industry, Wheels on the Ground has race tracks to test your speed, a pit crew station, an engine to tinker with, and even a life-size bus for your kids to pretend to drive you around town in.
The Climber
The museum’s centerpiece is the colossal climbing structure in the center, which will keep your children occupied for hours. It rises toward the top of the building, but the only way on and off is at the ground level.
The Dream Theater
The Dream Theater includes a mural by local artist Adam Schrimmer. In addition to special events held here, the theater is home to the museum’s Story Time & More, currently offered Tuesday through Saturday at 12PM.
Your Healthy Body & The Teddy Bear Clinic
Supported by Prisma Health Children’s Hospital, this area teaches kids about their bodies and healthy habits with giant interactive organs and a model ambulance. Kids can also bring their stuffed animals in for a check-up at the Teddy Bear Clinic!
Healthy Heroes
The Healthy Heroes area offers physical challenges for guests of all ages. A rock-climbing wall, an arm strength challenge, and more will show your children the strength they didn’t know they had within them!
Publix
How often do your children want to grab that tiny shopping cart at the grocery store when they’re in a hurry? You know, the one that will ultimately wind up crashing into your shin and crippling you.
The TCMU Publix location is the answer. A pint-sized Publix, complete with kid carts, groceries to “buy,” a bakery to work in, and registers to check out their selections! Sit back and let the kids take care of the groceries!
Bank
That grocery money has to come from somewhere, right? Kids can pretend to withdraw money from the bank to buy their ice cream and cake at neighboring Publix.
Wings in the Air
This section explores the world of aviation and travel. Kids can learn about airplane parts and set off on a pretend journey to Germany.
TCMU Store
The museum gift shop offers a selection of educational toys and books. The addition of online shopping means you can grab that great thing you saw, even after being at the museum.
The TCMU online Store is also a great way to buy gifts you know they will love!
The Third Floor Fun At The Children’s Museum Of The Upstate Is Full Of Surprises
The top floor of the museum has separate spaces geared toward both younger and older kids. In addition, the nursing area for parents is located right off the rear elevator on this floor, if needed.
Grandma Betty’s Farm
Toddlers can harvest veggies, hop on a tractor, visit the barnyard animals, and explore Grandma Betty’s yellow house. With soft surfaces made for crawling, this area is reserved for children ages five and younger. The Nursing Nook is located in this area to give nursing mothers a private and relaxing area.
steamWORKS
Programming will emphasize learning areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math through hands-on activities. These activities are designed to encourage children’s creative thinking process, their problem-solving skills and inspire an innovative spirit. This area is designed for school-aged children. steamWORKS programming is currently offered Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 1 PM to 4 PM; check the TCMU Event Calendar for the latest schedule.
Book Nook
Kids step into a magical forest with tree-shaped bookshelves, cozy reading nooks, and a pretend fireplace. It’s a great spot to slow down and recharge.
Light Waves Ahead
Kids create glowing designs by pushing colorful rods into a board, where they light up.
Fun & Games
Your family can play a life-size game of Chess!
Talkin’ Trash
Kids sort materials, drive a recycling truck, and meet a dinosaur built entirely from recycled objects. Listen closely; she might talk to you!
Construction Zone
Kids can operate a life-size crane, grab their tools, and run a brick conveyor belt to finish building projects big and small. Our kids love the bricks here, they spend a lot of time just loading them up and moving them around!
Geo’s Golf
Geo’s Golf is an Upstate-themed, STEAM based mini-golf course. The 9-hole golf course is perfect because you can enjoy a mini-round of putt-putt without dealing with the heat of the outdoors.
Different-sized golf clubs mean everyone can play a round at Geo’s!
FAQS and Ticketing Info for The Children’s Museum Of The Upstate
Parking
Paid parking is available in the Heritage Green parking deck, which TCMU does not operate. The first 30 minutes are free, then it’s $1.00 for each additional half hour, with a maximum of $5.00 per day. The gate accepts cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay, or exact cash (no change given, no coins). Handicapped parking is in the lot at the rear of the museum. Additional parking options include the Landmark Building Garage and Richardson Street Parking Garage.
General Admission
Advance timed ticketing is encouraged for entry. Tickets can be pre-purchased on the TCMU website.
- South Carolina resident, adult, and child ticket: $15
- General admission (non-SC residents), adults, and child ticket: $20
- Babies 11 months and under: Free
- Seniors | Military | Educators: $12
- Museums for All Admission: $5 (must present an EBT, SNAP, or eWIC card and a valid state-issued ID to qualify)
- Members: Free
Memberships To TCMU
All of the details for The Children’s Museum Memberships can be found on the museum website.
Museum Hours
- Monday – closed August through May (open seven days a week in June and July)
- Tuesday through Sunday – 9 am to 5 pm
- Closed on most major holidays
What is your favorite exhibit at The Children’s Museum of the Upstate – Greenville?
