A big one-level science museum off I-75 in Cartersville, with fossils, minerals and a planetarium, a Quiet Space you can ask staff to open on any visit, and Sensory Friendly Mornings from 9 to 10 am before the museum opens, with earmuffs, sunglasses and weighted lap pads to check out at the front desk.
Sensory supports. Sensory mornings 9 to 10 am, Quiet Space.
Hours
Open every day, 10 am to 5 pm. Closed New Year's Day, the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Fossil Dig and Gem Panning have shorter weekday hours, 12 to 5 pm, during the school months (September to May, or January to May). The Solar House is open Thursday to Sunday, 1 to 4 pm, and its hours can change without notice.
100 Tellus Drive, Cartersville, GA 30120 (I-75 Exit 293)
“A “Quiet Space” is available during any visit to the museum. This room has been designed to provide a soothing environment. Please ask a staff member or a security guard for access.”
“Sound reduction where possible, like turning off hand dryers throughout the museum and delaying loud tasks, i.e. vacuuming or mowing”
“Lighting is normalized, and our various monitors are not turned on.”
“The planetarium doors will remain open for the hour and the volume will be lowered.”
“If you are looking for a quieter time to visit, consider visiting Monday through Friday after 1:30 PM during the school year.”
During Sensory Friendly Mornings, you can check out weighted lap pads, sunglasses for bright lights, noise reduction earmuffs, and wheelchairs and walking aids at the front desk, first come, first served and in limited numbers. Name tags with contact information for kids are given on request, and waterproof aprons and gloves are at the gem panning and fossil dig area. On any day, wheelchairs are available, first come, first served.
During Sensory Friendly Mornings, security staff in light blue shirts and khaki pants stand at the front door so children don't enter or leave without an adult, and educational staff and volunteers wear khaki vests. A child found by staff is brought to the Front Desk.
Tellus has a picture social story, When I Go To Tellus, in easy, intermediate and advanced levels. For questions about Sensory Friendly Mornings, contact Director of Education David Dundee at davidd@tellusmuseum.org or (770) 606-5700 ext 420; for other accommodations, call Guest Services at (770) 606-5700.
A Quiet Space on any visit, at the back of the theater; ask a staff member or a security guard to let you in.
At Sensory Friendly Mornings, weighted lap pads, sunglasses and noise reduction earmuffs to check out at the front desk, in limited numbers.
Sensory Friendly Mornings from 9 to 10 am for registered families, with sound reduced where possible and a quieter planetarium visit with the doors open.
Gem Panning and Fossil Dig on extremely busy days (the one area with intercom announcements, apart from emergencies)not stated
Quieter, in Tellus's words
The Quiet Space at the back of the theater (ask a staff member or a security guard for access)quiet zone
Weekdays after 1:30 pm during the school year; early mornings in summer and on weekends are often slightly quieterquiet zone
Admission: adults $20, children 3 to 17 $16, students with ID $16, seniors (65 and up) $18, children 2 and under $0, members free. Active military with ID get in free, and active-duty dependents with ID pay half price. From Armed Forces Day in May through Labor Day, Tellus is a Blue Star Museum: active-duty military and their immediate families get in free, including the National Guard and Reserves; family members show a CAC, DD Form 1173 or DD 1173-1 ID card. Fossil Dig and Gem Panning are included. The Bentley Planetarium is $5 ($4 for members), sold only at the Admissions Desk on the day of your visit, along with admission. Tellus takes cash and major credit cards.
Bank of America cardholders get one free general admission on the first full weekend of each month with the card and a photo ID; family members need their own card, and it doesn't cover the planetarium or ticketed special events. Tellus is not part of Museums for All; members of other science centers in the ASTC Passport Program may get in, except from museums within 90 miles. Groups of 20 or more have a special rate.
Food: no outside food (snacks, bag lunches) or drink is allowed in the museum. You can buy food at the Café, and there is an outside pavilion for picnics.
Bags: Tellus asks you to consider leaving large items such as backpacks in the car; lockers are available for smaller items. Strollers are welcome, with stroller parking in certain areas, and wheelchairs are available, first come, first served. A family bathroom is available.
Guests under 16 must come with an adult. Pets aren't allowed, except service animals. Photos and video are fine for personal use, but tripods need permission.
Some GPS systems still list the road as Mineral Museum Drive; it is now Tellus Drive, off I-75 Exit 293. Plan on 2 to 3 hours.
Exhibits include the Fossil Gallery, the Weinman Mineral Gallery, the Millar Science in Motion Gallery, My Big Backyard, the Bentley Planetarium, the observatory and the Fossil Dig and Gem Panning area. Mazes and Brain Games runs through Jan 3 2027.
