The Children's Museum (Columbia, Greenville: price, budget, discount)

[jac]

That is very expensive for a children's museum. Even memberships are expensive in comparison to other children's museums. Most offer basic memberships for under $100 and memberships with reciprocity for $125-$150. When we lived near Chattanooga we had such a membership to the Creative Discovery Museum. With reciprocity we visited children's museums in Huntsville, Atlanta, Charlotte and Garden City (NY). We also visited our local museum a few times a month. It was great to be able to go for a little while, then leave when the kids were tired. We always knew we could come back, so we never pushed the kids beyond their limits.

I am sorry to say that this will probably keep us from visiting, as I can't justify spending $60 for just one visit.

[drfranklin]

Wanted to jump in the discussion...

I'm from Chattanooga and have now lived in Greenville for 18 months. Chattanooga and Greenville are comparable cities with revitalized downtown areas, etc etc. (As some may know) Chattanooga has an incredible Children's Museum (near the Tennessee Aquarium) called the Creative Discovery Museum (Creative Discovery Museum - Chattanooga, Tennessee). Now, this museum is 1/2 the size of The Children's Museum of the Upstate; but (IMHO), the Creative Discovery Museum is more aesthetically appealing (see their website) and MUCH less expensive. A membership there costs $85 per year for 2 adults and up to 4 children for UNLIMITED visits. So, looking to save money, I investigated membership costs here in Greenville for the Children's Museum of the Upstate - http://www.tcmgreenvillesc.org/pdfs/...ipBrochure.pdf - $250 (the cheapest membership tier) - and, you only get 25 passes per membership for the year (no unlimited admission). Even with the highest tier membership ("Benefactor" for $1000), one gets a limited number of passes.

I'm going to have to disagree with "Skyliner" and "Greenville" above (which I rarely do). Even as a family physician, this is a pretty expensive for afternoon fun for my family. I have 3 kids (5, 4, and 2), so the bill would be more than $60. This would not include food, drinks, souvenirs, parking, tax, or whatever else.

Also, charging $12 for a 1 year old is ridiculous. Children under 3 should be free.

We have out-of-town guests arriving in the next several weeks (2 adults, one child). Unfortunately, we may just skip the museum and head over to Reedy Falls/Liberty Bridge.

And no, we don't go to the movies or smoke.

[Greenville]

Thanks for your post, drfranklin. You make good points, as always. I understand that you and your family might choose to spend your money in other ways, and that is fine. I just don't buy the notion that most people can't afford $12. I know you didn't use that word, but other people have and for most families that is a poor choice of words. I suppose I am splitting hairs here, but people are quick to say that they cannot "afford" something, and the reality is that they most likely COULD if they really wanted to. In that instance, I wish they would just be up front like you are and say that they don't want to spend $12 a ticket to visit The Children's Museum. I could live with that.

[Kimmie]

I was disappointed by the cost, as well. Of course, we will visit, but not regularly as I had hoped.

[Rapunzll]

Heck, the zoo is a lot less, and they have to feed all those animals on a regular basis!

[Sonrise]

Wow, $12 pp, and kids over 1 have to pay. Sheesh. Looking at the museum, there's nothing for a 1 year old to do, they're still too young. Baby Sonrise is almost 2 and there are only a few exhibits that she can enjoy. We'll go, but it's gonna be once or twice a year, not monthly at $36 a pop.

[Skyliner]

Originally Posted by drfranklin

...I'm going to have to disagree with "Skyliner" and "Greenville" above (which I rarely do). Even as a family physician, this is a pretty expensive for afternoon fun for my family. I have 3 kids (5, 4, and 2), so the bill would be more than $60. This would not include food, drinks, souvenirs, parking, tax, or whatever else...

I would like to apologize for making that statement without thinking about how many families such a high price will undoubtedly restrain from visiting on a regular basis. While I was aware that the admission price was higher than the norm for other nearby children's museums, after a bit of research I am a bit shocked by how much higher our museum's admission rates are. Hopefully this will change soon, because it is sad to know that many children will not be able to participate as often as a result. My earlier comment was meant to offer a positive perspective, and I do hope that the money will be used to maintain a high quality environment, even adding new or enhanced features as the budget allows. Looking back though, I feel bad that what I said was not accompanied with more compassion and understanding of others' concern. I hope you all will forgive me.

[drfranklin]

Guys, I wanted to qualify my above statements - I have not been to the new Children's Museum - am just concerned the admission price is beyond the means of some families in the area. I would recommend the management and Board (The Greenville Children's Museum) reconsider ticket prices and membership fees.

At any rate, I understand (from articles that I have read and others that have been) that this is a wonderful addition to the area and only improves our excellent quality of life. Kudos to the volunteers, patrons, builders, and the city of Greenville!

[ruvidu]

Originally Posted by Greenville

That's like saying that you can go to the aquarium in Charleston for cheaper than the one in Atlanta. Of course Charleston's is cheaper, because it's smaller and not nearly as good. The same goes for The Children's Museum in Greenville. It's the largest children's museum in the Southeast. So you can pay less and go to one in Columbia, Charlotte, etc., but it won't be as good. It's really up to you.

I find it hard to believe that most families can't afford $12 a ticket. I could understand people complaining about $25 or $30, but $12?!? I wonder how many of those same people blow money on movie tickets, cigarettes, etc.

The aquarium in Charleston was never intended to compete with Ripleys or the Atlanta Aquarium. It is an aquarium showing the waters of the state of SC. You travel from the mountain down to the sea as you move through the exhibits. It is a well thought out aquarium that serves SC well.

[Greenville]

Originally Posted by ruvidu

The aquarium in Charleston was never intended to compete with Ripleys or the Atlanta Aquarium. It is an aquarium showing the waters of the state of SC. You travel from the mountain down to the sea as you move through the exhibits. It is a well thought out aquarium that serves SC well.

And that's fine. I was responding to the person who said that they could go to the State Children's Museum in Columbia for cheaper than The Children's Museum in Greenville. That's like saying that you can go to the South Carolina Aquarium in Charleston for cheaper than the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. In both cases, it's apples and oranges.