Sometimes when you live somewhere, you get so used to the things around you that you forget other people actually travel here to see them.
Tellus Science Museum is one of those places.
Sitting right here in Cartersville, Tellus is a 120,000-square-foot science museum with fossils, dinosaurs, gems and minerals, transportation exhibits, hands-on science, a planetarium and enough things for kids to touch and investigate that you can actually make a full day of it.
And yet I guarantee there are people living in Bartow County right now thinking:
“You know, we really should take the kids to Tellus sometime.”
Ma’am.
You have been saying that for three years. 😂
First: This Isn’t Just a Little Local Museum
I think that’s the part that’s easy to underestimate.
Tellus isn’t a room with a couple of glass cases and somebody’s rock collection.
The museum has major permanent galleries devoted to fossils, minerals, transportation and hands-on science. One of the showstoppers is an 80-foot-long Brontosaurus, and the Science in Motion collection explores transportation from early flight forward.
There are also rotating special exhibits, which means Tellus isn’t necessarily the same experience every time you go. Right now, for example, Mazes and Brain Games is running through January 3, 2027 in the new Tellus West Galleries.
So yes, you can absolutely bring the kids.
But don’t act like you’re not going to be looking at everything too. 😂
Kids Can Actually DO Things
This is probably one of my favorite things about recommending Tellus as a family outing.
Kids aren’t expected to spend three hours walking around with their hands behind their backs while an adult repeatedly whispers:
“Don’t touch that.”
There is a walk-in fossil dig where young paleontologists can uncover fossils, plus gem panning where kids can sift for gems and stones. Both are included with general museum admission, and kids can take home a fossil and gems from the experience.
That’s the kind of museum activity kids remember.
And, let’s be real, bringing home a rock you personally dug out of something is approximately 700% more exciting when you’re eight years old.
And Then There’s the Planetarium
If you haven’t added a planetarium show to a Tellus visit, put it on the list.
The Bentley Planetarium takes visitors through the solar system and beyond, with several different shows rotating through the schedule. Planetarium admission is currently an additional $5 for non-members and $4 for members.
Tellus also has an observatory with a 20-inch telescope used to view the Moon and planets during special events and astronomy programs.
Basically, you can start your day staring at a dinosaur and finish it talking about galaxies.
Not bad for a day in Cartersville.
Give Yourself More Time Than You Think
This isn’t really a “we’ll pop in for an hour” kind of place.
Tellus recommends allowing at least three hours to explore the museum—and that doesn’t include adding a planetarium show or exploring the outdoor Solar Trail. There’s also a café on site if your family reaches the inevitable point where science must temporarily stop because somebody needs chicken tenders. 😂
The museum is currently open daily from 10 AM–5 PM, except for several major holidays, and it’s located at 100 Tellus Drive in Cartersville, just off I-75 at Exit 293.
This Is Exactly Why I Love Doing Around Bartow
Part of living somewhere is actually knowing what’s here.
Not just the houses.
Not just the schools and roads and grocery stores.
The places you take your grandkids.
The places you go when family comes into town.
The places that become part of your kids’ childhood memories.
And we have a legitimately impressive science museum sitting right here in Bartow County.
So if Tellus has been on your family’s “we really need to do that sometime” list…
Consider this your reminder.
Go look at the giant dinosaur. 🦕😂
And if you’ve already been, tell me:
What’s the one thing at Tellus your family has to do every time you go?
Real Estate. Real Life. Rachel.
Hours, admission, exhibits and programs can change. Check Tellus Science Museum directly when planning your visit.
Leave a comment