Terms of Visit

The Museum strives to provide a fascinating, inviting and thought-provoking visit where our guests can enjoy our experiences and exhibits. We appreciate your understanding of and cooperation with these policies to maintain a safe and considerate atmosphere for all guests and staff at Griffin MSI.

We value and respect our diverse guests, volunteers and staff and expect the same from our guests.

Inappropriate language or behavior will not be tolerated and may result in removal from the Museum with no refund.

Visit our FAQ page for answers to commonly asked questions.

Conduct

Please refrain from running, screaming or generally disruptive behavior. Courteous, respectful behavior is expected of all guests to ensure an informative and meaningful experience at the Museum. Please follow all official posted signs and instructions from Griffin MSI staff.

Prohibited behavior

Engaging in these behaviors may result in your removal from the Museum with no refund. Violations perceived as criminal will be reported to local authorities.

• Offensive, abusive or threatening language or behavior towards other guests or Museum staff
• Racism, discrimination or abusive behavior of any kind
• Fighting, provoking a fight or engaging in disorderly or boisterous conduct
• Tampering with, defacing, damaging, destroying or removing any Griffin MSI property including exhibits or artifacts
• Wearing or otherwise displaying profane, obscene or injurious language, texts or graphics on clothing or elsewhere on the person
• Petition signature gathering, solicitation or leafletting activities on Museum property
• Intentionally interfering with or preventing the execution of duties by Griffin MSI staff
• Loitering, gambling, selling, soliciting, campaigning or livestreaming
• Intoxication, being under the influence of controlled or illegal substances, and possession, use, or sale of such substances are strictly prohibited on the premises, except when accompanied by a valid physician’s prescription for legally prescribed medication
• Possession of alcoholic beverages not sold on our premises
• Indecent exposure, sexual acts or behavior
• Smoking (including e-cigarettes) inside the Griffin MSI building, including the parking garage and within 15 feet of Griffin MSI entrances
• Eating and drinking in exhibits and other designated prohibited areas
• Littering on Museum property
• Refusing to follow directions provided by Griffin MSI staff
• Bringing any prohibited items (listed below)
• Any other behavior determined by Griffin MSI staff to threaten the safety of Griffin MSI guests, staff and its property

Prohibited items

• Firearms (law enforcement and on-duty security personnel excepted)
• Weapons, including knives, pepper spray and stun guns/tasers
• Prop weapons
• Full-face masks (see exceptions below)
• Hazardous materials of any kind
• Explosives, including fireworks
• Bikes, roller skates, skateboards, sporting equipment and scooters
• Pull wagons (designed push stroller wagons are permitted)Coolers
• Drones
• Tripods and other professional photography equipment (without prior approval)
• Any other items deemed by Griffin MSI staff to be dangerous or inappropriate in a public setting

Adult supervision

Minor children should not be left unattended. All guests under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times while visiting the Museum, without exception, and will not be admitted without adult accompaniment.

Attire

Shoes and shirts are required for all guests visiting the Museum. 

Costumes and other cosplay are permitted with the exemption of full-face masks. Prop weapons of any kind are not allowed in the Museum.

Photography and video

Griffin MSI staff and authorized personnel will occasionally photograph or take video of guests for educational or promotional purposes. Please be aware that by entering the Museum you consent to your voice, name and/or likeness being used, without compensation, in any and all media. If you do not wish to participate, please notify the front desk as you check in.

Guests are allowed to take video and photography for private, noncommercial use only. Livestreaming is prohibited. 

For commercial filming requests, please request a filming application here. 

Face coverings and prop weapons

At Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, the safety and security of our guests, staff and exhibits are our top priorities. To maintain a safe and welcoming environment, we have established the following policy regarding face coverings and prop weapons on Museum property.

Face covering restrictions

For security and safety reasons, full face-covering masks and any headgear that significantly impairs visibility are not permitted inside the museum. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Costume masks (such as those used for cosplay, Halloween or themed events)
• Motorcycle helmets or similar protective headgear
• Full-face coverings that obscure attribute recognition or limit reasonable lines of sight
• Visitors may wear face masks for medical or religious reasons and approved afterhours special events; however, Museum security may request a brief identity verification if necessary.

Prop weapon restrictions

To ensure a secure and comfortable environment, all prop weapons, including those that are non-functional or part of a costume, are strictly prohibited inside the Museum. Examples of prohibited prop weapons include, but are not limited to:

• Toy or replica firearms (regardless of material or appearance)
• Swords, daggers and knives (including plastic or foam replicas)
• Bows, arrows or crossbows
• Staffs, clubs or blunt weapons
• Any other object that could be mistaken for a real weapon or pose a safety risk

Enforcement and compliance

Museum staff and security reserves the right to deny entry or request removal of any restricted items. Guests who do not comply with this policy may be asked to leave the premises.

Waiver of liability

By entering the Museum, you agree, on behalf of yourself and any minor children accompanying you, to voluntarily assume all risk, including the risk of personal injury (including death) or illness, the risk of exposure to communicable diseases including COVID-19, or the risk of lost, stolen or damaged property, arising from or related to your entry into the Museum and participation in any activities on Museum property. In addition, you agree that the Museum will not be responsible for any such injury or illnesses, property damage or other loss and the Museum is released and discharged from such liability to the fullest extent of the law.

Additional policies

The Museum reserves the right to add, withdraw or otherwise modify these terms and other policies as it deems in its best interests to do so.