Please note that on Sunday, October 20, NHM will close to the public at 2 pm, for the 16th Annual Haunted Museum event. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Before Your Field Trip

school group with chaperone on south steps field trip

A Field Guide for Field Trips

Ready for your field trip to the Natural History Museum? Use the checklist below to ensure you’ve got everything you need for a successful field trip!

BEFORE YOUR FIELD TRIP

ON YOUR WAY

  • Bus drop-off and pick-up occurs on Exposition Park Drive in front of the South Lawn of the museum.
  • Bus parking is available in Lot 6 for $12/bus (additional charges may apply for charter buses). 
  • Personal vehicle and van parking is available for $12/car in the NHM Car Park on Bill Robertson Lane.
  • Leave lunches on the bus, in vehicles, or securely zipped in backpacks. Because of the sensitive nature of our collections, we cannot store lunches in the museum. Thanks for protecting our collections!
  • If you are running late, give us a call at 213.763.3529.

YOUR FIELD TRIP BEGINS!

  • When you arrive, gather your group on the South Lawn or steps (keeping entry doors clear) and count the number of students, chaperones, and teachers/school staff.
  • Send one teacher inside with your final headcount to check in with School Programs at the Front Desk.
  • Remind your chaperones to revisit the Field Trip Policies available on their Field Trip Guide and that students must stay within eyesight at all times.
  • Review any Guided Program, Performance, and/or Special Exhibit reservation times and locations with chaperones and school staff.
  • Once admission stickers have been provided to all adults, use the doors on the left or right (not the center doors) to enter the museum.

FIELD TRIP POLICIES

Take a look at the important information below to help you and your students be prepared for their field trip experience. Questions? Contact us at info@nhm.org! 

  • Admission to the museum and reservations for performances, programs, or special exhibits are free for all students and school staff (including teachers, one-to-one aides, teaching assistants, and administrators).
  • We require a minimum of one chaperone for every ten students, and cover up to one additional chaperone for every five students. Chaperones beyond the 1:5 ratio are still welcome; however, they will need to purchase a discounted $12 chaperone ticket upon arrival. Exceptions apply to Title I schools. Additional adults not be included in add-on reservations and may need to purchase tickets for special exhibits.
  • Students must be with a teacher or chaperone at all times, regardless of age. Chaperones are responsible for the behavior of the students in their group. Please monitor students closely while in the Museum Store or NHM Grill.
  • Please arrive to all program, performance, or special exhibit reservations at least 10 minutes prior to your reservation time; we may not be able to accommodate late arrivals. Please pre-divide your students into groups for your reservations before your visit. Group numbers are listed in your confirmation email.
  • All school groups must eat outside on the South Lawn (not at the NHM Grill, Café Patio, or in our Nature Gardens), even if food is purchased from NHM. Please see the Field Trip Guide for school group designated lunch areas. Visiting on a very rainy day? We’ve got you covered (literally)! Reserve your spot for indoor lunch during check in on the day of your field trip.
  • Be sure to respect our live animals and do not tap or bang on the glass of their enclosures.

QUESTIONS?

Check out our FAQs for more information!

school group kids interacting with exhibit in nature lab subaru field trip
Field Trip Resources

Not sure how to engage your students in the exhibit halls? Check out grade-appropriate, downloadable materials!

Field trip activities and lesson plans