Contact NHM School Programs
(213) 763-3529
Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 5 pm
Field Trips on the Metro!
No bus money?
Metro's Transit Education Team is excited to offer the Student Field Trip Program, which provides access to 20 approved destinations - including the Natural History Museum!
Interested? Click here to learn more!
Print out a Field Trip Guide!
Want help navigating your visit?
Plan your route by using our Suggested Itineraries.
See our Lesson Plans and Activities for fun things to do in your classroom and during your trip!
Finally, jot down details about your visit on our printable Chaperone Guide
Add to Your Field Trip Experience
Interested in adding more to your visit? Consider signing up for additional programming, including:
- Dinosaur Hall
- Butterfly Pavillion and Spider Pavilion
- Dinosaur Encounters, Ice Age Encounters, and Encounters, Jr.
- Fossil Detectives and more!
These require advance reservations, so request a visit now, they fill up fast!
Visit Our Earthmobile and Seamobile Pages!
The Earthmobile is a 3rd-5th grade standards-based, cross curricular program focusing on Chumash culture through archaeological investigation. To learn more about the Earthmobile, click here
The Seamobile is a 6th-8th grade standards-based, cross curricular program focusing on marine biology. To learn more about the Seamobile, click here
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I qualify for a free school visit?
To qualify a group must be:
- An accredited, California K-12 public or private school.
- A preschool providing academic instruction to your students.
- A school site-based afterschool program, such as a club, team or part of a program like STAR, LA BEST, or Beyond the Bell.
- A Head Start or Child Development Center
- A group with 10 or more students.
Other organizations may qualify if actively providing academic instruction at a school site. These groups are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
If you do not meet these requirements, consider coming on a Free Tuesday or through Group Visits. If you are in Homeschool, take a look at our free Homeschool Days.
What is a School Visit?
A school visit is a self-guided exploration of the Museum with you and your students. Docents and Gallery Interpreters are available throughout the Museum to help answer questions. Use a suggested itinerary to plan your route.
How much does a School Visit cost?
School visits are free of charge for all students and adults attending as a chaperone.
Parking is a $10 cash only fee (more for charter busses) and some exhibits and programs such as the Pavilion require additional adults beyond the allotted amount to pay admission.
How far in advance should I request a visit?
Request at visit least 2-3 weeks before your first choice date. We do our best to accommodate last-minute requests, but cannot guarantee availability.
How do I request a Mobile Museum?
Visit our Bring the Museum to You section of the website to learn more about our Mobile Museums or look through their Mobile Museum FAQs.
Do you provide bus scholarships?
If you are a Title 1 school in Los Angeles County, and have been unable to visit the Museum in over a year, you qualify to apply for a Bus Scholarship for 2013. Click here to learn more.
If you do not qualify for the scholarship, look into the Metro Student Field Trip program as a way to get your class to the Museum!
How do I reserve the _____?
Request reservations for programs and exhibits at the bottom of your visit request under the section titled "Additional Reservations".
If a request has been submitted without choosing additional reservations, e-mail or call with your choices and tracking or order number and we will update the request.
You may also ask during check-in the day of your visit to see if there is available space.
What if I can only come on my first choice date?
We do our best to accommodate your first choice date. The visit request form requires three possible visit dates in case the first choice is full.
If you can only attend on your first choice date, please let us know in the "Comments" section of the visit request so we don't book you on a day you are unable to come. If the School Programs team cannot accommodate your group on that day, consider going through Group Sales.
How do I reschedule?
To reschedule a visit you will need to re-submit a new visit request online.
Please e-mail or call to let us know you are no longer able to visit on your scheduled date so we can open those spaces to other schools.
I can't select a date on the calendar
Dates blocked on the calendar are closed because the maximum capacity for school groups has been reached or there is a special event. We apologize for the inconvenience.
How many chaperones can I bring? Can they come seperately?
We require 1adult for every 10 students, with a 5 adult to 10 student ratio as a recommended maximum*. All adults that accompany your group as an acting chaperone receive free general admission.
If chaperones are arriving separately from your school, please make sure they are included in the final count of adults you use to check in. If they get to the Museum after your group has entered, they may pick up a Museum sticker for entry at the School Visits desk at the South Entrance.
PLEASE REVIEW THE ROLE OF CHAPERONES AS OUTLINED ON THE CHAPERONE GUIDE BEFORE ENTRY.
*Due to capacity limitations there are exhibits and programs that may charge additional fees for extra chaperones, or require they wait outside the exhibit or program while students participate.
Will there be Docents available?
Docents are often in exhibits and at Curiosity Carts to answer questions and show students interesting artifacts. Docents no not provide tours to school groups.
Gallery Interpreters (staffed educators) are also in exhibits to answer questions and point out interesting aspects about the displays.
To find Docents and Gallery Interpreters, look for the blue vest and shirts with an Ask Me badge!
What resources can I look at before the visit?
Download the Chaperone Guide! Print it, fill it out, and copy it for the adults on your trip.
Check out suggested itineraries to maximize exploration time.
Use Lesson Plans and Activities for the Museum. These include pre- and post- activities for the classroom as well as Museum-only opportunities.
Do you store lunches?
No. Lunches should be left on the bus, in the car or securely zipped in backpacks. Eat lunches and snacks outside, no food or drink is allowed in the Museum.
In inclement weather an indoor location to eat lunch will be available.
Where do we eat lunch if it is raining?
The Museum will provide an indoor location to eat lunch on rainy days. Indoor lunches require a reservation and are available first-come, first-serve on the day of your visit.
Can we buy lunch from the Museum Cafe?
Yes, however it must be ordered to-go and eaten outside. If you have a large group purchasing food, please pre-order with the NHM Grill at nhmgrill@nhm.org or (213) 763.3250
Can I check out artifacts or kits?
We're sorry, our loan service is no longer available.
How do I pre-order souvenirs from the Museum Store?
Pre-order souvenirs from the Museum Store using School Visit Museum Store Order Form. Contact the Museum Store at (213) 749-3079 or LANHMStore@eventnetwork.com with questions.
Can I add or subtract people from my order?
Yes! You only need to contact us if you are adding or subtracting ten or more students or chaperones to your group. We will update your order with an exact student and adult count the day of your visit.