How To Get The Most From Your Visit

Planning Your Field Trip

Prior to your visit, make sure you have received your confirmation letter that includes your check-in slip and important visit information. Also be sure to pre-arrange a method of payment.  We allow our school groups to drop their count and pay upon arrival but can only accept one check or purchase order per visit at check-in. Multiple checks cannot be accepted. If paying by cash, please provide payment in larger pre-counted bills only to make sure your check-in goes smoothly. If you group is 50 or larger and you are not planning to pack lunch, we strongly recommend that you pre-order through our food service. An order form with items, prices and instructions is located on our website and included with your confirmation letter.

Check-in Process

Review and share the confirmation enclosures with all chaperones. Make sure your chaperones understand your and Cincinnati Museum Center’s expectations. Complete your check-in slip with the exact number of students, students who are Museum Center members, adults (including teachers) and adults who are Museum Center members that are attending as part of your group that day. Make sure you have proof of membership for any you are counting as Museum Center members. If you have several Learning Labs, please indicate the number of students attending each class (Make a copy of the check in slip and use 1 for each Lab group, if necessary.) Sign your check-in slip(s) and hand them to the cashier to ensure proper check-in and charges.

Group Requirements

Group pricing is based on 15 or more paying visitors. If your group includes Museum Center members, we still require at least 15 paid admissions. Once the group requirement is established to add on other programming, please note that add-ons such as Learning Labs have their own minimum requirements outside the group minimum. If your count falls below 15 at time of check-in, you will need to either pay for a minimum of 15 at the group price or change to regular Adult and Child pricing at the actual number you have. For add-on programming, you will be required to pay the minimum price requirements. 

Cancellations

If you need to cancel, please call our office 48 hours (two business days) in advance to cancel without penalty. Due to extensive outside costs, Large Capacity Learning Labs require cancellation six weeks in advance without penalty. For cancellations due to inclement weather or school closings due to emergency situations please call (513) 287-7021 as soon as possible prior to your visit date and time to cancel without penalty.

Parking

Busses park free. Visitors arriving by car pay $6 per vehicle.

Chaperones

We require one (1) adult for every five (5) students in grades five and under. A ratio of one to ten (10) is required for grades six and up. This rule must be followed in order for school groups to visit Cincinnati Museum Center. Persons 18 and under may not serve as chaperones.

All adults are required to pay admission—including teachers, chaperones, assistants, bus drivers and other staff. Remembering that a museum visit should be an educational one, all adults must be sure students understand the Museum Rules prior to entering the museum so that students are able to get the most from their visit. It is very important that all others who visit Cincinnati Museum Center also enjoy what is offered. No one individual or group may take away the enjoyment of another visitor through unruly behavior and language.

Food Service

All groups planning to eat at Cincinnati Museum Center must reserve cafeteria table space in the Rotunda for a specific time. This is necessary to avoid overcrowding and to keep programs on schedule.

Students may purchase food at the Gateway Cafe or Pizza Hut. However, to expedite service within designated dining times, we strongly recommend pre-ordering purchased food service prior to your visit. Remember to reserve table space even if you are not purchasing lunch.

Order forms for pre-ordered lunches can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed to you upon request by calling Information & Reservations at (513) 287-7021. Or download the form by clicking here.

Gift Shops

Adults must accompany and supervise students in all Cincinnati Museum Center gift shops. Shops reserve the right to limit the number of students at any given time.

Gift shop grab bags with pre-selected items can be ordered ahead of time to be picked up on the day of your visit. Order forms for grab bags can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed to you upon request by calling Information & Reservations at (513) 287-7021. Or download the form by clicking here.