Frequently Asked Questions

Preparation

• Complete your check-in slip prior to arrival. You will need a head count of students and chaperones. Also consider your bus driver, if you have one!
• A helpful chaperone form is included— add students’ names, experiences and your contact information to the form to help your group stay organized.
• Please keep personal items to a minimum. We will provide your group with a labeled storage bin.

Welcome Video

Parking

• Please arrive 15-30 minutes early so the group’s primary representative can check in with completed paperwork, including number of students and chaperones.
• Vehicles should pull up to the front entrance doors to let out passengers.
• School buses, charter buses and permanently marked passenger vans park free in the south lot. All other vehicles are $6 each.

Stay Safe

• Always walk and use an inside voice. Enjoy equipment in a safe way. Respect posted age limits, capacity limits, guardrails or barriers in certain exhibits. All chaperones must wear name badges that list prearranged experiences.

Check-In

• Everyone, including group leaders, assistants, bus drivers, and staff, pays admission.
• Payment is due no less than two weeks before your visit.
• The group leader is responsible for checking in at the box office with the confirmation letter and the signed check-in slip.
• Museum staff will briefly greet your group in the Rotunda while the group leader checks in.

During the Visit

Students must always remain with their assigned chaperone, regardless of students’ age. Children wishing to shop at the museum gift shop need to be escorted by a chaperone.

Groups are required to follow the schedule provided at check-in, including all designated entry times to The Children’s Museum, OMNIMAX^® Theater, featured exhibits and assigned lunch table reservations. If you miss your designated time, entry will be subject to availability and is not guaranteed.

Payment

• Accepted payment methods include: one single check (personal or business, made out to Cincinnati Museum Center), cash, credit cards, purchase agreement or purchase orders.
• Cincinnati Museum Center Memberships are not valid for any ticketed organized group visit.
• Changes to scheduled activities or numbers should be made at least two business days before your visit. Call (513) 287-7021 in advance if your plans change.

Chaperones

• A minimum ratio of 1 adult per 5 students for grades Pre-K – 1st, 1 adult per 10 students for grades 2nd – 8th and 1 adults per 15 students for grades 9th – 12th is required.
• Students must be assigned a chaperone that they stay with for the entire visit.
• Chaperones must remain with students at all times to monitor their behavior.

Accessibility

• All public areas are accessible by ramp, escalator, lift or elevator. Ask staff for lift assistance.
• Elevators and Dinosaur Hall are labeled in Braille.
• If visiting the Holocaust and Humanity Center, please alert them ahead of your visit to any special needs.
• Universal restrooms and quiet zones are in the Rotunda, Mezzanine Lobby and on the lower level near the featured exhibition hall.
• For more information on accessibility amenities, visit cincymuseum.org/accessibility/

Cancellations/Bad Weather

• In the event you need to cancel, please call CMC at (513) 287-7021 at least 48 hours in advance to avoid a fee.
• Cancellations within 48 hours may result in the suspension of visiting privileges or grant eligibility.
• Not showing up for your scheduled visit is subject to a charge of 100% of the total reservation.
• Cancellations due to inclement weather or emergency school closings, call (513) 287-7021 ASAP to leave a cancellation message without penalty.

Food Service

• Lunch tables must be reserved in advance and cannot be added to the reservation on the day of the visit. The cost for lunch tables is $0.50 per person. Groups that do not reserve lunch tables in advance are not permitted to each lunch at CMC.
• School/Group Boxed Lunch Order Form