Plan My Visit

Arriving by car and parking
Parking is $6 per vehicle (cash or credit) upon entry and $4 after 4:30 p.m. Parking is free for Members.

For guests with officially registered disability decals, 20 parking spaces are designated and available on a first-come, first-served basis. For special assistance getting into the building, call Public Safety at (513) 287-7048 at least 24 hours in advance. An officer will arrange assistance for you.

Bike racks
Bike racks are available at the north and south ends of the driveway, near the parking lots.

Transportation shuttle
A golf cart shuttle is available on most days during regular daytime hours of operation for guests needing mobility assistance from the parking lot to the front entrance of Union Terminal. Safety of our guests is our highest priority and weather or other factors might result in the shuttle being unavailable without prior notice.

Arriving by private bus or van
Bus and van drivers may drop you off at the entrance. Buses arriving with school groups should park near the rear of the lot.

Arriving by The Cincinnati Metro
The Cincinnati Metro Route 49 bus connects downtown to Cincinnati Museum Center. There is a stop near the Museum Center entrance. Download the schedule here.

From the North
I-75 S to Western Avenue, Exit 2A.
OR
I-71 S to I-75 N to Liberty Street/Ezzard Charles Drive, Exit 1G.

From the South
I-75 N to US 50 W (River Road/Linn Street), Exit 1D to Gest Street exit (first on left). Turn right on Gest, right at Freeman at first light, and follow the overhead signs for Ezzard Charles Drive.

From the East
US 50 W to I-75 N to Liberty Street/Ezzard Charles Drive, Exit 1G.

From the West
I-74 E to I-75 S to Western Avenue, Exit 2A.
OR
US 50 E (River Road) to Freeman Avenue to Ezzard Charles Drive.

From I-471
I-471 N over DCB Bridge, take US 50 W/I-71 & I-75 exit to I-75 N to Liberty Street/Ezzard Charles Drive, Exit 1G.

Parking
Cincinnati Museum Center parking is $6 per vehicle (cash or credit) and free for Members.

Members can scan their Member Passes at the parking lot kiosk to receive free parking. Please call us if you experience any issues using our parking system by calling (513) 287-7000.

Parking is free if the vehicle is in and out in less than 30 minutes.

For guests with officially registered disability decals, 20 parking spaces are designated and available on a first-come, first-served basis. For special assistance getting into the building, call Public Safety at (513) 287-7048 at least 24 hours in advance. An officer will arrange assistance for you.

Google Museum View
Using the same technology used in Google Street View, you can click through the Grand Rotunda and take it all in with a 360 degree view. You can also explore all three of our museums, and peer into rooms that are not always open to the public, such as the historic Harold C. Schott Union Terminal President's Office and the Cincinnati Dining Room.

Additionally, Google Art Project now showcases over 65 high-res images of pieces of our fine art collection that depict people, places and things that represent Cincinnati since its founding.

Food and Refreshments
We offer sandwiches, salads, flatbread pizzas, Greater’s Ice Cream and a Coffee Emporium coffee cart, which offers coffee, tea and snacks. Though our vendors keep different hours, food will always be available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Shopping
Cincinnati Museum Center has one permanent gift shop located off the Grand Rotunda. The shop is open the same hours as Museum Center: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week. Additional shops may open in the museum related to temporary exhibitions.

Restrooms
Facilities are located towards the back of the Rotunda, on the Mezzanine B level, on the Lower level inside the Cincinnati History Museum, near the entrance to the Westheimer Gallery and in The Children’s Museum.

Changing tables are available in both men’s and women’s restrooms. There are adult changing tables located in the Universal Restrooms on the Mezzanine B level and on the Lower level, near the entrance to the Westheimer Gallery.

It is the procedure of Cincinnati Museum Center that both staff and visitors may use the restroom that corresponds to the gender they identify with. There are also universal restrooms located throughout our facility.

Water Fountains
Water fountains are near the restrooms facilities throughout the building. Water fountains are wheelchair accessible.

ATM
An ATM is located near the front entrance in the Rotunda in front of the Public Safety Office.

Lockers
Lockers are available for use on a first-come, first-serve basis in the Lower Level lobby and towards the back of the Rotunda. Lockers cost $1/day and can be purchased with a credit card or a single dollar bill.

Stroller Rental
Strollers are available for rental on a first-come, first-served basis from the box office. Single strollers are $7 and double strollers are $9. Renters must be over 18 years old and sign the Guest Mobility Equipment Rental Agreement. A driver’s license or credit card will be held at the box office until the stroller is returned.

Wheelchair & Electric Convenience Vehicle (ECV) Rental
Wheelchairs and ECVs are available for rental on a first-come, first-served basis from the box office. Wheelchairs are $5. ECVs are $25. Renters must be over 18 years old and sign the Guest Mobility Equipment Rental Agreement. A driver’s license or credit card will be held at the box office until the wheelchair or ECV is returned.

Elevators
There are two elevators located in the Rotunda. The Express Elevator, to the right of the main entrance as you come in the front doors, serves the Lower level (The Children’s Museum, restrooms, grab-and-go food service, Bean Sprouts and the Westheimer Gallery.) The East Elevator, to the left of the main entrance as you come in the front doors, serves the Mezzanine A level (Ruthven Gallery, Mallory Gallery, classrooms), the Mezzanine B level (Fountain Gallery, classrooms, restrooms) and the Lower level.

Automatic Front Doors
Our historic front doors are heavy. Doors to the far left and far right have push-plates mounted on the wall for automatic opening. Some interior doors of the same type also have push-plate controls.

First Aid Services
Basic first aid supplies (band-aids, ice packs, etc.) are available in the Public Safety Office. For emergencies, contact the nearest staff member, who will contact Public Safety. AED defibrillators are located throughout the Museum Center.

Nursing Mothers
We are nursing-friendly. Mothers are encouraged to nurse their babies wherever and whenever they are most comfortable. There are nursing rooms next to the Mezzanine B and Lower level restrooms for those wishing for more privacy.

Lost and Found
Items turned in to lost and found can be claimed in the Public Safety Office during business hours. Items can be mailed to the owner for a small fee.

Accessibility
Cincinnati Museum Center seeks to inspire people of all ages to learn more about the world with engaging and meaningful educational experiences covering science and regional history. We are intent on breaking down all barriers to this service. It is CMC’s policy to provide the best customer service and reasonable accommodation for our guests with disabilities. To this end, we seek to meet all requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Accessible Parking
For guests with officially registered disability decals, 20 parking spaces are designated and available on a first-come, first-served basis. For special assistance getting into the building, call Public Safety at (513) 287-7048 at least 24 hours in advance. An officer will arrange assistance for you.

Automatic Front Doors
Our historic front doors are heavy. Doors to the far left and far right have push-plates mounted on the wall for automatic opening. Some interior doors of the same type also have push-plate controls.

Wheelchair & Electric Convenience Vehicle (ECV) Rental
Wheelchairs and ECVs are available for rental on a first-come, first-served basis from the box office. Wheelchairs are $5. ECVs are $25. Renters must be over 18 years old and sign the Guest Mobility Equipment Rental Agreement. A driver’s license or credit card will be held at the box office until the wheelchair or ECV is returned.

Elevators
There are two elevators located in the Rotunda. The Express Elevator, to the right of the main entrance as you come in the front doors, serves the Lower level (The Children’s Museum, restrooms, grab-and-go food service, Bean Sprouts and the Westheimer Gallery.) The East Elevator, to the left of the main entrance as you come in the front doors, serves the Mezzanine A level (Ruthven Gallery, Mallory Gallery, classrooms), the Mezzanine B level (Fountain Gallery, classrooms, restrooms) and the Lower level.

Service Animals
Trained service animals required to perform tasks for or assist with a person with a disability are permitted in Cincinnati Museum Center. Service animals should remain on a leash or in a harness and under the control of the owner at all times. In compliance with the ADA, we only allow Service Dogs and Miniature Horses.

For more information, please view the ADA's Service Animal Requirements and the ADA's Service Animal FAQ.

Learn more about our accessibility options. For any additional questions, concerns, or suggestions around our ongoing commitment to accessibility please email us at accessibility@cincymuseum.org.

Museums for All

Guests with valid food assistance card and photo ID or a valid Medicaid and photo ID will receive free parking and $2/person museum general admission for up to ten guests. At this time, Cincinnati Museum Center will only be accepting food assistance cards or SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) to qualify for the Museums for All offer. Valid cards from all 50 U.S. states will be accepted. Learn more about Museums for All.

The Children's Museum Visiting Policy
As Cincinnati Museum Center policy, adults visiting without children will be asked to exchange their photo ID for a badge to wear within the museum. Your ID will be returned once the adult returns the badge. If you are an educator or college student wishing to visit, please contact Tony Lawson in advance of your visit to arrange admission.

Groups
Group visits are booked according to availability during normal operating hours.

Weapons Policy
Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal is both an educational facility and an active railway station. In accordance with state guidelines, Homeland Security regulations, and federal law, firearms and deadly weapons of any kind are prohibited within this facility.

Animal Policy
Trained service animals required to perform tasks for or assist with a person with a disability are permitted in Cincinnati Museum Center. Service animals should remain on a leash or in a harness and under the control of the owner at all times. In compliance with the ADA, we only allow Service Dogs and Miniature Horses.

For more information, please view the ADA's Service Animal Requirements and the ADA's Service Animal FAQ.

What local museums are included for the 90-mile rule?

1. Science centers and museums located within 90 miles* of the science center/museum where the visitor is a member.

2. Science centers and museums located within 90 miles* of the visitor’s residence.

*This distance is measured “as the crow flies,” meaning that it is based on the linear radius, not driving distance. To help determine linear radius distance, use the “Measure Distance” feature on Google Maps.