Group Minimums

Pre-registered group rates require a minimum of 15 paid guests with a reservation made at least two weeks in advance of the visit date. No other discounts, memberships, or reciprocal benefits can be utilized with a group reservation.

If scheduling a group visit less than two weeks in advance, payment is required at the time of booking.

Lunchtable Reservations and Boxed Lunch Order Form

Reserve a 30-minute time slot to enjoy your lunch in the rotunda. The cost of lunch tables is $0.50 per person.

Lunch table reservations must be made in advance and cannot be added to the reservation on the day of the visit. Groups that do not reserve lunch tables in advance are not permitted to eat lunch at CMC.

School/Group Boxed Lunch Order Form. Please note that on-site food services do not accept cash.

Custom OMNIMAX^® Films

Groups of 30 or more guests may reserve a custom OMNIMAX^® film. A film title must be selected at the time of reservation, and reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance. Groups may also schedule into afternoon public showtimes. These slots are subject to the public film schedule.

Please note: groups cannot be scheduled during the OMNIMAX^® Classic Film at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesdays.

Attendance and Chaperones

It is important to finalize your attendance two weeks prior to your visit date. With advanced notice, additional participants may be accommodated subject to availability. Please be prepared to confirm your attendance upon arrival on the day of your visit.

Chaperone ratios are 1:5 for Pre-K-1st grade, 1:10 for 2nd – 8th grade, and 1:15 for 9th-12th grade.

Prepare your chaperones ahead of time with a schedule of the day and Chaperone and Check-In Guide. CMC always requires active chaperoning and that students remain with their assigned chaperone for the entirety of the visit.

All chaperones must be included in the number of adults attending. Any adults in excess of the provided attendance count will not be considered chaperones by the Cincinnati Museum Center and may not be able to access all scheduled field trip experiences.

Groups must confirm final attendance count two weeks before the visit date. This final count will reflect the final amount due. No refunds will be issued the day of the visit if your group arrives with fewer attendees.

Parking

Buses or marked passenger vehicles may park for free in the South Parking Lot.

Chaperones arriving separately from the bus may park in the North or South Parking Lot and must pay the $6 parking fee. CMC memberships can be used for parking only.

Group Pricing

Get all the details on discounted group tickets for 15 or more paid guests here!

Only attendees listed on the group reservation are eligible for the discounted group rate. Individuals not included in the reservation will be charged full general admission prices.

Groups requesting to visit the three general museums (Museum of Natural History & Science, Cincinnati History Museum and The Children's Museum) at 9 a.m., one hour before CMC opens, must pay a $50 early opening fee. Reservations with an early open request are required to make a reservation at least 3 weeks in advance of the visit date. Please note: The earliest time featured exhibitions or the museums can be opened is 9 a.m. Holiday Junction does not have the option for early open.

One school caregiver or aide per Student with Disabilities may receive one free, complimentary Museum Admission ticket for the purpose of providing care to the Student with Disabilities. The number of caregivers/aides must be provided when submitting the reservation request. Caregivers/aides will need to pay to visit OMNIMAX^® and Featured Exhibits.

Payments

Payments with a credit card, check or purchase order are due at least one week before your visit.

Changes to scheduled activities or numbers made less than 48 hours before your visit or the day of the visit may result in suspension of visiting privileges or grant eligibility. Call if your plans change.

For cancellations due to inclement weather or emergency closings, please call (513) 287-7021 as soon as possible prior to your visit date and time to leave a cancellation message.

Grant Funding

For schools whose percentage of students enrolled in Free and Reduced-Price Meal Plans is 60% or greater, grants are available for a limited number of free in-person visits. For more information, contact Group Sales at (513) 287-7021.

Grant funding is subject to availability.

Policies

• Group discounts apply to an advance reservation made at least two weeks before the date of visit for 15 or more people with one contact for the group and one method of payment. Toddlers ages 1 & 2 are not included in the minimum of 15 to receive group rates with an advance reservation. For Senior Living Providers, groups must be 15 or more paying guests.
• Groups must follow all Cincinnati Museum Center rules and regulations. Information on how to prepare for your visit can be found here.
• Cincinnati Museum Center is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Groups visits may be scheduled seven days a week.
• All groups are required to make a reservation.
• Groups requesting to visit the three general museums (Museum of Natural History & Science, Cincinnati History Museum and The Children's Museum) at 9 a.m., one hour before CMC opens, must pay a $50 early opening fee. Groups requesting to visit LEGO^® Jurassic World: The Exhibition at 9 a.m., one hour before CMC opens, must pay a $250 early opening fee. Reservations with an early open request are required to make a reservation at least 3 weeks in advance of the visit date. Please note: The earliest time featured exhibitions or the museums can be opened is 9 a.m. Holiday Junction does not have the option for early open.
• 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.
• Groups seeking grant funding for field trips must call (513) 287-7021. Grant requests cannot be accepted using the online field trip request form.
• Payment by credit card, check or purchase order is required at least one week in advance. Cancellations made within 48 hours may result in the suspension of privileges or grant eligibility and no-shows are subject to pay 100% of reservation.