Group programs are available Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, September through June. A minimum group size of 15 is required to reserve workshops and Planetarium shows.

Reservations are required for all programs and must be made at least one month in advance. When you are ready to make a reservation, submit the online reservation form. If you have any questions, you can contact reservations at reservations.njsm@sos.nj.gov.

For elementary and middle school, we request one (1) chaperone per ten (10) students; for our youngest visitors (ages 6 and younger), we request one (1) chaperone per five (5) students. For high school, we request at least one (1) chaperone per twenty (20) students. Chaperones are required to stay with students at all times and refrain from talking on the phone in the galleries. Chaperones must be included in the total number of seats for the Planetarium.

We have a wide range of accommodations for accessibility needs. Please include any accommodation requests in the reservation form. If you would prefer to speak with someone about any necessary accommodations, please contact Dr. Devra Hock-Reid at devra.hock-reid@sos.nj.gov.

After receiving your request, our reservationist will review it. If no other information is needed, they will build your itinerary and send a confirmation email. If you do not receive one, please follow up to make sure the reservation was completed. Shortly after your confirmation email, you will receive a second email with an invoice stating the due date for any payment. You will also receive a pre-trip email the week before your trip. Both your confirmation and pre-trip emails contain important information for your visit including bus parking and Museum rules. Please distribute this information to all chaperones and bus drivers.

If you are interested in making five or more reservations in a school year and will be paying for all with one PO, please contact our reservationist directly at reservations.njsm@sos.nj.gov. You will get a personal account representative who will work with you to schedule all of the trips. An administrative fee of $100 will be added to all bulk orders.

Changes to your reservation can only be accepted prior to the two week pre-paid deadline. After changes are made, you will receive an updated final invoice. All of our programs have minimum group sizes for participation; see specific program details for group size requirements.

If you must cancel or reschedule your field trip, please email reservations.njsm@sos.nj.gov as soon as possible. No refunds will be made if payment has already been processed. However, we will work with you to reschedule your visit or issue a credit to be used the following school year.

Please Note: All in-person programs are subject to change. We reserve the option to reschedule or cancel programs if we are unable to safely serve you. We will do our best to give you advanced notice when it is possible and safe for our staff to do so.

Lunches can be stored in bins inside the main entrance of the Museum. Please note, food and drink are not allowed to be carried throughout the Museum, unless there is a medical exception. Food is not available to be purchased on-site.

You are responsible for deciding when your group eats lunch during your day at the Museum. Limited seating (up to 60 people) is available indoor on the Museum’s first floor on a first come basis when the space is not reserved for a private event. Please keep your students together so that there is seating available for other small groups. All groups must limit their lunch to 30 minutes with no exceptions.

Outdoor seating is available for up to 150 at the picnic tables surrounding the Museum building. Groups may also picnic on the lawn throughout the Capital complex. There is no alternate space available in the case of inclement weather. If your group is concerned about availability of the indoor lunch space, you may contact reservations.njsm@sos.nj.gov to check a specific date.

If your reservation requires payment, you will receive an invoice. Please review all payment policies included in the invoice. Payments MUST be made in full two weeks prior to your program date. Payment is NOT accepted upon arrival. The Museum reserves the right to cancel non-paid reservations within this two week window.

Trenton Public Schools and Title 1 schools receive a 20% discount. It is the responsibility of the group making the reservation to notify the reservationist if eligible for one of the discounts. Please indicate in the online reservation form if your group is eligible.

Official purchase orders (POs) are considered payment to secure the reservation. If you use a PO, payment in full is due on the date of the program and must be received no later than eight (8) weeks after the date of the trip. Groups must pay in one transaction; we do not accept deposits or individual payments. Groups providing a PO within the two-week deadline must pay in full directly after the field trip date.

Please make checks payable to: Treasurer, State of New Jersey and mail to PO Box 530, Trenton, NJ 08625-0530. Checks that are filled out in error will be sent back and payment deadlines will be enforced. Checks will NOT be accepted upon arrival. Credit card payments can only be made in advance over the phone.

Final head counts, including teachers and chaperones, MUST be confirmed with the Museum two weeks prior to the visit. Refunds will not be issued for decreased attendance and we cannot guarantee any accommodations for persons added on the day of programs.

Watch our pre-trip video to help prepare for your trip to the Museum.

Buses must drop off and pick up in front of the Museum on West State Street.

Please plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before your first program. If you are bringing over 100 people, you should arrive at least 30 minutes before your first activity.

Your day at the Museum starts with our Museum Welcome. We will go over Museum guidelines for your group and give you time to check in, drop off lunches and bags in the available bins at the main entrance, and use the restroom. All Museum Welcomes take place in the main lobby of the Museum, using the West State Street entrance. Your confirmation will show your time of arrival in addition to your first scheduled program. If multiple groups arrive at once, we may greet some groups outside, weather permitting.

If groups bring ten (10) or more people than reserved (students and/or chaperones), this will affect capacities for workshop classrooms and show seating. Additional people may not be accommodated in shows or programs. Additional students and chaperones will be invoiced for payment after the trip.

Groups that arrive late may have programs canceled without a refund. Planetarium shows begin promptly at the scheduled time; groups arriving late may miss their show. The Museum does its best to accommodate late groups; however, if a conflict with other programs or groups arises, the Museum reserves the right to adjust, change, shorten or cancel the scheduled program. No refunds will be issued for programs missed due to late arrival.

Groups coming from the New Jersey State House or Old Barracks should allow extra travel time between the Museum and the State House entrance.

Bus drop-off and pick-up is available on West State Street in front of the Museum. Buses are not allowed to stay on West State Street during the visit. “No Parking” regulations in the Capitol Complex area are strictly enforced.

Bus parking is available at the Perry Street Parking Lot (about 4 blocks from West State Street) at the corner of Perry Street and Route 1. A map is sent out with your pre-trip confirmation.

Car and Small Van Parking - If your group is coming in separate vehicles, please plan a meeting spot; we suggest the main lobby at the main West State Street entrance. Metered street parking for cars is available, as is parking in paid lots throughout the downtown Trenton area. Parking is free but limited in the State House Parking Garage.

If your group is arriving by van that has a handicap tag, you can park in one of four (4) handicap spots located at the Planetarium entrance, behind the building. Access from Memorial Drive or the alley off West State Street.

The New Jersey State Museum is dedicated to creating a safe, enjoyable, and memorable experience for all our visitors while protecting our exhibits to ensure everyone can appreciate them. Museum staff are committed to do everything we can so visitors feel safe, welcome, and respected, and we ask that all visitors contribute to that goal by following the Museum guidelines.

Respect Museum staff, volunteers and other visitors. Behavior or language that is inappropriate, abusive, harassing, or threatening will not be tolerated.

There is no running, climbing, sitting or standing on any railings, barricades, or exhibits. Please refrain from shouting, screaming, raised voices or any kind of disruptive behavior.

No flash photography allowed in the Museum. Pictures without flash may be taken for personal, non-commercial use. Please try and refrain from taking photographs of visitors who are not with your group. Tripods and selfie sticks are not permitted.

While the Museum includes both hands-on and hands-off areas, all hands-on sections are clearly marked. Assume a hands-off/eyes-only policy when no sign is present.

Food and drink are not allowed in Museum galleries. Picnic tables outside are available for use.

Backpacks are not allowed in the galleries. Students should leave their backpacks on the bus, or deposit them in bins provided at the Planetarium or at the Main Entrance. Chaperones can carry backpacks on the front of their body or hold them low to their side.

Chaperones are responsible for the appropriate behavior of all students in their group. We require 1 chaperone per 10 students; for our youngest visitors (ages 6 and younger), we require 1 chaperone per 5 students. Chaperones are required to remain with students at all times.

The Discovery Den on the second floor is reserved for families with young children (ages 0 - 8). School groups are NOT allowed in that area, regardless of age.

By visiting the Museum, you agree to comply with Museum guidelines and be responsible for your group. Refusal to follow this Code of Conduct and any rules - whether on print materials or as directed by NJ State Museum staff – can result in removal from the Museum.