Reservations are required for all programs and must be made at least 2 weeks (10 business days) in advance. To reserve group programs, please use the reservation form at the top of this page.

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.

All completed reservations will receive a confirmation. If you do not receive one please follow up to make sure the reservation was completed. Confirmations contain important information for your visit including bus parking and Museum rules. Please distribute this information to all chaperones and bus drivers.

Changes to a Group Reservation can only be accepted prior to the two week pre-paid deadline. Groups will receive an updated final invoice. Many programs have minimum group sizes for participation; see specific program details for group size requirements.

If you must cancel 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 receive 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.

The Museum is accessible for visitors with special needs. To arrange accommodations for your visit, please contact Devra Hock-Reid at (609) 292-5420.

Lunches can be stored in bins inside the main entrance of the Museum.

Lunch room reservations are no longer accepted. Limited seating (up to 60) is available indoor on the Museum’s first floor. It is on a first come basis. Please tell students not to spread out 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 reservation requires payment, you will receive an invoice. Please review all payment policies included in the invoice. Group payments are required two weeks (10 business days) in advance. Groups must pay in one transaction; we do not accept deposits or individual payments. Groups providing a PO within the two-week deadline will be able to 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. Checks that are filled out in error will be sent back and payment deadlines will be enforced. Checks will NOT be accepted upon arrival.

NO payments will be accepted upon arrival. Payments MUST be made in full two weeks prior to your program date. Credit card payments can only be made in advance over the phone. The Museum reserves the right to cancel non-paid reservations within this two week window.

Final head counts, including teachers and chaperones, must be confirmed with the Museum no later than two weeks prior to the visit. Refunds will not be issued for decreased attendance; persons added on the day of programs may not be accommodated.

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

Your day will start 10-15 minutes before your first program 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. Your confirmation will show your time of arrival and location of the Welcome.

We request one (1) chaperone per ten (10) students, and for our youngest visitors (ages 6 and younger), we request one (1) chaperone per five (5) 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.

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 tour 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.

Where can buses park? 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. “No Parking” regulations in the Capitol Complex area are strictly enforced. A map is available on request.

Car and Small Van Parking - If your group is coming in separate vehicles, please plan a meeting spot; we suggest the Group check-in desk at the main West State Street entrance.

On weekdays, 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. On weekends, free parking is available in the lot behind and adjacent to the Museum.

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, noncommercial 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, and 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); please keep school groups out of that area.

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.