How do I pay for my field trip?

Reservations are required for all programs, free and fee-based. Please make your reservation at least 2 weeks (10 business days) in advance. To make a reservation contact Jeffrey Arico at (609) 292-1382 or NJSM.Reservations@sos.nj.gov. Payment is due when reservations are made. Payment methods may include: checks, confirmed purchase orders, Visa or MasterCard. Make checks payable to Treasurer, State of New Jersey. Our mailing address is PO Box 530, Trenton, NJ 08625.

• Groups will receive a confirmation at the time of their booking followed by an invoice. We reserve the right to cancel groups that have not paid 2 weeks in advance. We will make every effort to contact groups before canceling.
• Refunds will not be issued if groups bring fewer people than the number pre-paid for.
• If groups bring more people than the amount pre-paid for, additional tickets will be sold based on space availability.

How long does it take to go through the New Jersey State Museum?

Your group could spend as little as an hour or as much as a day exploring all of the galleries. We advise teachers to make a plan connecting the Museum galleries and activities to classroom lessons to focus a visit.

You can learn more about what will be on view during your trip by visiting the Exhibitions section of our website. Be sure to download a Museum map, scavenger hunt and other gallery activities from our website. Planetarium shows generally run about 45 minutes. To add a free guided tour to your schedule for the day contact reservations at (609) 292-1382 or NJSM.Reservations@sos.nj.gov.

Is there a space for lunch?

School groups may choose to eat lunch right next door to the New Jersey State Museum at the Department of State brown bag lunchroom on a first-come, first-served basis by reservation. Lunch reservations are made by calling the State House Tour Office at (609) 847-3150.

If groups are unable to secure a place in the lunch room, limited seating by reservation only may be available in the Riverside Court at the Museum. On a nice day, outside space is available in front or back of the Museum. Be sure to bring blankets if you are planning to picnic.

Capitol Plaza Park located between the State House Annex and the State Library also makes a wonderful picnic setting in view of the Delaware River, the Golden Dome of the State House, and a spectacular fountain. Remember to leave the area as you found it by bringing several heavy-duty trash bags.

Is the New Jersey State Museum handicap accessible?

Yes. The New Jersey State Museum is physically accessible to all visitors.

Where is the New Jersey State Museum located?

The New Jersey State Museum is located at 205 West State Street in Trenton within walking distance of the State House and the Old Barracks Museum.

Online map   Museum Hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 9:00 am to 4:45 pm

Where can we park?

Bus parking is available on weekdays at the Perry Street Parking Lot (about 4 blocks from West State Street). On weekdays, metered street parking for cars is available, as is parking in paid lots throughout the downtown Trenton area.

A limited amount of free parking is available in the State House Parking Garage. On weekends, free parking is available in the lot behind and adjacent to the Museum.

Prepare your students for the trip by talking about what you will see, how they should behave and what the learning objectives are.

Have students create a story of their visit, using photos and video to capture their favorite things.

Ask students to choose an artifact or artwork and write an essay, poem or creative story about it.

Students can choose an artist, fossil or historical object to research on their own.

To help you prepare for your visit, exhibit related lessons, gallery activity sheets and scavenger hunts are available for download from the Museum’s website.

Food is not allowed in the State Museum, all food and drink must be placed in bins upon arrival. Large bins are located at the front entrance and Planetarium entrance to store student lunches and backpacks.

Backpacks are not permitted in the galleries, please tell your students to deposit them in the bins or wear them on the chest.

Photography is allowed in most areas but no flash, tripod or selfie-stick.

Students must use indoor voices and refrain from running in the State Museum.

No touching or writing on artwork, cases or walls in the State Museum.

New Jersey State Museum Chaperone Policy:

Chaperones are required to remain engaged with their students at all times.

Chaperones are responsible for appropriate behavior of all students in their group. Students must refrain from talking loudly, running and taking flash photography.

Chaperone Tips:

Plan ahead and gather any important information including directions, parking, lunch plans and itinerary for the day.

Know how many kids are in your group and their names.

Provide students with information about where they are going and what they are doing.

Provide students with information about where they are going and what they are doing.

Make sure you know the teacher’s learning objectives and goals for the day.

Who, What, When, Where and Why questions work best to get your students thinking about what they are seeing in the exhibits.