To ensure an enjoyable and safe experience, we offer the following guidelines for your visit.

Group Leaders and Chaperones:

Please complete a Self-Guided Group Visit Registration Form (PDF) and return to the Information Desk before proceeding with your visit.

Please ensure that your group stays together at all times.

We ask that student/youth groups be chaperoned at all times. The following ratios for grade levels are recommended:

Grades K–3: one adult per 5 students
Grades 4–6: one adult per 10 students
Grades 7–12: one adult per 15 students

In case of emergency, please notify any of the uniformed security staff immediately.

Please share the following tips with your group:

Be courteous to your fellow group members and other visitors by using museum manners and tips.

Walk. Please do not run, climb on railings, use “wheelie” sneakers, or play on escalators.

Please use your “inside” voices inside buildings and near Zoo animals.

Photography is permitted in the museum and the Zoo, unless otherwise posted.

Please do not eat, drink, or chew gum inside any of the museum exhibitions or attempt to feed Zoo animals.

Cafeterias and other food concessions are available at the Castle, American History, Natural History, Air and Space, American Indian, American Art and the Portrait Gallery, and the Zoo.

Please protect museum collections (including the Zoo animals) by not touching unless specifically invited by staff or signs.

Please do not use walls or exhibition cases for writing surfaces.

Please place cellular phones on silent ring and turn off electronic devices, such as mp3 players or games.