CHM will be open Monday, 9/1, with FREE admission for Illinois residents Learn More

Close
Search
buy tickets
Home » Education » Field Trips » Planning Tips

Field Trip Planning Tips and FAQs

Field Trip Quick Links

Plan Your Field Trip
It’s Easy. And Free.*

The Crown Family Welcome Center is your home base throughout your visit and designed to provide a comfortable space that sparks curiosity and promotes conversation. Please note that for the comfort and safety of all students, lunch seating is limited and advance reservations are required.

  • All Illinois school groups are admitted free of charge. *Out-of-state groups are charged discounted admission of: $9 for students and $10 for teachers and chaperones. Maximum group size is 100 for a self-guided visit.
  • Plan to spend one to three hours at the Museum. Visits begin at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Advance reservations are required.
  • Secure chaperones. We require one adult for every ten students in grades 3–12. For groups in grades pre-K–2, we require one adult for every five children. Each adult exceeding these ratios will be charged $10. Divide your students into groups of ten prior to arriving at the Museum. A map of the Museum will be prepared for each group leader.
  • Prepare your students and chaperones for your visit!
    • Engage your students ahead of your visit with our school map so they can see what their field trip has in store for them.
  • Request 25-minute lunchroom seating. You must request in advance as lunch seating is limited. Our scheduled lunch times are 10:50, 11:30, and 12:10. Storage is provided for students who bring their own lunches and beverages.
    • Students are welcome to order snacks and lunches from the North & Clark Café.
    • You may also order box lunches for your students by contacting the café manager in advance of your visit. Museum staff will connect you as we confirm your visit itinerary.
    • The café can be very busy at lunch, so we highly recommend ordering ahead.
  • Backpacks of any size are not allowed in exhibition spaces. Place medical supplies and and other items in another type of bag (no larger than 13 x 12 x 4 inches) to be worn on your front or at your side. Nothing can be worn on your back in the Museum’s exhibition galleries and public spaces.
  • No food and drink in the exhibitions. This includes water bottles.

On-Site Student Worksheets

Help your students explore the Chicago History Museum by using these graphic organizers. Each is designed to foster close looking skills, create conversation, and spark inquiry. Use these during a visit and then discuss back in the classroom! All worksheets have English and Spanish text.

Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make a field trip reservation?

To schedule your trip, complete our online form. Reservations are not accepted via telephone.

How far in advance should I schedule my field trip?

Please schedule your visit at least three weeks in advance. Spaces fill quickly, so please make your reservations early. Consult a school calendar in advance that indicates holidays, in-services, report card days, and school events.

How will I know if my reservation is confirmed?

Your visit is not guaranteed until you have received a confirmation letter via the email provided.

Can I make a lunchroom reservation?

Request a lunchroom reservation using the reservation form. Space is limited. The lunchroom is available for students up to grade 12, we will accommodate high school students as available. Students should bring their own lunches and beverages; storage will be provided.

Can I select my entrance or exit time?

Yes, you should choose both your entrance and exit times. Visits begin at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday and at 12:00 noon on Sunday. Visits can last from one hour to three hours. The museum closes at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. We will do our best to accommodate your requested times, but we cannot guarantee them.

What is the maximum group size?

Maximum group size is 100. We ask you to subdivide your students into groups of 10 prior to your visit.

How many chaperones do you require?

We require one adult for every ten students for grades 3 through 12. For groups in grades pre-K through grade 2, we require one adult for every five children. Each adult exceeding these ratios will be charged an additional fee of $10 per chaperone.

How much do field trips cost?

Field trips are free of charge for all Illinois groups, including students and chaperones that meet the above ratio requirements.

For out-of-state groups, field trips are $10 per chaperone/adult and $9 per student.

Each additional chaperone/adult for any group is $10.

What activities can I do before and after my field trip?

There are an array of activities based on the Museum’s collection and developed in collaboration with educators to choose from. Take a look at our classroom resources page.

What supports do you offer during field trips?

We offer a variety of on-site student work sheets to support your visit. During your visit, be sure to stop at our facilitated IDEA stations.

What are the Museum's gallery rules?

The following are not allowed in our galleries: backpacks, food, drinks (including water bottles), chewing gum, and pens. These rules apply to students, teachers, and chaperones alike. Storage for coats and lunches is provided. While masks are recommended and appreciated, they are no longer required.

Can we visit the Museum store during our field trip?

Yes, 10 students with a chaperone are welcome to visit the store at a time. The Museum store opens at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday and at 12:00 noon on Sunday. The store closes at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday

What are your COVID-19 safety guidelines?

Student groups are not required to show proof of vaccination. While masks are welcomed and appreciated, they are no longer required. You can familiarize yourself with our COVID-19 safety guidelines in advance of your visit.

My question isn't answered here. How do I contact you?

Please use our contact form or call Brie Jones, Youth Groups Coordinator, at (312) 799-2273.

I’m part of a partner university or college, how can I arrange a visit for my group?

Please fill out the University Partner Group Form to book your visit. A member of the Visitor Services team will confirm your request and reach out via email with further details regarding your visit.

How do I make a field trip reservation?

To schedule your trip, complete our online form. Reservations are not accepted via telephone.

How far in advance should I schedule my field trip?

Please schedule your visit at least three weeks in advance. Spaces fill quickly, so please make your reservations early. Consult a school calendar in advance that indicates holidays, in-services, report card days, and school events.

How will I know if my reservation is confirmed?

Your visit is not guaranteed until you have received a confirmation letter via the email provided.

Can I make a lunchroom reservation?

Request a lunchroom reservation using the reservation form. Space is limited. The lunchroom is available for students up to grade 12, we will accommodate high school students as available. Students should bring their own lunches and beverages; storage will be provided.

Can I select my entrance or exit time?

Yes, you should choose both your entrance and exit times. Visits begin at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday and at 12:00 noon on Sunday. Visits can last from one hour to three hours. The museum closes at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. We will do our best to accommodate your requested times, but we cannot guarantee them.

What is the maximum group size?

Maximum group size is 100. We ask you to subdivide your students into groups of 10 prior to your visit.

How many chaperones do you require?

We require one adult for every ten students for grades 3 through 12. For groups in grades pre-K through grade 2, we require one adult for every five children. Each adult exceeding these ratios will be charged an additional fee of $10 per chaperone.

How much do field trips cost?

Field trips are free of charge for all Illinois groups, including students and chaperones that meet the above ratio requirements.

For out-of-state groups, field trips are $10 per chaperone/adult and $9 per student.

Each additional chaperone/adult for any group is $10.

What activities can I do before and after my field trip?

There are an array of activities based on the Museum’s collection and developed in collaboration with educators to choose from. Take a look at our classroom resources page.

What supports do you offer during field trips?

We offer a variety of on-site student work sheets to support your visit. During your visit, be sure to stop at our facilitated IDEA stations.

What are the Museum's gallery rules?

The following are not allowed in our galleries: backpacks, food, drinks (including water bottles), chewing gum, and pens. These rules apply to students, teachers, and chaperones alike. Storage for coats and lunches is provided. While masks are recommended and appreciated, they are no longer required.

Can we visit the Museum store during our field trip?

Yes, 10 students with a chaperone are welcome to visit the store at a time. The Museum store opens at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday and at 12:00 noon on Sunday. The store closes at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday

What are your COVID-19 safety guidelines?

Student groups are not required to show proof of vaccination. While masks are welcomed and appreciated, they are no longer required. You can familiarize yourself with our COVID-19 safety guidelines in advance of your visit.

My question isn't answered here. How do I contact you?

Please use our contact form or call Brie Jones, Youth Groups Coordinator, at (312) 799-2273.

I’m part of a partner university or college, how can I arrange a visit for my group?

Please fill out the University Partner Group Form to book your visit. A member of the Visitor Services team will confirm your request and reach out via email with further details regarding your visit.

Translate »