Reservation process

Do I need to make a reservation for a group visit?

Yes. The Museum gets busy! All groups planning to visit the Museum must make a reservation at least 2 weeks in advance. Otherwise, we cannot guarantee we will have space for your group. 

Not only does making a reservation allow for Museum staff to prepare for your arrival and facilitate a smooth visit, but it also allows us to offer you the group-discounted rate. Groups that show up at the door with no reservation will be charged the full admission rate and may be turned away if the Museum is too crowded. Back to top

How far in advance should I make a reservation?

Availability is limited, so please book as soon as possible.  Reservations must be made at least 2 weeks in advance. During the spring and summer busy season, we recommend that reservations be made as far in advance as possible as we fill up quickly. Back to top

My group is small.  Do I still need to make a reservation?

Yes. All groups should make reservations so we can prepare for your visit. Also, remember – no reservation, no discounted rate. Back to top

The individuals in my group are not students. How should I make a reservation?

All group leaders should start the reservation process using our online Reservation Request Form. When we have reviewed your request, you will be contacted by the Museum’s bookings coordinator to complete the reservation process. Reservations will be confirmedby email. Please check your reservation details and contact the bookings coordinator if you notice anything that is incorrect. Back to top

What happens to my reservation in the event of inclement weather?

If the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is closed for inclement weather, the MIT Museum will also be closed. In this situation your reservation will be cancelled automatically. Check the MIT homepage or call the Museum to confirm closure. It is your responsibility to reschedule the visit. If your organization is closed but MIT is not, it is your responsibility to notify the Museum that you will be cancelling your visit. Back to top

Group size and type

How many people can I bring in a group?

For self-guided gallery visits, groups of up to 75 people may enter the Museum at a time. Be prepared to divide into smaller groups to explore the Museum. Student groups are required to bring 1 chaperone for every 8 students, and to divide into chaperone-led groups during your visit. For groups of more than 75 people, we will work with you to stagger your arrival or help coordinate your visit among additional resources and activities at MIT.

Workshops and guided tours can accommodate up to 25 people. Larger groups wishing to book workshops and tours will be required to divide into groups of 25 and pay for the additional workshops or tours. We will work with you to arrange the logistics of your visit. Back to top

How many chaperones am I required to bring?

To ensure a positive experience for all visitors, we require 1 chaperone above the age of 18 for every 8 students in Grades K-12. These chaperones are admitted free. Any additional adults must pay general admission. Please remember, chaperones must stay with their assigned students at all times during your visit to ensure the safety of your students and our exhibits. Back to top

Is the Museum appropriate for my elementary school-aged students?

Exhibits at the MIT Museum are geared toward middle school, high school and adult audiences. Unlike many science museums, the MIT Museum is not a hands-on museum. Although you may bring elementary school-aged students for self-guided gallery visits, please be aware that the conceptual level of the exhibits may not be appropriate for this audience. Workshops and guided gallery tours are only offered for students in Grades 6 and above. Back to top

Fees and payment

How much does a visit cost?

Self-guided gallery visits

Student groups	$4.00 per student and $8.50 per adult chaperone (1 chaperone admitted free per 8 students).
Adult groups	$8.50 per adult with complimentary admission for the group leader.
Senior groups (age 65+)	$4.00 per senior with complimentary admission for the group leader.

Workshops

Student groups	$200 for up to 25 students and $8.50 per adult (1 chaperone admitted free per 8 students) plus a $25 booking fee (waived for reservations made more than 2 weeks in advance). Includes admission to the MIT Museum galleries.
Adult groups	$400 for up to 25 participants plus a $25 booking fee (waived for reservations made more than 2 weeks in advance). Includes admission to the MIT Museum galleries.

Guided Gallery Tours

Student groups	$200 for up to 25 students and 3 adults (1 chaperone admitted free per 8 students) plus a $25 booking fee (waived for reservations made more than 2 weeks in advance). Includes admission to the MIT Museum galleries.
Adult groups	$300 for up to 25 participants plus a $25 booking fee (waived for reservations made more than 2 weeks in advance). Includes admission to the MIT Museum galleries.
Senior groups (age 65+)	$200 for up to 25 participants plus a $25 booking fee (waived for reservations made more than 2 weeks in advance). Includes admission to the MIT Museum galleries.

See new rates beginning July 1, 2013.

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Are students with college IDs given the $4.00 admission rate?

Yes. The student rate applies for children in Grades K-12 and/or anyone with a valid college ID. MIT students (and other MIT ID holders) may always enter the Museum for free. Back to top

Who counts as a ‘senior’ for the senior group rate?

The senior rate is for individuals of age 65 or older. Back to top

How many people do I need to have to get the group rate?

Groups of 8 or more get the discounted rate when reservations are made in advance. Back to top

What payment methods are accepted?

The Museum accepts cash, MasterCard, Visa, American Express, checks (made payable to MIT Museum) and Purchase Orders. Groups paying by Purchase Order must make arrangements at least one week in advance with the Museum’s Receptionist. Passes and discount coupons will not be accepted as payment for group visits.

One person must make payment for the entire group. Full payment is taken at the time of arrival at the Admissions Desk or in advance of the visit.

Unfortunately, the MIT Museum cannot issue any refunds. Please make sure that all payments are for the correct number of visitors. Back to top

Visit logistics

How long does it take to visit the entire Museum?

Depending on the size of the group and the interest level, it takes anywhere from 1 to 2 hours to tour all the exhibits fully. Shorter visits are recommended for groups of younger children.

To lengthen your stay, you may also like to visit our satellite galleries – Compton Gallery and Hart Nautical Gallery – in the center of MIT’s campus. Back to top

What time can we arrive at the Museum? (And, when do we have to leave?)

Groups can visit the Museum during our normal operating hours of 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The earliest arrival time is 10:00 a.m. For self-guided gallery visits, the latest arrival time is 4:00 p.m. For workshops or guided gallery tours, the latest arrival time is 3:00 p.m. Visits to the Museum last anywhere from 1 to 2 hours, depending on your group’s level of interest. Back to top

Can my group come for a self-guided gallery visit on the weekend?

Yes. Groups with reservations may come for a self-guided gallery visit any day of the week (except on Museum holidays). Back to top

Can my group come for a workshop or guided gallery tour on the weekend?

We do not offer workshops or formal guided gallery tours on the weekend but we often have gallery facilitators who can answer your questions about particular exhibits.  Back to top

Is there somewhere at the Museum where my group can eat lunch?

The Museum does not have a designated lunchroom or dining facilities on site. However, groups may always eat at the cafeterias located at the MIT Student Center or the Stata Center, both in walking distance of the Museum. Additionally, there are a variety of restaurants and outdoor seating areas within a few blocks of the Museum.

The MIT Student Center is located at 84 Massachusetts Avenue. From the Museum, walk 4.5 blocks down Mass. Ave. towards the river. The Stata Center is located at 32 Vassar Street. From the Museum, walk 4 blocks down Mass. Ave. towards the river. Turn left on Vassar Street and continue 1 block until you see this distinctive building. Back to top

What is there to see at the Museum?

The MIT Museum is different than a typical science museum as we have a mixture of science, technology, art and history. Be prepared to look at things closely and engage your mind as you experience our exhibits!

In MIT Museum’s main building (at 265 Mass. Ave.) we have an exciting array of exhibitions and displays, providing a window into MIT's fascinating world of science and technology. In the galleries, you’ll find ongoing and changing exhibitions on science and technology and current research; architecture and design; oceanography, underwater robotics and ship design. Discover high-tech artifacts, research prototypes, intriguing scientific instruments, historic photographs, amazing holograms and even ingenious kinetic sculptures!

If you are willing to take a short walk to the center of MIT’s campus, you will find our satellite galleries:

Compton Gallery – where visitors encounter a wide range of changing exhibitions that encompass the varied fields of science, technology, architecture, history, and art. Admission to the Compton Gallery is free.

Hart Nautical Gallery – a display including a fascinating collection of ship models depicting 1000 years of ship building history, and current research from MIT’s Center for Ocean Engineering. Admission to the Hart Nautical Gallery is free.

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Are the Museum’s exhibits hands-on?

The Museum is filled with intriguing objects to investigate and exhibits to experience… but primarily with your eyes and brains. During the reservation process you can request a copy of our student activity sheets to help your students fully engage with our exhibits. Please note that the MIT Museum is best suited for students in Grade 6 and above. Back to top

Will the Museum have any activities that the students can participate in when we visit?

We do not have daily programs or hands-on activities during the school year. You may download gallery activity guides from our teacher resources page. If you are looking for a more structured experience for your middle or high school students, you may book a Museum workshop or guided gallery tour.  Back to top

Does the Museum have a place where we can store our personal belongings?

Lockers and coatrooms are available for the storage of personal items. The Museum is not responsible for items left in storage facilities. Back to top

Is there a Museum Store?

Yes, we have a Museum Store full of interesting and educational items. Small groups of students can visit the Store along with their chaperones. Back to top 

How do we get to the Museum?

The MIT Museum is located at 265 Massachusetts Avenue, directly between Central Square and MIT’s main campus. Directions to the Museum are available here. Back to top

Where can we park our bus?

Buses can drop-off and pick-up visitors at the main entrance to the Museum on the corner of Front Street and Massachusetts Avenue. Parking for buses may be available at meters along Massachusetts Avenue, Windsor Street and Front Street. Additional parking, if needed, may also be available on Albany Street or Main Street. Back to top

Our group is coming in multiple cars – where can we park?

Please look for metered spaces on streets around the Museum. Back to top 

What should my group do when we enter the Museum?

The group leader must go the Admissions Desk to check-in and pay (if you have not done so in advance). Once admission has been paid/confirmed, you will be instructed on how to proceed. Please be sure your students are divided into their chaperone-specific groups. Back to top

Policy notices:

• Groups will not be able to eat lunch or snacks inside the Museum – we recommend walking down Massachusetts Avenue to the main MIT campus;

• Groups that show up at the Museum without prior reservations may be turned away if the Museum is too crowded – please make your group reservations for summer early to ensure that we will have space for you.