Information For Your Visit

Location

The Arizona State Museum is located just inside the Main Gate of the University of Arizona at the N.E. corner of University Blvd. and Park Ave. Groups meet on the steps in front of the ASM north building. Buses may unload students in front of the museum, park in the designated area and return for students at the end of the tour.

Parking

Buses may not park in front of the museum during the tour. Bus parking can be arranged through UA Parking and Transportation Services by calling 621-3710. Parking reservations must be made by you at least 3 days in advance.

Cars may park in the either of the garages at 2nd St. and Euclid Ave. or at Tyndall Ave. and University Blvd. The cost is $2.00 for the first hour, $2.00 for the second hour, and $1.00 per hour after that.

Chaperones and Teachers

Chaperones are a must! Invite parents to enjoy the Arizona State Museum and help make your field trip experience successful. We require four chaperones or teachers for each class, or 1 adult per 8 children.

• During the academic year, for guided programs there is no charge for chaperones or teachers, but there is a per student fee.
• Self-Guided visits are free for students and $5 per chaperone/teacher during the academic year and must be pre-scheduled.
• During the summer, no pre-registration is necessary. Children are free and adults pay the normal $5.00 admission fee.

Lunch and Snacks

Food and drinks are not allowed in the museum. However we will store your lunches and your class is welcome to eat on the museum’s lawn. UA’s Student Union is about a block away and has a variety of food vendors, but it is crowded at lunch time.

The Day of the Tour

Please arrive on time! Our interpreters are UA students and the tours operate on a university class schedule. We are unable to accommodate any group that arrives more than 15 minutes late.

• A minimum of four adult chaperones must accompany each class (1 per 8 students). Chaperones are responsible for discipline and should be familiar with the student behavior guidelines outlined below.
• Please have your students wear name tags. This improves docent communication with students and your chaperone’s ability to discipline.
• Classes will be divided into 3 groups for the Paths of Life tours. Before you arrive, please assign your students and chaperones to their groups.
• Five minutes before your scheduled tour time, please organize your students into their groups and wait outside to the left of the museum stairs. The interpreter coordinator will greet you here and you may leave your lunches with the receptionist at this time.
• If you arrive quite early, we suggest you take a walking tour of campus or play on the museum lawn. Please do not allow students to congregate on the museum walkway and block the museum entrance.

Restrooms are located in the main ASM North building.

"Native Goods" Museum Store

Most teachers find it best to keep students out of our compact museum store. If you prefer, your students may enter the store 6 at a time with an adult chaperone.

Before Your Visit
Guidelines to discuss with your group

To ensure a productive, enjoyable visit, we ask that teachers review the following museum behavior guidelines with students before coming to the museum.

1. Museum behavior is very similar to classroom behavior – students are expected to be polite and calm, use low voices, walk (no running or rough-housing), and to take turns talking and sharing objects.
2. Enjoy our “Please Touch” exhibit areas, but please do not touch exhibit panels, photomurals or paintings. These are easily worn off and costly to replace.
3. Food and drink are not allowed in the museum because it’s messy and attracts bugs that damage objects in our collections. Lunches and water bottles will be stored in the lobby area during your tour.
4. If you take notes during the tour, use pencils only to protect the exhibits.
5. Classes are divided into small groups to go through the exhibit gallery. Students will be assigned to a group and a specific adult chaperone by their teacher and must remain with that adult and follow their directions at all times.
6. Galleries are monitored by video cameras for your safety and security.
7. Many objects in museums are rare and cannot be replaced – please be very careful in exhibit areas.
8. Museums are for life-long learners! We hope our exhibits inspire you to think, to care, and to act. We want you to come back often to the Arizona State Museum to learn more about what interests you - and bring your families!

Thank you for your cooperation and enjoy your visit.

Educators: Get the most out of your fieldtrip to the Paths of Life exhibition by reviewing the Resource Materials.

Photo by Geoffrey Ashley