Tour Information

School Tour

School-group tours are available Tuesday through Friday mornings or afternoons. You may do a self-guided tour (that is, a visit without a staff member to accompany you and your group), or you may request a guided tour (in which a staff member will share information with your group as you move through the museum).

• Reservations are required for all guided tours and should be scheduled at least two weeks in advance by calling Caroline Reeves at (806) 742-2432. With four weeks advance notice, groups can request a customized guided tour to meet specific interests. As they arrive at the museum, all groups must have a printed, confirmation email from Caroline before their visit begins.
• One adult must accompany every 10 students.
• Plan to arrive 15 minutes before your program (as a late arrival may result in a shortened or cancelled program).
• Staff will conduct guided programs. We ask that adult chaperones/teachers monitor student behavior and help to make the tour/visit enjoyable while visiting the museum.
• You do not have to whisper while in the museum! Use your normal talking voice, laugh out loud, have a conversation, ask questions. Please do not run in the museum or touch objects on exhibit (so that oils from hands do not damage objects).
• Guided programs are not available the week of Thanksgiving.

Download Guidelines in preparation for your school group tour here

You may schedule a school group show at the Moody Planetarium by contacting Planetarium Manager Caroline Reeves at (806)742-2432. Overview of the Planetarium shows and schedules is available here

* As a courtesy, we appreciate being advised of all self-guided tours as well. This helps museum staff plan and locate guard and facility staff in the building during your visit.

Bus Parking

The museum offers free parking to visitors. Buses may enter Museum parking lot from 4th Street and drop off students at the north main entrance (which faces 4th Street). Buses must park on the north side of the north parking lot.

Title One school field trip funding assistance

Funding is available to help rural and economically underserved schools tour the Museums. The funding, from the E.A. Franklin Charitable Trust, is available on a first-come, first served basis and can be used to pay for fuel and bus rental costs for the trips. Schools using this fund for transportation to the Museum are encouraged to extend their field trip to include the National Ranching Heritage Center, located next door to the Museum. More info on this funding assistance here

University Class Visit

If you are an instructor/faculty member at TTU, or any institution of higher education, we can help you make use of the Museum for your course. We can develop customized tours that meet your interests as related to our collections and exhibits. We can also help with documentation of student visits to the museum as an assigned or extra-credit part of your course. Please contact the Education Division for assistance (806) 742-2432 or email Curator of Education Jill Hoffman at jill.hoffman@ttu.edu.

Non-school Group Tour

Non-school group tours are available during museum open hours, as requested. Even if your group needs to visit on a Saturday or Sunday, we can usually accommodate your request for a guided tour with advance notice. Once you contact us to request a guided tour, please allow 4 weeks so that we may prepare your customized tour.

Of course, groups may visit on a self-guided basis during open hours. We appreciate being informed of your self-guided visit at least a week in advance, if possible (especially if your group consists of more than 5 individuals).

Please contact Caroline Reeves to book a tour or to receive general information at caroline.reeves@ttu.edu or call (806) 742-2432.

Lubbock Lake Landmark

School tours and traveling trunks also are available at the Lubbock Lake Landmark