• In-Person School group tours are available Monday-Friday. A minimum of 15 students is required to receive the school group discount.
• Virtual Field Trips are available on a weekly basis- you will have access to your chosen Google Classroom experience for one week. 
• LIVE Virtual field trips must be scheduled in advance like an in-person visit. 
• Ready to reserve your trip? Fill out or field trip reservation form - click here .
• Reservations must be made 14 days in advance.
• Provide two alternate dates when reserving online. A confirmation will be made by phone once a selected date is approved.
• Payment is due before or upon arrival. Please make payment in cash, check, or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express). The preferred method of payment is by check or credit card.
• ALL visits are subject to availability.
• Groups arriving without a reservation may experience delayed entrance into the galleries due to over-crowding.
• Memberships do not apply to group rates.
• Admission with the Museums for All program is not valid for school group tours.

Check-in Procedures

• PLEASE ARRIVE ON TIME! Tours are carefully scheduled, and arriving on time makes the day go easier for both you and your students.
• Drop-off at the front entrance at 222 SW Washington Street.
• Plan to arrive 15-20 minutes before your first scheduled program to allow for transition time (e.g.: check-in, bathroom breaks, etc.)
• Upon arrival, one group leader should check in at the front desk to report the final tally of students and adults and to pay for the field trip. It is important that you know your total numbers before coming to the front desk. This will ensure your group starts promptly at your designated time.
• A museum host/educator will greet the group in the lobby and give a brief orientation.

Group Orientation

• A museum host/educator will explain the museum rules, provide the chaperones with a map and give general directions based on your interests and schedule. 
• All chaperones should be aware of the tour’s itinerary. Please use the chaperone schedule form provided.

Cancellations

• Cancellations must be in writing no less than 48 hours before your scheduled arrival (return reservation form with CANCEL written on it). Schools failing to cancel a field trip within 48 hours will be billed 50% of the confirmed amount.
• Field trips canceled due to weather can be rescheduled at no additional cost.

Chaperone Policy

• Peoria Riverfront Museum suggests one chaperone for every five students.
• One chaperone receives free admission for every five students.
• All attending adults are considered a chaperone.
• Additional chaperones pay the same admission rates as students, payment for these must be included in the school's one payment.
• Chaperones arriving separately can park in the museum parking deck for free.

To view Chaperone Guide - click here.  

Lunch Options

• Limited space is available at no additional cost for schools that bring their lunches.
• Lunch areas must be reserved when you make your field trip reservations.
• Reservations are made on a first-ask, first-served basis.

Museum Rules

• Walk in the museum. No running.
• Use indoor voices.
• Many of our exhibits are “hands-on,” but some are not. We’ll help your students to know the difference.
• Please: no food, drink, candy or gum in the galleries.
• Respect others in your group as well as other museum visitors and staff.
• Teachers and chaperones must stay with their groups at all times.
• Photography is permitted in some galleries. Please ask your host for details.

Bus Loading/Unloading Zones

• Buses can load and unload at the front entrance of the museum at 222 SW Washington Street. There is a pull-up lane directly in front of the museum.
• There is no on-site bus parking.
• Buses can park under the Bob Michel Bridge.
• A bus driver map is available online, or at the front desk.

Download your Educator Preview Pass - click here.  

Driving instructions

Since the bus lane is on the east side of Washington, any buses approaching the museum from the north on Washington must go around the block: turn left on Main, right on Water, right on Liberty, and right on Washington. Pull into the bus drop-off lane on Washington in front of the museum.

From the West
Approach the museum on Interstate 74 going east.
Exit Washington Street.
Enter the right hand lane, and turn right on Washington.
Go one block, turn left on Main, right on Water, right on Liberty, and then right on Washington.
Pull into the bus drop-off lane on Washington in front of the museum.

From the North
Go south on University or Knoxville.
Get on I-74 East (towards Bloomington-Normal).
Exit onto Washington Street from the West (as above).

From the East on I-74
1) To cross the Illinois River on the Bob Michel Bridge:
Exit I-74 at Exit 94: “Downtown via Bob Michel Bridge.”
Follow 40 N to “Downtown Peoria” across bridge.
Turn right on Adams, and go one block, then right on Harrison, and go one block, then left on Washington.
Pull into the bus drop-off lane on Washington in front of the museum.

2) To cross the Illinois River on the I-74 Murray Baker Bridge:
Stay on I-74 across the river and take the first exit – Exit 93 to “Downtown.”
Go straight through the first light to Jefferson.
Turn left on Jefferson and proceed through the downtown to Harrison.
Turn left on Harrison, go 2 blocks, and then turn left on Washington.
Pull into the bus drop-off lane on Washington in front of the museum.

From the South on Illinois 29 (from Pekin and Creve Coeur)
Cross the Illinois River on the Cedar Street Bridge, and follow Rt 8 West (follow the airport sign).
Turn right on Washington immediately after crossing the bridge.
Go 1 mile north and pull into the bus drop-off lane on Washington in front of the museum.

From the South on Washington St.
Pull into the bus drop-off lane on Washington in front of the museum.

From the East on Illinois Route 116 (Cat Trail)
Get on I-74 west and follow the directions for “From the East on I-74,” above.

School Group FAQ’s

What is your chaperone policy?

• Peoria Riverfront Museum suggests one chaperone for every five students.
• One chaperone receives free admission for every five students.
• All attending adults are considered a chaperone.
• Additional chaperones pay the same admission rates as students, payment for these must be included in the school's one payment.
• Chaperones arriving separately can park in the museum parking deck for free.
• Chaperone planning guides are available online.

May we bring additional chaperones?
Yes, but additional chaperones pay the same admission rates as students, payment for these must be included in the school's one payment.

Are there pre-visit materials provided?
Yes, they are located in the educator guide you can download from our website.

Can I preview the exhibits prior to my field trip?
Yes, there will be a preview pass available that you can download from our website. When you arrive for your preview, you will need to show your school identification at the front desk.

May a student use his/her PRM membership toward school visit admission?
School group rates are already discounted and are customized programs. Memberships or other vouchers are not applied to group reservations or programs.

Can each student pay individually?
Schools must pay in one lump sum, in order to receive the group rate. Students may not pay individually.

What if the weather is bad?
If your school is closed due to weather, any advance payments will either be refunded or credited toward a rescheduled visit. A cancellation fee will not be imposed if a visit is cancelled on account of weather.

What if my group is running late?
Please call Peoria Riverfront Museum immediately at (309) 686-7000. Programs cannot be guaranteed if you arrive after your scheduled start. However, we will make every effort to accommodate the group and restructure your visit.

How does lunchtime work?
Limited space is available at no additional cost for schools that bring their lunches. Lunch areas must be reserved when you make your field trip reservations. Reservations are made on a first-ask, first-served basis.

What if parents want to attend?
If parents will be accompanying your group, they need to contact the school to be included in your group reservation. As an additional chaperone, they would pay the school group rate and be included in the school's one payment.

Where do we store lunches, coats, and backpacks?
There will be large rolling bins provided at the time of your arrival. A museum host will bring the bin to your appropriate lunch area. Please remember to remove lunches from the bus when dropped off at the entrance.