Group F.A.Q.
How do I purchase tickets for the group rate?
What is the minimum or maximum number of people I can bring?
What are the discounts offered for teachers and chaperones of youth groups Monday through Friday?
What is your payment policy for group trips?
Will I receive confirmation and information prior to our arrival?
Do you have space to eat lunch?
Where can our bus park?
Is there a group discount for traveling exhibits?
Can I cancel my reservation and get a refund?
Are general museum group rates available on Holidays or weekends?
Q. How do I purchase tickets at the group rate?
A. You can either call the Institute's Reservations Department at 1.800.285.0684 Or e-mail your request to reservations@fi.edu. There are also forms that you can fill out for different reservation and group types: group reservation form, tour operator reservation form, and the experiential package reservation form.
Q. What is the minimum or maximum number of people I can bring?
A. Your group must consist of 15 people; not including your chaperones. We require your group have a minimum number of 1 chaperone per 10 youth, and a maximum number of 1 chaperone per 5 youth. There is not a limit on the group attendees, but please be aware that sometimes not everyone can participate in all activities at the same time.
Q. What are the discounts offered for teachers and chaperones of youth groups Monday through Friday?
A. Adult chaperones with youth groups arriving Monday through Fridays will receive a discounted admission rate for the general museum. General admission rates are offered to the 1 per 10 chaperones. If the Group Leader would like to upgrade their chaperones' visit through an IMAX film, Planetarium show, or a special exhibit, the Group Leader should call to change the reservation and additional rates will be applied.
Q. What is your payment policy for group trips?
A. A 25% deposit is due 2 weeks prior to arrival to hold your reservation. Without the deposit we can not guarantee availability of all requested activities. Remaining balances must be paid on the date of arrival. Special Exhibit groups require full payment no less than four weeks in advance. Experiential Package groups require full payment no less thank two weeks in advance.
Q. Will I receive confirmation and information prior to our arrival?
A. Your confirmation packet will be mailed to you 3-5 business days after you book your trip. It will include payment information, bus drop-off and parking, your invoice, as well as instructions regarding lunch and coat storage. If you have not received a confirmation packet a week from your booking date, please call or e-mail the Reservations Department at 1.800.285.0684 or reservations@fi.edu.
Q. Do you have space to eat lunch?
A. A brown-bag lunchroom can be reserved for a fee of $10 per group. There is a time limit of 25 minutes offered for the reservation. There is also an option to purchase kid-friendly boxed lunches starting at $7.50 per child, but also must be reserved in advance. If you do not wish to reserve a lunchroom, you may purchase lunch in Ben's Bistro, our full-service cafeteria; Please contact Aramark to notify them prior to your arrival so they can plan accordingly. 215.448.1190
Q. Where can our bus park?
A. Parking is available at the City's Callowhill Bus Center located at 2nd and Callowhill Streets, which is about a 15 minute drive; for $20 per bus, per day, payable to the Center upon arrival. For full information, visit PCVB. The fee is payable to the Bus Center upon arrival.
Q. Is there a group discount for traveling exhibits?
A. Groups of 15 or more will receive discounted rates. Please see the Special Exhibit link for current offerings.
Q. Can I cancel my reservation and get a refund?
A. There are no refunds for trips cancelled less than 14 days before the scheduled date of visit. Credits for future trips within 365 days to the Institute will be issued for all payments made. Every effort will be made to reschedule trips.
Q. Are general museum group rates available on Holidays or weekends?
A. While groups are welcome for weekend visits, general museum group discounts for the adult chaperones arriving with youth groups are only available Monday-Friday. Adult chaperones of youth groups making weekend visits will pay the same rate as the youth in the group. This also applies to major holidays such as: Christmas Day, Thanksgiving, Fourth of July, et al.