Bring your group, your imagination & your love of adventure! (Sea legs are purely optional.)
The Mariners' Museum is perfectly suited for groups of all ages! Just ten visitors qualify for our special group rate, and with a minimum of two hours, your group can enjoy the Museum and its rich and varied sea stories.
Just 20 minutes from the Historic Triangle of Jamestown, Williamsburg and Yorktown.
Group Tours & Rates
Docent Led or Self Guided with General Museum
In-house Educational Program with Abbreviated Tour
The Museum requires one chaperone for every ten students participating in a Mariners’ Museum field trip.
Teachers and required chaperones for every ten students participating in a Mariners’ Museum field trip receive complimentary admission.
This applies to all student groups. Additional chaperones or accompanying parents for every ten students will be charged the student rate of $8.50 per person.
Educational Outreach Programs
USS Monitor Conservation Lab Group Tour Monitor Conservation lab, the Museum’s leading scientific and cultural experience. Click here for details
Book a Tour
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FAQ
How do I book my group reservation?
To book a group reservation, please click here
What are the types of Tours offered at the Museum?
Get an insider’s perspective on the Museum and unique stories about our artifacts. We’ve worked with our docent and curatorial staff to create the following options for your group to maximize time and enhance the Museum experience!
Docent Led Tour with General Museum
Self-Guided Experiences
The Mariners' Museum Backpack Program All you need for a self-guided walk of the Noland Trail, from information on the history of the park, plants and animals, to a look at the environmental concerns facing The Mariners’ Park and Chesapeake Bay Watershed.. Families, homeschoolers, and small student groups (such as Girl and Boy Scout troops, and youth groups) can test Lake Maury's water for pollutants and record their findings, learn about the migratory birds that frequent the lake and about Virginia's native trees. Information on preventing urban water pollution is available to take home.
Backpacks can be checked out from the Museum's admissions desk from 10 A.M. until 3 P.M. days when the Museum is open and must be returned by 4:45 P.M. the same day. The responsible party must be 18 years old or older and provide a pictured ID to be held while the backpack is in use. Users must provide their own pencils and any items they require to walk a 5-½ mile hiking trail. For more information call (757) 591-7745.
Use of the backpack is free of charge thanks to the generous support from The Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund.
Seabag Tour Monitor Center. Using objects in the seabag, visitor are able to explore the story of the creation, battle, life aboard, sinking, rediscovery, and conservation of the USS Monitor. They will discover why the USS Monitor and CSS Virginia made history and are still celebrated today. The scavenger hunt will last about 2 hours and is appropriate for children ages 6-12.
Adults may check out the seabag at the admissions desk between 10 A.M. and 4 P.M. The sea bag is free with Museum admission. The responsible party (18 or older) will be required to leave a driver's licenses or credit card to check the sea bag out. For questions on the sea bag program call (757) 591-7745.
Scavenger Hunts In the galleries of The Mariners' Museum there are fun ways for families to explore the Museum while learning new facts about our maritime past. Scavenger Hunts are available at the front desk and are free with Museum admission.
Education Programs
Students can have a more in depth experience by scheduling education program incorporating classroom or gallery instruction using original and reproduction artifacts, and allowing students to participate actively in the program. A docent-led tour designed to provide students with an overview of over 3,000 years of maritime history is included with most educational programs. Students have an opportunity to touch, listen, read, and discuss during their program and tour. Many of our classes can also be presented as outreach programs at your school.
In-house Educational Program with Abbreviated Tour Students can have a more in depth experience by scheduling education program incorporating classroom or gallery instruction using original and reproduction artifacts, and allowing students to participate actively in the program. A docent-led tour designed to provide students with an overview of over 3,000 years of maritime history is included with most educational programs. Students have an opportunity to touch, listen, read, and discuss during their program and tour. Many of our classes can also be presented as outreach programs at your school.
Educational Outreach Programs If time or funding does not allow your group to visit The Mariners’ Museum, we can come to you at your school or organization. Most education programs can be booked as outreach education experiences.
Please visit www.marinersmuseum.org/education for details on available programs.
How many tickets do I need to purchase to get the group discount?
You must purchase 10 or more tickets to get the group discounted rates.
When is the best time to visit?
Visitors arriving on a weekday by 10 a.m. or after 2 p.m. will find fewer crowds.
What are the Museums’ Group Tour Policies?
Please choose the policy based on your tour request:
What are our Exhibitions?
To learn more regarding our Exhibitions & Galleries please visit the following links below.
Current & Upcoming Exhibitions marinersmuseum.org/exhibitions/current-exhibitions
Permament Galleries marinersmuseum.org/exhibitions/permanent-galleries
The Monitor Center monitorcenter.org
What if I only have 1-hour or 3-hours to visit the Museum?
If you are pressed for time, we can create a custom tour to maximize your visit, allowing enough time to experience the highlights of the Mariners' Collection.
When is the Museum Open?
The Mariners' Museum hours:
How do I get to the Museum?
From points North
From points South - Virginia Beach
Chesapeake & Eastern North Carolina
From the Southwest
Where can our motorcoach park?
Free parking for motorcoaches is available in designated areas located in several parking lots at the entrance of the Museum.
Where can our group eat lunch?
If you are planning to bring or buy box lunches, you must make arrangements when you schedule your group visit. If you would like to purchase box lunches from the Museum, they must be pre-ordered when you make your reservation. The Museum reserves the right to cancel or change orders. All groups will be notified of any change.
Areas for casual dining include:
Next Steps:
I sent in the reservation form for my group visit. What happens now?
You will receive a confirmation email or phone call within 3-5 business days. Your group visit is not reserved until we send you the official confirmation for your group visit. Please review the confirmation upon receipt and make sure the date, time and group count are correct.
When do I make payments for the group visit?
A final group count is due 48 hours in advance. Payment in full is required upon arrival or the reservation is subject to cancellation.
A minimum of ten paid guests are required to receive The Mariner’s Museum group rate. No other discount, coupon, or offer can be combined with the group rate. If you numbers fall below ten, you will be charged regular Museum admission.
Accepted methods of payment are cash, check, MasterCard, Visa or American Express. Individual payments cannot be accepted.
Can I get a refund if I cancel?
If you must cancel your visit, we request notice at least 5 business days prior to your visit. Cancellations made less than 5 business days out from your scheduled arrival will result in a 25% cancellation fee.
How do we check-in when we get to the museum?
Please bring your confirmation letter and arrive 15 minutes early.
he group should assemble in front of the Museums’ gift shop (in the entry concourse) while the group leader proceeds to the admission desk to check the group in and make the final payment.
Coat racks are available for your convenience and are located in the foyer.
Restrooms are located behind the admissions desk in the lobby.
Photography is not permitted in the galleries without prior approval.
Where do we go if we have a docent tour?
Meet your docent at the Eagle located in the main lobby. Tours require walking and are subject to cancellation if the group is more than 15 minutes late.
Group Tours Contact Information
We’re here to help! Here’s how to reach us.
Tourism and Group Sales Hours: groups@marinersmuseum.org
Mailing Address:
