The Smithsonian is BIG: You can visit more than 20 different locations in Washington, D.C., New York City, and Boston alone. So, whether you’re escorting energetic first-graders or exuberant graduating seniors, you’ll need to get information and plan ahead. Try these options to find what’s right for you:
Search our Resource Library by subject, grade, keyword, or museum to find regularly scheduled field trips. The search results will give you brief descriptions as well as email, phone, and fax information so you can make your reservations. These tours are only for school groups. Resource Library
If scheduled tours aren’t what you’re looking for or don’t fit your schedule, write, email, phone, or fax education departments in the building you want to visit. Smithsonian educators will make every effort to help you tailor your visit to your curriculum needs, meet students’ special needs, or plan a series of visits. Educational Services
A wealth of online and publication resources are available for planning your personalized Smithsonian field trip:
Find self-guides and other resources on the education home pages of Smithsonian museums.
Consult Smithsonianvisitor information for general guidance to groups on parking, restaurants, etc.
Purchase a comprehensiveofficial visitor’s guide for an overview of Smithsonian collections and permanent exhibits.
VisitSmithsonian.org, the homepage of the Smithsonian, which links to hundreds of virtual exhibitions, online brochures, maps, floor plans, and more.
If you want to consult a full-service provider of student travel to Washington, D.C., New York City, and across the country, consider Smithsonian Student Travel. This company incorporates Smithsonian educational resources into its trips and experiences. Educational Field Trips with Smithsonian Student Travel
Pre-visit Activities: Here you'll find classroom activities that will introduce your students to the concept of a museum and prepare them for their visit. Before Your Visit
Materials for your visit: Here you'll find downloadable handouts and discussion questions that will guide your students as they visit any kind of museum, historic house, nature center, or zoo. During Your Visit
Post-Visit Questions: Here you'll find dozens of questions to help your students recall information, make connections, use their imaginations, and evaluate their experience at the museum. After Your Visit
Standards Charts correlate permanent Smithsonian exhibitions with the national education standards. If you have registered for a standard or individualized tour, request preparation materials from the museum educators. In some cases these materials will automatically be sent to you upon registration. Also ask if online materials are available. Consult the many recommended resources listed in Educational Services. View Standards
Discover the Smithsonian
The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden is one of the 14 museums located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Plan Ahead
This map can help you plan your trip to the Smithsonian.
The Smithsonian is BIG: You can visit more than 20 different locations in Washington, D.C., New York City, and Boston alone. So, whether you’re escorting energetic first-graders or exuberant graduating seniors, you’ll need to get information and plan ahead. Try these options to find what’s right for you:
Pre-visit Activities: Here you'll find classroom activities that will introduce your students to the concept of a museum and prepare them for their visit.
Materials for your visit: Here you'll find downloadable handouts and discussion questions that will guide your students as they visit any kind of museum, historic house, nature center, or zoo.
Post-Visit Questions: Here you'll find dozens of questions to help your students recall information, make connections, use their imaginations, and evaluate their experience at the museum.
Standards Charts correlate permanent Smithsonian exhibitions with the national education standards. If you have registered for a standard or individualized tour, request preparation materials from the museum educators. In some cases these materials will automatically be sent to you upon registration. Also ask if online materials are available. Consult the many recommended resources listed in 
