Adult & University Tours
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GUIDED TOURS (for groups of 8 or more)
One of the best ways to experience the beauty and wonder of the Museum is together as a group. We invite you to browse our menu of engaging group tour options with different themes to align with your group's particular interests.
The Museum offers hour-long private tours to groups with a minimum of 8 participants. All guided tours must be booked at least two weeks in advance, as our schedule fills rapidly and ample time is needed to schedule Docent volunteers.
Docent-Led Tours: $8 College and University; $25 Adults; $20 Seniors
Self-Guided Group Visit: $8 College and University; $18 Adults; $13 Seniors
Guest passes do not apply. Virtual Tours are $100 for the group and must be booked at least one month in advance. Thanks for your support!
For our list of current tour selections, see our Adult Tour Options.
Before booking a tour, please read our Adult Tour Guidelines.
To schedule a tour, fill out the ADULT TOUR REQUEST FORM
Coming Soon in Winter 2025:
New Adult Tour and Art Studio Program: Women Artists at the NBMAA
Join us for a new two-hour extended program that pairs a Docent-led tour of the galleries with a hands-on art studio. First, spend an hour with an NBMAA Docent learning about the lives of American women artists from the 19th century through the present. This tour will feature works from the permanent collection and the special exhibition Modern Women: Visionary Artists. Your second hour will be spent exploring hands-on art making in the light-filled NBMAA art studios. Try your hand at the “soak stain” technique pioneered by artist Helen Frankenthauler as you create a beautiful work on unprimed canvas. This program is designed for all levels from total beginners to experienced artists.
This program is great for small groups!
Adults: $45 Seniors: $40
Adult Tour Guidelines
Fees
Docent-Led Tours: $8 College and University; $25 Adults; $20 Seniors
Self-Guided Group Visit: $8 College and University; $18 Adults; $13 Seniors
This fee includes the guided tour and admission. Free passes, Membership, and library passes are not valid for guided tours.
Timing
Tours are one hour long and offered daily during open hours. All guided visits must be booked at least two weeks in advance. And Virtual Tours must be booked at least one month in advance.
Group Size
We require a minimum of 8 participants for all guided tours. Adult groups of up to 60 people can be accommodated at one time.
Checking In
Members of a group should check in together at the front desk 15 minutes prior to the start of the tour. The group leader must first check in at the front desk with one payment for the entire group. (Individual payments are not allowed and groups will not be checked in until payment is received. Failing to do so may result in lost tour time.)
Lunch Options
The Museum Café serves lunch Wednesday-Sunday, from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. No outside food may be brought into the Museum. Café and terrace seating are reserved for Café customers only.
Groups of more than 20 people must select a boxed lunch option or request private catering. The current menu and fees may be requested at the time of booking.
Accessibility
The Museum is handicapped accessible. The entrance ramp is located to the left of the main entrance, and all galleries are accessible by elevators. Care partners may attend the tour at no additional fee.
Self Guided Tours
Reservations are required for ANY group of 8 or more. A special self-guided group discount is available at $13 per person. Please note that groups over 8 are not eligible to receive free Saturday morning admission.
Adult Tour Options
These special tour topics can be slightly modified with advance noticed (when scheduling a tour) to meet the interest and needs of your group. All tour themes are also available as virtual tours. Select Virtual Tour in the Adult Tour Request Form.
MUSEUM MASTERPIECES
Museum Masterpieces tours are perfect for first time visitors to the NBMAA! This one-hour, Docent-led tour provides a lively overview of the permanent collection from the Colonial period through today.
For groups fewer than 8 people, the Museum Masterpieces Tour is available free with admission as a walk-in tour on Saturdays from 1-2 p.m. Check our Calendar for more information.
SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS
Dive deeper into the NBMAA’s temporary exhibitions! On this Docent-led, hour-long tour, participants will look closely at a temporary exhibition at the Museum. This tour is dependent on the exhibition schedule, and with advanced notice, gallery reinstallations can be paired with a special exhibition tour.
WOMEN ARTISTS IN THE PERMANENT COLLECTION
Learn about the lives of American women artists from the 19th century through the present. This tour may explore the works of Lily Martin Spencer, Georgia O’Keeffe, Negar Ahkami, Jaune Quick-To-See Smith, Faith Ringgold, and more.
BLACK AND AFRICAN AMERICAN ARTISTS IN THE PERMANENT COLLECTION
Look at the lives of Black and African American artists from the 19th century to the present who have helped shaped American art. This tour may explore the works of Charles Ethan Porter, Henry Ossawa Tanner, Romare Bearden, Elizabeth Catlett, Jacob Lawrence, Radcliffe Bailey, and more.
Self-Guided Group Visit
Reservations are required for ANY group of 8 or more. A special self-guided group discounted rate of $8 for College and University Students, $18 for Adults, and $13 for Seniors. Please note that groups over 8 are not eligible to receive free Saturday morning admission.
Free passes and library passes are not valid for group visits.
Upon arrival, the group leader must first check in at the Front Desk with one payment for the entire group. Groups will not be checked in until payment is received.
To schedule a self-guided group visit, please fill out the Adult Tour Request Form and choose "Self-Guided Group Visit" when asked to "Select a Tour."