Preparing a Museum Visit Resource
To help prepare all parties (students, teachers, and chaperones) for upcoming Museum visits, we have created a PowerPoint (PPT) file filled with helpful information. The PPT file Preparing a School Visit for Teachers offers logistical details to help you prepare for your visit including details to share with chaperones.
No Food, Snacks, Drinks, or Water Bottles
Please do not bring lunches, snacks, or drinks into the Museum. There is no food storage onsite. These items must be stored on the bus or in a chaperone’s vehicle. Below, you will find a few places in Forest Park where you can enjoy lunch!
Picnic and Dining sites nearby:
- The park itself is a jewel. Forest Park Forever has many resources and picnic options.
- The Saint Louis Zoo is within walking distance.
- The Missouri History Museum is within walking distance (about 1/2 mile walk)
Role of Chaperones
We encourage every chaperone joining a tour to partner with the Museum by engaging with artworks along with the students. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Arriving in advance of the school bus
- Waiting for directions before joining a group of students for a tour
- Encouraging student participation
- Modeling positive engagement
- Managing challenging behaviors
- Keeping the group together
Teachers, please share your contact information with all chaperones prior to the touring date.
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Chaperone Parking
- Free public parking is available in the two lots located on the north side of Fine Arts Drive, across from the Museum.
- Accessible parking is available in the public lots and in the Museum parking garage. Accessible entrances to the museum are located at the East Building and in the parking garage. An accessible drop-off area is located directly in front of the East Building.
- Paid parking is available in the Museum’s 300-space underground parking garage, located on Fine Arts Drive. The garage is open to the public during Museum hours (thirty minutes prior to opening to thirty minutes after closing), and is available after hours for events in Forest Park, including Art Hill Film Series. Garage parking is $15 during peak months (March-October) and $10 during off-peak months. Saint Louis Museum Members can park in the garage for $5.
- Visit the Forest Park Forever interactive map for parking and other information.
Group Entrance and Bus Parking
Drop-Off: All bus transportation should follow the signs for the Education Center, turning onto Valley Drive from Fine Arts Drive and pulling up to the South Group Entrance for drop-off and pick-up. After drop-off, buses will continue on Valley Drive to the circle lot cul-de-sac where they will turn around and exit the same way they entered. Buses may proceed to a designated Forest Park lot if necessary. Buses are prohibited from parking on Valley Drive.
Parking and Permits: Forest Park policy states that bus drivers planning to wait in the park while passengers are visiting the museum must obtain a parking permit at a cost of $10.00 from the Parks Office at least two weeks prior to the scheduled visit.
Bus parking is only allowed in designated lots in Forest Park. Information about the required permit can be obtained by calling the Parks Office at 314.289.5330. Any bus parking in an unauthorized lot and/or without a permit may be issued a summons by the park ranger or park police.
Drivers as Chaperones: Any bus drivers who are serving as tour chaperones should arrange for a shuttle (such as another chaperone) to the Museum from the permitted bus parking lots. Walking is not recommended due to time and distance. School tours will not begin until chaperones are present.
