Take your learning beyond your classroom with Discovery World’s onsite field trips and school programs that encourage exploration and put the wonder of science in your hands.
Planning a group visit can be hectic—we’re here to help! Take a look at the sections below for important information about group pricing, requirements, hours, policies, deadline dates, and more. Once you’ve read everything over, start the reservations process by either filling out a request form online or by calling the Reservations Department at 414-765-8625 (M-F, 8am-4pm). From there, we will review your needs and work with you to book your visit.
Reservations must be made at least three (3) weeks in advance. No reservations will be accepted without at least three (3) weeks notice. Availability is on a first-come, first-serve basis, so advanced booking is highly encouraged. Group rates are only available for groups of 10+ with advance booking and payment.
Group Admission rates are available during our regular business hours. To qualify for discounted group rates, you must have a minimum group size of 10 paying individuals and make a reservation at least three (3) weeks in advance.
Homeschools may qualify for our school group rates. Homeschool educators must show their PI-1206 form to receive the school rates.
Daycares, CLCs, Non-Profits, Colleges, Universities, Recreation Centers, Senior Groups, Travel Groups, Girl Scout Groups, Boy Scout Groups, etc.
Group rates and programs are already discounted and are not valid with Discovery World memberships or any other discount or promotion. Groups may not use Discovery World membership benefits towards field trips or group visits.
School Program Add-Ons come at an additional cost.
During the academic school year, we offer optional educational programs you can add-on to your group visit. Programs can run between 9:30am-4:00pm, Wednesday-Friday from October through early June and options are available for students in grades K5-12. Space is limited.
Pricing varies by program. There is a 10 student or child minimum required to book any group program.
All required items are due two (2) weeks prior to your visit date. Required items include:
We reserve the right to cancel your visit if the required items are not received by the two-week deadline date.
Full payment is due two (2) weeks prior to your visit date. We accept cash, checks, and credit cards. We do not accept Purchase Orders. No deposit required. No tax added.
Any person not included or paid for in your final headcount by the indicated due date will be charged general admission pricing of $18/child and $22/adult. In addition, these individuals will not be allowed in any scheduled lunch period or program(s). We will not accept day-of walk-up payments or walk-up additions at the discounted group rate.
Credit Card Payments:
Check Payments:
Any request to make changes, reschedule, or cancel your group visit must be made two (2) weeks prior to your visit date. Requests made after the indicated due date will not be accepted, nor will any refunds or credits be given.
Cancellations due to school/organization weather closures will not be penalized. Please contact the Reservations Department as soon as possible with notice of the weather closure and we will discuss rescheduling possibilities.
Ensure a timely arrival at Discovery World by allowing extra time for weather, traffic, road conditions, etc. Late arrivals, regardless of reason (even issues with busing), may result in the cancellation of museum activities or scheduled programs without refund or credit. If your group will arrive later than scheduled, please contact the Reservations Department as soon as possible.
Once you’re here, please report to scheduled meeting places per the timing on your schedule(s). Program times and lunch periods are firm and cannot be held or pushed back for tardiness. Late arrivals may result in the cancellation of programs without refund or credit.
While adult chaperone backpacks are permitted on the exhibit floors, student/child backpacks are not. Any student/child who brings a backpack will be required to store it in our locked storage room until departure.
Discovery World assumes no liability for lost, stolen, or damaged items. Please advise all group members to leave valuable items at home.
An inherent risk of exposure to allergens exists in any public place where people are present. By visiting Discovery World, you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure of allergens.
Discovery World has accessible elevators and an all-gender companion-assisted family restroom available with an adult weight lift table and height-adjusting sink. Please alert or update us if you have any group members that require special accommodation, have special needs, or have severe allergies we should be aware of.
Please share the following rules with ALL group members regardless of age. These rules are to ensure everyone’s safety and allow an enjoyable experience for everyone in our building.
Discovery World reserves the right to expel any person or group behaving in a manner deemed unfit, without refund, and jeopardizes their chances of any future visits.
Groups must have at least one (1) adult chaperone for every ten (10) students/children in attendance. Failure to meet this requirement will result in a $25 charge for each missing adult and jeopardizes any future visits.
To ensure a quality visit for everyone, all adult chaperones are required to provide the following support by:
It is the main contact’s obligation to make sure all adult chaperones are aware of their responsibilities while at Discovery World.
Pre-booking is required. Lunch periods are pre-assigned and may be shared with other booked groups. Lunch periods are 25-minutes long and scheduled on the half-hour. Groups may be split into multiple lunch periods, if needed.
Groups must bring their own packed lunches. No catering, microwave use, or refrigeration is available.
An inherent risk of exposure to allergens exists in any public place where people are present, including our shared lunchroom.
It is a courtesy for us to store lunches and provide a free lunch space for groups. To remain so, we require assistance from each group by doing the following:
Groups that fail to comply with either of the above requirements will be invoiced a $50 service fee.
Confirmation materials will indicate an assigned entry location as either the Main Entrance or the West Pavilion Entrance.
Please note, Discovery World does not have bus parking available on-site. Please relay to bus driver(s) that they cannot park in our drives or lots or in the surrounding Milwaukee Art Museum drives or lots. The closest bus parking is available in the Veterans Park parking lot, located about a 10-15 minute walk from our building.
Once your bus arrives, please remain on it until your group is greeted by a Discovery World Staff Member.
The group leader will speak with the Discovery World Staff Member that greets them to check-in and to submit the group’s actual day of count of how many total students/children and how many total adults are in attendance. Having this information will get your group off on the right foot! Please come prepared with this exact count ready to relay to our staff upon arrival.
From there, we will:
Discovery World assumes no liability for lost, stolen, or damaged items. Please advise all attendees to leave valuable items at home.
We ask that groups please use stairs to move between exhibit floors as much as possible. If elevator usage is needed, please remind group members to not jump in them as they may become jammed for an extended period. Any group that causes the elevator to be jammed will be (a) invoiced for any service/maintenance fees that result from our elevator contractor to have it fixed and (b) will not be compensated for any missed programs that result.
The Gift Shop offers merchandise for purchase. As through the rest of the building, adult chaperones must stay with their assigned students/children and be actively involved in their supervision. Unattended minors will be asked to leave. If the Gift Shop is at capacity, groups may be asked to wait. Groups will be held responsible for any missing or damaged items.
To maintain order, safety, and cleanliness, we ask that an adult chaperone be posted outside restrooms while in use by their group. We strongly discourage unsupervised visits to the restroom by unattended minors.
Discovery World has an all-gender companion-assisted family restroom available with an adult weight lift table and height-adjusting sink.
If you have any more questions as you plan, please contact the Reservations Department by phone at 414-765-8625 (M-F, 8am-4pm) or by email at reservations@discoveryworld.org.
Have you read through all the information above and are ready to make a reservation? Great!
When you are ready, you can make a Group Visit reservation either by phone or online.
When you support Discovery World, you help us enhance our experience and enrich the quality of science education in Milwaukee and beyond. From caring for our creatures to feeding hungry minds, your donation makes all the difference.
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Mon-Tue: CLOSED
Wed-Sun: 9:00am-4:00pm
*Check our Calendar of Events for other closed dates and special hours.
500 N Harbor Dr
Milwaukee, WI 53202
