School & Group Visits
The Hudson River Museum provides onsite museum tours, planetarium shows, and hands-on workshops for school, homeschool, Scout, college, adult, senior, and other groups.
Engage with art, science, and history in an informal learning environment, while developing skills in visual literacy, critical thinking, English language arts, creative problem solving, communication, and collaboration.
Thank you for your interest in the Hudson River Museum! We’re excited to welcome you and your group. To get started, please choose the type of group visit you are planning using the links below.
School group visit form
Scout group visit form
Adult & senior group visit form
Our onsite group visits are interactive, interdisciplinary, and inquiry-based, supporting NYS Learning Standards, as well as STEM and STEAM concepts, aligned with your current classroom curriculum. For information about summer camp groups, please visit our Camp Visits page.
![visit-school-group-visits-2024](https://www.hrm.org/wp-content/uploads/page/group-visits/visit-school-group-visits-2024-1200x910.jpg")
What We Offer
The Hudson River Museum offers a range of planetarium shows and guided museum tours catered to all ages from Pre-K students to adults. Shows and/or tours can be combined with a thematic, hands-on workshop. See below for details and pricing information.
School group visit
Scout group visit
Adult & senior group visit
Planetarium Shows
Planetarium shows are available Tuesday through Friday between 10am and 2pm, as well as select Saturdays and Sundays between 10am and 11am. They range in duration from 30–60 minutes, including a Q&A. A maximum of 120 people can participate in a planetarium show, including chaperones.
Assistive listening devices and lighting for your sign-language interpreter are available in the Planetarium, which is located on the main floor of the Museum and is wheelchair accessible.
Virtual planetarium shows, presented live by an educator, are available upon request. Contact Megan Byrnes at mbyrnes@hrm.org for more information.
Photo: Steven Paneccasio
Hazelnuts: In Search of the Perfect Planet
25 minutes, plus Q&A. Learn more →
Little Skywatchers: A Cosmic Adventure (LIVE!)
30 minutes, plus Q&A. Learn more →
Magic Tree House: Space Mission
25 minutes, plus Q&A. Learn more →
One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure
25 minutes, plus Q&A. Learn more →
The Stellars
28 minutes, plus Q&A. Learn more →
The Sky Tonight (LIVE!)
60 minutes, including Q&A. Learn more →
Asteroid: Mission Extreme
25 minutes, plus Q&A. Learn more →
Birth of Planet Earth
24 minutes, plus Q&A. Learn more →
Earth, Moon, and Sun
26 minutes, plus Q&A. Learn more →
Four Tales of the Sky
25 minutes, plus Q&A. Learn more →
The Great Solar System Adventure
25 minutes, plus Q&A. Learn more →
Legends of the Night Sky: Perseus and Andromeda
25 minutes, plus Q&A. Learn more →
Magic Tree House: Space Mission
25 minutes, plus Q&A. Learn more →
Moonbase: The Next Step
21 minutes, plus Q&A. Learn more →
Myths, Legends, and Travelers’ Tales (LIVE!)
60 minutes, including Q&A. Learn more →
Our Solar System (LIVE!)
60 minutes, including Q&A. Learn more →
The Sky Tonight (LIVE!)
60 minutes, including Q&A. Learn more →
The Stellars
28 minutes, plus Q&A. Learn more →
Tycho Goes to Mars
27 minutes, plus Q&A. Learn more →
We Are Aliens
26 minutes, plus Q&A. Learn more →
We Are Astronomers
25 minutes, plus Q&A. Learn more →
We Are Stars
26 minutes, plus Q&A. Learn more →
Asteroid: Mission Extreme
25 minutes, plus Q&A. Learn more →
Birth of Planet Earth
24 minutes, plus Q&A. Learn more →
Earth and Sky Science (LIVE!)
60 minutes, including Q&A. Learn more →
Four Tales of the Sky
25 minutes, plus Q&A. Learn more →
The Great Solar System Adventure
25 minutes, plus Q&A. Learn more →
Legends of the Night Sky: Perseus and Andromeda
25 minutes, plus Q&A. Learn more →
Moonbase: The Next Step
21 minutes, plus Q&A. Learn more →
Myths, Legends, and Travelers’ Tales (LIVE!)
60 minutes, including Q&A. Learn more →
Our Solar System (LIVE!)
60 minutes, including Q&A. Learn more →
The Sky Tonight (LIVE!)
60 minutes, including Q&A. Learn more →
We Are Aliens
26 minutes, plus Q&A. Learn more →
We Are Astronomers
25 minutes, plus Q&A. Learn more →
We Are Stars
26 minutes, plus Q&A. Learn more →
Asteroid: Mission Extreme
25 minutes, plus Q&A. Learn more →
Birth of Planet Earth
24 minutes, plus Q&A. Learn more →
Earth and Sky Science (LIVE!)
60 minutes including Q&A. Learn more →
Four Tales of the Sky
25 minutes, plus Q&A. Learn more →
The Great Solar System Adventure
25 minutes, plus Q&A. Learn more →
Legends of the Night Sky: Perseus and Andromeda
25 minutes, plus Q&A. Learn more →
Moonbase: The Next Step
21 minutes, plus Q&A. Learn more →
Myths, Legends, and Travelers’ Tales (LIVE!)
60 minutes, including Q&A. Learn more →
Our Solar System (LIVE!)
60 minutes, including Q&A. Learn more →
The Sky Tonight (LIVE!)
60 minutes, including Q&A. Learn more →
The Victorian’s Guide to the Galaxy
45 minutes, plus Q&A. Learn more →
We Are Aliens
26 minutes, plus Q&A. Learn more →
We Are Astronomers
25 minutes, plus Q&A. Learn more →
We Are Stars
26 minutes, plus Q&A. Learn more →
Museum Tours
Guided museum tours are available Tuesday through Friday between 10am and 2pm. They range in duration from 45–60 minutes. A maximum of 15–30 visitors can be accommodated in a museum tour at a time, depending on the tour selected. Galleries are wheelchair accessible.
Photo: Jeana Wunderlich
Museum Highlights Tour
Explore a selection of works currently on view throughout the Museum’s galleries on a tour that draws from both our permanent collection and special exhibitions.
Special Exhibitions Tour
Explore a selection of works currently on view in a special exhibition, including Exquisite Creatures (on view through January 31, 2027). See a full list of exhibitions here.
Landscapes and Cityscapes Tour
Take a closer look at landscapes and cityscapes in our permanent collection, including paintings by Hudson River School artists, and learn about the elements of landscape and cityscape painting and the relationship of figures to their surroundings.
Portraiture Tour
Learn about the art of portraiture and discover what it can reveal about the subject, as well as the time and community in which they lived.
Shapes and Patterns Tour
Discover the principles of art and design found throughout our campus and permanent collection.
Museum Highlights Tour
Explore a selection of works currently on view throughout the Museum’s galleries on a tour that draws from both our permanent collection and special exhibitions.
Special Exhibitions Tour
Explore a selection of works currently on view in a special exhibition, including Exquisite Creatures (on view through January 31, 2027). See a full list of exhibitions here.
Landscapes and Cityscapes Tour
Take a closer look at landscapes and cityscapes in our permanent collection, including paintings by Hudson River School artists, and learn about the elements of landscape and cityscape painting and the relationship of figures to their surroundings.
Myths and Stories Tour
Find the figures and images on view in our galleries that tell timeless tales of gods and heroes.
Portraiture Tour
Learn about the art of portraiture and discover what it can reveal about the subject, as well as the time and community in which they lived.
Shapes and Patterns Tour
Discover the principles of art and design found throughout our campus and permanent collection.
Museum Highlights Tour
Explore a selection of works currently on view throughout the Museum’s galleries on a tour that draws from both our permanent collection and special exhibitions.
Special Exhibitions Tour
Explore a selection of works currently on view in a special exhibition, including Exquisite Creatures (on view through January 31, 2027). See a full list of exhibitions here.
Landscapes and Cityscapes Tour
Take a closer look at landscapes and cityscapes in our permanent collection, including paintings by Hudson River School artists, and learn about the elements of landscape and cityscape painting and the relationship of figures to their surroundings.
Myths and Stories Tour
Find the figures and images on view in our galleries that tell timeless tales of gods and heroes.
Portraiture Tour
Learn about the art of portraiture and discover what it can reveal about the subject, as well as the time and community in which they lived.
Museum Highlights Tour
Explore a selection of works currently on view throughout the Museum’s galleries on a tour that draws from both our permanent collection and special exhibitions.
Special Exhibitions Tour
Explore a selection of works currently on view in a special exhibition, including Exquisite Creatures (on view through January 31, 2027). See a full list of exhibitions here.
Landscapes and Cityscapes Tour
Take a closer look at landscapes and cityscapes in our permanent collection, including paintings by Hudson River School artists, and learn about the elements of landscape and cityscape painting and the relationship of figures to their surroundings.
Portraiture Tour
Learn about the art of portraiture and discover what it can reveal about the subject, as well as the time and community in which they lived.
Thematic Workshops (Add-On)
Thematic workshops are only available as an add-on to a planetarium show or museum tour Tuesday through Friday between 10am and 2pm. They are not available on weekends. Workshops range from 45 minutes (Pre-K–Grade 1) to 60 minutes (Grades 2–12 and adults). 35 people can participate in a thematic workshop at a time, with a maximum total of 65 people. Classrooms are wheelchair accessible.
Photo: Steven Paneccasio
Colors of the Sky Workshop
Explore color theory, mix colors, and use collage techniques to make day and night skyscapes. Recommended with:
- The Sky Tonight (Planetarium Show)
Daily Planet Workshop
Make three-dimensional soft-sculpture models of planets, real and imaginary. Recommended with one of the following:
- Our Solar System (Planetarium Show)
- OR Tycho Goes to Mars (Planetarium Show)
- OR Hazelnuts: In Search of the Perfect Planet (Planetarium Show)
Dreamy Landscapes Workshop
Design your own landscape based on compositional elements observed in works of art, using watercolor paint. Recommended with:
- Landscapes and Cityscapes Tour (Museum Tour)
Portraiture and Identity Workshop
Learn about the elements that go into creating a portrait, then sketch a self-portrait using a mirror and fine art materials. Recommended with:
- Portraiture Tour (Museum Tour)
Shapes and Patterns Workshop
Create your own patterns inspired by our current exhibitions and decorations throughout the Museum’s campus. Recommended with one of the following:
- Shapes and Patterns Tour (Museum Tour)
- OR Special Exhibition Tour of Exquisite Creatures (Museum Tour)
Colors of the Sky Workshop
Explore color theory, mix colors, and use collage techniques to make day and night skyscapes. Recommended with one of the following:
- The Sky Tonight (Planetarium Show)
- Exhibition Tour of Collection Spotlight: The Hudson River School (Museum Tour)
Daily Planet Workshop
Make three-dimensional soft-sculpture models of planets, real and imaginary. Recommended with one of the following:
- Our Solar System (Planetarium Show)
- OR Tycho Goes to Mars (Planetarium Show)
- OR Hazelnuts: In Search of the Perfect Planet (Planetarium Show)
Drawing from Nature Workshop
Thinking like a scientist, draw and record your observations of locally gathered natural specimens. Study their characteristics hands-on, hypothesize, and learn about different habitats along the Hudson River. Recommended with one of the following:
- Exhibition Tour of Collection Spotlight: The Hudson River School (Museum Tour)
- OR Special Exhibition Tour of Exquisite Creatures (Museum Tour)
Moving Moon, Changing Moon Workshop
Discover the Earth-Moon-Sun relationship through movement, then create a three-dimensional moon phase model. Recommended with one of the following:
- Earth, Moon, and Sun (Planetarium Show)
- OR The Sky Tonight (Planetarium Show)
Shapes and Patterns Workshop
Create your own patterns inspired by our current exhibitions and decorations throughout the Museum’s campus. Recommended with one of the following:
- Shapes and Patterns Tour (Museum Tour)
- OR Special Exhibition Tour of Exquisite Creatures (Museum Tour)
Sky Legends Workshop
Create your own glow-in-the-dark constellations and use your imagination to write a story to match! Explore the basic elements of storytelling including character, setting, plot, and conclusion. Recommended with one of the following:
- Myths, Legends, and Travelers’ Tales (Planetarium Show)
- Four Tales of the Sky (Planetarium Show)
- Legends of the Night Sky: Perseus and Andromeda (Planetarium Show)
Colorful Creatures Workshop: The Science Behind the Color of Animals (NEW!)
Offered in conjunction with Exquisite Creatures (through January 2027), learn why animals and insects look the way they do, and why some are brightly colored while others aren’t. In this hands-on workshop, investigate the three Cs behind animal colors in nature—camouflage, cuteness, and confusion—and apply what you learn to create an insect of your own using color and pattern. Recommended with:
Special Exhibition Tour of Exquisite Creatures (Museum Tour)
Drawing from Nature Workshop
Thinking like a scientist, draw and record your observations of locally gathered natural specimens. Study their characteristics hands-on, hypothesize, and learn about different habitats along the Hudson River. Recommended with one of the following:
Exhibition Tour of Collection Spotlight: The Hudson River School (Museum Tour)
OR Special Exhibition Tour of Exquisite Creatures (Museum Tour)
Dreamy Landscapes Workshop
Design and paint your own watercolor landscape based on compositional elements observed in works of art on view. Recommended with:
Landscapes and Cityscapes Tour (Museum Tour)
Moving Moon, Changing Moon Workshop
Discover the Earth-Moon-Sun relationship through movement and complete a lunar-inspired design challenge. Recommended with one of the following:
Earth, Moon, and Sun (Planetarium Show)
OR The Sky Tonight (Planetarium Show)
Our Sun’s Family Workshop
Analyze information about various solar system objects and then model the work of astronomers by coming up with a classification scheme of your own. Be ready to explain your rationale. Recommended with:
Our Solar System (Planetarium Show) Original text: A customized live tour of the Solar System, from the Sun to the farthest comet, including the planets, a few of their moons, and the orbits in three dimensions.
Picturing America Workshop: Creating an American Identity Through Art (NEW!)
Use theater and visual art to reflect on American symbols and history, and create your own artistic response to the prompt “What America means to me.” Inspired by the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and Edward Hicks’s iconic painting Washington Passing the Delaware. Available through December 2026. Recommended with:
Exhibition Tour of Ever Becoming: Our Stories, Our America (Museum Tour)
Planet Detectives
Examine properties of solar system worlds that orbit around the sun, uncover clues in our new Orbits Discovery Boxes, and reveal the hidden planet. Recommended with one of the following:
Our Solar System (Planetarium Show)
OR The Great Solar System Adventure (Planetarium Show)
Pop Art Portraits Workshop (NEW!)
How does drawing help us to see familiar things and people in a new way? Experiment with color, scale, and cropping techniques to create unique self-portraits. Recommended with:
Special Exhibition Tour of Alex Katz: Out of Sight (Museum Tour)
Portraiture and Identity Workshop
Learn about the elements that go into creating a portrait, then sketch a self-portrait using a mirror and fine art materials. Recommended with:
Portraiture Tour (Museum Tour)
OR Special Exhibition Tour of Alex Katz: Out of Sight (Museum Tour)
Shapes and Patterns Workshop
Create your own patterns inspired by our current exhibitions and decorations throughout the Museum’s campus. Recommended with one of the following:
Shapes and Patterns (Museum Tour)
OR Special Exhibition Tour of Exquisite Creatures (Museum Tour)
Sky Legends Workshop
Create your own glow-in-the-dark constellations and use your imagination to write a story to match! Explore the basic elements of storytelling including character, setting, plot, and conclusion. Recommended with one of the following:
Myths, Legends, and Travelers’ Tales (Planetarium Show)
Four Tales of the Sky (Planetarium Show)
Legends of the Night Sky: Perseus and Andromeda (Planetarium Show)
NEW! Special Exhibition Tours and Workshops
Picturing America: Creating an American Identity Through Art (Grades 4-12 & Adult / Ages 9+) October 2026 – December 2026
Museum tour: Exploring America 250 Through Art
Workshop: Inspired by the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and Edward Hicks’ iconic painting Washington Passing the Delaware, students will use theater and visual art to reflect on American symbols and history and create their own artistic response to the prompt “What America Means to Me.”
Colorful Creatures: The Science Behind Animal Colors in Nature
October 2026–January 2027
Museum tour: Exquisite Creatures (Fall 2026)
Workshop: Why do animals and insects look the way they do, and why are some brightly colored when others aren’t? In this hands-on workshop, students will investigate the three Cs behind animal colors in nature – camouflage, cuteness, and confusion – and apply what they learn to create an insect using color and pattern. A hands-on experience inspired by the special exhibition. Details upon request.
Drawing from Nature
Museum tour: Hudson River School gallery OR Exquisite Creatures special exhibition (Fall 2026)
Workshop: Students are given hands-on access to specimens from the Museum’s teaching “touch collection.” Thinking like a scientist, students draw and record their observations of the locally gathered natural materials. They closely study their characteristics, hypothesize, and learn about different habitats along the Hudson River.
Dreamy Landscapes
Museum tour: Landscapes and Cityscapes
Workshop: Design your own landscape based on compositional elements observed in works of art, using watercolor paint.
Portraiture and Identity
Museum tour: Portraiture: People and Places in Time OR Alex Katz – Out of Sight: A Drawing Survey (Spring 2027)
Workshop: Learn about the elements that go into creating a portrait, then sketch a self-portrait using a mirror and fine art materials.
NEW! Pop Art Portraits (SPRING 2027!)
Museum tour: Alex Katz – Out of Sight: A Drawing Survey
Workshop: How does drawing help us to see familiar things and people in a new way? Students will experiment with color, scale, and cropping techniques to create unique self-portraits
Sky Legends
Planetarium show: Myths, Legends, and Travelers’ Tales (LIVE!) , OR Four Tales of the Sky, OR Legends of the Night Sky: Peseus and Andromeda
Workshop: Create your own glow-in-the-dark constellations and use your imagination to write a story to match! Students will explore the basic elements of storytelling including character, setting, plot, and conclusion. invent and illustrate their own myths inspired by works in the Museum’s collection and your imagination.
Planet Detectives
Planetarium show: Our Solar System (LIVE!) OR The Great Solar System Adventure
Workshop: Examine properties of solar system worlds that orbit around the sun, uncover clues in our new Orbits discovery boxes, and reveal the hidden planet.
Our Sun’s Family
Planetarium show: A customized live tour of the Solar System, from the Sun to the farthest comet, including the planets, a few of their moons, and the orbits in three dimensions.
Workshop: Students are given information about various Solar System objects and then tasked with putting them into categories of their own devising. They then model the work of astronomers as they come up with a rationale for their classification scheme.
Earth and Sky Science
Planetarium show: A customized live show that covers various earth science “physical setting” topics, including the cause of the seasons, the path of the Sun in different months and from different latitudes, and the climate of Earth compared to that of other planets.
Workshop: Groups create a simple model of the sky as seen from a particular spot on Earth, determining the length of the day at different dates, the highest point in the sky reached by the Sun, and other specifics for their assigned location.
A New Solar System (Grades 7–12 / Ages 12–18)
Planetarium show: A live show that covers the basics of the Solar System, then explores the emerging science of detecting and studying exoplanets – planets that have been discovered circling other stars.
Workshop: Working together in groups, students are given simulated data about a hypothetical exoplanet system andapply the data to determine the sizes and periods of the system’s planets, as well as whether or not the system’s planets have rings and moons. Groupscreate a nomenclature, or naming system, for the exoplanets, based on their observed characteristics.
NEW: Extreme Heat: Designing Shade Structures
Planetarium show: In the 45- to 60-minute live planetarium program, students will explore two main topics: the basics of the Earth’s climate system, which produce episodes of extreme heat, and how the path of the Sun changes over the course of a day and year, which will influence how the students design their shade structure prototypes in the accompanying workshop.
Workshop: In this workshop, students will work together in groups to identify a location in their neighborhood hometown that suffers from a lack of comfortable shade in the warmer months and create a prototype of a shade structure by plotting the changing angle of the sun’s path over the course of a summer’s day.
NEW! Picturing America: Creating an American Identity Through Art October 2026 – December 2026
Museum tour: Exploring America 250 Through Art
Workshop: Inspired by the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and Edward Hicks’ iconic painting Washington Passing the Delaware, students will use theater and visual art to reflect on American symbols and history and create their own artistic response to the prompt “What America Means to Me.”
NEW! Colorful Creatures: The Science Behind Animal Colors in Nature
October 2026–January 2027
Museum tour: Exquisite Creatures
Workshop: Why do animals and insects look the way they do, and why are some brightly colored when others aren’t? In this hands-on workshop, students will investigate the three Cs behind animal colors in nature – camouflage, cuteness, and confusion – and apply what they learn to create an insect using color and pattern.
NEW! Pop Art Portraits (SPRING 2027!)
Museum tour: Alex Katz – Out of Sight: A Drawing Survey
Workshop: How does drawing help us to see familiar things and people in a new way? Students will experiment with color, scale, and cropping techniques to create unique self-portraits.
Drawing from Nature
Museum tour: Hudson River School gallery OR Exquisite Creatures special exhibition (Fall 2026)
Workshop: Students are given hands-on access to specimens from the Museum’s teaching “touch collection.” Thinking like a scientist, students draw and record their observations of the locally gathered natural materials. They closely study their characteristics, hypothesize, and learn about different habitats along the Hudson River.
Dreamy Landscapes
Museum tour: Landscapes and Cityscapes
Workshop: Design your own landscape based on compositional elements observed in works of art, using watercolor paint.
Portraiture and Identity
Museum tour: Portraiture: People and Places in Time OR Alex Katz – Out of Sight: A Drawing Survey (Spring 2027)
Workshop: Learn about the elements that go into creating a portrait, then sketch a self-portrait using a mirror and fine art materials.
Pricing
1-Part Experience
One planetarium show or one guided museum tour costs $250 for up to 20 attendees, PLUS $8 per additional attendee. The required number of chaperones, which includes teachers and school staff, is free of charge. Additional chaperones are $7 each.
2-Part Experience
A combination of one planetarium show, one guided museum tour, and/or one hands-on workshop costs $350 for up to 20 attendees, PLUS $11.50 per additional attendee. The required number of chaperones, which includes teachers and school staff, is free of charge. Additional chaperones are $7 each. The maximum capacity for a 2-part experience is 65 participants.
3-Part Experience
A combination of planetarium show(s), guided tour(s) and/or workshop(s) costs $400 for up to 20 attendees, PLUS $15.50 per additional attendee. The required number of chaperones, which includes teachers and school staff, is free of charge. Additional chaperones are $7 each.
Please note, ONLY Title 1 schools are eligible and encouraged to reach out for special discounted rates.
School group visit form
Scout group visit form
Adult & senior group visit form
Chaperones
For students Pre-K through Grade 1 (ages 4–7), 1 chaperone is required for every 5 students. For students Grades 2 and up (ages 8+), 1 chaperone is required for every 10 students. Chaperones, who include teachers and school staff, are responsible for their students at all times.
Lunch Space
If you are interested in reserving a space for lunch, classrooms may be reserved at an additional cost: $50/hour for 1–60 people; $100/hour for 61–90 people. Please note, if your visit is scheduled during your class’s regular snack time, please adjust the timing so that snack is completed prior to arrival at the museum, or reserve a lunch room after your program concludes. Students cannot eat in the Museum Lobby.
Reservations
Advance reservations are required. To lock in a program date, a 50% deposit must be made and confirmed by the Museum no less than four weeks prior to the visit. Due to high demand, we recommend booking at least six weeks in advance. The remaining balance is due the day of the visit. Please note that submission of a tour request form does not guarantee a reservation.
Cancellations
Any requests to reschedule or cancel must be made in writing via email to Megan Byrnes at mbyrnes@hrm.org at least two weeks prior to your confirmed visit date in order to set a new date that is mutually acceptable, or to receive a refund or credit. In the case of inclement weather, all attempts will be made to reschedule your visit. Any group that fails to follow these requirements will forfeit the deposit.
