Field Trips
Experience interdisciplinary Texas.
Explore history, science, language arts, ESL, the arts, and many other stories of Texas through the Bullock Museum's field trip program.
Plan Your Field Trip
What do you want to do and see when you get here?
With three floors of exhibitions and two theaters, there is something for every grade level and subject area.
Bring your students on a learning expedition at the Museum to spark curiosity, practice close-looking skills, and enhance classroom learning. Museum Education staff members are happy to help plan your field trip and can suggest itineraries based on your needs. Download our TEKS-aligned exhibition and film activity guides to use at the Museum and curriculum resources to use in your classroom. You'll find great suggestions to tie your Museum experiences to classroom activities.
Be sure to make plans to eat lunch on the Capitol Mall, the shaded picnic tables, or on the bus. The Star Cafe offers group lunch orders that will be ready for you when it is time to eat. Add in a visit to the Museum Store to shop for souvenirs and classroom resources. Join the Educator Reward Program to earn credit when your students shop.
Book a Visit
Reservations for the 2023–2024 school year are open.
Please direct any questions to Reservations@TheStoryofTexas.com or call the Teacher Hotline at (512) 463-6712.
Make a Reservation
Reservations for the 2023–2024 school year are open. Consider planning a trip to the Museum in the fall, as schedules fill quickly in the spring.
Field Trip arrival time slots are offered on the hour from 10:00–4:00 p.m. We suggest a 3-hour visitation window to experience all the Museum has to offer. Our Education team can help you plan the most effective use of your time based on your goals.
We suggest a ratio of 1 chaperone to 10 students. To ensure that your group's chaperones will be able to participate in the field trip, please include their numbers when making your reservation.
Please note: There is no bus parking near the Museum; the bus will need to leave the downtown Capitol Complex area after drop off. Your bus driver will not be able to serve as a chaperone or lead field trip contact during the Museum field trip.
Adult groups should make their reservations by visiting our Group Visits page.
To make a reservation, please have the following information handy:
- school/organization name, contact information, district, and grade level
- lead field trip contact's name, phone number, and email address
- preferred and alternate dates and arrival times for visit
- estimated number of students/youth, teachers, and chaperones (we suggest 1 adult per 10 students/youth)
- any special needs
- lunch plans (plan to bring lunch or order from The Star Cafe and eat outside on the Capitol Mall, shaded picnic tables, or on the bus).
Field Trip Rates
- There must be at least 10 students or youths in your group
- Reservations must be made at least 2 weeks in advance
| School Field Trip Rate Public schools, private schools, charter schools, and homeschool organizations |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Exhibitions - 3 floors 30 mins/floor |
IMAX® Theatre 45 mins |
Texas Spirit Theater 15–30 mins |
|
| Student | FREE | $5 | $4 |
| Teacher | FREE | $6 | $5 |
| Chaperone | $12 | $8 | $6 |
| Youth Field Trip Rate Daycares, educational organizations, camps |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Exhibitions - 3 floors 30 mins/floor |
IMAX® Theatre 45 mins |
Texas Spirit Theater 15–30 mins |
|
| Under 18 Youth | $5 | $5 | $4 |
| Over 18 Adult | $12 | $8 | $6 |
Visiting the Bullock Texas State History Museum is always my 1st graders' favorite field trip! The whole museum is interactive and fun for all ages. Texas teacher
Apply for Scholarships
Scholarships provide free admission to films.
Scholarships are available on a first-come, first-served basis to qualifying groups demonstrating needs. Our scholarship coordinator will assist with the application process after you complete the online reservation form and indicate interest in the scholarship.
Scholarships are currently available for Texas Spirit Theater films and IMAX® documentary films.
Educator Preview Visit
Use an Educator Preview Visit to test out lesson plans, scope out the current exhibits, and check out film options before your trip.
To receive waived exhibition admission and tickets to educational films, show your school ID badge at the Ticketing Counter and tell the attendant you're here for an Educator Preview Visit.
Experience Films
Don't just see films—experience them.
Sit in the huge IMAX® Theatre in front of a screen the size of Texas and become part of stunning giant-screen documentaries about distant countries, space, oceans, animals, and many other amazing places and events. Check out the Educator Guides for the films to use in your classroom.
In the multisensory special effects Texas Spirit Theater, watch as Texas history steps out on stage in The Star of Destiny, an epic saga about Texas's past, present, and future. Or, experience the story of La Belle as seen through the eyes of a young colonist in Shipwrecked. Out of an abundance of caution, some effects that interact with the audience have been made inactive, but there are still plenty of multisensory effects to enjoy. Check the film schedule for dates and showtimes.
Special Days for Students
American Indian Heritage Day
This annual event celebrating the indigenous cultures of Texas is held on the last Friday in September. This special day features hands-on activities and dancing and drumming performances at the Museum, as well as on-demand digital resources that you can use to celebrate virtually at home or at school. Vist the event page for more information and classroom resources.
STEAM Lab
Select Thursdays
10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Explore how scientific discoveries have influenced history. On select Thursdays each month, see our educators and STEAM experts from Central Texas Discover Engineering demonstrate the workings of nature and participate in hands-on activities and experiments.
2023–2024 dates: October 12, November 9, December 7, January 11, February 8, March 7, April 4, May 2, June 6, July 11, August 8
Homeschool Days
Four times a year, Homeschool families can take part in free days reserved just for them, full of hands-on learning activities, special programs, and discounted rates for IMAX® Theatre and Texas Spirit Theater films.
2023–2024 dates: October 11, December 8, January 26, March 29
The Bullock Museum reserves the right to ask an individual to leave the premises if their behavior is deemed inappropriate, disruptive, or at risk of causing harm to the Museum premises, artifacts, other guests, or staff. Disruptive behavior by visitor(s) may also cause their group to be asked to leave. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in ensuring that everyone has an enjoyable visit.
School Field Trips presented by The John M. O'Quinn Foundation.
School Programs are generously funded by Featured sponsor The Marie M. and James H. Galloway Foundation, Supporting sponsor The Lange Family Foundation, and Contributing sponsors Bella and Chase Cooley, Dian Graves Owen Foundation, The Honorable Kent R. Hance, and Roger and Marianne Staubach.
The Bullock Museum, a division of the Texas State Preservation Board, is funded by Museum members, donors, and patrons, the Texas State History Museum Foundation, and the State of Texas.