The State of New Jersey does not currently require indoor masking for visitors and staff in state buildings.
Science. History. Art. With holdings of more than two million artifacts, explore collections in natural and cultural history, archaeology and ethnography, and fine art at the New Jersey State Museum. Take a tour, participate in hands-on activities, enjoy a lecture, see a planetarium show, interact with scientists working on real fossils, or browse the galleries. Get to know more about New Jersey and its place in the world!
The New Jersey State Museum is located at 205 West State Street in Trenton, within walking distance of the State House. Overlooking the Delaware River, the Museum is midway between New York and Philadelphia.
Free parking is available on weekends in lots adjacent to the Museum and on the street in front of the Museum. Weekdays metered street parking is available, along with a limited number of free visitor spots in the nearby State House garage.
Address: 205 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 08608
Main Museum Building
205 West State Street, Trenton
Tuesday – Sunday: 9 am to 4:45 pm
Galleries begin closing at 4:30 pm
Planetarium
Saturday and Sunday: 9 am to 4:45 pm
Show times: 12:00, 1:00, 2:00 & 3:00
Visit the Calendar of Events for current show titles
Auditorium Galleries temporarily closed.
Closed Mondays & State Holidays
Museum general admission is free; donations to the New Jersey State Museum Foundation gratefully accepted. Foundation revenue supports the Museum’s collections, exhibitions and programs.
Planetarium Admission
Adults: $10.00
Children 12 and under: $5.00
Seniors 65 and over: $1 off
Members: $2.00 off per ticket
Groups of 15 or more: $5.00 per person
Planetarium tickets are purchased in the Planetarium Box Office, located on the lower level.
We participate in the Blue Star program (Memorial Day – Labor Day.) Active duty military members and up to four family members are admitted free with ID. Active duty Military members with ID are free year-round.
All facilities are accessible to visitors with physical disabilities.
The New Jersey State Museum welcomes all kinds of groups. If you are a school or camp group you will find the full list of offerings and information in the LEARN section of the website.
Admission to the Museum is free and you do not need advanced reservations to explore the galleries on your own. Guided tours are available Tuesday-Friday by reservation only for groups of 15 or more.
If you would like to add on a program for your group we have a variety of options available:
Planetarium shows are available by reservation only Tuesday-Friday from September to June. To reserve seats in the Planetarium for the group rate of $5.00 per person (groups of 15 or more) contact reservations at (609) 292-1382 or email njsm.reservations@sos.nj.gov.
Groups may attend weekend public shows without a reservation; payment is accepted at the box office upon arrival.
To purchase take-and-make activity kits for your group to make art, explore Lenape culture or identify fossils contact reservations at (609) 292-1382 or email njsm.reservations@sos.nj.gov. Kits are available in bundles of 25, include digital worksheets and instructions and are $75.00 per bundle. Kits can be picked up at the Museum during your visit.
Groups that would like to have a guest speaker at their next meeting or gathering may choose from the following virtual options:
$5.00 per person
New Jersey abounds with fossils! Paleontologist Dr. Dana Ehret shares exciting fossil discoveries from throughout the state, what fossils tell us about ancient ecosystems, and all of the challenges paleontologist face in this adventurous field.
$5.00 per person
How do artifacts help archaeologists understand the lives of prehistoric humans? Archaeologist Dr. Gregory Lattanzi leads this exploration of the unique artifacts found here, and what they tell us about the lifestyle of New Jersey’s first people.
Call (609) 292-1382 or email njsm.reservations@sos.nj.gov to book a program. Payment is due when you place your order. We accept Visa, MasterCard and Discover.
While food services in the city are currently limited due to the impact of COVID-19, we invite you to pack snacks or lunch and have a picnic at the tables in front of the Museum. You can also visit the list of restaurants on Downtown Trenton's website https://www.trenton-downtown.com/listing-category/food to find dining options.