All facilities are accessible to visitors with physical disabilities. See below for specific accommodations and information.

Visitors with mobility issues are encouraged to use the Planetarium entrance to navigate a short walk up a slight incline to the Planetarium doors, which feature button-activated door openers. Visitors who display a handicapped plate or placard may park directly in front of the Planetarium entrance in designated spots. Access the Planetarium entrance via West State Street or Barrack Street, in the back of the Museum. To enter the Museum parking lot from Barrack Street/Memorial Drive, enter the long driveway next to the field and across from the War Memorial building. Pass the guard house, continue down the driveway, past the garage, to the Museum parking lot.

Visitors arriving from West State Street will have a long flat walkway to the main entrance that features button-activated door openers.

Below is a floorplan of the building (handouts of this map are also available at the front desk in the museum's lobby).

Floorplans

The museum has four levels with the main entrance on Level 1 and the Planetarium entrance on the Lower Level. Two elevators are available on every level and include both a standard size and a larger freight elevator.

The museum has four sets of gendered bathrooms: one set in the main lobby on the Level 1, two sets on the Lower Level and one set on Level 3. Each of these bathrooms have button activated doors and wheelchair accessible stalls with changing tables in all women’s bathrooms. There is also a family or all gender restroom on the Lower Level that is wheelchair accessible and has a changing table but does not have a button-activated door.

The Museum permits food and drink only in Riverview Court on Level 1. There is a vending machine at the entrance to River View. Drinking fountains are available on every level that has bathrooms.

Manual and electric wheelchairs are welcome in all areas of the museum. One manually operated wheelchair is available free of charge, on a first-come, first-served basis. Please ask the front desk attendant in the main lobby for assistance.

Service dogs are welcome.

A Social story to help you prepare for your visit to the New Jersey State Museum.

Select Spanish Language Planetarium shows are available by reservation for groups or on the 4th weekend of the month for the public. For more information. Visitor Maps are also available in English and Spanish.

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the Museum and Planetarium via DOS-Guest. The Lower Level signal can be weak due to the cement block walls.

There are tables and chairs in Riverview Court and cushioned seating in the main lobby and on Level 3. Bench seating is available in most galleries. Small collapsible stools are available free of charge, on a first-come, first-served basis. Please ask the front desk attendant in the main lobby for assistance.

Each level of the Museum is flat and contains several galleries. Elevators are available to access all levels and galleries.

Some galleries may occasionally have low light levels to protect the artworks. Artworks may be placed on floor platforms or have stanchions placed in front of or surrounding them for their protection.

The Written in the Rocks gallery on Level 2 has some touchable objects including rocks and fossils, all touchable objects are clearly labeled. The Pretty Big Things gallery on Level 3 has two touchable activities exploring quilting and cabinet making as well as several other interactive panels. The New Jersey’s Original People gallery on the Lower Level has two touchable activities related to woodland period pottery as well as several other interactive panels.

There is one ramp leading from the Museum to the Planetarium lobby. The Planetarium has low light levels throughout the lobby, exhibit walkway and theater space.

The photography exhibit in the lobby has both English and Spanish labels. The theater does have wheelchair accommodations.

Assisted Listening Devices: The Planetarium is equipped with a Listen Technologies 72 MHz Stationary RF Transmitter and four sets of Listen Technologies Receivers with Ear Speakers. The Receiver may also be used for Direct Audio Input by 3.5 mm audio jack into a personal Assistive Listening Device. Please let us know if you are interested in these accommodations.

The planetarium is a dark environment with overhead motion and occasional loud sounds during a show. Some show scenes have a strobing effect that may affect photosensitive viewers. If you are concerned, you can reach out to the Planetarium to ask about specific shows and accommodations.

Contact Assistant Curator Jacob Hamer at Jacob.hamer@sos.nj.gov

The New Jersey State Museum welcomes groups of all abilities for tours. Tour structure and content can be customized to meet your group’s needs and objectives. Guided tours are available Tuesday-Friday by reservation only for groups of 15 or more. We are glad to discuss any questions you have about access or accommodations. Find out more about tour options here.

Questions or accommodation requests? Contact Assistant Curator Devra Hock-Reid at devra.hock-reid@sos.nj.gov