Frequently Asked Questions...
What are the hours of operation?
CHOM is open Monday – Saturday, 9:30am – 5:00pm. The museum is closed Sundays and major holidays.
Are adults 18 years and older admitted to CHOM if they are not accompanying children under 18?
No.
Are children under 18 admitted to CHOM without being accompanied by an adult 18 years or older?
No. Note: there are occasional camps or drop-off programs available by pre-paid registration/reservation which offer special options.
Are you open on holidays?
CHOM is closed on major holidays.
Is admission charged?
Yes, general admission is charged. Members, as always, are admitted at no cost. Not a member? Buy a membership! Click on Membership for details.
What are admission prices?
Under 1 year: Free
1 – 64 years: $12
65+ years: $11
Military Discount: $1 off admissions current military ID
Museum Members with valid membership: Free
Do adults have to pay admission?
Yes, all visitors over 12 months of age pay admission. Of course, museum members are always admitted at no cost. We invite you to buy a membership! Click on Membership to learn how.
After paying admission, can I leave and return to the museum at no additional cost?
Yes. Ask at Admissions Desk for a Readmission Card; Readmission Cards are valid for same day use only and must be relinquished upon return.
May I bring snacks/meals for my children to the museum when I visit?
No. Food or drink items are not allowed in the museum. As water fountains have been turned off for safety and health during the pandemic, bottled water is sold in the Gift Shop, but must be consumed in the stroller parking area outside the exhibits.
Are masks required to enter the museum?
Masks are encouraged for everyone 2 years and older while visiting CHOM but currently not required. Note: Policies for face masks may change as needed.
Do Not Visit CHOM if you or a family member are sick.
How does CHOM clean and sanitize the exhibits and high-touch areas?
Deep cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting continue throughout the day. Electrostatic foggers are used twice a day and our staff and volunteers continuously disinfect and wipe exhibits with sanitizing wipes. Hand gels, hand wipes, and sanitizing spray stations are located throughout the museum along with sanitizing wipes for exhibit materials. Visitors are encouraged to use all of these and to wash hands frequently.
How long does it take to go through the museum?
As your visit is self-guided and is all hands-on play, your visit may be as long or as short as you wish to make it! School tours are entirely different; please click School Programs for that information.
Will my visit to CHOM be a guided tour?
CHOM is devoted to learning through play and your visit will be self-guided. School tours are entirely different – please
click on School Programs for that information.
Do you have exhibits for babies?
Yes! In fact, CHOM has an exhibit that’s perfect for babies! Once Upon a Farm was designed to provided developmentally
appropriate experiences best for newborns through 3 years of age.
Are there places to eat within walking distance of the museum?
Yes. A number of fast food, family and fine dining restaurants are located in Downtown Tuscaloosa near the museum.
Government Plaza is located in the block behind CHOM and offers pleasant outdoor seating for picnic lunches. River Road Park and Capitol Park also have picnic facilities. The City of Tuscaloosa beautifully maintains Riverwalk, a group of beautiful walking trails along the Black Warrior River connecting the picnic areas of River Road Park.
Are pets allowed in the museum?
Only certified or registered service animals are allowed in CHOM.
Do you offer group tours other than School Programs?
Yes. Please call and our receptionist will direct your call to the correct individual for
those reservations.
Where can I park? Are there parking restrictions that I should be aware of?
There is a free city parking deck located just one block from CHOM on 23rd Avenue and 7th Street. You may also park personal vehicles in any legal parking space downtown. On week days, parking is limited to two hours and $18 parking tickets are issued by the City of Tuscaloosa if time limit is exceeded. No parking is allowed by personal vehicles in the bus loading zone directly in front of the museum - tickets are issued by the City for violations. For information about bus parking for group and school tours, please click on School Programs.
Request for Photographs, Interviews and/or Surveys
Click here for details
CHOM is open Monday – Saturday, 9:30am – 5:00pm. The museum is closed Sundays and major holidays.
Are adults 18 years and older admitted to CHOM if they are not accompanying children under 18?
No.
Are children under 18 admitted to CHOM without being accompanied by an adult 18 years or older?
No. Note: there are occasional camps or drop-off programs available by pre-paid registration/reservation which offer special options.
Are you open on holidays?
CHOM is closed on major holidays.
Is admission charged?
Yes, general admission is charged. Members, as always, are admitted at no cost. Not a member? Buy a membership! Click on Membership for details.
What are admission prices?
Under 1 year: Free
1 – 64 years: $12
65+ years: $11
Military Discount: $1 off admissions current military ID
Museum Members with valid membership: Free
Do adults have to pay admission?
Yes, all visitors over 12 months of age pay admission. Of course, museum members are always admitted at no cost. We invite you to buy a membership! Click on Membership to learn how.
After paying admission, can I leave and return to the museum at no additional cost?
Yes. Ask at Admissions Desk for a Readmission Card; Readmission Cards are valid for same day use only and must be relinquished upon return.
May I bring snacks/meals for my children to the museum when I visit?
No. Food or drink items are not allowed in the museum. As water fountains have been turned off for safety and health during the pandemic, bottled water is sold in the Gift Shop, but must be consumed in the stroller parking area outside the exhibits.
Are masks required to enter the museum?
Masks are encouraged for everyone 2 years and older while visiting CHOM but currently not required. Note: Policies for face masks may change as needed.
Do Not Visit CHOM if you or a family member are sick.
How does CHOM clean and sanitize the exhibits and high-touch areas?
Deep cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting continue throughout the day. Electrostatic foggers are used twice a day and our staff and volunteers continuously disinfect and wipe exhibits with sanitizing wipes. Hand gels, hand wipes, and sanitizing spray stations are located throughout the museum along with sanitizing wipes for exhibit materials. Visitors are encouraged to use all of these and to wash hands frequently.
How long does it take to go through the museum?
As your visit is self-guided and is all hands-on play, your visit may be as long or as short as you wish to make it! School tours are entirely different; please click School Programs for that information.
Will my visit to CHOM be a guided tour?
CHOM is devoted to learning through play and your visit will be self-guided. School tours are entirely different – please
click on School Programs for that information.
Do you have exhibits for babies?
Yes! In fact, CHOM has an exhibit that’s perfect for babies! Once Upon a Farm was designed to provided developmentally
appropriate experiences best for newborns through 3 years of age.
Are there places to eat within walking distance of the museum?
Yes. A number of fast food, family and fine dining restaurants are located in Downtown Tuscaloosa near the museum.
Government Plaza is located in the block behind CHOM and offers pleasant outdoor seating for picnic lunches. River Road Park and Capitol Park also have picnic facilities. The City of Tuscaloosa beautifully maintains Riverwalk, a group of beautiful walking trails along the Black Warrior River connecting the picnic areas of River Road Park.
Are pets allowed in the museum?
Only certified or registered service animals are allowed in CHOM.
Do you offer group tours other than School Programs?
Yes. Please call and our receptionist will direct your call to the correct individual for
those reservations.
Where can I park? Are there parking restrictions that I should be aware of?
There is a free city parking deck located just one block from CHOM on 23rd Avenue and 7th Street. You may also park personal vehicles in any legal parking space downtown. On week days, parking is limited to two hours and $18 parking tickets are issued by the City of Tuscaloosa if time limit is exceeded. No parking is allowed by personal vehicles in the bus loading zone directly in front of the museum - tickets are issued by the City for violations. For information about bus parking for group and school tours, please click on School Programs.
Request for Photographs, Interviews and/or Surveys
Click here for details