Student Field Trips

Bring your students to Old Salem for a fun-filled day of history, learning, and exploration!

Ready to book? Click here to fill out our Student Field Trip Request form.

How to Book

1.) From the programs listed, determine which is the best fit for your group.

2.) Pick 3 potential dates for your field trip, in correspondence with the days your preferred program is available.

3.) Fill out the reservation request form on this page! A member of our team will be in touch with you shortly.

Field Trip Programs

Footsteps Through History

Wednesday – Friday

The traditional Footsteps Through History tour is self-guided and takes approximately 3 hours to complete. With venues ranging from homes to trade shops, this tour includes access to ALL of our historic buildings as well as the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA) housed in Old Salem. Upon entering each space, our costumed educators will greet you and guide you through the space. They will interpret the history, perform trades, and answer any questions!

Hands-On History

Wednesdays

The Hands-On History program combines our classic Footsteps tour of our historic district with three guided, behind-the-scenes, hands-on activities. The activities rotate frequently but always include one culinary, one textile, and one classroom activity. Rooted in the Moravian educational philosophy that “all play has purpose“, these tours make history interactive, memorable, and relevant.
Please note that total students cannot exceed 110 for participation in this program.

Science Alive!

September 24-25 | October 8-9

Science Alive blends North Carolina science standards with exploration. This tour includes entry to all of our historic buildings, which will feature science-themed interpretation as well as hands-on interactive activities. Activities are designed for grades 3-8, and include concepts from horticulture, meteorology, and more!
Thank you to Novant Health for sponsoring our Science Alive! program.

Miksch House demonstration

Access Program

Wednesday – Friday

For the past two school years, Old Salem has had the pleasure of welcoming thousands of WSFCS Title I students at reduced or no cost to them. If you work for or with a WSFCS Title I school, you may be eligible for this program!

Homeschool Days

August 21 | September 11 | October 28 | November 25

We welcome homeschool families year-round, but for those looking for a more personalized museum experience, our Homeschool Days are for you! On these dates, large public school groups are not booked. This allows for a different flow that better accommodates smaller groups.
Homeschool families and co-ops may purchase tickets at the Group Tours rate typically reserved for groups of 12 or more, regardless of group size! These tickets will be purchased at the Visitor Center upon your arrival – no call or reservation necessary!
Homeschool groups of 12+ are welcome to submit a field trip request form for any available dates, but are also welcome to join us reservation-free on the Homeschool Days listed above.

Frequently Asked Questions

There is no upper limit to the size of your total student group! Our student field trips are available for group sizes 12+. If you have less than 12 students attending, no reservation is necessary and we invite you to join us during any of our open hours at our standard ticket rates.

We recommend allotting 2.5-3.5 hours for the semi-guided walking tour. This provides access to all of our historic interpreted buildings as well as the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts.

Our tours are semi-guided, meaning you will travel between buildings with your group at the speed and in the order that works best for you! Once you enter each interpreted building, our costumed educators will demonstrate trades, interpret the history, and answer any questions you or your students may have while guiding you through the building.

Any absentee students will be provided with a Student Ticket Voucher that is redeemable for 1 year.

Standard Pricing

Footsteps through History

Hands-on History

Science Alive!

Additional Adult

$12

$18

$15

$26

Holiday Pricing (begins November 11, 2026)

Holiday Footsteps through History

Holiday Hands-on History

Science Alive!

Holiday Additional Adult

$14

$20

unavailable

$36

Please note that these prices are pre-tax, and the order total will include a 7% state and county tax.

Adult tickets remain at the same price regardless of the field trip program. 1 complimentary adult ticket will be provided per 12 student tickets in the order to ensure there is a minimum 1:12 chaperone to student ratio maintained.

Additional chaperones not on the sales order may purchase tickets the morning of the trip at our Visitor Center, at the standard rate of $30 or $40 during the holiday season.

Payment is due at least 30 days prior to the date of the trip, via check or card.

  • If your group brings lunch, you are welcome to store them in the Visitor Center during your tour or leave them on the bus. The buses remain parked at the Visitor Center during your trip.
  • Upon arrival, our team will confirm what time you plan for your students to eat lunch.
  • There is ample outdoor seating at the Visitor Center, but your group is welcome to eat inside the building in the event of inclement weather.

Additional questions? Please give our Group Tours team a call at (336) 499-7960!

Student Field Trip Request Form

Please note that the Hands on History program is only available on Wednesdays, and the Science Alive program is available on specific dates listed.
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School or Organization Mailing Address(Required)
Bookkeeper(Required)
Individual responsible for submitting payment for the trip.
Day-Of Contact(Required)
Individual responsible for finalizing headcount and date selection for the trip, who will be present in Old Salem on the date of the trip.
Estimated Arrival(Required)
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Estimated Departure(Required)
:
We provide 1 complimentary adult ticket per 12 student tickets on the invoice.
Share how many total staff members from your school or group will be joining.
Share how many non-staff adults plan to attend, if any.
Chaperone Invoicing(Required)
Bus parking is available at our Visitor’s Center, where they will remain for the duration of your trip.
Please indicate how many cars will be accompanying your group, if any.
Shopping is available in the Visitor’s Center as well as the Winkler Bakery.
We are dedicated to achieving the highest degree of access for all visitors. Please let us know of any specific needs so that we may accommodate them accordingly!