Tours & Group Visits
In-Person and Virtual School Tours
Private Tours
Independent Tours
Public Tours
Tours for Visitors with Special Needs
Audio Tour
Public Transportation Options
In-Person and Virtual School Tours
The Museum offers limited, free In-Person and Virtual School Tours for grades 5–12 led by Museum Educators. We also offer free Self-Guided School Tours for teachers to lead their own students through the Museum. Learn more about these programs and request a tour for your students.
Private Tours
Private tours of the galleries and gardens provide a unique and intimate way to experience the Norton Simon Museum’s magnificent art collections. Conducted by professional Museum educators, private tours can be scheduled any day of the week during open hours, as per availability. Learn more about private tours and request a private tour.
Independent Tours
The Museum permits independent tour operators to guide groups of fifteen or fewer guests through the Museum during public hours. If you are planning an independent tour, please submit an online request.
- Tours must be conducted in groups of 15 or less. Please submit an online request at least two weeks in advance of your visit. Groups who do not submit an online request may be turned away. Groups of more than 15 people will be asked to divide into smaller groups.
- Tour buses are to unload passengers on Colorado Boulevard adjacent to the Museum. Buses may then park on Colorado Boulevard or on Walnut Street, as city signs permit. Buses are not permitted to unload passengers or park in the Museum parking lot. Security personnel are available to provide assistance.
- If tour operators are paying onsite for their group visit, members of the group must wait outside until payment is made.
- To make arrangements for boxed group lunches, please contact the Museum Garden Café at 626.844.6970 two weeks prior to your visit.
Independent Tour Request Form
If you wish to request more than one tour, please fill out a separate form for each tour you are requesting.
Public Tours
The Museum offers public tours of the collection and exhibitions regularly. Space is limited and visitors sign up on a first-come, first-served basis at the Information Desk. Visit our Calendar of Events for upcoming public tours.
Tours for Visitors with Special Needs
The Museum offers tours for visitors with special needs with advance notice. Learn more here.
Audio Tour
The Museum has developed an award-winning audio tour that gives visitors a stimulating and engaging way to connect with the Norton Simon collections. Approximately 400 artworks are featured on the highlights tour in both English and Spanish. The Children's Tour—also in English and Spanish—offers lively commentary, engaging questions and even the occasional joke, touching on approximately 45 artworks.
The audio tour is available for free using your smartphone and headphones. Listen online
Public Transportation Options
Pasadena Transit: The City of Pasadena provides a shuttle bus to transport passengers through the Pasadena Playhouse district, the Lake Avenue shopping district and Old Pasadena. A shuttle stop is located in front of the Museum. Please visit the Pasadena Transit for schedules.
Metro Bus: The Metro bus line #180 stops in front of the Museum. Please visit Metro for schedules.
Metro Rail: The Memorial Park Station on the Metro Gold Line, the closest Metro Rail station to the Museum, is located at 125 E. Holly St. at Arroyo Parkway. Please visit Metro for schedules.