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1-800-767-1560School Tours – 2025 – 2026 Academic Year
2025 – 2026 Academic Year
Welcome to Tryon Palace! We are excited to offer your students an unforgettable journey into North Carolina’s history, culture, and natural world. For all the information you’ll need to plan a successful field trip, download our free Tryon Palace Field Trip Planning Guide for Educators.
Booking Your Visit
- Reservations Required: Our calendar fills quickly. We recommend booking at least four or more weeks in advance.
- Group tours are available Wednesday – Friday.
- To Reserve:
- Call Group Services at 252-639-3524.
- Final Payment: Students are free. Adult advance registration fees due in full on the day of your visit. The total charge will include sales tax.
- Prior to your visit to Tryon Palace: Please have a completed Tryon Palace Photo and Video Release Form for each student.
North Carolina’s tax laws–N.C. General Statute § 105-164.4(a)(10)- Jan. 1, 2015: Tryon Palace must charge sales tax on admissions, programs, and special events. The tax applied consists of the current state and county sales taxes.
Field Trip Options
Governor’s Pass
Grades: Offered for 4 – 6th grades and 8th-12th grades
Time: 2.5–3 hours
Late arrivals or shorter time commitments will result in shorter or reduced educational experiences.
Students: Free | Adults: $12; group rate available only with advance reservations.
Chaperone Ratio: 1 complimentary chaperone admission per 10 student tickets. 1:1 aides or required personnel per IEP/504 are not counted against free chaperone totals.
Includes:
- Guided tour of Tryon Palace and Kitchen and Stable Offices
- 21 acres of gardens
- Historical demonstrations
Curriculum Connections:
- 4th Grade: 4.B1, 4.C&G.1.1, 4.C&G.1.2, 4.G.1, 4.H.1
- 5th Grade: 5.C&G.2.1, 5.E.1.4, 5.G.1.2, 5.H.1
- 8th – 12th Grades: American History Course I: The Founding Principles; American History: The Founding Principles, Civics and Economics Course.
Gardens & Galleries Pass
Grades: Offered for K–3rd
Time: 2–3 hours
Late arrivals or shorter time commitments will result in shorter or reduced educational experiences.
Students: Free | Adults: $10; group rate available only with advance reservations.
Chaperone Ratio: 1 complimentary chaperone admission per 10 student tickets. 1:1 aides or required personnel per IEP/504 are not counted against free chaperone totals.
Includes:
- Regional History Museum and Pepsi Family Center
- 21 acres of gardens
Financial Assistance
- Tryon Palace Foundation Palace Scholars Field Trip Award. Assists Title I schools to offset transportation costs and substitute teacher fees.
- Learning Happens Here Field Trip Fund. North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (NC DNCR) in partnership with PBS North Carolina (PBS NC) provides reimbursements to public schools throughout North Carolina.
Accessibility
- Tryon Palace Gardens and the North Carolina History Center are wheelchair accessible.
- The first floor only of Tryon Palace is wheelchair accessible.
- The Kitchen Office and Stable Office are wheelchair accessible.
- Please inform us in advance of any students requiring accommodation.
- IEP/Behavioral Support: Contact us for adapted content, behavior-sensitive group pacing, or aides’ inclusion in the free chaperone ratio
Group Size Limits Quick-Reference
| Tour Option | Max Group Size (Students + Chaperones) | Includes |
| Governor’s Pass | 100 persons | Palace, Kitchen and Stable Offices, Gardens, additional activities. |
| Gardens & Galleries Pass | 80 persons | Gardens, Regional History Museum, Pepsi Family Center, Outdoor Play Area. (No Palace, Kitchen and Stable Offices.) |
If your group exceeds the max size for your chosen tour, you must book across multiple days. Financial assistance is available.
North Carolina’s tax laws–N.C. General Statute § 105-164.4(a)(10)- Jan. 1, 2015. Tryon Palace must charge sales tax on admissions, programs, and special events. The tax applied consists of the current state sales tax of 4.75 percent and the current Craven County tax of 2 percent.