Know Before You Go

Reopening FAQs

When will the museum reopen?

The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures will reopen on Tuesday, July 7, 2020 with our regular schedule of museum hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 9am–4pm.

All visits will now require a dated and timed ticket to ensure we limit the number of guests in the building at any given time to accommodate physical distancing.

What safety measures will the museum put in place?

• Museum capacity will be greatly reduced to allow for abundant physical distancing. A maximum of 40 tickets will be sold every two hours per 10,000 square feet of exhibit space. All visits will require a dated and timed ticket. 
• To limit exposure risks to our staff and visitors, we are encouraging the use of contact-less payments through advanced online ticket sales.  
• All museum staff and volunteers must wear a mask or face covering over their nose and mouth when at the museum.
• All staff and volunteers will undergo temperature checks prior to the start of their shifts.
• In accordance with the Pima County Health Department, we are adhering to a strict sanitation schedule of all common areas, galleries, bathrooms, the store, lobby and reception area, and all high-touch points throughout the museum. Our daily sanitation log will be available for public view.
• Museum staff and volunteers will adhere to frequent hand-washing regimens, and hand sanitizer will be provided throughout the museum.
• High-touch gallery interactives and resources will be removed until further notice.
• In accordance with current health mandates, our public drinking fountain will be unavailable until further notice. Visitors will still be allowed to bring their own water, as long as the lid is secured and they drink only in the lobby area. As always, no other beverages or food are allowed.

What safety measures must I follow when visiting the museum?

• Please do not come to the museum if you are feeling sick.
• All visitors over the age of two must wear a mask or face covering over their nose and mouth when visiting the museum.
• Visitors will be required to maintain a safe physical distance of at least 6’ from other visiting parties while at the museum. This does not apply to families or groups that are visiting together.
• Visitors will be asked to reduce contact by being mindful of touching glass and other surfaces. Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the museum.
• Please follow any directional signage in the galleries to limit traffic in narrow spaces.

These health and safety precautions are in addition to our regular museum policies. The museum reserves the right to refuse service to those who do not comply with our policies. By visiting The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures you agree to abide by our policies and procedures and voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19.

How can I purchase tickets?

Tickets can be purchased online here. Limited quantities of tickets will be available for purchase in two-hour time blocks to limit capacity in the building at any given time, allowing guests to partake in safe physical distancing practices. Tickets will be released in increments of two weeks. If you are looking to visit at a later date than what is available, please check back.

Unable to purchase tickets online? We can help! Please call us at 520-881-0606.

Tickets can be purchased in-person at the museum only if there are available tickets. Those attempting to purchase tickets in person may need to return for their visit at a later date and time.

PLEASE NOTE: Admission Tickets are non-refundable. Please contact us if you need to reschedule your tickets.

I am a Museum Member. Do I need to reserve a dated and timed ticket?

Yes. Although your admission will have no cost, members will still need to reserve a dated and timed ticket for their visit. Members can reserve tickets here.

PLEASE NOTE: Members must Sign In when ‘purchasing’ tickets to activate their complimentary member admission rate.

At the top right of the ticket purchasing page are buttons to Register or Sign In. Members must first complete the one-time registration process and then sign in to activate their free admission discount.

Need help? Please call us at 520-881-0606.

Will my museum membership expiration be extended for the amount of time the museum was closed?

Yes. All active memberships have been automatically extended for the period of time that the museum was closed due to COVID-19.

What discounts are available? Can I use museum passes or gift certificates?

Currently, the only admission discounts we are able to provide are the Museums for All and Tucson Attractions Savings Passport discounts.

Under the Museums for All program at our museum, visitors who present a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, or an Arizona WIC EBT card (i.e. eWIC card), and a valid form of photo ID may visit for the reduced admission price of $1 per person (up to six people). Please follow the directions on the online ticketing page to access the Museums for All discount if you qualify.

If you plan to use the Tucson Attractions Savings Passport, you will need to purchase your tickets in-person, subject to availability. Please bring your Savings Passport with you.

At this time, we will not be able to accept TMTM Admit One Free Admission Passes. These passes never expire, please save them for future use.

If you are a social service organization that has a prior admission agreement with us, please contact Michael Muscarello at michaelm@theminitimemachine.org to arrange tickets for your constituents.

We are still accepting gift certificates for tickets and store merchandise. Gift certificates must be surrendered on the day that they are redeemed. You may purchase tickets in-person with your gift certificate, subject to availability.

What happens if I can no longer attend during my ticketed time block?

To help us manage capacity, it is important to arrive during your time block. Guests that miss their time should retain their original ticket and can reschedule it for a future date and time by calling the museum at 520-881-0606 or emailing Emily Wolverton at emilyw@theminitimemachine.org. Refunds will not be allowed for missed entry times.

If I arrive early, can I enter before the time on my ticket?

We appreciate your efforts to arrive on time and even early. However, in order to limit the number of guests in the building, we will not be able to allow for early entry. Thank you for understanding.

What can I expect during my visit?

There may be a line when entering the museum. Please remember you will need to maintain at least 6’ distance from other parties while waiting in line.

Please expect that Art Carts and other gallery interactives have been discontinued or disabled until further notice.

The Mini Theater will be closed until further notice.

We suggest bringing your own headphones and web-enabled mobile device to use with our Audio Tours. We will no longer be loaning headphones until further notice.

Our Find Fairy Caitlin Scavenger Hunt guide will be available in the lobby. Complimentary take-home activity guides for our exhibit Behold the Big Top: Jean LeRoy’s Circus Parade will be available near the exhibit.

We have extended the closing date of several of our spring exhibitions. View Current Temporary Exhibitions

What museum programs are still being offered?

Museum programs have been cancelled until further notice.

Can I still book a group tour? Can I book a private event?

To accommodate safe physical distancing and reduced gallery capacity, group tours have been discontinued until further notice. In accordance with the recommendations of the CDC regarding gatherings of people, as well as our new reduced admission capacity, all facility rentals - including all private events and children’s birthday packages - have been discontinued for the remainder of 2020. Please contact our Museum Services Manager, Emily Wolverton, if you are interested in an event for 2021 emilyw@theminitimemachine.org

I have visual impairments or other accessibility concerns. What resources are available?

Touch Tours have been temporarily discontinued until further notice. We are still able to provide our Touch Packs and Large Print gallery guides and maps. Our Touch Packs will undergo a strict sanitation process after they are returned to the front desk. Please bring your own phone or internet-enabled listening device and headphones to enjoy our Audio Described tours of collection highlights. We are no longer loaning headphones to the public until further notice. All museum audio tours include written transcripts for those who have hearing impairments.

We also have a wheelchair which may be borrowed by visitors, based on availability. Wheelchairs will undergo a strict sanitation process after being returned to the front desk.