Northern Illinois University
Art Museum
College of Visual and Performing Arts

Enjoy exciting day trips and overnight adventures to arts and cultural events throughout the year!

For our upcoming bus excursions, the NIU Art Museum will be using Coach USA/Van Galder buses. Coach USA/Van Galder buses include large, comfortable reclining seats, Wi-Fi and restroom, and they undergo intensive cleaning and sanitation after each trip, featuring filtration of the onboard air every two minutes and a complete replacement with fresh outside air every ten minutes. Van Galder bus drivers participate in a Greenroad program gaining points for conscientious environmental driving practices. For van excursions, the Art Museum will be using minivans driven by museum staff.

 

CANCELLED: Friday, April 4
Get-on-the-Bus Trip: Conservation Center and West Loop Galleries

At the request of the Conservation Center of Chicago, this trip has been cancelled as many of their staff are traveling on Fridays to remediate damage from the recent fires in California. We will attempt to reschedule in the fall. 

June 25-29
South Central Iowa Art, History and Architecture Get-On-The-Bus Overnighter

Join the Northern Illinois University Art Museum on a delightful group trip through South Central Iowa to explore some Midwestern gems of art, architecture and American history. Over our several days journey, we will stay in a single hotel that is centrally located so we can make short day trips to various towns in the region for our daily adventures. Registration ends May 23. Early bird DISCOUNT registration ends April 25. 

• Learn more about this excursion -- includes application form (PDF) 
• Iowa itinerary (pdf)

Thursday, July 10
Members Only Hop-In-The-Van Evanston and Des Plaines

Join us for our upcoming NIU Art Museum Members-Only van trip to the Evanston Art Center and more. After visiting the Art Center we will dine together for lunch in downtown Evanston before heading to the campus of Northwestern University to visit the Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art and view "Woven Being: Art for Zhegagoynak/Chicagoland", an exhibit that explores confluences that continue to shape Indigenous creative practices in the region and beyond. We will then drive to Des Plaines to the Oakton College campus, tour their outdoor sculpture and then join the festivities for a public opening reception for acclaimed Chicago artist Eleanor Spiess-Ferris’ “Drinking the Moon.”

Departure: 10 a.m.
Expected return: 10 p.m.
RSVP by July 3, 2025
Price: $50; limited capacity. Meals on your own. Food available at the reception. Entry to Art Center museums is free.

Not a member? It's time to join. 

Payments

Payment may be made with check, cash or credit card, 815-753-1936.

The NIU Art Museum office will be open Tuesday through Friday, noon to 5 p.m. and is located on the first floor, west end of Altgeld Hall behind stairwell C.

Payment must be made in advance to guarantee your seat on the bus. NIU Art Museum members receive discounts on our bus trips as well as access to members' only trips.

Please note that all dates are subject to change and trips are added frequently throughout the year. Refunds cannot be granted after the registration deadline.

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The Art Museum's Get-on-the-Bus trips should not be missed!

Sign-up for registration and payment details or telephone 815-753-1936 to reserve your seat today.