Your Event Makes History Part of the Celebration
Riverside Venues at the National Museum of the Great Lakes
From intimate strategy sessions to 500-guest celebrations, our riverside campus pairs unmatched views of the Maumee River with the character of Great Lakes history. Choose from eight versatile spaces—indoors, outdoors, and even aboard a 617-foot freighter—and give your guests an experience they’ll remember long after the last toast.
Our Event Spaces
Museum Gallery
Gather among our signature exhibits for receptions, fundraisers, or formal dinners framed by Great Lakes artifacts. Sight lines shift as you explore, making the gallery a built-in conversation starter.
Capacity: Up to 265 guests
Availability: Before or after museum hours
Great Lakes Community Education Center
Floor-to-ceiling glass and built-in A/V make this flexible room ideal for workshops, retreats, or elegant dinners. Pair it with the adjacent Alexander & Marilyn Cook Leadership Center pre-event space and the William & Pamela Davis Family Community Plaza for indoor-outdoor access.
Capacity: Up to 65 guests
Availability: Before, during, and after museum hours
Alexander & Marilyn Cook Leadership Center
Host VIP breakfasts, cocktail hours, or showers in this light-filled space that opens directly onto the William & Pamela Davis Family Community Plaza. A prep alcove with sink and ice machines keeps service hassle-free.
Capacity: Up to 60 guests
Availability: Before, during, and after museum hours
William & Pamela Davis Community Plaza
Riverside concrete pad ready for tents, stages, or food trucks—perfect for weddings, mixers, and community gatherings with the Maumee River as your backdrop.
Capacity: Up to 100 guests
Availability: Before, during, and after museum hours
Cliffs Great Lakes Maritime Park
Green space, river views, and artifact-lined paths set the stage for festivals, ceremonies, and large-scale celebrations. The park connects the museum grounds directly to Glass City Metropark for seamless flow into surrounding attractions.
Capacity: Up to 500 guests
Availability: Before, during, and after museum hours
Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship
Welcome guests aboard a 617-foot historic freighter, where open decks offer postcard views of downtown Toledo and the Veterans Glass City Skyway Bridge. Perfect for milestone celebrations and after-hours networking, this storied freighter turns every toast into a piece of Great Lakes history.
Capacity: Up to 400 guests
Availability: By inquiry only
Temporary Exhibit Gallery
Between showcases, this gallery transforms into a spacious blank slate—perfect for conferences, product launches, and pop-up banquets that need four walls ready to take on any theme. The open floor plan and high ceilings allow for creative event layouts—from theater-style seating to elegant cocktail setups—adding a touch of museum magic to every occasion.
Capacity: Up to 60 guests
Availability: By inquiry only
Executive Conference Room
Perfect for small meetings and strategy sessions, this tech-ready space offers a collaborative hub inside the National Museum of the Great Lakes’ bustling offices.
Capacity: Up to 6 guests
Availability: By inquiry only
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s included with my rental?
Tables, chairs, standard linens, and basic A/V (where installed) are provided at no additional cost.
Can I bring my own caterer?
Yes. We maintain a preferred vendor list, but welcome licensed caterers of your choice with prior approval.
Is alcohol permitted?
Beer, wine, and spirits are allowed with a licensed bar service and proof of insurance. The host will need to provide a permit if they plan to sell alcohol.
How much setup and teardown time do I get?
Two hours before and one hour after your event are included; additional time can be arranged. Note: the Col. James M. Schoonmaker and Museum galleries are not accessible during business hours.
Is parking available?
Complimentary on-site parking is available for you and your guests.
Is the campus ADA accessible?
All rental spaces (excluding the Col. James M. Schoonmaker museum ship)—indoor and outdoor—meet ADA requirements. The museum ship is an artifact and not ADA accessible.
Do you have a weather backup for outdoor events?
Yes. Indoor galleries can be reserved as a weather plan for the William & Pamela Davis Family Plaza or Cliffs Great Lakes Maritime Park, based on availability.
Savings & Specials
- Non-profit & educator rates
- Select Member-level discounts
- Bundle two or more spaces and save 10 %
Ask our events team for details when you inquire.
Still have questions?
Get in touch with our team at jenna.ruetz@nmgl.org.
Admission Fees
Museum Location
1701 Front Street, Toledo, OH, 43605
Museum Only Admission
Adult – $14.00
Senior – $12.00
Military & First Responder Discount – $12.00
Youth (6-17) – $8.00
Children (0-5) – FREE
Museum & Boats Admission
(Schoonmaker and Ohio are open May-October)
Adult – $20.00
Senior (65+) – $18.00
Military & First Responder Discount – $18.00
Youth (6-17) – $14.00
Children (0-5) – FREE
Presentation of a SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card:
Museum Only Admission (all ages) – FREE
Museum and Boats Admission (age 6+) – FREE
No pre-order available
Before you visit!
Download our Museum Boats’ Tour App!
HOURS
Sunday: 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Closed on Tuesdays: November 1 - April 30
Museum is Closed New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Eve
SS Col James M. Schoonmaker and Tug Ohio
open May – October
