Directions & Parking

Location

We are located at 1345 Jayhawk Boulevard on the KU Lawrence campus, next to the Kansas Union. You may download a KU Parking Map (PDF) which indicates multiple locations. The free KU and Lawrence buses stop at the KU Memorial Union, right next to the museum. We also have a bike rack available in front of the museum. 

KU Parking Garage

Enter the top level of the Mississippi St. Garage (1261 Oread Avenue) using the north entrance to Jayhawk Blvd/Oread Ave, or the bottom level via Mississippi Street. Parking in the garage is $2.25 for the first hour and $2.00 per hour thereafter. These rates do not include the per-transaction fee charged by app provider. The transaction fee is displayed during the check out process before payment is finalized. Patrons have two options for prepay parking using HONK Mobile.

Option 1: Pay with the HONK App (account required) 

1. Download the HONK app from Apple or Google Play
2. Create your account
3. Enter your license plate number and payment information (e.g., credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay or PayPal)
4. Start your parking session
5. Extend your session remotely (where permitted) through the app
6. Save your favorite parking locations/zones for even faster future payments

Option 2: Guest Checkout (Scan and pay. No app required.) 

1. Scan the QR code posted on campus parking signs
2. Enter your license plate number and payment information (e.g., credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay or PayPal) in your mobile browser
3. Start your parking session
4. Extend your session remotely (where permitted) using your confirmation link

Option 3: Pay at the Pay Station

1. Take a picture of your license plate, or write your plate information down, and proceed to the pay station within 15 minutes of entering the garage to pre-pay for parking.
2. Pay stations can be found in the southwest stair tower onlevels 1, 4, and 5.
3. Payment can be made at pay stations with a Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover card or with cash. Pay stations are unable to give change, so be sure to have exact change if paying cash.

Failure to pre-pay for the length of time you will be parked in the garage will result in a ticket being issued. 

Weekend Parking

Free parking is available in Lot 16, located across from the KU Natural History Museum, on Saturdays and Sundays. You can find Lot 16 using the KU Parking Map (PDF). Please note: Parking in this lot is enforced Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and vehicles may be ticketed during those hours.

Bus Unloading & Parking

School and other group buses visiting the museum may unload in front of the museum. Buses may park in lot #300 at the Lied Center due to the current construction happening on the KU football stadium. Bus drivers can utilize the KU bus across the street from Lied Center at the Pioneer Cemetery to get back to main campus if they wish to do so. View the KU Campus Parking Map (pdf)

Accessibility

There are several options for accessible parking on the KU Lawrence campus. Learn more about parking at KU.

• Stop at a traffic booth entering Jayhawk Boulevard or come to the KU Parking office to purchase a permit. If you present your ADA wallet ID or registration and your driver’s license, you can purchase a half day permit ($2.00) or a full day permit ($4.00) to park in any color lot, housing lot or parking garage.
• Request a free visitor registration pass that will allow you to park only at meters without paying the meter fee. Visit the KU Parking office to purchase.
• Pay the hourly toll in a parking garage ($2.25 for the first hour and $2.00 per hour thereafter).

Once you're at the museum, use our 3rd floor accessible entrance on the north side of the museum. Once inside, the elevator will be on your left. Take the elevator up to the 4th floor, where you'll find our visitor experience team at the front desk.