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Admission
Admission is free of charge at all locations except the Cooper Hewitt in New York City.
Most museums are open every day of the year except December 25. The Cooper Hewitt in New York is open every day except Thanksgiving and December 25.
Visit Hours and Locations for details and updates.
Passes/Tickets
These locations require passes or tickets for entry:
- African American History and Culture Museum (free) | FAQ
- Air and Space Museum in D.C. (free) | FAQ
- National Zoo (free) | FAQ
- Cooper Hewitt in New York City ($) | FAQ
All other locations do not require passes or tickets for entry.
Know Before You Go
The safety and security of the Smithsonian's visitors, volunteers, staff, and collections is of the highest importance. As the nation's most beloved collection of museums and galleries, we work hard every day to ensure the preservation of our country's treasures for the enjoyment of generations to come.
Please review our health and safety, security, and policy measures.
Visitor Guidelines
Health and Safety Measures
Our current health and safety measures are based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local governments. These measures may change in response to changing CDC COVID-19 Community Levels, so we encourage visitors to regularly check our website before their visit for the latest guidelines.
We ask that all visitors follow these safety measures to protect everyone’s health. Visitors should also be aware that our museums get crowded, especially during peak visitation times. Visitors who wish to avoid crowds are encouraged to plan their visit during weekdays.
If Sick, Stay Home
We ask all visitors who are sick or feel unwell to please stay home. The Smithsonian is open 364 days a year and we look forward to welcoming you when you are healthy.
Visitors are encouraged to wash and sanitize hands frequently during their visit. Hand-sanitizing stations will be available throughout our facilities.
Masks
Masks are not currently required to visit. While not required, all visitors who feel more comfortable wearing a face mask during their visit are encouraged to do so.
Security Screening
At many of our museums, you'll be greeted upon entry by one of our security personnel who will conduct a thorough hand-check of all bags, briefcases, purses, and containers. We encourage you to limit the number of personal belongings and bags you bring into our facilities to increase your speed through security checkpoints.
Visitors are required to walk through a metal detector at the following museums:
- Air and Space Museum and its Udvar-Hazy Center (DC and VA)
- African American History and Culture Museum
- American Art Museum
- American History Museum
- Natural History Museum
- Portrait Gallery
- Postal Museum
- American Indian Museums (DC and NY)
Those who are unable to go through the metal detector will be hand-screened with an electronic wand by security personnel. Bag checks will be conducted by hand or via an X-ray machine.
We ask for your patience, cooperation, and assistance in keeping America's treasures safe.
Visitors should not leave personal belongings unattended, nor leave them stored at one museum while visiting other sites.
Prohibited Items
The following items are prohibited at all museums:
- Sharp items such as knives (including pocket or "Swiss Army" style knives), screwdrivers, scissors
- Firearms
- Pepper spray and Mace.
See Prohibited Conduct for additional information.
Lockers/Storage
We encourage you to limit the number of personal belongings and bags you bring into our facilities as they will be subject to a thorough search. Limiting the items you bring will increase your speed through security checkpoints.
The following museums currently offer visitor lockers/storage:
- African American History and Culture Museum
- American History Museum
- Asian Art Museum (Freer and Sackler)
- Hirshhorn Museum
- Natural History Museum
- Postal Museum
- Udvar-Hazy Center (VA)
Visitors should not leave personal belongings unattended, nor leave them stored at one museum while visiting other sites.
Service Animals
Service animals are welcome in the museums and the National Zoo. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a service animal is defined as a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. Pets are not permitted.
Medical Supplies, Devices, and Equipment
The Smithsonian welcomes guests to bring any medical supplies, devices, or equipment they might need during their visit. Visitors should note that public storage space is not available at all locations. Visitors who bring medically necessary items/equipment should plan to maintain possession of them throughout their visit.
All Smithsonian locations permit the use of manual and motorized mobility devices (e.g., scooters, walkers, wheelchairs) and have at least one entrance accessible to visitors using mobility aids. Visitors who bring a mobility aide or device with them should plan to maintain possession of the item throughout their visit. Devices used strictly for recreational purposes are prohibited.
Photography Policy
The Smithsonian permits still and video photography for noncommercial use only in its museums and exhibitions, unless otherwise posted.
For the safety of our visitors and collections, the Smithsonian prohibits the use of tripods, monopods, selfie sticks or similar devices in our museums and gardens. This is a preventive measure to protect visitors and objects, especially during crowded conditions. We encourage museum visitors to take selfies and share their experiences—and leave the selfie sticks in their bags.
Working members of the media who need to use a tripod or monopod must obtain permission from the museum's Public Affairs Office and must be escorted by a museum staff member while in the building or garden.
Prohibited Conduct
Visitation policies at the Smithsonian Institution are designed to protect visitors and staff as well as secure and preserve the collections, facilities, and historic buildings entrusted to the Smithsonian's care.
While on Smithsonian premises NO VISITOR SHALL:
- Carry firearms, other dangerous or deadly weapons, or explosives, either openly or concealed on the premises. The prohibition on firearms applies to all visitors, including those with firearm permits, but not to active law enforcement personnel authorized to carry firearms.
- Display or carry placards, signs, or banners
- Destroy, damage, or remove property
- Climb upon any part of a building
- Use loud, abusive, or otherwise improper language
- Loiter, sleep, or participate in unwarranted assemblies
- Create any hazard to persons or things
- Perform obscene or indecent acts
- Engage in disorderly conduct
- Use, possess, or sell illegal drugs
- Bring dogs or other animals, other than service animals
- Take photographs for advertising or any other commercial purpose
- Solicit for commercial or charitable purposes or distribute advertisements, pamphlets, handbills, and flyers
- Damage, deface, pick, or remove any herb, shrub, bush, tree, or turf, or portion thereof, in any Smithsonian Garden or at the National Zoo
In addition to the above, while on Zoo premises, NO VISITOR SHALL:
- Kill, injure, or disturb any exhibit or research animal by any means except to secure personal safety
- Pet, attempt to pet, handle, move, or remove exhibit or research animals
- Feed exhibit or research animals, except in strict accordance with authorized signs
- Catch, attempt to catch, trap, remove, or kill any free roaming animals inhabiting the premises
- Go over, under, between, or otherwise cross any guardrail, fence, moat, wall, or any other safety barrier
- Seat, stand, or hold children over any safety barrier
- Throw or toss rocks, or any other missiles into, from, or while on premises
- Bring strollers, baby carriages, or other conveyances, except wheel chairs, into exhibit buildings and public restrooms
- Engage in ball games, or any athletic activity, except in places as may be officially designated for such purposes
- Smoke or carry lighted cigarettes, cigars, or pipes into exhibit buildings, or to have a fire of any kind on the premises
Visitors who violate these rules may be subject to fine or imprisonment. The complete Smithsonian buildings and grounds regulations can be found in Title 36 of Code of Federal Regulations, parts 504 and 520 (National Zoo).