Research Centers And Programs
The following is a list of Smithsonian research centers, with their affiliated museum in parentheses:
Also of note is the Smithsonian Museum Support Center , located in Silver Hill, Maryland , which is the principal off-site conservation and collections facility for multiple Smithsonian museums, primarily the National Museum of Natural History. The MSC was dedicated in May 1983. The MSC covers 4.5 acres of land, with over 500,000 square feet of space, making it one of the largest set of structures in the Smithsonian. It has over 12 miles of cabinets, and more than 31 million objects.
Know Before You Go: Guidelines For Visiting
We are delighted to welcome visitors back into our galleries! To keep us all safe, we ask that all visitors, including those who have been vaccinated against COVID-19, follow these safety measures to protect everyones health. Visitors who do not adhere to safety policies and guidelines may be asked to leave.
All visitors ages two and older are required to wear a mask.
We encourage visitors to maintain a safe social distance of six feet or more between households or groups.
Personal Belongings
We encourage you to limit the number of personal belongings and bags you bring to SAAM and the Renwick Gallery. Suitcases, large umbrellas, and backpacks are not allowed in the galleries. Security officers may ask you to hand-carry smaller backpacks, or wear them on your front, to protect the artworks. Please note that we do not offer coat check or bag storage at this time. Strollers are permitted in the galleries.
If Sick, Stay Home
Were asking all visitors who are sick or feel unwell to please stay home. If you are at increased risk of severe illness, you may also want to consider staying home.
Face Coverings
Visiting Tips: Whats New
Enter SAAM’s main building using either the entrance located at 8th and G Streets NW or the entrance located at 8th and F Streets NW. Access ramps are located on both sides of the 8th and G Streets NW entrance.
All visitors ages two and older are required to wear a mask while visiting Smithsonian museums and indoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status. Face coverings must fit properly and be worn over the nose and mouth. Face shields are not permitted as a substitute for a mask but may be worn over a face covering or mask. Bandanas, single-ply gaiters and face coverings or masks with an exhalation valve are not permitted.
As a health and safety precaution, we are not offering printed floor plans at this time. To find your way around you may use the museums free Wi-Fi to access a digital Smithsonian American Art Museum Map and a digital Renwick Gallery Map .
All children must be accompanied by an adult chaperone. At least one adult chaperone is required to accompany up to five children.
The SAAM Museum Store and the Renwick Gallery Store are open for in-person shopping, and our stores are always open online!
Recommended Reading: United States Holocaust Museum Website
The Only Exceptions The Zoo And The National Museum Of African American History And Culture
Visitors will no longer need to reserve a timed-entry pass to check out most of the Smithsonian museums starting on Tuesday, July 20. The two exceptions are the National Zoo and the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which already required free tickets prior to the pandemic. While the Zoo will continue to scan passes for general admission, youll no longer need a separate reservation to visit our ever-popular, giant baby panda prince, Xiao Qi Ji.
If youve already reserved a timed-entry pass for a date after the policy goes into effect, feel free to scrap the ticket. Institutions will no longer be scanning passesvisitors can pop into a museum whenever they wish. In addition to the repeal of reservations, museums on the National Mall will be returning to their pre-pandemic hours of 10 AM to 5:30 PM.
The Smithsonian will continue to reopen its spaces throughout July and August. The Freer Gallery of Art and National Museum of African Art started welcoming visitors today, and the Air and Space Museum and Smithsonian Castle will open at the end of the month.
Censorship Of Seasons Of Life And Land
In 2003, a National Museum of Natural History exhibit, Subhankar Banerjee‘s Seasons of Life and Land, featuring photographs of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, was censored and moved to the basement by Smithsonian officials because they feared that its subject matter was too politically controversial.
In November 2007, The Washington Post reported internal criticism has been raised regarding the institution’s handling of the exhibit on the Arctic. According to documents and e-mails, the exhibit and its associated presentation were edited at high levels to add “scientific uncertainty” regarding the nature and impact of global warming on the Arctic. Acting Secretary of the Smithsonian Cristián Samper was interviewed by the Post, and claimed the exhibit was edited because it contained conclusions that went beyond what could be proven by contemporary climatology. The Smithsonian is now a participant in the U.S. Global Change Research Program.
Read Also: How To Be A Museum Curator
Health & Safety Measures
Effective December 27, 2021: In accordance with the New York City mandate, all visitors age 5+ must show proof of vaccination to enter the Museum, SHOP, and cafe. Visitors age 12+ must show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 and a matching ID visitors age 5 11 must show proof of at least one dose of the vaccine. The Museum will not save or store your vaccine information.
Visitors to the garden only are not required to show proof of vaccination, but those who are not vaccinated should wear a face covering outdoors and practice social distancing.
We ask that all visitors follow these safety measures to protect everyones health. Visitors who do not adhere to safety policies and guidelines may be asked to leave.
FACE COVERINGS
Visitors age 2+ are required to wear a face covering in indoor areas during their visit. Face coverings should fit properly, covering the nose, mouth, and chin with no large gaps on the outside of the face, and they should have at least two layers. Face shields are not permitted as a substitute for a face covering but may be worn over a face covering or mask. Face coverings or masks with an exhalation valve are not permitted.
SOCIAL DISTANCING
Please maintain a safe social distance of six feet or more between households or groups at all times. Social distancing signage and directions will be found throughout our facility.
HYGIENE
PERSONAL BELONGINGS
Secretaries Of The Smithsonian Institution
In 1995, controversy arose over the exhibit at the National Air and Space Museum with the display of the Enola Gay, the Superfortress used by the United States to drop the first atomic bomb used in World War II. The American Legion and Air Force Association believed the exhibit put forward only one side of the debate over the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and that it emphasized the effect on victims without discussing its use within the overall context of the war. The Smithsonian changed the exhibit, displaying the aircraft only with associated technical data and without discussion of its historic role in the war.
Also Check: Cleveland Museum Of Natural History Membership
Us Capitol & Capitol Visitor Center
While advance reservations are recommended for this iconic DC attraction, same-day passes are available at Information Desks on the lower level of the Capitol Visitor Center, although availability can become limited during spring, summer and the holiday season. Tour reservations for individuals, families and small groups and groups featuring more than 15 participants can be booked on the Capitols official website. Individuals and small groups can reserve 90 days in advance, while large group reservations can be booked 120 days in advance at 8 a.m. EST. You must create an account to reserve a tour.
05
Washingtons Best Museum Cafe
The lowest rung on the food ladder was once the museum cafeteria. But in recent years the Smithsonian has changed the rules.
Not only is the new National Museum of African American History & Culture the toughest ticket in town, but its Sweet Home Cafe is equally celebrated. The food, an extension of the exhibits, provides a literal taste of African-American culture. The restaurants four dining stationsNorth States, Creole Coast, Agricultural South and Western Range recognizes a tasty heritage with dishes like buttermilk fried chicken, and shrimp and grits. Or try Son-of-a-Gun stew, popularized by Black cowboys.
Lines form for the fried chicken, ribs, and shrimp and grits, but for something different try the pan-fried trout stuffed with cornbread and greens. And for dessert, you owe yourself a sweet potato tart, which tastes like grown-up pumpkin pie. Its an educational experience, after all.
Read Also: De Young Museum Reciprocal Membership
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
While passes are necessary to enter the Permanent Exhibition from March 1 Aug. 31, visitors can enter the building without passes to visit the museums public memorials, programs and the Interactive Wexner Center. On its website, the Holocaust Memorial Museum provides detailed information on acquiring advance tickets and same-day tickets for the Permanent Exhibition during the March 1 Aug. 31 time frame, as well as how to make group reservations.
While reservations are not required to visit the National Archives Museum, booking a time for entry is highly recommended during the height of the tourist season and during the weeks of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. You can book self-guided, timed entry reservations through the Archives website, both for individuals and groups. The museum also offers guided tours from Monday Friday at 9:45 a.m. Passes become available 90 days in advance of your desired tour date, which you can also reserve online.
03
The Pollinator Guide To Orchids
What are orchids? Where do they grow? For this story we found an expert on the ins and outs of orchids an orchid pollinator themselves! They will tell you all the orchid basics: what pollinates orchids, what exactly an orchid is, where they grow, and just a little bit of what Smithsonian Gardens is doing to help!
Recommended Reading: Cleveland Museum Of Natural History Tickets
Insider Guide To The Smithsonians Nmaahc One Of The Worlds Top African American Museums: App Cafe Tickets And More
UPDATE: The museum is now open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Timed-tickets are required.
From the moment it opened in 2016, the Smithsonians National Museum of African American History and Culture has been one of the citys top draws and one of the worlds top African American museums. For years, it required a reservation, and although it has become a little easier to visit, you generally need to plan ahead.
If you wonder if its worth the time, effort and hassle, the simple answer is absolutely.
First download the NMAAHC app. The multi-level galleries take visitors from the horrors of slavery to the glory of the Olympics. The meticulously researched exhibits follow the literal journey of African-Americans across the Middle Passage, through Plantation society, the Jim Crow era, the modern civil rights movement, and the Obama Presidency.
Its a thrilling, exhausting and deeply moving experience, and alone makes a visit to Washington worthwhile.
If you make a purchase through an affiliate link, we may receive a commission. Read our disclosure policy here.
| If youre short on time, consider a guided tour covering Washingtons rich African-American history, including the King Memorial and a reserved ticketed entry to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. |
Your Guide To The Attractions In Dc That Are Free And Which Require Tickets
Many of Washington, DC’s major attractions are open to the public and do not require tickets, including the Smithsonian museums, the Smithsonian National Zoo, the National Gallery of Art, and the monuments and memorials on the National Mall.
You can buy tickets for some of Washington, DC’s most popular ticketed attractions including Ford’s Theatre at the venue or on their website. Some attractions offer discounts to those who buy tickets online ahead of their visit including the Presidents Gallery by Madame Tussauds Washington, DC. You can also purchase 24 or 48-hour, hop-on, hop-off bus tour tickets with Big Bus Tours, which will allow you view the wonders of the National Mall at your own convenience.
While some attractions are free, they require timed passes to save visitors from waiting in long lines. Timed passes are available to visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and a limited amount of same-day passes are available online the day of your visit. The passes are printed featuring a one-hour time range, within which you may enter the museum.
Don’t Miss: The 911 Museum In New York City
Smithsonian National Museum Of African American History And Culture
Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture – Museums in Washington, DC
We highly recommend reserving advance timed passes to this extremely popular Smithsonian museum on the National Mall. You may obtain up to six advance passes. Timed passes are always required on weekends, while during peak season , passes are required for entry before 1 p.m. every day of the week. Same-day online passes are released at 6:30 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday from September February and every day of the week from March August. Additional passes are available at 9:30 a.m. and every half hour after that until supply is exhausted. Up to four same-day passes can be acquired per order. Walk-up entry is allowed from Monday through Friday throughout the year. Entry begins at 10 a.m. from September February and at 1 p.m. from March August. For groups of 10 or more, passes are always required, regardless of the time of year. An online system allows for access to real-time availability of dates and times in three month intervals. Groups will receive a single pass for the entire group to enter the museum instead of separate passes. Visit the museums website for more information.
06
Washington Dc Smithsonian National Museum Of Natural History Tickets And Guided Tour
- Discover the largest natural history collection in the world with over 145 million specimens
- Listen as your guide tells you more about the museum and exhibits
- Enjoy interacting with educational exhibits
Visit the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and admire the largest natural history collection in the world! Let your guide help you navigate through the over 145 million specimens on this tour. Discover an extensive collection of human artifacts, dinosaur bones, preserved plants, and animals. Go directly to the collection highlights without getting lost. Save time and energy by visiting with a guide that knows the museum well. Listen to additional commentary on exhibits. View dinosaur remains and tools used by early humans. Admire unusual gemstones and ancient mummies.
Read Also: Museum Of Natural History New York Hours
Here’s What You Need To Know About Bringing Groups To These Prime Dc Attractions
Six iconic Washington, DC attractions the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, the National Archives Museum, the Washington Monument, the U.S. Capitol & Capitol Visitor Center, the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture and Fords Theatre recommend or require advance passes or reservations for timely entry, especially during the busy spring and summer months. We lay out essential information for entering these free museums below.
Please understand that time change period and time change details are subject to change without notice. Please confirm with attraction in advance by telephone before visiting
01
How Do I Get A Ticket
Reserve tickets online before your visit to the Museum. The Museum and its exhibitions are open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Advance tickets online: Tickets through May 2022 are available now.
Same-day tickets online: A limited number of same-day tickets will be available online each day at 7 a.m.
Don’t Miss: The Children’s Museum Preschool
Smithsonian’s National Museum Of Natural History Washington Dc
Confirm Time SlotDESCRIPTION
The Smithsonians National Museum of Natural Historys hours of operation are Wednesday through Sunday, 11:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. .
Individuals can reserve passes up to 30 days in advance. Passes are released daily beginning at 8:00 a.m. for time slots 30 days out.
To keep us all safe, and to support efforts to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, we have limited capacity and implemented new safety measures in our facilities. Your visit to the SmithsonianNational Museum of Natural History will be different, and new measures will be in place. Please review the important information below as you plan your visit.
Important Conditions: The Smithsonians timed pass reservation system is for visitors personal use only, and Smithsonian timed passes are valid only for the stated visitor, guest, date, and time. Passes may not be sold or transferred. Reservations that violate these conditions may be cancelled.
We ask that all visitors, including those who have been vaccinated against COVID-19, follow these safety measures to protect everyones health. Visitors who do not adhere to safety policies and guidelines may be asked to leave.
Face Coverings
Face coverings are required for visitors two and older who are not fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Fully vaccinated individuals do not need to wear face coverings during their visit.
Visiting Tips
Accessibility
