Frequently Asked Questions

The is open from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm. Free timed-entry passes are required to visit. 

No visitors are admitted to the building after 5:15 pm. 

Passes are available to reserve on an hourly basis from 10:00 am to 4;00 pm.  

All public entry is via the north side of the Museum only, on Jefferson Drive SW.  

There are entrances on both the east and west sides (left and right) of the wing-shaped vestibule pictured here. 

If visitors arrive before the time on their free timed entry passes, they can line up either to the east or west of the vestibule. 

This entrance is accessible to all, with ramps on both the east and west side. 

To prevent excess time queuing in uncomfortable temperatures or inclement weather, do not arrive earlier than the time on your pass. 

Please have your pass ready to scan on your mobile device or printed at home, before your arrival. All visitors must pass through a security checkpoint in the Museum's lobby. 

Yes, our museum on the National Mall is currently transforming. 13 galleries are now open.

While work continues, portions of the building will remain closed to the public. The full building will open in summer 2026.

Reserve free timed-entry passes online. All visitors, regardless of age, must have a pass to enter the Washington, DC museum.  

Please note: If the Museum is at or near capacity, all visitors standing in line will be asked to wait until the Museum has room to accommodate them.  

Active National Air and Space Society members receive access to a separate, special members-only link to reserve passes for the Museum in Washington, DC. 

The Museum releases individual passes for six-week periods at noon ET following the schedule in the next answer. 

Not a member? Join today!

The Museum will release individual passes on the following dates: 

If you do not initially find passes for the day you would like to visit, check back on our website; additional passes may become available.  

If you are reserving for a group of 10 or more, please go to reserve group passes online.

New passes will become available at noon (12:00 pm) ET on the release dates shown above. Passes will be available online.

Only available passes will be listed. When passes are unavailable, the date will be highlighted in grey. 

Visitors are not able to advance beyond the months for which passes are currently available for reservation.  

An individual can reserve up to nine free timed-entry passes for their visit. 

For groups of 10 or more, please reserve group passes online.

Yes. All visitors, regardless of age, must have a timed-entry pass to enter the Museum.  

Free timed-entry passes will be delivered via an email from airandspace@smithsonian.org. 

If an email doesn’t arrive after the transaction has been confirmed, check both the spam and junk folders.  

Timed-entry passes can be presented for entry via a personal mobile device or on paper, printed at home. 

All passes will be scanned upon entry at the Museum's north door on Jefferson Drive SW. 

Visitors will not be admitted entry without a valid pass for the day of entry. 

All visitors will have their passes scanned and belongings inspected before entry. This process progresses quickly, but delays can occur. Plan for an average wait time of 25 minutes.

Note: On very busy days, the Museum may reach capacity. If this occurs, entry will be delayed until room to accommodate visitors is available.

Visitors can enter the Museum any time after the time on their entry pass. 

Note: Visitors with passes for an earlier time, who arrive at the top of one of the following hours, will be asked to join the queue to gain entry.

No, visit time is not limited, but after exiting, re-entry is not permitted the same day without securing a separate time-entry pass.

If the Museum is unexpectedly closed the day you reserved your passes for, you will not be able to use them. We apologize for the inconvenience. 

Yes, both the Northrop Grumman Planetarium and the Lockheed Martin IMAX Theater are open. Tickets can be purchased in the box office on site at the Museum. 

More Information about the IMAX and Planetarium

Yes. The museum is committed to providing inclusive experiences for all audiences and is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). 

More Information About Accessibility

The entrance on Jefferson Avenue SW, facing the National Mall is accessible via ramp on both the east and west side of the entry vestibule.

The drop off is along Jefferson Drive SW, directly in front of the Museum.

Yes. 

A limited number of standard and bariatric wheelchairs are available for loan while visiting the Museum. Please visit the Security Desk to inquire about availability. Wheelchairs are provided on a first come, first served basis. 

Visitors are welcome to bring their own mobility devices. 

Gasoline-powered devices are not allowed inside Smithsonian buildings.

Yes, but food must be kept in sealed containers and may not be consumed in the Museum. There is food available to purchase and eat from the Mars Café.  

Personal water bottles may be brought in to the museum, bottle fillers are located alongside most water fountains.

Yes. The Mars Café on the museum’s lower level features a selection of seasonally inspired salads and sandwiches, warm paninis, and pastries. 

It also offers coffee and a full espresso bar, featuring locally roasted artisan coffees and teas. 

The Mars Café located is open daily from 11 am until 5 pm. 

Yes, we have a fantastic museum store. You can enter the store on the first floor or lower level. 

Groups of 10 or more require group passes. Maximum group reservation per email is 55.           

Reservations can be made two months in advance and must be made three weeks in advance of the desired visit date. Passes will be released at noon (12:00 pm) ET.

If your group arrives more than one hour past the assigned entry time, Museum staff will strive to achieve entry for the entire group. 

All public entry is via the north side of the Museum only, on Jefferson Drive SW. Accessible entry doors are on the east and west terraces. 

To prevent excess time queuing in uncomfortable temperatures or inclement weather, do not arrive earlier than the time on your pass. 

Please have your pass ready to scan on your mobile device or printed at home, before your arrival. 

All visitors must pass through security in the Museum's lobby. 

• Pre-K through 3rd Grade: 1 adult for every 5 students
• 4th through 6th Grade: 1 adult for every 10 students
• 7th through 12th Grade: 1 adult for every 15 students 

Please note that chaperones are to be included in your group count. 

All visitors will access the Museum via the Jefferson Drive SW entrance, on the Museum's north side. 

Expect and plan for an entry queue. 

Groups will queue alongside general visitors. 

Accessible entry doors are on the east and west terraces, adjacent to the entry vestibule.

Please have your pass ready to scan on your personal mobile device or on paper, printed at home. All visitors, including groups, must pass through a security check point in the Museum's lobby.

The Museum does not partner with tour organizations or companies. 

Visit our Group Reservations and Plan a Field Trip pages to find out more about visiting with your group.

The Museum is accessible by several forms of public transportation, car, bike, and scooter. 

The entrance is located at 650 Jefferson Drive SW. 

More Detailed Directions

The Museum does not provide parking for cars or buses. 

Limited metered street parking is available nearby. Please read signs carefully for parking hours and permit restrictions. Parking is available in several commercial parking lots. 

You may use ParkWhiz to reserve a parking spot near the Museum in advance. 

Please check DC Traffic Advisory for the most up-to-date information regarding any street closures or changes to traffic patterns affecting the area around the museum.  

For more information about visiting the Museum, you can submit your question online.