Visiting Tips & FAQs

• We’re limiting the number of people in our museums, galleries, restrooms, and elevators to allow for safe social distancing. 

• We’re requiring that visitors wear face coverings at all times. 

• We’re providing hand-sanitizing stations for visitors throughout our facilities and conducting more frequent and enhanced cleaning. 

• We’re implementing safe social distancing, including one-way paths and directional guidance. 

• We’ve installed protective safety shields at bag-check screening stations and registers.  

• Our staff will stay home when sick, wear face coverings, practice social distancing, and wash hands and practice good hygiene. 

Yes. You can reserve your free timed-entry passes. Timed-entry passes are for personal use only.

Yes. Each visitor will require a pass, regardless of age. 

An individual will be able to reserve six passes. (Please note, passes are only for personal use.) For the safety of our visitors and staff, groups larger than six are strictly prohibited. 

No; visitors who enter during their specified window will be able to stay as long as they would like. 

Yes, visitors may enter twice within the same day, using the same pass.  

We are not offering group bookings at this time. Groups larger than six are strictly prohibited due to ongoing safety concerns related to the spread of COVID-19.

Yes, we will require visitors ages 2 and older to wear face coverings while visiting these locations.  
  
The safety of our visitors and staff is our first priority. Based on CDC guidance, we’ve determined that the best way to mitigate transmission of COVID-19 will be for our staff and visitors to wear face coverings. Visitors will be expected to wear face coverings inside all indoor museums and Zoo buildings, as well as in outdoor public spaces at the Zoo and in Smithsonian gardens.  
  
Face coverings must be worn over the nose and mouth. Face coverings may be removed while eating or drinking in designated spaces where food and beverage are permitted.  
  
Visitors will be responsible for bringing their own face coverings. 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. 

Passes are available on a 30-day rolling basis.

Give yourself ample time to visit the Museum including extra time for entry and parking.