Can You Check Bags At The Smithsonian Museums? – Museum Of African American History And Culture (2024)

FAQs

Are bags allowed in the African American museum? ›

Visitors are permitted to carry their luggage throughout the Museum if needed.

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 as they will be subject to a thorough search.

Suitcases, large umbrellas, and large backpacks are not allowed in the galleries. Security officers may ask visitors to hand-carry smaller backpacks, or wear them on the front of their bodies. Please note that we do not offer coat or bag storage.

About Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

Dragging your bags on a day-long trip to the Smithsonian is not a great idea. Just leave your bags safely with Vertoe and roam around in this vast arena luggage free.

Yes. Backpacks must be carried over one shoulder for the protection of the works of art—nothing may be carried on your back. Alternatively, free checkrooms are located at each entrance. Please be prepared to present all carried items (purses, diaper bags, backpacks) for inspection upon arrival.

Security & Bags: Visitors are required to go through a security screening. Only one bag is allowed per person; bags cannot be larger than 17 x 26 inches (43 x 66 centimeters) in size.

Yes, you can check bags at the Smithsonian. There are several places to check bags, including the Visitor Center, the Museum of American History, and the National Air and Space Museum. We provide the most flexible luggage storage service, with an hourly and daily rate that allows for the most flexibility.

Most museums in Washington, D.C. do not allow visitors to bring backpacks inside the galleries. However, there are a few museums that do allow backpacks, such as the National Museum of American History and the Newseum.

Visitors must either keep water bottles concealed or contained at all times or place them in bags and check them. Visitors must either keep umbrellas in their purses or backpacks or check them.

The cloakroom at the main entrance on Cromwell Road is available for large bags and suitcases only. Large and wheeled suitcases that cannot be carried must be left in the cloakrooms (see prices below). This is subject to availability of space, so we recommend to avoid bringing such items if possible.

Where can I check my bag in DC? ›

Packs on the back are risks for the art. People turn around quickly and knock statues or scratch paintings with the packs when worn on two shoulders across the back. Museums I've been in say NO backpacks.

It depends on the museum and the size of the bag. A shoulder tote bag may be easier than a back pack. I think some museums make you wear small back packs backwards so it becomes a "chest pack". They may do that because it's too easy to accidentally bump things when wearing a back pack in the traditional manner.

In short, some schools are starting to ban backpacks as a safety measure. Backpacks are sometimes viewed as potential safety issues, as they can conceal dangerous objects such as guns, drugs or other weapons.

Types of Materials: Archives can hold both published and unpublished materials, and those materials can be in any format. Some examples are manuscripts, letters, photographs, moving image and sound materials, artwork, books, diaries, artifacts, and the digital equivalents of all of these things.

Under no circ*mstance are food and beverage allowed—served or carried—in the Rotunda or any exhibit space. Drop tables must be provided and located near these areas. The National Archives Special Event Staff will determine the location for the drop tables.

During busy times of year, we welcome more than 4,000 people a day. That's a lot of potential light! For this reason, photography is prohibited in all exhibition areas in the National Archives Museum, including in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom.

District businesses that sell any types of food or alcohol are affected by the law. How does the bag fee work? As of January 1, 2010 all businesses that sell food or alcohol are required to charge 5 cents for every carryout paper or plastic disposable bag.

When In Doubt, Wear Business Casual. Many of the National Institutions, like the Smithsonian Institution complex, the National Portrait Gallery, and the Natural History Museum are around the same area. This gives you a highly conservative and political vibe.

Items Not Allowed In Smithsonian Museums

Sharp objects, firearms, pepper spray, and mace are examples of items that cannot be entered the museums. Furthermore, a bottle of water cannot be used. Visitors may bring sealed beverage containers, but they may not bring any suitcases, umbrellas, or backpacks.

What is the bag policy at the Smithsonian museum? ›

The Smithsonian does not offer bag storage, so anything you bring will have to be carried around with you while you explore the exhibits. The best thing to do is travel light by dropping off your bags at a bag storage near the Smithsonian so you can travel light.

Carry a Backpack

Any Washington, DC, tour guide will tell you that a backpack is an excellent way to carry all your items as you walk throughout the city. It needs to be large enough to hold all your things while not being heavy enough to weigh you down.

Parking at the Smithsonian — Commercial Parking Lots Nearby

Very centrally located. Weekday rates in 2022 are $25 for up to 15 hours and $17 all day on weekends.

There are no Smithsonian Institution public parking facilities on the National Mall. On-street meter parking options are available but please be advised to carefully check the days and hours of enforcement posted on the parking meters and curbside signs.

The Hope Diamond | Smithsonian Institution.

Can you bring a backpack to the Museum of Natural History? Luggage, small carry-ons, and oversized backpacks are not allowed into the Museum and cannot be checked. Strollers are welcome throughout the Museum, except in theaters.

The Museum of Natural History in NYC is a world-renowned institution that houses some of the most valuable and rare artifacts in human history. As such, the museum has a strict policy regarding what items are allowed inside. Backpacks are not allowed in the museum for several reasons.

Picnic space

If you would prefer to bring your own food, the Picnic Area is open on the lower ground floor in the Green Zone.

Can I check my bags all the way through? ›

Good news first: in principle, it is possible to have your luggage checked through to your final destination, even if you have two separate tickets. But all airlines that are involved in your trip must have some kind of cooperation.

Coats, umbrellas and bags may be checked for $2 per person, space permitting. Luggage, small carry-ons and oversize backpacks, including those on wheels, are not allowed into the Museum and cannot be checked in at the Museum's coat-check facilities.

Visitors may only take what they need into the collections. Bags and coats: You may be asked to leave bags and coats in lockers or secure areas outside of collections. Personal items: You may be provided with a clear carrier bag to transfer your personal items into in order to take into collections areas.

Nothing is permitted to be carried on one's back, including backpacks, drawstring bags, and purses. Baby carriers must be worn facing front. Backpack-style carriers may be checked at admission desks. We are happy to loan strollers during your visit.

Almost all museums and art galleries require you to show your bag for inspection. Most items, if not all, can be brought in. In your bag, you must keep food and beverages.

You don't have to travel without a bag. Everyone carries a bag, including backpacks. Just make sure the bag is of reasonable day bag size. The big exception is the White House, where no bags of any kind, not even small purses are allowed.

In line with government guidance, face coverings are not mandatory, but visitors are welcome to wear one if they'd prefer to do so. If you or one of your party starts to feel unwell whilst visiting the museum, please let a member of staff know so they can then support you by following our first aid procedure.

National History Museum parking

The Natural History Museum doesn't offer parking facilities but thankfully we offer a number of parking options nearby. Pre-book your parking online to guarantee your space and save on our 'pay on the day' prices.

While most major museums do not have dress codes (except for special occasions like the opening of an art exhibition), it is still worthwhile to dress appropriately (unless otherwise specified by the museum). To accomplish this, you should avoid wearing casual clothing such as flip-flops.

Can I wear shorts in National museum? ›

There is no dress code when visiting the museum but we encourage you to dress appropriately keeping in mind the sensitivities other visitors may have. d. PHOTOGRAPHY.

Pack everything into your carry-on bag a few days before the trip to see how everything fits. If it doesn't, then go through and eliminate some items. Anything you've packed “just in case” can usually go, for example. When you decide to travel without checked baggage, you're making a commitment toward minimal packing.

All baggage items, including hand luggage and hold luggage, must be screened by airport security. It's important to pack with this in mind to avoid unnecessary delays at airport security. Airport security staff won't let anything through if they consider it dangerous - even if it's normally allowed.

Most museums in Washington, D.C. do not allow visitors to bring backpacks inside the galleries. However, there are a few museums that do allow backpacks, such as the National Museum of American History and the Newseum.