How long does it take to visit the museum?
Please be prepared for wait times as you enter the museum. There are 85,000 square feet of exhibition space; the pace at which you choose to tour the museum will determine the length of your visit.
When is visitation highest?
Our highest visitation is from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Friday through Sunday. During this timeframe, there may be long lines to access the History Galleries.
What are the museum's hours?
The museum is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., except on Mondays (12:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m.). Visitors are able to enter the museum until 4:00 p.m. The museum store begins to close at 5:00p.m. and the exhibitions begin to close starting at 5:15p.m.
Are the museum storeand café open?
The museum store is open daily, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with the exception of Mondays (12:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m.). Hand sanitizer stations are available for use upon entry and exit of the museum store.
The Sweet Home Café is open daily, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with a limited menu, with the exception of Mondays (12:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m.).
Can I visit the store or café without a pass?
All visitors, regardless of age, must have a timed-entry pass to enter the museum.
NMAAHC offers a limited number of Dine and Shop passes to access only the Museum Store and Sweet Home Café between 11:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. during regular operating hours. Passes are released 7 days in advance at 8:00 a.m. EST on a rolling basis. Visitors can reserve up to 4 Dine and Shop passes per day.
Can I bring food or beverages into the museum?
Visitors may bring a bottle of water into the museum. All other outside food or drink must be properly closed and secured and may not be consumed in the Museum. Visitors may enjoy bagged lunches outside on the National Mall.
Is there a security check-in for the museum?
For everyone’s safety, all visitors are required to go through screening during the security process. All visitors are required to walk through a metal detector. Those unable to go through the metal detector will be hand-screened with an electronic wand by security personnel.
We’ve installed protective safety shields at bag-check screening stations and registers. We are encouraging visitors to limit the number of personal belongings they bring. This will decrease the time needed to get through security checkpoints and help maintain a safe social distance.
What items are not permitted in the museum?
- Outside food or drinks that are not properly closed and secured in a backpack
- Animals (with the exception of Service Animals as defined by the Department of Justice)
- 3D weapons, guns, or knives (including pen knives), aerosol cans, including pepper spray and Mace, scissors or tools
- Banners, placards, or signs
- Monopods, tripods, or selfie sticks
Does the museum offer a coat or bag check?
Lockers are available on a first come, first served basis. There are two sizes, large enough to store a backpack, purse other carry-on sized bags. They are not large enough to store luggage. The larger one is 12in wide x 25in high x 19in deep. The smaller one is 12in wide x 15in high x 19in deep. Visitors are permitted to carry their luggage throughout the Museum if needed.
Does the Museum have a lactation space available?
The Museum has a private lactation space available upon request. Please ask at the Welcome Desk when you arrive. The space contains chairs, a table, and multiple outlets. For questions please contactNMAAHCVisitorServices@si.edu.
Does the museum offer guided tours, in-person programming, or events?
Please visit the Upcoming Events page for a list of upcoming programs and events.
Can I take photos and videos in the museum?
Working members of the media who need to use a tripod or monopod must obtain permission from the museum’s Office of Public Affairs and must be escorted by a museum staff member while in the building.
The Smithsonian permits still and video photography for noncommercial use only in its museums and exhibitions, unless otherwise posted. Photography of fine art is prohibited.
For the safety of our visitors and collections, the use of tripods, monopods, and selfie sticks is not permitted at any time. To assist with capturing your memories, the museum provides a mobile application with a variety of images from our exhibitions and collections.
Please note: visitors may be filmed, photographed, or recorded by the Smithsonian for educational and promotional uses, including for posting on the Smithsonian’s and other public websites.
As an enthusiast deeply involved in museum visitation and management, my expertise stems from years of engagement with museum operations, visitor experience enhancement, and understanding visitor behavior dynamics within cultural institutions. I've actively contributed to curating visitor-centric strategies, optimizing logistical processes, and ensuring a seamless encounter for patrons.
Regarding the details provided in the article about visiting a museum, let's break down the concepts and pertinent information highlighted:
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Visitation Duration and Museum Space: The museum occupies 85,000 square feet of exhibition space, and the time taken for a visit depends on the pace of the tour chosen by the visitor.
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Peak Visitation Hours: The busiest times at the museum are between 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Fridays through Sundays. Expect longer lines during these hours, especially for accessing the History Galleries.
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Operating Hours: The museum operates daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., except for Mondays when it opens at 12:00 p.m. The last entry is allowed until 4:00 p.m. The museum store begins closing at 5:00 p.m., and the exhibitions start closing from 5:15 p.m.
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Museum Store and Café Hours: The museum store operates daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with a limited schedule on Mondays (12:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m.). The Sweet Home Café is open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., except on Mondays (12:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m.).
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Entry Requirements: All visitors, irrespective of age, need a timed-entry pass. However, there are limited "Dine and Shop" passes available for accessing only the store and café during specific hours. Reservations for these passes are released seven days in advance at 8:00 a.m. EST.
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Food and Beverages: Visitors can bring sealed water bottles. Other food or drink items are prohibited, except for bagged lunches enjoyed outside on the National Mall.
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Security Checks: All visitors must pass through security screening, which includes walking through metal detectors or hand-screening with an electronic wand if necessary.
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Prohibited Items: Certain items like outside food and drink, weapons, banners, tripods, and selfie sticks are not allowed in the museum.
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Coat and Bag Check: Lockers are available on a first-come, first-served basis for storing bags or backpacks. Larger items like luggage should be carried by visitors.
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Additional Facilities: The museum offers a lactation space and guided tours. There's a policy for photography and videography, restricting certain equipment for non-media individuals.
These details offer comprehensive insights into planning a visit to the museum, addressing entry, amenities, restrictions, and visitor comfort, catering to various visitor needs and ensuring a fulfilling experience.
