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Visitor Information
Free admission:
  • Smithsonian museums & the National Zoo (DC, VA)
  • American Indian Museum Heye Center (NYC)
Entry fee required:
  • Cooper-Hewitt Museum (NYC) (closed for renovation)
Information for
For Kids & Families
Kids and Families   Kids Tips (PDF)
Smithsonian Mobile

Visitors with Disabilities

The Smithsonian Museums are accessible to individuals with disabilities. Some of the features include:

  • Accessible facilities and at least one entrance that is accessible to visitors with limited mobility
  • Free manual wheelchair loans available at every museum in Washington, D.C., and the National Zoo on a first-come, first-served basis
  • Open captioning of exhibition videos
  • Audio description incorporated into some exhibitions
  • Tactile elements included throughout the museums
  • Tactile and/or verbal description tours can be arranged by contacting a museum with two –weeks advance notice
  • Sign language interpretation is available for scheduled tours by contacting the museum with two weeks advanced notice
  • Access services can be arranged for public programs by contacting the museum in advance
  • IMAX movies shown during regular museum hours of operation offer assistive listening devices, audio-description and rear-window captioning; and Publications and brochures are available in alternate formats available at the Information Desk in Braille and CD or at the Accessibility Program

smithsonian information
Phone: 202.633.1000 (voice/tape)
E-mail: info@si.edu

Accessibility Maps (PDF) »
Accessible entrances, curb cuts, designated parking and more

Alternate Formats
The goSmithsonian visitor guide is available at Visitor Information Desks in Braille and CD, ask at a Information Desk or email the Accessibility Program for exhibition brochures in an alternate format.

IMAX Theatre and Planetarium Accessibility FAQ »

Accessibility Program »
Phone: 202.633.2921 (voice) or 202.633.4353 (TTY)
Toll-Free: 1.888.783.0001
Fax: 202.633.4352
E-mail: access@si.edu

African Art Museum
  • Tours for Visitors with Hearing or Vision Loss
    By appointment only, 3-week notice required Call Mon.-Fri., 9 AM-5 PM, except federal holidays: 202-633-4633
    or 202-357-4814 (TTY)
  • Note: FM Assistive Listening Devices are available to amplify tours for visitors with hearing loss; ask at info desk for details.
  • Bathrooms: Accessible bathroom is located on S3 in the Ripley Center next to the Discovery Theater box office. Family/companion care bathrooms are located next to the accessible bathroom on S3 in the Ripley Center next to the Discovery Theater Box office.
  • Learn more »
Air and Space Museum and Udvar-Hazy Center
  • Tours for Visitors with Hearing or Vision Loss
  • By appointment only; 2- to 3-week notice required; call Mon.-Fri., 9 AM-5 PM: 202-633-2563 or 202-633-1957 (fax), or e-mail NASMTours@si.edu
  • The Udvar-Hazy Center can also accommodate groups needing wheelchairs. For more information, call 703-572-4118.
  • Raised Line Map and informational drawings of exhibition items with audio can be requested (Talking Tactile Pen/Map/Book) from the Udvar-Hazy Center information desk.
  • IMAX Accessibilty »
  • Learn more »
American Art Museum
American History Museum
American Indian Museum
  • Tours for Visitors with Hearing or Vision Loss
  • By appointment only, 2-week notice required; call Mon.-Fri., 9 AM-6 PM, except federal holidays: 202-633-6644 (voice), 1-888-618-0572 (toll-free voice), or 202-633-6751 (TTY), or e-mail NMAI-GroupReservations@si.edu
American Indian Museum Heye Center
  • Tours for Visitors with Hearing or Vision Loss
    By appointment only, 2-week notice requested; call 212-514-3758 (voice), or e-mail NMAI-NY@si.edu
  • Bathrooms: Accessible bathrooms are on the second floor in the west and east galleries.
Anacostia Community Museum
  • Tours for Visitors with Hearing Loss
  • By appointment only, 3-week notice required; call Mon.-Fri., 9 AM-5 PM, except federal holidays: 202-633-4844 or e-mail parkers@si.edu
Freer and Sackler Galleries
  • Tours for Visitors with Hearing or Vision Loss
  • Tactile tours and sign-language interpreters are available by appointment only; 4-week written notice required; visit the museum’s website (indicate tactile tour or sign-language interpreter in the Additional Notes field). For more information, call 202.633.1012 or e-mail asiatours@si.edu.
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
  • Tours for Visitors with Hearing or Vision Loss
  • By appointment only, 2-week notice required; call Mon.-Fri., 9 AM-5 PM, except federal holidays: 202-633-2796 (voice) or 202-633-8043 (TTY), or e-mail marucak@si.edu
Natural History Museum
 
  • Tours for Visitors with Hearing or Vision Loss
  • By appointment only, 2-week notice required; call Mon.-Fri., 9 AM-5 PM, except federal holidays: 202-633-8854 (voice) or e-mail NaturalExperience@si.edu
Portrait Gallery
  • Tours for Visitors with Hearing or Vision Loss
  • By appointment; 1-month notice required)
  • Call Mon.-Thurs., 9:30 AM-5 PM, except federal holidays:
  • • School Groups: 202-633-8503 (voice/answering machine) or e-mail NPGEducation@si.edu
  • • Non-School Groups and Individuals: 202-633-8519 (voice/answering machine) or e-mail NPGAdultTours@si.edu
Postal Museum
  • Tours for Visitors with Hearing or Vision Loss
  • By appointment only, 3-week notice recommended; call Mon.-Fri., 9 AM-5 PM, except federal holidays: 202-633-5535 (voice) or 202-633-9849 (TTY)
Renwick Gallery
  • Tours for Visitors with Hearing or Vision Loss
  • By appointment; 3-week notice required; call Mon.-Fri., 9 AM-5 PM, except federal holidays: 202-633-8550 or e-mail AmericanArtTours@si.edu
  • No tours are scheduled on federal holidays.
  • Note: The accessible entrance is on the 17th street side of the museum via a ramp.
Smithsonian Castle
  • Tours for Visitors with Hearing or Vision Loss
  • Groups of 10 or more, by appointment only, 3-week notice required; call Mon.-Fri., 9 AM-5 PM, except federal holidays: 202-633-2987 (voice) or e-mail CastleTours@si.edu