Visiting the Smithsonian

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Aerial view of Castle and surrounding Smithsonian museums.

When you visit the Smithsonian, you’re entering the world’s largest museum complex, with approximately 155 million artifacts and specimens in its trust for the American people. Most of our museums are located in the Washington, D.C., area with two in New York City.

When visiting Washington, D.C., make the Smithsonian Visitor Center your first stop. Located in our signature building, the Smithsonian Castle; the Center opens daily at 8:30 a.m., before our other museums open.

Please review our hours and admission information and tips and safety protocols to plan your visit. All Smithsonian museums and the zoo are closed on December 25. 

Timed-entry passes are only required at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Zoo, and the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York City. All Smithsonian museums and the zoo are closed on December 25. 

 

Anacostia Community Museum
Tuesday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
(Closed Sundays and Mondays)
(Closed until January 18)

Arts and Industries Building
November 20, 2021–July 6, 2022
Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday
10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Friday and Saturday
10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
(Closed Tuesdays and on Jan. 5 and 12)

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
Wednesday to Sunday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
(Closed Mondays and Tuesdays and on Jan. 9 and 16)
Sculpture Garden open daily 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

National Air and Space Museum
Thursday through Monday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 
(Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays)
(Closed until January 18)

National Air and Space Museum Steven F.
Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia
Open daily 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

National Museum of African American
History and Culture
Wednesday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
(Closed Mondays and Tuesdays)
Reserve Free Passes »

National Museum of African Art
Wednesday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
(Closed Mondays and Tuesdays)
(Closed Monday through Friday until January 19)

National Museum of American History
Friday through Tuesday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
(Closed Wednesdays and Thursdays)

National Museum of the American Indian (DC)
Wednesday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
(Closed Mondays and Tuesdays until Jan. 5)
Sunday through Wednesday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
(Closed Thursday through Saturday until Jan. 19)

National Museum of Asian Art
Friday through Tuesday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 
(Closed Wednesdays and Thursdays)
(Closed Fridays Jan. 7 and 14)

National Museum of Natural History
Wednesday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
(Closed Mondays and Tuesdays)
(Closed until Jan. 5)

National Portrait Gallery and
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Wednesday through Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
(Closed Monday and Tuesday until Jan. 5)
Sunday through Wednesday 11:30 to 7 p.m.
(Closed Thursday through Saturday until Jan. 19)

National Postal Museum
Friday to Tuesday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
(Closed Wednesdays and Thursdays)
(Closed until Jan. 8 and on Jan. 14)

Renwick Gallery of the
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Wednesday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
(Closed Mondays and Tuesdays)
(Closed Sundays Jan. 9 and Jan. 16)

Smithsonian Institution Building (Castle)
Open daily 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Smithsonian's National Zoo
Open daily 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Jan. 5
Friday through Tuesday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 5–17
(Closed Wednesdays and Thursdays through Jan. 14)
Reserve Free Passes »

Smithsonian Gardens
Haupt Garden open daily dawn to dusk
All others open 24 hours

New York

All visitors ages 12+ are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to visit. (Key to NYC)

Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
Thursday through Monday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
(Closed Tuesday and Wednesday)
Closed Thanksgiving Day
Reserve Tickets »

National Museum of the American Indian (NY) 
Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
(Closed Saturday and Sunday)