Admission and Timed-Entry Passes

Visiting our museums and zoo

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The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and the National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, are open to the public. All other Smithsonian museums remain temporarily closed.

As we begin a gradual, phased reopening for the Smithsonian, we’re putting safety first with new measures in place to protect everyone’s health. Free, timed-entry passes are required for entry.

Free, Timed-Entry Passes 

  • All Smithsonian visitors, regardless of age, must have a free, timed-entry pass to enter the Udvar-Hazy Center and National Zoo. 
  • Visitors can acquire timed-entry passes by reserving them online or by phone at 1.800.514.3849, ext. 1.
  • Visitors will be able to secure up to six passes maximum for personal use only.
  • For the safety of our visitors and staff, groups larger than six are strictly prohibited.  
  • All children (under the age of 18) must be accompanied by an adult chaperone. At least one adult chaperone is required to accompany up to five children. 
  • Passes may not be sold or transferred. Passes are valid only for the issued date and time and void if altered.
  • Visitors can choose to print timed-entry passes at home or show their timed-entry passes on their phone or other mobile device. Printed and digital passes will be scanned at the entrances.

Smithsonian's National Zoo
Visitor Information Reserve Timed-Entry Pass

National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia 
Visitor Information Reserve Timed-Entry Pass

Know Before You Go: Guidelines for Visiting

If Sick, Stay Home 

We’re asking all visitors who are sick or feel unwell to please stay home. 

    Face Coverings

    Visitors ages six and older are required to wear a face covering during their visit. We strongly recommend that all visitors between the ages two and six wear face coverings as well. Face coverings may be removed while eating or drinking in designated spaces. 

    Social Distancing

    Please maintain a safe social distance of six feet or more between households or groups at all times. There will be social-distancing signage and directions throughout our facilities.

    Hygiene 

    Please wash and sanitize hands frequently during your visit and practice good hygiene. Hand-sanitizing stations will be available throughout our facilities. 

    Personal Belongings 

    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. Limiting the items you bring will increase your speed through security checkpoints, helping us all maintain a safe social distance. Please note that we do not offer coat or bag storage.

      Keeping Us All Safe 

      As the Smithsonian starts to reopen, safety comes first. We’re putting new safety measures in place to protect the health of our visitors, staff, volunteers, and collections based on guidance from the CDC and local governments:  

      • 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.  
      • We’re evaluating our exhibits, interactives, and indoor spaces on a case-by-case basis. Some of these features may be closed or operate at limited capacity.  
      • Our staff will stay home when sick, wear face coverings, practice social distancing, and wash hands and practice good hygiene. 

      Tours & Programs 

      • Your visit will be guided by way-finding signage to allow for social distancing.   
      • All on-site public tours and programs are currently suspended.
      • The Smithsonian will continue to offer virtual programs and experiences. Please check our Online Events Calendar for specific dates and details. 

      Please note: 

      COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that is believed to mainly spread from person-to-person contact. The Smithsonian is doing its part to mitigate transmission intensity, and we ask you, our visitors, to do the same and help us reduce the spread of COVID-19. You must follow all posted instructions while visiting the Smithsonian, including instructions about wearing face coverings and social distancing. Despite these measures, the risk of contracting COVID-19 could increase by visiting the Smithsonian. By visiting the Smithsonian, you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19.  

      The Smithsonian reserves the right to modify its hours of operations, capacity, or visitor guidelines as circumstances require and to deny entry or access to any person who fails to follow these guidelines or whose conduct puts Smithsonian staff, visitors, or property at risk. 

      Admission

      Free timed-entry passes are required:

      • Zoo and Udvar-Hazy Center (VA) (reopened)
      • Museums (DC) (currently closed)
      • American Indian Museum (NY) (currently closed)

      Entry fee: