Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Tour in Washington, DC

When is the museum open?

The National Museum of Natural History is closed on Monday and Tuesday and open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., except December 25.

Are masks still required?

All visitors ages 2 and older are required to wear a mask while visiting the museum, regardless of vaccination status.

Will there be security screening? 

For everyone’s safety, all visitors are required to go through screening during the security process. One of our security personnel will conduct a thorough but hand-check of all bags, briefcases, purses, strollers, and containers. Please visit the Smithsonian’s security information page for more information on prohibited items. 

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.

Protective safety shields have been installed at bag-check screening stations and register. We encourage visitors to limit the number of personal belongings and bags brought into the museum as they will be subject to a thorough search. Limiting the items brought will increase your speed through security checkpoints and help us all maintain a safe social distance. Please note that we do not offer coat, bag, or locker storage at this time.

Will everything be open at NMNH?

We will open as much as we determine it is safe to open, but some spaces will remain closed for now. 

 The restrooms will be open. Limited locker storage is available for small bags and items. The Atrium Café is currently open 11:30am-3:30pm. The Gallery Store and Family Store are currently open from 12pm-5:30pm.

Will the museum cafés and retail shops be open?

The Atrium Café is open from 11:30am-3:30pm. The Ocean Terrace Café will remain closed during the initial stage of reopening. The Family Store, Gallery Store, and Gems and Minerals Store are open from 10am-5:30pm.

Is there a coat or bag check at the museum?

We have limited locker storage available for small bags and items. Visitors are encouraged to travel as lightly as possible and refrain from bringing large bags and packs for the best museum experience.

Are there family-friendly restrooms?

A restroom designated for family use is located on the 1st floor of the museum, off of the Sant Ocean Hall. 

Can I bring my stroller, scooter, walker, wheelchair or any type of mobility device?

The museum is accessible to visitors using strollers, scooters, walkers, wheelchairs, and mobility devices. There are elevators available to visitors on every floor of the museum.

Are wheelchairs available?

A very limited number of manual wheelchairs are available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis for use while visiting the museum. You are encouraged to bring a wheelchair with you due to limited availability.