Visit

Hours 
The museum is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., except December 25.

At 5:30 p.m., the doors close and all visitors must exit the building.

Passes or Tickets 
No, passes or tickets are not needed to enter the museum.

Security Screening  
For everyone’s safety, all visitors are required to go through screening during the security process. Please visit the Visitor Tips page and 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.

We encourage visitors to limit the number of personal belongings and bags brought into the museum as they may be subject to a thorough search. Limiting the items brought will increase your speed through security checkpoints. Please note that we do not offer coat, bag, or locker storage at this time.

Cafés and Stores
There are cafés on the ground floor and first floor, and there are stores on all floors. Go to the Dining & Shopping page to learn more.  

Coat Check or Lockers 
The museum does not have coat check or lockers available. Visitors are encouraged to travel as lightly as possible and refrain from bringing large bags, backpacks, or suitcases to the museum.

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

Strollers, Scooters, Walkers, Wheelchairs, or Other Mobility Devices 
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.

Contact Us 
For more information about visiting the museum, please email NaturalExperience@si.edu.

Pre-Registered Program for School & Youth Groups

In 2026, we are piloting our new school and tour group program, Exhibit Explorations. This new educator-led program turns our exhibits into an exploratory classroom. This interactive experience gives participants the opportunity to explore the exhibits using guided questions designed to spark curiosity, reveal insider information about our collections and science, and engage in conversations with educators and volunteers.

• For Grades 6 to 12
• Pre-registration is required.

See policies and information about Group and School Visits. 

We are committed to visitor safety and have security measures in place to keep you and Museum objects protected. When you arrive at the Museum you can expect a full security screening similar to what you might experience at the airport, except you can keep your shoes and belts on.

Items Not Permitted in the Museum

• Firearms / ammunition
• Knives (including pen, pocket or "Swiss Army"-style knives)
• Aerosol cans (including pepper spray and Mace)
• Scissors
• Tools (screwdrivers, awls, etc.)
• Placards, signs, or banners

Also Not Permitted in the Museum

• Pets (except service animals) 

Items You Are Prohibited from Using Inside the Museum

• Tripods
• Monopods
• Selfie sticks
• E-cigarettes
• Skateboards / scooters

Items Permitted in the Museum

• Strollers and small, pushed wagons
• Cameras
• Mobility aids (canes, walkers, etc.)
• Service animals (not emotional support animals)
• Bottled water

Check the Smithsonian's security policy for the most up-to-date information. 

The museum's Security Office is located on the Ground Floor in the north (Constitution Avenue) lobby next to the elevators.

Museum Address
The museum is located on Madison Dr. NW, between 9th St NW and 12 St NW (Google Map). Visitors may enter on Madison Ave. or at 10th St. NW & Constitution Ave. NW. 

Metro
The closest Metro stations to the museum are the Federal Triangle Metro station, located on the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines; the Archives/Navy Memorial station on the Green and Yellow lines; and the Metro Center station on the Red line. View a map of the closest Metro stations.

Parking
There are no Smithsonian Institution public parking facilities on the National Mall. There are a number of nearby commercial lots and garages which may have available parking. If you must drive, please see parking options. For additional information on bus parking, contact the National Park Service Mall Operations Office at 202-426-6841.

For More: Visit our Getting Here and Parking Page.

The National Museum of Natural History is committed to providing inclusive experiences for all audiences. Please contact 202-633-3611 or send an email NMNHAccessibility@si.edu for access services. For more information visit the Accessibility Information page.

Entrance
All museum entrances and exits are accessible. 

Parking
The Smithsonian does not provide parking, but there are designated accessible spaces around the National Mall.

Service Animals
Service dogs specially trained to assist a person with a disability are welcome in the museum.

Information for Visitors in a Wheelchair

• All of the museum's exhibitions are accessible by wheelchair, and all public floors of the museum can be reached by elevator.
• All theaters include wheelchair locations and companion seats.
• All food service areas are accessible by wheelchair with no steps, turnstiles, or other potential obstructions
• All museum restrooms are accessible to those with mobility disabilities or in wheelchairs. Family/companion care restrooms are located on the First Floor off the Rotunda via the Sant Ocean Hall.

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. 

Information for Visitors Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

• Video presentations within exhibitions are open captioned. 
• Induction loops are installed at the Rotunda Visitor Information Desk and the Worldwide Theater in the Hall of Human Origins.
• Assisted Listening Devices are available upon request for programs in Baird Auditorium and Q?rius Theater.
• Sign language interpretation or real-time captioning (CART) are available for public programs with a two-week advanced notice. To request this service, please call (202) 633-5238 or e-mail NMNHAccessibility@si.edu.

Information for Visitors Who Are Blind or Partially Sighted

• Tactile objects are provided for all visitors at designated points throughout the museum. A full list of tactile objects can be found at the Information Desks in large print and braille.
• Verbally-described tours with tactile elements designed for visitors with visual disabilities are available with a two-week advanced notice. Subject to volunteer availability. To request this service, please call (202) 633-5238 or e-mail NMNHAccessibility@si.edu.
• The Deep Time Audio Description App uses the accessibility features native to a visitor’s phone to explore the new Fossil Hall through a self-guided tour. Much of the Fossil Hall exhibition has been summarized into a manageable size and integrated with visual descriptions of key content, videos, touchscreen interactives, and iconic specimens. The app features in-depth descriptions of the 29 tactile opportunities within the gallery. The app also provides images with alt text and captions, a Frequently Asked Questions section, and a search function. 
  • Apple Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/deep-time-audio-description/id1465972882?ls=1
  • Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=edu.si.natualhistory.deeptime

Information for Visitors with Developmental, Learning & Sensory Disabilities

Calendar of Events
This calendar of events highlights some of the programs and activities that will be happening at the museum.

For More: Visit Our Accessibility Information Page

Dining

Ocean Terrace Café
Open 11:00am – 3:00pm
Coffee Bar: Open 10:00am - 5:00pm (limited options after 3:00pm)
Location: First Floor
Make-your-own Grain Bowls at the Ocean Terrace Café with fresh greens and nutritious toppings. In addition, we feature fresh sandwiches, lunch plates, desserts, snacks, and beverages.

Atrium Café
Open 11:00am – 5:00pm (limited options after 3:00pm)
Location: Ground Floor
National Museum of Natural History: Featuring butcher craft burgers, grill items, a chef’s market table featuring seasonal menus, made-in-house Focaccia hot melts, desserts, and beverages. 
 

Shopping
Selected merchandise items in our shops are now available for purchase online at the Smithsonian Store.

For inquiries about our museum stores, please contact the NMNH Store Management Team at 202.633.2060.

Gem and Mineral Store
Location: Second Floor
Open 10:00am – 5:30pm

Gallery Store
Location: Ground Floor, Evans Gallery
Open 10:00am – 5:30pm

Family Store
Location: Ground Floor, Evans Gallery
Open 10:00am – 5:30pm

Dinos and More Store
Location: First Floor, near the Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals
Open hours vary

Natural History Express Kiosk
Location: Second Floor, near Cellphone: Unseen Connections
Open hours vary

Bag Lunches
Seating for bagged lunches is not currently available. Bagged lunches must be stowed away at all times while visiting the museum and must be eaten outside of the museum. The museum has no refrigerated storage for lunches.

Nursing Station
The museum now has a dedicated public nursing room. Located in the Constitution Avenue Lobby, the public nursing room allows our visitors to nurse in private and is close to the restrooms and health unit.

Pets
Pets (except service animals) are not permitted in the museum. Emotional support animals are not permitted in the museum.

Photography
The Smithsonian permits still and video photography for noncommercial use only in its museums and exhibitions, unless otherwise posted. For the safety of our visitors and collections, the use of tripods, monopods, and selfie sticks is not permitted at any time. Working members of the media who need to use a tripod or monopod must obtain permission from the museum’s Press Office and must be escorted by a museum staff member while in the building.

Notice: 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.

Wi-Fi
The museum provides free Wi-Fi access; choose the "si-visitor" network on your device. No password necessary. This is a public, unsecured network.

Smoking
Smoking is prohibited in all Smithsonian facilities. This includes e-cigarettes.

Please see the "Prepare for Security" section above for items that are not permitted inside the museum.