Due to the Metrorail shutdown March 16, our D.C. museums will open at noon, except the Smithsonian American Art Museum, National Portrait Gallery, Udvar-Hazy Center, and National Zoo which will open on time. The Castle will open at 10:30 a.m.
Skip navigation
Visitor Information
- Smithsonian museums & the National Zoo (DC, VA)
- American Indian Museum Heye Center (NYC)
- Note: Tickets are not used for general admission.
- Cooper Hewitt Museum (NYC)
Admission »
Information for
Visitor Survival Guide
(PDF)Download Adobe Reader for PDF files at get.adobe.com/reader.
Visiting with Kids
Download the Smithsonian Mobile app and save your favorite exhibitions, activities, and highlights to your own personal must-see list.
Plan ahead with Awesome Adventures at the Smithsonian: The Official Kids Guide to the Smithsonian Institution—an interactive guidebook just for kids.
Highlighted Activities for Kids
American History Museum »
Get your hands on history with interactive carts, step right into history with our Historic Theater, and more!
Ride Simulators at American History
Experience the excitement of state-of-the-art motion simulation
and celebrate America's love for adventure!
(fee)
Spark!Lab at American History »
Hands-on space for children between the ages of 6 and 12 to create, collaborate, explore, test, experiment, and invent.
American Art Family Programs »
Bring your young, budding artists and participate in fun hands-on activities that will be sure to spark their creativity!
National Zoo »
Highlights include Tiger Tracks, Amazonia Science Gallery, Reptile Discovery Center, Kids' Farm, and the Conservation Carousel.
Natural History Museum »
Highlights include the
Insect Zoo,
Q?rius »
Created for teens and tweens, Q?rius is a new way for students to make sense of the connections between nature, the planet, the universe, and their lives.
Carousel
Near the Arts and Industries Building (year-round, weather permitting; nominal fee).
Discovery Theater »
The best in live performing arts, this venue provides a variety of educational and cultural programs for both kids and adults.
IMAX® Theaters »
IMAX is the ultimate film experience. Specially designed screens that are several stories high produce some of the most stunning visual images recorded.
Planetarium »
For the first time, you'll feel the sensation of zooming through the cosmos, enveloped in color saturated moving images and spine-tingling sound.
Flight and Ride Simulators at the Air and Space Museum & Hazy Center
Climb aboard an interactive flight simulator or take an exciting virtual trip on board one of our passenger ride simulators. (fee)
imagiNATIONS »
The imagiNATIONS Activity Center at the American Indian Museum provides visitors of all ages with a multitude of unique learning experiences.
Smithsonian Sleepovers »
Imagine rolling out your sleeping bag at the home of the Star-Spangled Banner or beneath a 50-foot whale!
