Plan A Visit

We ask that all visitors, including those who have been vaccinated against COVID-19, follow these safety measures to protect everyone’s health. Visitors who do not adhere to safety policies and guidelines may be asked to leave.

If Sick, Stay Home

We’re asking all visitors who are sick or feel unwell to please stay home. If you are at increased risk(CDC Guidelines) of severe illness, you may also want to consider staying home.

Face Coverings

All visitors ages two and older are required to wear a face-covering in all indoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status. Face coverings may be removed while eating or drinking in designated spaces. Face coverings should fit properly, covering the nose, mouth, and chin with no large gaps on the outside of the face (i.e., no bandanas), and they should have a minimum of two layers (i.e., not a single-ply gaiter). Face shields are not permitted as a substitute for a face covering but may be worn over a face covering or mask. Face coverings or masks with an exhalation valve are not permitted.

Social Distancing

We encourage visitors to maintain a safe social distance of six feet or more between households or groups at all times.

Number of Visitors

We are using timed-entry passes and limiting the number of people to allow for safe social distancing.

Hand-sanitizing Stations

We’re providing hand-sanitizer stations for visitors throughout our facilities and conducting enhanced cleaning measures frequently.

Personal Belongings

Please note that we do not offer coat, bag, or locker storage at this time. 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. We have installed protective safety shields at bag-check screening stations and registers.

Please be aware that touring will take approximately 2 hours, and will require about 1 mile of walking. We encourage visitors to eat and hydrate before entering the History Galleries, especially if they have special healthcare needs.

Some exhibitions, interactives, and indoor spaces may be closed or operate at limited capacity to ensure the safety of our visitors.

Galleries & Interactives (Edit)

• Most seated theaters, including the Oprah Winfrey Theater and Corona Pavilion, remain closed to visitors.
• Larger objects such as the segregated Southern Railway Car and Edisto Island Slave Cabin remain closed to visitors.
• Some exhibitions and interactives, including the Reflection Booths, Genealogy Database, Arc Interactive, São José Interactive, Green Book, Power of Place, and In the Studio, remain closed to visitors.
• The We Return Fighting: The African American Experience in WW1 exhibition closed on September 6, 2020. The Visual Art and the American Experience exhibition closed on July 12, 2021.
• Some galleries that remain open are designed with narrow entrances and pathways, as well as low ceiling heights, in order to create an intimate and close experience. The museum requires visitors to follow one-directional flow in these areas and posts signage accordingly to allow for social distancing.

MUSEUM MAPS

Entering & Exiting the Museum

• Please do not arrive before the entry time on your timed entry pass.
• Timed-entry passes will be scanned at the visitor entrance on Madison Drive, NW.
• Visitors with timed-entry passes will be able to enter the museum until 4:00 p.m.
• For everyone’s safety, all visitors are required to pass through screening at the entrance to the museum. Please see a list of prohibited items in the museum before planning your visit.
• 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 allow visitors to enter with large bags or luggage and do not offer coat, bag, or locker storage at this time.
• Visitors are required to use the exit located on Constitution Avenue, NW when leaving the museum.

Dining & Shopping

The museum store is open Wednesday-Sunday, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Hand sanitizer stations are available for use upon entry and exit of the museum store. The Sweet Home Café is open Wednesday-Sunday, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with a limited menu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Review our Frequently Asked Questions for more information about planning your visit and what to expect when you arrive at the museum.

VISIT FAQS

Tours & Programs

All on-site public tours and programs are currently suspended. The museum will continue to offer virtual programs and experiences. Please check our upcoming events for specific dates and details.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Download Our Mobile App

Connect to our free WiFi network, “SI-Visitor” and download our mobile app as a complement to your museum visit and as a way to more easily discover the many additional stories in our collection.

DOWNLOAD THE MOBILE APP