Plan Your Visit
The National Museum of African American History and Culture is open daily to the public. Free timed-entry passes are required for entry.
Monday 12:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Friday 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Our museum opens at 10:00 a.m. on Mondays observed as Federal Holidays and is closed on December 25. Last entry for all visitors, including groups, is 4:00 p.m.
- All visitors, regardless of age, must have a timed-entry pass to enter the museum.
- A limited number of timed-entry passes are available.
- Visitors can reserve timed-entry passes up to 30 days in advance on a rolling basis.
- Advanced timed-entry passes are released daily beginning at 8:00 a.m. EST.
- Same-day timed-entry passes are released online only at 8:15 a.m. EST daily.
- Timed-entry passes may not be sold or transferred and are for personal use only.
- Individuals can reserve up to nine free timed-entry passes for their visit. For groups of 10 or more, please reserve group passes.
- We are honored to welcome veterans, active-duty personnel, and first responders to the museum. Upon arrival, please show a military or work ID badge, and register for entry using a QR code. You may bring up to 4 guests.
Please note: museum entry is subject to building capacity; weekends and holidays are peak visitation times. If the museum is at or near capacity, all visitors standing in line will be asked to wait until the museum has room to accommodate them.
Additional Information
- All children (under the age of 18) must be accompanied by an adult chaperone. When accompanying children, one (1) adult can chaperone up to a maximum of ten (10) children.
- Timed-entry passes are valid only for the issued date. Passes are void if altered.
- Visitors can print timed-entry passes at home or present them on a mobile device. All passes will be scanned prior to entering the museum on Madison Drive or Constitution Ave.
- If you cannot visit the museum on your scheduled date, please email NMAAHCVisitorServices@si.edu to return or exchange your passes.
The following safety measures are in place to protect the health of our visitors, staff and volunteers based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local governments. We ask that all visitors, including those who have been vaccinated against COVID-19, follow these safety measures to protect everyone’s health. Visitors are not required* to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination.
Please note that we may adjust our safety guidelines based on changing CDC COVID-19 Community Levels. We encourage visitors to regularly check our website before their visit for the latest guidelines. During this time, we are implementing the following safety measures:
If Sick, Stay Home
We are asking all visitors who are sick or feel unwell to please stay home. Visitors are encouraged to wash and sanitize hands frequently during their visit. Hand-sanitizing stations will be available throughout our facilities.
Face Coverings
As of March 11, 2022, face coverings are not required to visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture. While it will not be required, all visitors who feel more comfortable wearing a face mask during their visit are encouraged to do so.
We encourage visitors to maintain a safe social distance of six feet or more between households and groups when possible, but our museum becomes crowded, especially during peak visitation times. Visitors who wish to avoid crowds are encouraged to plan their visit during weekdays.
*Special events and some after-hours programming may require guests to provide proof of vaccination.
Please be aware that touring the History Galleries in their entirety will take approximately 2 hours, and will require about 1 mile of walking.
Our highest visitation is from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Friday through Sunday. During this timeframe, there may be long lines to access the History Galleries.
We encourage visitors to eat and hydrate before entering the History Galleries, especially if they have special healthcare needs.
Visitor Pathways
Are you looking for ways to experience and learn history throughout our museum with your group or loved ones? We have done the planning for you!
Whether it’s your first or tenth visit, NMAAHC has planned special experiences designed for families, friend groups and couples visiting our museum.
Follow a special pathway through our exhibitions and gallery spaces.
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 entrances on Madison Drive or Constitution Avenue, NW.
- Visitors with timed-entry passes will be able to enter the museum from the time on their pass until 4:00 p.m. For group passholders, there is a 2-hour grace period from the entry time on the pass. After this timeframe, entrance is not guaranteed and is based on capacity.
- 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.
- Visitors are required to exit on Constitution Avenue, NW.
Dining & Shopping
The museum store is open daily, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m, with the exception of Mondays (12:00 p.m.-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 daily, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with a limited menu, with the exception of Mondays (12:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.).
NMAAHC offers a limited number of Dine and Shop passes to access only the Museum Store and Sweet Home Café between 11:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. during regular operating hours. Passes are released 7 days in advance at 8:00 a.m. EST on a rolling basis. Visitors can reserve up to 4 Dine and Shop passes per day.
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.
Tours & Programs
Please check our upcoming events for specific dates and details.
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.