Smithsonian Hours
Smithsonian Hours of Operation
There are 17 Smithsonian museums open in Washington DC. Smithsonian hours of operation vary with each museum and according to the season. The Smithsonian museums are open every day of the year except December 25. Admission is always free.
Smithsonian Air and Space Museum Hours
During much of the year, the opening hours at the Air and Space Museum are 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM.
During the summer season from Memorial Day through Labor Day, and also during many weekends during the rest of the year, opening hours are often from 10:00 AM to 7:30 PM. See the Smithsonian extended hours calendar for more information.
Smithsonian Natural History Museum Hours
For most of the year, the opening hours at the Natural History Museum are 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM.
Smithsonian American History Museum Hours
For most of the year, the opening hours at the American History Museum are 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM.
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Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian Hours
Opening hours at the American Indian Museum are from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Mitsitam Cafe hours are from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture Hours
The African American History and Culture Museum is open from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Since its opening in 2016, most visitors have been required to get free passes in advance, and these passes often required much advanced planning. That system is now gradually changing.
Advance entry passes can be obtained in 3 ways. In advance, online via the the African American Museum website. These advance passes are released on the first Wednesday of every month, and they offer free tickets 3 months in advance. In the past, these passes have all been exhausted almost immediately upon release. A block of same day passes has also been offered online at 8:15 AM each day. This will continue to be the case for weekends gong forward. Finally, a group of same day passes have been available for walk up visitors at 1:00 PM each day at the Madison Drive entrance. A line has been forming earlier than 1:00 PM for people to get in. First come first serve.
The Smithsonian would clearly like to open the African American museum to entry without advance passes, but the popularity of the museum is too high to allow them to do so on a daily basis. They are still experimenting with the best way to maximize access without overcrowding.
I highly recommend that you visit the Timed Entry Passes page of the Smithsonian African American History and Culture Museum for the latest information.
Smithsonian Castle Hours
The Smithsonian Castle is open from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. The Smithsonian Castle is not a museum, but it does have the information center for the Smithsonian Institution, as well as a cafeteria and a gift shop. There are a few sample exhibits and the mausoleum of John Smithson.
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Smithsonian Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden Hours
The Hirshhorn Museum is open from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM daily.
Smithsonian Freer Gallery of Art Hours
The Freer Gallery of Art is open from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM daily.
Smithsonian Sackler Gallery of Art Hours
The Sackler Gallery is open from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM daily.
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Smithsonian African Art Museum Hours
The African Art Museum is open from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Don’t confuse this museum with the African American History and Culture Museum.
Smithsonian Postal Museum Hours
The Postal Museum is open from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM. This museum is not on the National Mall. It is by Union Station.
Smithsonian American Art and Portrait Gallery Hours
The American Art and Portrait Gallery is open from 11:30 AM to 7:00 PM daily. This museum is not on the National Mall. It is in Chinatown/Penn Quarter.
Renwick Gallery Hours
The Renwick Gallery is open from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM. This museum is not on the National Mall. It is near the north lawn of the White House.
Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum Hours
The Anacostia Community Museum is open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. This museum is not on the National Mall. It is in the Anacostia neighborhood of SE Washington DC.
Smithsonian National Zoo Hours
The National Zoo has two seasons. From March 15 until September 30, opening hours are from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. From October 1 through March 14, opening hours are from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. There is a schedule of early and late closing hours at the National Zoo on specific days.
Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building Hours
The Arts and Industries Building has no permanent exhibits currently. But they do display special exhibits. Through July 6, 2022, there is a special exhibit called Futures. Open from 10:00 to 5:30 PM with extended hours until 7:00 PM on Friday and Saturday.
Smithsonian Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center Hours
The Udvar Hazy Center is open from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM during much of the year. However, during the summer season from Memorial Day through Labor Day, the museum is generally open from 10:00 AM to 6:30 PM. See the Smithsonian extended hours calendar for more information. The Udvar-Hazy Center is not located in Washington DC. It is located in Chantilly, Virginia near Dulles International Airport. There is a bus that goes here, but if you drive, be aware that parking costs $15. After 4:00 PM, though, parking is free.
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Smithsonian American Indian Museum Heye Center Hours
This museum is not in Washington DC. This museum is in Manhattan in New York City. The museum is open from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily. On Thursdays, the museum has extended hours until 8:00 PM.
Smithsonian Cooper Hewitt Design Museum Hours
This museum is not in Washington DC. It is in Manhattan in New York City. The Cooper Hewitt is open from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The museum is open until 9:00 PM on Saturdays. This museum closes on 3 days a year — Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day.
National Gallery of Art Hours
The National Gallery of Art is not a Smithsonian museum. It is it’s own institution. However, it is also on the National Mall, and admission is also free. The National Gallery is open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM every day. The Cascade Cafe is open from 11;00 AM to 3:00 PM Monday to Saturday, and from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Sundays.
