Getting ready forthe National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Free timed-entry passes, on the National Mall. The museum hands out Sensory Maps at the Welcome Desk that mark where sounds are loud, lights are bright and you can touch, and it posts three pre-visit stories for kids.
Tuesday to Sunday 10 am to 5:30 pm; Monday 12 to 5:30 pm. Opens at 10 am on Mondays observed as federal holidays. Closed Dec. 25. Last entry 4 pm; exhibitions begin to close at 5:15 pm.
1400 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC (entrances on Madison Drive and on Constitution Avenue NW)
“Sensory Maps are available at the Welcome Desk. They showcase each exhibition level and highlight areas where sounds are loud, lights are bright, and where visitors can touch.”
“The Museum can be noisy and crowded during peak periods of visitation. If you are sensitive to noise, you may wish to bring noise cancelling headphones with you.”
“The pre-visit stories help prepare children for the situations they might encounter when visiting the museum and address what to expect, museum rules, and safety information.”
“Spring and summer are peak visitation time. Visit in the winter or fall months for less crowds.”
“When I come across a video or voice recording, I can use my headphones or go to a quieter part of the museum.” nmaahc.si.edu (pre-visit story)
“The Smithsonian does not offer sensory bags at any of its museums, however visitors are welcome to bring their own equipment or materials.” si.edu
The three pre-visit stories (PDFs on the Accessibility Options page) cover the History Galleries on C3, C2 and C1, the Community Galleries on Level 3 and the Culture Galleries on Level 4. They walk through escalators and elevators, lines, noise and what can be touched; the History Galleries story also covers darker rooms.
In the History Galleries, one room in Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom memorializes Emmett Till, and going inside is a choice. It helps to decide ahead of time whether your family will go in.
The Smithsonian doesn't offer dedicated hours or early openings for neurodiverse visitors by request. Its Morning at the Museum program opens one Smithsonian museum an hour early for pre-registered families; to hear about upcoming dates, email access@si.edu to join the list.
Everyone, of any age, needs a free timed-entry pass; advance passes come out 30 days ahead, and same-day passes come out online by 8:15 am Eastern each day.
Sensory Maps at the Welcome Desk mark where sounds are loud, lights are bright and visitors can touch.
The busiest times are 12 to 4 pm Friday to Sunday, and spring and summer; winter and fall have smaller crowds.
For a full-size copy your child can use, open this page at squaredsteps.com, tap Make it yours, then print.
More about National Museum of African American History and Culture
Louder, in the museum's words
Interactive areas, videos and voice recordings in the galleries (may make noise: people telling a story, music, or sound effects like cars or rain)not stated
Passes: a limited number of free timed-entry passes are released on a rolling basis; one person can reserve up to nine, and groups of 10 or more need group passes. The museum can't always take walk-up visitors. Please don't arrive before the time on your pass; you can enter after it until 4 pm, based on capacity, and once inside you can stay until closing. If you can't come on your date, email NMAAHCVisitorServices@si.edu to return or exchange your passes.
Veterans, active-duty personnel and first responders don't need a pass in advance: show a valid military or work ID badge and fill out a short registration form. The guest limit is posted as both 4 and 8, so ask before you go if it matters for your family.
Children under 18 must be with an adult chaperone, and one adult can chaperone up to ten children.
Food: you may bring a bottle of water; other food and drink must be closed and secured and can't be eaten inside, and food and drinks are on the museum's list of items not permitted, so ask before you pack a lunch. Bagged lunches can be eaten outside on the National Mall. Sweet Home Cafe is open Monday 12 to 3 pm, Tuesday to Thursday 11 am to 3 pm, and Friday to Sunday 11 am to 4 pm.
Lockers are first come, first served and fit a backpack or purse, not luggage. Strollers, walkers and wheelchairs can go everywhere, with elevators on every floor. Free manual wheelchairs are near the Madison Drive entrance, first come, first served.
Restrooms: every restroom has baby changing tables, and single-stall family restrooms are on Levels 2 and 4. A lactation space is on Level 3 next to the women's restroom; ask at the Welcome Desk if you need help finding it.
Entrances are on Madison Drive, which has a drop-off area and is recommended if you come by car, and on Constitution Avenue NW; everyone exits on Constitution Avenue NW. The Smithsonian has no parking; there are accessible National Park Service spaces along Madison Drive, and the nearest public garage is at the Ronald Reagan Building (ramps on 14th Street NW). The closest Metro stations are Federal Triangle and Smithsonian (Mall exit).
Photography of fine art isn't allowed, and only service animals may come in. Questions: email nmaahcvisitorservices@si.edu, or call the museum's automated phone line, 844-750-3012.
Email
NMAAHCVisitorServices@si.eduVisitor services, accessibility, pass returns and exchangesaccess@si.eduMorning at the Museum list (Smithsonian Office of Visitor Accessibility)
