Museums

Most Smithsonian museums offer free admission. A few locations require free timed-entry passes, and Cooper Hewitt in New York City has paid admission.

19 results
Interior gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum with columns, paintings on the walls, and a large neon map installation
Smithsonian American Art Museum
The nation’s first collection of American art offers an unparalleled record of the American experience, capturing the aspirations, character and imagination of the American people throughout three centuries.
Location
Washington, DC
11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
Museum
A landscaped garden with yellow and flowers, foliage, a paved walkway, and a Smithsonian Gardens logo.
Smithsonian Gardens
The many gardens that surround the Smithsonian are a “museum without walls.” All have been designed to complement the museums they border and to enhance the overall museum experience of learning, appreciation, and enjoyment.
Location
Washington, DC
Haupt Garden open daily dawn to dusk
other outdoor gardens open 24 hours
Museum
Entrance area of the National Zoo with two large lion statues surrounded by greenery
Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Founded in 1889, the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute sits on 163 acres in the heart of Washington, D.C.’s Rock Creek Park and is home to more than 2,100 animals representing almost 400 different species.
Location
Washington, DC
8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily (Mar. 15–Sept. 14)
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily (Sept. 15–Mar. 14)
Museum