Your guide to ticketed and timed-entry attractions in the nation's capital
While Washington, DC is known for its free things to do, many attractions require timed-entry tickets to ensure a smooth visitor experience. Find out which locations encourage advanced reservations and which charge admission so you can plan a seamless visit to the District.
Free attractions that require timed-entry passes
Select Smithsonian sites and other popular destinations require timed passes to manage capacity and save visitors from waiting in long lines, especially during peak visitation windows such as cherry blossom season.
Smithsonian's National Zoo
Hours vary by season and entry typically cuts off one hour before closing. Animal buildings operate on reduced hours (opening later and closing earlier).
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Timed passes are highly recommended, with a limited amount of same-day passes available online the day of your visit. The passes are printed with a one-hour time range for you to enter the museum.
National Air and Space Museum
Entry times are hourly from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. but may change during peak season. The museum releases individual passes for six-week periods at a time and is open every day except Dec. 25, generally open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Library of Congress
Timed-entry passes are required for all visitors. A limited number of tickets are released up to 30 days in advance on a rolling basis. Same-day tickets are released online daily at 9 a.m.
U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum
Timed passes are required to enter the permanent exhibition from March through August. Passes are available online several months in advance and same-day passes are released daily beginning at 6 a.m. A small service charge of $1 per ticket applies to online bookings. Timed passes are not required for non-permanent exhibitions or for the permanent exhibition from September through February.
Washington Monument
Admission is free but a timed ticket is required. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis. One person may reserve up to six tickets. All visitors, including children ages 2 and older, must have a ticket.
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Admission is free. March through August, visitors must book a ticket for a guided tour in order to see the production floor. These are distributed on the day of your visit, beginning at 8 a.m. until all tours for the day are full. Lines form early and, during peak season, tickets are often distributed by 9 a.m.
Attractions that require paid tickets
You can buy tickets for some of Washington, DC's most popular ticketed attractions at the venue or on their website. This includes popular attractions such as:
Some attractions offer discounts to those who buy tickets online ahead of their visit and you can also purchase 24 or 48-hour, hop-on, hop-off bus tour tickets with Big Bus Tours, which will allow you to view the wonders of the National Mall at your own convenience. (Use code VISITDC to save.)
Government buildings with advance tour requirements
Touring the White House
White House tours are only available by advance arrangement through your member of Congress. Find your member of Congress and contact information here and submit your request up to three months in advance and no less than 21 days prior to your visit. International visitors who want to visit the White House should contact their embassy in Washington, DC for assistance submitting a tour request. More information is available at whitehouse.gov.
Touring the U.S. Capitol
You can obtain tickets to tour the U.S. Capitol through your member of Congress or via visitthecapitol.gov. Some limited same-day tour passes may be available at the public walk-up line in the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center. Learn more in our guide.
Free attractions and museums that do not require tickets
There are also plenty of attractions in Washington, DC that are open to the public and do not require tickets, including most Smithsonian museums, the National Gallery of Art, the Supreme Court and the monuments and memorials on the National Mall.
However, you may want to check schedules in advance to take advantage of guided interpretive tours, lectures, IMAX movies and other programs that may require special tickets.
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