Admission and Group Visits

Admission

Timed Entry Passes May Be Required for Admission to the Museum
Admission to the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian is free to the public, but due to the extraordinary number of visitors expected, Timed Entry Passes may be necessary to enter. If at any time the wait outside the building is more than an hour, the museum will issue same-day Timed Entry Passes on a first-come, first-served basis.

You can plan your visit by obtaining free Timed Entry Passes at the museum on the day of your visit, beginning at 10 a.m., or you may reserve advanced Timed Entry Passes (limit 10 passes per order) to guarantee your entry to the museum at a specific time. You may reserve Timed Entry Passes in advance for a nominal service fee by visiting www.tickets.com, or you may call Tickets.com toll-free at 866-400-NMAI (6624).

NMAI Members Receive Preferred Admission to the Museum
To assure the easiest entry to the museum, you might consider becoming a Charter Member today. Membership starts at just $20.

Member Access Passes
Members will also receive at least two free Member Access Passes as a benefit of membership. These member passes allow NMAI Members preferred admission at any time during regular museum hours, beginning Monday, September 27, 2004. Other benefits include a 10 percent discount on all purchases at the NMAI and Smithsonian Museum stores, a special Grand Opening Commemorative Magazine, and a one-year subscription to our quarterly publication, American Indian.

Beginning Monday, September 27, 2004, NMAI Charter Members may take advantage of their special Member Access Passes to gain admission to the museum via the east door, located at 4th Street and Independence Avenue, S.W. Those members arriving by 9:45 a.m. will receive special early admission to the museum at 10 a.m. Those members arriving after 10 a.m. may present their Member Access Passes at the door at any time to be placed in the next timed-entry line.

For information about Charter Membership, or to find out how you can join and enjoy these special Member privileges, please visit www.AmericanIndian.si.edu or call Member Services at 202-633-6984, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST, or email aimember@nmai.si.edu.

Museum Policies: Food and drink are not permitted inside the museum. Smoking is prohibited. On entry, security officers will hand-check all backpacks, purses, briefcases, suitcases, and other bags. A check room will not be available. Video/audio recording and flash photography are permitted. The museum cannot guarantee entry to anyone that arrives more than 30 minutes after their pass time.

Group Visits

Groups of 10 or more can arrange an educational program by contacting NMAI's Group Reservations Office: 202-633-6644.

The museum is now taking reservations for school tours and non-educational group tours scheduled after November 2, 2004.

Unregistered Groups: School groups of more than 6 that are unable to schedule a visit through Group Reservations may stand in line the day of their visit to receive same-day passes. Unregistered groups are required to have 1 adult chaperone for every 10 students. Each adult chaperone may obtain 10 passes for their assigned students on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 10 a.m. All unscheduled group passes will be for admission after 1 p.m.