Smithsonian Stops Requiring Most Timed-Entry Passes July 20

Timed-entry passes will not be required to enter most Smithsonian museums starting Tuesday, according to the Smithsonian Institution.

The museums located on National Mall will also return to their pre-pandemic operating hours.

Visiting update: Starting Tuesday, July 20, we will no longer use timed-entry passes at most museums. Passes will still be required to visit our @NMAAHC, @NationalZoo and @cooperhewitt.

Full reopening schedule, museum hours and more information: https://t.co/bLqdlIkisB

— Smithsonian (@smithsonian) July 16, 2021

The timed-entry passes were part of the Smithsonian's reopening plan during the pandemic.

However, the National Museum of African American History and Culture will continue to require timed passes, as it has since it opened in 2016, and the National Zoo will also still require passes to enter. Starting Tuesday, people will not need to reserve passes to see the giant pandas.

Smithsonian facilities will continue to require unvaccinated people ages two and older to wear a mask or face covering.

The Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York City will offer free passes until Oct. 31.

The National Museum of African Art and the National Museum of Asian Art’s Freer Gallery reopened Friday.

Several museums remain closed but are scheduled to reopen between July 30 and Aug. 27:

• Friday, July 30: National Air and Space Museum and the Smithsonian Institution Building
• Friday, Aug. 6: Anacostia Community Museum
• Friday, Aug. 20: Hirshhorn Museum
• Friday, Aug. 27: National Postal Museum