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Are any Smithsonian museums open at night?

Author

Sarah Oconnor

Updated on February 19, 2026

Are any Smithsonian museums open at night?

Smithsonian: Many of the more popular Smithsonian Museums stay open late on select days in the summer. While everything else closes at 530 pm, you may find the Air and Space, Natural History, or American History open until 7:30 pm. The Portrait Gallery is one of the few museums that says open later every night.

Herein, what time are the Smithsonian museums open?

Plan Your Visit: at the Smithsonian Visitor Center in the Castle, open daily from 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Hours: Most museums in the Washington, D.C., area are open daily from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Closed December 25. Extended seasonal hours determined annually.

Secondly, what days are Smithsonian museums closed? Hours Today: ClosedThe Museum is open 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day except December 25.

Simply so, what Smithsonian museums are open late?

  • Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.
  • National Portrait Gallery.
  • Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.
  • United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
  • National Geographic Museum.
  • Smithsonian American Art Museum Renwick Gallery.
  • Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden.

Is the Smithsonian Institute closed?

The Smithsonian has been using prior-year funds to remain open to the public through Jan. 1. If the federal-funding lapse continues, all Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo will close Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019.

How many days does it take to see the Smithsonian?

A thorough examination of the contents of a single museum would easily fill a month, but two days per museum is enough to satisfy most visitors. If time is short, it is possible to take a cursory walk through one of the museums in less than a day, provided you do not linger.
The National Air and Space Museum

How long does it take to go through the Smithsonian American History Museum?

With all the attractions in DC, unless you have an extended stay or an intense love of Natural History, you'll likely want to hit the highlights. Allow anywhere from 10-45 minutes to go through the security entrance line during busy season.

Which Smithsonian museums are free?

Admission is free for all Smithsonian museums and the zoo in Washington, D.C., and the American Indian Museum's George Gustav Heye Center in New York. Tickets are not used for general admission with the exception of the African American History and Culture Museum; visit the museum's website for details.

How long does it take to go through Air and Space Museum?

2 hours

Are museums in DC open on Sunday?

All monuments and museums are open on both Saturday and Sunday. On Sunday the National Gallery of Art is open 11-6 instead 10-5 on Mon-Sat. The Smithsonian Museums are all 10-5:30 every day (except 12/25), except the Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture at 8th and F, which is open 11:30-7:00.

How far is Union Station from the Smithsonian?

1 miles

Are DC museums open on weekends?

If you want to explore DC on a weekend, you're in luck as all the monuments and museums on the National Mall are open on Saturday and Sunday, except for holidays. The Smithsonian Museums are open 10 am -5:30 pm, except the Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture open 11:30 am -7:00 pm.

How much does the Smithsonian cost?

Admission is free for all Smithsonian museums and the zoo in Washington, D.C., and the American Indian Museum's George Gustav Heye Center in New York. Tickets are not used for general admission with the exception of the African American History and Culture Museum; visit the museum's website for details.

What is there to do after 5pm in DC?

Top 5 Places to Go in D.C. After 5 p.m.
  • Night Walk of the National Mall. If you've been to D.C., you've likely walked the National Mall during the day, along with all of the other tourists, to see the iconic monuments.
  • Madams Organ.
  • National Portrait Gallery.
  • The Kennedy Center.
  • Capital One Arena.

How many museums are in the Smithsonian?

20 museums

How do I get to the Smithsonian?

The Best Way To Visit the Smithsonian in D.C.
  1. Stick to a plan: The Smithsonian is an enormous complex, made up of 18 museums, galleries and even a zoo.
  2. When to go: If at all possible, take a look at a school calendar and visit the museums any day a majority of kids are in school.
  3. Getting around: Whatever you do, don't drive.

What all is in the Smithsonian?

The ultimate guide to all 19 Smithsonian Museums
  • National Museum of African American History and Culture. Source: Flickr.
  • National Museum of African Art.
  • National Air and Space Museum.
  • National Air and Space Museum, Steven F.
  • Smithsonian American Art Museum.
  • National Museum of American History.
  • National Museum of the American Indian.
  • Anacostia Community Museum.

What museums are open after 5 in DC?

  • Phillips After 5 – The Phillips Collection.
  • Luce Unplugged – Smithsonian American Art Museum.
  • Nat Geo Nights – National Geographic Museum.
  • National Portrait Gallery & Smithsonian American Art Museum.
  • Summer Block Party – National Building Museum.
  • Jazz in the Garden – National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden.

On what holiday is the Air and Space Museum closed?

The National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., is located at Sixth Street and Independence Avenue S.W. The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is located in Chantilly, Va., near Washington Dulles International Airport. Both facilities are open daily from 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. (closed Dec. 25).

What does Smithsonian mean?

Smithsonian(adj) of or pertaining to the Englishman J. L. M. Smithson, or to the national institution of learning which he endowed at Washington, D. C.; as, the Smithsonian Institution; Smithsonian Reports. Smithsonian(noun) the Smithsonian Institution.

Who owns the Smithsonian?

Organization of the Smithsonian
The Institution, established in 1846, is governed by a board of regents which, by law, is composed of the vice president of the United States, the chief justice of the United States, three members of the Senate, three members of the House of Representatives and nine citizen members.

Are Smithsonian museums open July 4?

Visiting Smithsonian July 4. The Natural History Museum will be open until 7:30 pm on July 4th.

Where should I stay in Washington DC?

Answer:The best place to stay in Washington, D.C. for attractions like the National Mall and Smithsonian Museums is south of the National Mall near the L'Enfant or Federal Center Metro stations. Hotels in this area are closest to all the Museums.

Where is the Smithsonian Museum located at?

Washington D.C.

What is there to do in DC at night?

Top 10 Things to Do in DC at Night
  • Visit the Memorials.
  • Take a Night Tour.
  • Explore the Museums Open Late.
  • Get out on the Town.
  • Watch Sunset Parade (at Iwo Jima)

What state is District of Columbia in?

The District of Columbia is not a state, it is a federal district. When the Constitution of the United States was adopted in 1787, what is now the District of Columbia was a part of the state of Maryland.

Why is Smithsonian free?

The Smithsonian Institution has, in fact, kept its museums and the zoo free so that they are not cost-prohibitive for schoolchildren or others -- "so you don't have to have any income level" to enjoy them -- Smithsonian Institution spokesperson Linda St. Thomas told the Hotsheet.

How does Smithsonian make money?

The Smithsonian has two sources of funding - federal appropriations and income generated from gifts, revenue-generating activities, and investments (referred to as Smithsonian "trust funds"). However, the Smithsonian is one legal entity.

Why is the Smithsonian closed?

All Smithsonian museums in Washington, D.C., including the National Zoo, and in New York City continue to be closed to support the effort to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Who funds the Smithsonian?

The Smithsonian has two sources of funding - federal appropriations and income generated from gifts, revenue-generating activities, and investments (referred to as Smithsonian "trust funds").

Are Smithsonian employees federal employees?

Smithsonian federal employees are regular civil service employees. The Smithsonian does not have political appointees.

Is the Smithsonian part of the National Park Service?

The Smithsonian is joining the National Park Service in celebrating the centennial of America's national parks with “100 Years of America's National Park Service: Preserve, Enjoy, Inspire,” a new photography exhibition opening at the National Museum of Natural History Aug.

Where is the Hope Diamond?

Hope Diamond
The Hope Diamond in the National Museum of Natural History
Weight45.552 carats (9.1104 g)
Country of originIndia
Mine of originKollur mine
DiscoveredUnknown. Present form first documented in the inventory of jewel merchant Daniel Eliason in 1812

What kind of magazine is the Smithsonian?

About Smithsonian Magazine. Smithsonian is a science and nature magazine published by the Smithsonian Museum that offers a unique take on history, nature, popular culture, the arts, science, and archaeology.

Why is it called Smithsonian?

It was founded on August 10, 1846, "for the increase and diffusion of knowledge". The institution is named after its founding donor, British scientist James Smithson. It was originally organized as the "United States National Museum", but that name ceased to exist as an administrative entity in 1967.

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Are any Smithsonian museums open at night?