Timed ticket entries

Question

I’m visiting DC on September 19-27. Do I need timed tickets for everything? Most interested in African American Museum, National Gallery, library of Congress, congress, Supreme Court, and of course other museums . Hard to plan in advance by the hour. Thanks

Answer

Visiting Washington DC’s major museums and government buildings between September 19–27 can be an enriching experience, but planning around timed entry tickets is important, especially for popular institutions.

Timed Tickets Overview:

National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC): Timed-entry passes are required for all visitors. These are free but must be reserved in advance. Tickets are often claimed quickly, so booking as soon as possible is recommended.
National Gallery of Art: Entry is generally free and does not require timed tickets. You can walk in during regular hours, though special exhibitions may require advance reservations or tickets.
Library of Congress: Entry is free, but guided tours require reservations. There is no strict timed entry for self-guided visits, but planning to arrive during a scheduled tour can enhance the experience.
U.S. Capitol: Tours require advance reservations. For visitors without a member of Congress arranging a tour, public tours can be booked through the Capitol Visitor Center website, often with specific time slots.
Supreme Court: Entry to the building is free. Court sessions have specific schedules, and guided lectures are offered. No timed ticket is needed for general access unless you want to attend oral arguments, which have specific times.

Other Smithsonian Museums: Most are free and do not require timed entry, though some special exhibitions may require reservations. Popular spots like the Air and Space Museum or the National Museum of American History can be busy, so arriving early can help avoid crowds.

Tips for Planning:

Prioritize booking timed-entry tickets for NMAAHC and Capitol tours as early as possible.
Use flexible scheduling for other museums; plan a morning visit to popular locations to avoid lines.
Check each museum’s official website a week or two before your trip for any special exhibitions that might require tickets or advance reservations.
Consider grouping nearby museums together by location to minimize walking and make timing easier, such as the National Mall cluster (Air and Space, American History, Natural History, etc.).

In summary, not everything in DC requires timed tickets, but the most popular and limited-capacity sites like NMAAHC and the Capitol do. Other museums and the Library of Congress are generally walk-in friendly, allowing you to plan your days with more flexibility.

Timed ticket entries

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