Tickets with an Infant

Question

Hello! My wife and I will be traveling to DC for a work trip in March. We will be bringing our infant (8 months at that point) with us, and be doing some sightseeing. We want to get tickets for the National Archives, US Holocaust Museum, and Ford's Theatre. I can't find anywhere to confirm whether we'll need a ticket for our daughter at these locations. Does anyone have any experience/insight into this?

Relatedly, will we need a pass for her on the Metro system?

Thanks for any help!

Answer

Traveling to DC with an infant is generally straightforward, and most major attractions are accommodating to young children. Here's the breakdown regarding tickets and public transportation:

National Archives: Admission for the National Archives is free for everyone, so you will not need a ticket for your infant. Adults generally do not need tickets either, but special exhibits may require timed-entry passes.

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum: Adults require timed-entry tickets, which are free if reserved in advance online. Children under 12 are admitted free, so your 8-month-old daughter will not need a ticket.

Ford's Theatre: Tickets for performances are generally required for all attendees, but infants under 2 years old are often allowed to attend for free if they sit on a parent’s lap. For touring the museum or the historic areas, check the specific museum section—generally, infants are free.

Washington Metro: Infants under 6 years old ride free on both Metrorail and Metrobus when accompanied by a fare-paying adult. Therefore, you will not need to purchase a pass for your daughter.

Additional tips for visiting DC with an infant:

Bring a lightweight stroller for ease of mobility; security screenings may require brief collapses at entrances.
Many museums and attractions have family restrooms with changing tables.
Arrive early for popular sites to avoid long lines, especially when carrying a baby.
If attending a performance at Ford’s Theatre with your infant, check with the box office for their lap-sitting policy to ensure you can bring her in comfortably.

Overall, you should have minimal issues bringing an infant to these major DC attractions, and you won’t need separate tickets or Metro passes for her.