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Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

Group Visits

Boys and girls look at snail specimens on a table where zoologist Ellen Strong is sitting. She is speaking to the students.
Zoologist Ellen Strong talks to students about snails after a Science How webcast. Photo by Jennifer Renteria, Smithsonian.

As a public health precaution due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), all Smithsonian museums in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area and New York City, including the National Zoo, will temporarily close to the public starting Saturday, March 14.

School Programs

Bring your class to the museum for a school program led by museum educators. During the school year, we offer free programs for grades K-12. Browse school programs and register.

Registered Self-Guided Experiences

Self-Guided Groups

The museum offers a new self-guided program for youth and adult tour groups. To receive a special self-guided experience, groups of 20 or more visitors must pre-register at least two weeks in advance of their anticipated visit. 

Register for a Self-Guided Group Visit 

Registered groups of 20 or more will receive: 

  • A greeting and brief orientation upon arrival to the museum
  • A self-guided group activity
  • Access to museum staff who can help plan your visit
  • Special expedited entrance to the museum 

Cafés
The museum has two cafés: The Ocean Terrace Café on the first floor and the larger Atrium Café on the ground floor. Get Dining Information

Bag Lunches
Limited bagged lunch seating is available in the Atrium Café. Bagged lunches must be stowed away at all times while visiting the museum and must only be eaten in the Atrium Café on the Ground Floor. The museum has no refrigerated storage for lunches. Please call the NMNH Groups hotline at 202-633-7515 for questions about group dining.

One chaperone is required for every 10 visitors 13 years and younger, one chaperone is required for every 15 visitors between the ages of 14 – 17.  

Chaperones must stay with their students for the duration of their visit. 

Groups are encouraged to limit the number of bags they bring to the Museum. All visitors are screened through metal detectors upon entry. The fewer items your group brings, the faster your entry. Groups arriving via bus are strongly encouraged to leave all bags on the bus if possible.
 
Get through security in a breeze by reviewing the Museum's security policies. Note: visitors carrying prohibited items will not be allowed inside the Museum.

Due to the large number of groups entering the museum, resources will not be available to registered self-guided groups that arrive after their designated time.  Groups that arrive after their designated time may still visit the museum as general visitors. Expedited entry and self-guided materials will not be available for late arrivals.    

  • Self-guided group time slots are available from 10 AM –  12 PM daily, in 30 minute increments.
  • Each time slot is limited to 120 visitors. Groups larger than 120 visitors should divide into smaller groups and stagger arrival to the museum.  
  • After registering you will receive an automatic email confirming your submission.  An email with detailed visit information, including arrival process and bus drop-off/pick-up information will be sent to you via email to help you plan your visit.  
  • Registration for self-guided groups closes two weeks prior to the desired date of visit. 

Please contact the NMNH groups program at NMNHGroups@si.edu or 202-633-7515.