The Smithsonian strives to make all visitors feel welcome. Some accessibility features include:
Accessible facilities and at least one entrance that is accessible to visitors with limited mobility.
View the Accessibility Map (PDF) for accessible entrances, parking, and more.
Free manual wheelchair loans available at every museum in Washington, D.C., and the National Zoo on a first-come, first-served basis. Visitors are welcome to use their own mobility devices. Please note this does not include devices used strictly for recreational purposes.
Free manual wheelchair loans available at every museum in Washington, D.C., and the National Zoo on a first-come, first-served basis. Visitors are welcome to use their own mobility devices. Please note this does not include devices used strictly for recreational purposes.
Open captioning of exhibition videos and audio description incorporated into some exhibitions.
Tactile elements included throughout the museums. Tactile and/or verbal description tours can be arranged by contacting a museum; two weeks advance notice is appreciated. For details, visit the museums' websites below.
Sign language interpretation for scheduled tours can be arranged by contacting the museum; two weeks advance notice is appreciated.
For details, visit the museums' websites below.
Access services for public programs can be arranged by contacting the museum in advance. For details, visit the museums' websites below.
Access services for public programs can be arranged by contacting the museum in advance. For details, visit the museums' websites below.
IMAX movies shown during regular museum hours of operation offer assistive listening devices, audio-descriptionand rear-window captioning. For details, view our IMAX Theater and Planetarium Accessibility FAQ.
The Smithsonian Guide and Map is available in Braille onsite at the museum information desks. A large print version (PDF) of the Guide and Map is available online and onsite at museum information desks.
Resources for visitors with cognitive or sensory processing disabilities are available online.
Museum-specific Information
African American History and Culture
African Art Museum
Air and Space Museum and its Udvar-Hazy Center
American Art Museum and its Renwick Gallery
American History Museum
American Indian Museum
American Indian Museum's Heye Center (in New York)
Anacostia Community Museum
Cooper Hewitt (in New York)
Freer and Sackler Galleries
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
Natural History Museum
Portrait Gallery
Postal Museum
National Zoo
