Hi IG, We are honored to welcome veterans, active-duty personnel and first responders to the museum. After showing their military or work ID badge, they may enter with one guest without reserving a free-timed entry pass. Entry begins by joining the general line and checking in at the triage tents located near the building entrances on 15th Street and Madison Drive or 14th Street and Constitution Ave. Please note: museum entry is subject to building capacity; weekends and holidays are peak visitation times. If the museum is at or near capacity, all visitors standing in line will be asked to wait until the museum has room to accommodate them.

Hello Hilda, You can print your passes by searching for the email entitled 'etix.' Once opened you will see a blue 'view registration(s)' button. Click the button and then you will see your pass displayed with a prompt to print the passes. There is also an option to view your passes on a mobile device.

Hello Journey826314, Unfortunately, no. We define first responders as "law enforcement officers, paramedics, EMT's and firefighters." For more information please visit our website on how to obtain passes.

Hello, Thank you for donating to the museum! Passes are released throughout each day, beginning at 8:00 a.m., for time slots 30 days out at NMAAHC.si.edu/visit. The Museum remains extremely popular and we are limiting the number of people who can enter the museum in the initial stages of reopening for the safety of all visitors and staff.  Passes are going very quickly. We continue to monitor guidance from the CDC and local health officials and governments to inform decisions regarding our reopening protocols.  A limited number of same-day passes will be available each day the Museum is open starting at 8:15AM EST. Go to NMAAHC.si.edu/visit to view the availability of passes. All passes are distributed online, there will be no passes available at the Museum. If you have a specific question regarding membership and passes, please reach out to NMAAHC Membership at NMAAHCmember@si.edu Sincerely, NMAAHC Visitor Services

The calendar shows timed-entry passes for thirty days in advance. Passes are usually claimed within minutes of their release at 8:00 am (ET). A limited number of same day passes are released at 8:15 am (ET). When visitors cannot use their reserved passes, they become available on the calendar. If you have any additional questions, please contact us at NMAAHCVisitorServices@si.edu. 1 month ago

Hi Footprints247272, Unfortunately at this time, are not offering our previous walk-ups due to COVID-19 restrictions. We are constantly reevaluating our visitor and ticket procedures out of an abundance of caution. For the latest updates on pass releases and our group size limits, please check our visit page on our website frequently. We will gradually increase our capacity and distribute additional passes. We are limiting the number of people who can enter the museum for the safety of all visitors and staff. If you were unable to reserve timed-entry passes for the date and time you selected; we encourage you to visit our website for more information. The calendar shows timed-entry passes for thirty days in advance. Passes are usually claimed within minutes of their release at 8:00 am (ET). A limited number of same day passes are released at 8:15 am (ET). When visitors cannot use their reserved passes, they become available on the calendar. If you have any additional questions, please contact us at NMAAHCVisitorServices@si.edu.

Dear metro1288, We are sorry to hear that you weren’t able to obtain passes for the date you wished. Currently, Passes are released throughout each day, beginning at 8:00 a.m., for time slots 30 days out at NMAAHC.si.edu/visit. The Museum remains extremely popular and we are limiting the number of people who can enter the museum in the initial stages of reopening for the safety of all visitors and staff.  Passes are going very quickly. We continue to monitor guidance from the CDC and local health officials and governments to inform decisions regarding our reopening protocols.  A limited number of same-day passes will be available each day the Museum is open starting at 8:15AM EST. Go to NMAAHC.si.edu/visit to view the availability of passes. All passes are distributed online, there will be no passes available at the Museum. Sincerely, NMAAHC Visitor Services

Hello Michaelstinybb, We are sorry to hear that you weren’t able to obtain passes for the date you wished. Currently, Passes are released throughout each day, beginning at 8:00 a.m., for time slots 30 days out at NMAAHC.si.edu/visit. The Museum remains extremely popular and we are limiting the number of people who can enter the museum in the initial stages of reopening for the safety of all visitors and staff.  Passes are going very quickly. We continue to monitor guidance from the CDC and local health officials and governments to inform decisions regarding our reopening protocols.  A limited number of same-day passes will be available each day the Museum is open starting at 8:15AM EST. Go to NMAAHC.si.edu/visit to view the availability of passes. All passes are distributed online, there will be no passes available at the Museum. Sincerely, NMAAHC Visitor Services

Walking distance is a relative term. The African-American museum is on the National Mall, close to other museums and monuments but not to hotels. Technically, the closest hotel - - oddly enough - - is the Trump International just north of the Mall. I have never stayed there, but as a hotel it has a good reputation and very high prices. Maybe a block farther than Trump, walking distance for me but not for anyone handicapped or elderly, would be the JW Marriott Washington DC that is north of the Mall, and the Hilton Washington DC National Mall south of the Mall. The Marriott has an excellent reputation, many friends visiting have stayed there, and prices are not as high as one might expect. It is also close to a variety of restaurants. The Hilton is cheaper, I don't know anyone who has stayed there, and the south of the mall location has it away from most restaurants but very close to the Air and Space museum when that re-opens..

Smithsonian Museums in DC on the National Mall are free