The Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, DC
The Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC announced today that it will reopen eight of its venues to the public on a staggered schedule in May after a hiatus of more than five months. It is the second reopening after the initial closure in March 2020 due to Covid-19: between last July and October, the Smithsonian had previously reopened eight facilities before closing to the public again on 23 November amid a spike in coronavirus cases.
Visitors must reserve free timed-entry passes for all open locations and observe various safety restrictions such as mask-wearing and maintaining social distancing. Tours and events remain suspended.
Smithsonian Museums Will Reopen in May (Yes, You Can Visit the Pandas)
After being closed to the public since November, eight D.C.-area institutions will again welcome visitors next month.
Visitors will soon be able to meet Xiao Qi Ji, a panda cub, at the National Zoo in Washington. Credit.Smithsonian s National Zoo, via Associated Press
April 23, 2021, 12:30 p.m. ET
If you live in D.C., you’re this close to the return of in-person panda peeping at the National Zoo.
The weather is getting warmer. More people are being vaccinated. And now, in the latest sign of cultural life returning to the country, the Smithsonian announced Friday that it will reopen eight of its Washington-area institutions, including the National Zoo, next month.
Smithsonian to reopen several museums, National Zoo next month Follow Us
Question of the Day
A Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton is seen on display biting a Triceratops during the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History’s David H. Koch Hall of Fossils-Deep Time during a media preview in Washington, Tuesday, June 4, 2019. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) . more >The Smithsonian Institution announced Friday that seven museums and the National Zoo will reopen next month.
The National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center will be the first to restart operations on May 5.
On May 14, the following museums will reopen: the National Portrait Gallery, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum and its Renwick Gallery.