The National Air and Space Museum strives to create an inclusive environment where all visitors are welcome. This commitment extends to ensuring accessibility in all aspects of the museum experience, including dining and shopping. While specific food items cannot be reserved, the museum offers accessible dining facilities and services to accommodate diverse needs.
For any accessibility-related inquiries or information about museum resources, please contact us:
Phone: 703-572-4118 (10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. EST)
Email: [email protected]
Navigating the Museum with Ease
The museum provides several features to facilitate accessibility from arrival to departure:
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Parking and Entrances: Accessible parking spaces are conveniently located along the central walkway. A designated drop-off lane is available at the Udvar-Hazy Center entrance.
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Exterior Access Ramps: Ramps are situated at the Museum’s main entrance, ensuring smooth entry for all visitors.
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Interior Elevators: Elevators are strategically placed throughout the building for easy access to different levels.
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Wheelchairs: Visitors are welcome to use their own mobility devices. A limited number of standard and bariatric wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Udvar-Hazy Center entrance.
Service Animals and Restrooms
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Service Animals: Service animals are welcome inside the Museum. Please note that emotional support, therapy, comfort, or companion animals are not permitted.
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Restrooms: All restrooms are wheelchair accessible. A family/companion care restroom is located on the main floor near the restrooms and wheelchair pickup area.
Resources for Enhanced Sensory Experiences
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Braille and Tactile Guides: These guides are available at the John L. Plueger Family Welcome Center for visitors with visual impairments.
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Sensory Bags: Sensory bags, containing noise-reduction headphones, fidget toys, and other tools, are available at the John L. Plueger Family Welcome Center to support neurodiverse visitors. These bags are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Pre-Visit Planning
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Pre-Visit Materials: Prepare for your visit with pre-visit videos that explain museum rules, routines and other safety information.
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Social Narrative: A social narrative is available to help visitors understand what to expect during their visit.
The Smithsonian Office of Accessibility also provides resources and tips for museum visits for visitors of all ages.
Accessible Shopping & Dining Experiences
All Museum stores, dining facilities, and water fountains are designed to be accessible, ensuring a comfortable and inclusive experience for all visitors. While you cannot reserve specific food items, the accessible layout of the dining areas allows for easy navigation and enjoyment of the available options.
Tours and Public Programs
Advance reservations are generally not required for self-guided visits or walk-in programs. Many tour guides are trained to provide tours to children and adults with disabilities.
Requesting Specific Accommodations
For specific program or accessibility service requests, please provide at least two weeks’ notice. When requesting an accessibility service, specify the preferred mode of communication (e.g., ASL, PSE, or Signed English for sign language interpretation).
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Visually Impaired Visitors: Audio-described, docent-led tours, and discovery stations with models and tactile components are available.
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Sign Language Interpretation: Sign language interpreters can be arranged for public programs or evening lectures with advance notice.
To reserve a tour or request further information, please contact the National Air and Space Museum’s Reservation Office:
Phone: (202) 633-2563 (9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday)
Email: [email protected]
Theaters
The Airbus IMAX Theater offers designated seating for visitors using wheelchairs and their companions. Audio descriptions and/or rear-window captioning are available for most theater shows.
Additional Resources
Phone: 202-633-2921 (voice) 202-633-4353 (TTY) 202-633-4352 (fax)
Toll-free: 1-888-783-0001
Email: [email protected]
While reserving specific food items isn’t possible, the National Air and Space Museum’s commitment to accessibility ensures a welcoming and inclusive experience for all, including convenient access to dining and other essential services. We encourage visitors to utilize the available resources and contact us with any questions or requests.
