Four museums located along the National Mall will have modified access this week because of the Freedom 250 Grand Prix in D.C.
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The National Gallery of Art, the National Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of the American Indian and the National Museum of Natural History are located within the race’s ticketed-access zone, called the Stripes and Stars perimeters. Tickets only allow access to one perimeter, not the neighboring area.
On Friday, museum visitors can enter through the nearest Grand Prix gates and no Grand Prix tickets are required to visit these museums.
However, visitors to the museums will need Grand Prix tickets on Saturday, Aug. 22 and Sunday, Aug. 23. See below for more information.
If you haven’t already snagged tickets to the race, you may be out of luck. The window to request general admission tickets closed June 7.
National Gallery of Art
Stripes ticketed-access perimeter
Friday: Visitors will need to go through event security to get to the museum. The gallery’s East Building, West Building and Sculpture Garden all sit within the restricted zone.
Saturday and Sunday: This weekend, anyone hoping to visit the museum needs to have tickets to the race. And the East Building, which houses modern and contemporary art, will be closed Sunday.
National Air and Space Museum
Stripes ticketed-access perimeter
Friday: Visitors should secure same-day, free timed-entry passes to the museum via a QR code that will be on signs near the museum’s entrance. Passes will only be released on the day of and cannot be reserved in advance.
Saturday and Sunday: Grand Prix ticket required (Stripes). Visitors should get a same-day, free timed-entry passes to the museum via a QR code that will be on signs near the museum’s entrance. Passes will only be released on the day of and cannot be reserved in advance. Gate 5 is the closest Grand Prix entrance to the museum.
National Museum of the American Indian
Stripes ticketed-access perimeter
Friday: No Grand Prix event tickets are required. Visitors will enter the museum through the nearest Grand Prix gate. No Smithsonian timed-entry pass required.
Saturday and Sunday: Grand Prix ticket required (Stripes). No Smithsonian timed-entry pass required. Gate 6 is the closest Grand Prix entrance to the museum.
National Museum of Natural History
Stars ticketed-access perimeter
Friday: No Grand Prix event tickets are required. Visitors can enter the museum through the nearest Grand Prix gate. No Smithsonian timed-entry pass required.
Saturday and Sunday: Grand Prix ticket required (Stars). No Smithsonian timed-entry pass required. Gate A is the closest Grand Prix entrance to the museum.
All other museums will remain open during regular public hours with no additional access requirements, the Smithsonian said.
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