Guidelines & Policies

Visitor Conduct

Welcome to the Museum of Exploration! To ensure a safe, inclusive, and enjoyable experience for all of our guests and staff, we ask that all visitors abide by the following guidelines.

These guidelines apply to all visitors to the Museum of Exploration and any public events hosted at the museum, including public programming and free events.

Expected Behavior

Help us maintain a welcoming environment for everyone by following these community standards:

• Be Respectful: Harassment, intimidation, discrimination, or offensive behavior of any kind is strictly prohibited. This includes unwelcome comments, jokes, inappropriate touching, invading personal space, or unwanted photography/communication (in-person or digital).
• Keep it Peaceful: Please be courteous to those around you. Avoid disorderly conduct, including loud conversations or playing music through external speakers.
• Follow Staff Instructions: Please respect all museum signage and instructions from our staff, including access restrictions for areas marked "Staff Only," "Private," or "Private Event."

Coat Check, Bags & Strollers

For your comfort and safety, please review our size limits and storage options for bags, coats, and strollers before your visit:

• Coat Check: We offer a complimentary coat check to all visitors. Only coats are accepted at coat check, no bags.
• Bag Policy: Bags 16x16x8 or smaller are permitted. No large bags or luggage will be allowed in the museum.
• Self-Check Lockers: Bag and cell-phone charging lockers are available near the Magazine Gallery.
• Strollers: Strollers are welcome as long as they are no larger than 36 inches long x 27 inches wide x 43 inches high.

Food & Beverage

Please note our restrictions on outside food and drinks to help us preserve the museum collections.

• Outside Food and Beverage is not permitted inside the Museum of Exploration.
• Visitors may bring water bottles with them as long as they are resealable.

Security Screening

At the Museum of Exploration, the safety and security of our guests and staff is critical. To create a safe space, all visitors are required to pass through security checkpoints at all public and staff entrances. This will require walking through a metal detector and may include a hand-check of bags. Visitors unable to walk through a metal detector will be subject to hand-screening with an electronic security wand by authorized staff.

All visitors and their belongings are subject to search if requested by museum staff.

Prohibited Items & Activities

For the safety of our guests, staff, and exhibits, the following are strictly prohibited inside the Museum and on Museum grounds:

• Weapons & Violence: Weapons of any kind (including concealed carry), explosives, or any acts of force and violence.
• Dangerous Activities: Running, climbing on exhibits or facilities, skateboarding, rollerblading, bicycling, riding scooters, or engaging in physical activities like parkour.
• Illegal Substances & Smoking: The unlawful use of drugs or controlled substances. Smoking, including e-cigarettes and vaping, is strictly prohibited inside the building.
• Alcohol: Alcohol may only be consumed in designated areas during specific events by guests 21 and older. Disruptive or unsafe intoxication is not permitted, and bar staff reserve the right to refuse service.
• Animals: Only trained service animals are permitted. Pets and emotional support animals are not allowed. Service animals must remain under the control of their handler at all times.
• Solicitation & Protests: Unauthorized assembly, protests, demonstrations, commercial solicitation, advertising, or distributing literature.
• Signs & Banners: Displaying unauthorized signs, banners, or political materials (except official group identification, such as school field trip signs).
• Outside Furniture: Bringing or setting up chairs or other furniture not provided by the Museum.
• Drones: The use of drones, aerial devices, or remote-controlled toys.

Dress Code & Photography

Please review our guidelines regarding appropriate attire and camera usage during your visit:

• Attire: Shirts and shoes are required at all times. Attire or visible tattoos with offensive language or imagery that detracts from the family-friendly experience of other guests are not permitted.
• Commercial Photography: Standard photography for personal use is welcome. However, professional or commercial photography and videography are strictly prohibited without prior written permission from Museum management.

Note: These guidelines are illustrative and do not cover every possible scenario. Museum staff reserve the right to address any behavior that threatens the safety of our visitors, staff, or collection. Specific exhibitions or events may have additional rules.

Booking, Admission and Cancellations

Please review our booking terms and arrival windows below before purchasing to ensure a smooth entry to the museum.

• No refunds. All ticket sales are final.
• Visitors may reschedule their tickets for an alternate day using the Modify Booking link in their confirmation email.
• If you do not arrive within 15 minutes after your scheduled entry time, you will not be able to enter the museum at your original time and your ticket reservation will have to be rescheduled.
• If you’re running late, call us at 202-857-7700, and we will do our best to reschedule for the next available time.
• Admission, operating hours, exhibitions, and programming are subject to change or cancellation without notice. The Museum reserves the right to close temporarily or restrict access due to private events, maintenance, safety concerns, or other operational needs.