For the first time in months, the Smithsonian National Zoo will be re-opening their doors to the public! In addition, The National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly will also re-open on the same date.
The zoo will welcome the public back on Friday, July 24 with new safety measures and hours in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While entry is still free, visitors will need to reserve a timed entry pass at si.edu/tickets or by phone at 1-800-514-3849, ext. 1. A visitor may reserve up to 6 passes and the National Zoo will release 5,000 passes per day.
New hours for the National Zoo are 8AM-4PM daily.
Below are the new safety measures based on CDC guidelines:
- Requesting that all visitors who are sick or do not feel well stay home.
- Requiring that visitors ages six and older wear face coverings during their visit—inside the Udvar-Hazy Center and Zoo buildings as well as in Zoo outdoor spaces. Face coverings are also strongly recommended for visitors between the ages of two and six, per CDC guidelines.
- Limiting the number of people in each facility by requiring all visitors to obtain a free, timed-entry pass in advance of their visit. Beginning today, July 20, visitors can reserve passes online or by phone and select the desired date and time for their visit. The Smithsonian will release 5,000 timed passes per day for the Zoo and about 1,500 passes per day for the Udvar-Hazy Center. Those numbers may change over time.
- Implementing safe social distancing, including some one-way paths and directional guidance where appropriate.
- Providing hand-sanitizing stations for visitors and conducting enhanced cleaning throughout both facilities.
- Restrooms will be open. Outdoor concessions and retail kiosks will be open at the Zoo. Indoor concessions and retail will not be open at the Udvar-Hazy Center, but food trucks will be on-site, pending availability.
- All on-site public tours and events are temporarily suspended. Some exhibits, interactives, rides, demonstrations, theaters or indoor spaces may be closed or operate at limited capacity, including some indoor spaces and artifacts unavailable at the Udvar-Hazy Center due to a previously planned roof-reconstruction project. Detailed information for visitors is available on the National Zoo’s website and the National Air and Space Museum’s website.