Visitor FAQs

Museum visitors observe artworks hanging on the royal blue walls of a small gallery bay. Paintings of various sizes are on display, and small sculptures are in a glass case.
Have a question about tickets? You will find answers to many commonly asked questions on this page.

If you have concerns or questions that are not addressed in the dropdown menus below, please feel free to contact our Visitor Services team at tickets@nmwa.org with any questions, concerns, or suggestions.

Ticket Prices and Discounts

We do! Discounts must be requested at the time of purchase and cannot be applied retroactively. Discounts cannot be combined. Valid ID is required at the time of entry for all discounted tickets. Please see our full list of discounts below.

Reserve online or at the ticketing desk:

  • D.C. Residents: For residents of the District of Columbia, we offer tickets at $13. To access this discount, enter your zip code as the promo code before selecting your timed entry. This discount does not apply to residents of Maryland or Virginia.
  • Senior Discount: For visitors 70 and older, we offer tickets at $13.
  • 21 and Under: For visitors 21 and under, we offer free tickets.
  • Visitors with Disabilities and Personal Care Attendants: We welcome visitors with disabilities and their care attendants for free.

We offer free admission to members of the following organizations. Valid member ID required. Online reservations unavailable; reserve at the ticketing desk:

  • North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM)
  • Reciprocal Organization of Associated Museums (ROAM)
  • International Council of Museums (ICOM)
  • American Alliance of Museums (AAM)
  • Museum workers (valid museum ID required)

Members of the press can contact media@nmwa.org to schedule a visit. Visit the Press Room for press releases, images, and contact information.

At this time, we do not. For self-guided groups of ten or more, contact tickets@nmwa.org.

At this time, we do not. However, we offer free admission to visitors 21 and under and discounted admission for D.C. residents. For self-guided school and youth groups of ten or more, contact tickets@nmwa.org.

Yes! We will participate in Blue Star Museums, a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense and museums across the United States. We will offer free admission to the nation’s active-duty military personnel and their families, starting on Armed Services Day, May 18, 2024, through September 1, 2024. To obtain free access, visit the ticket desk with the relevant ID. A list of participating museums nationwide is available online. To see if you are eligible, visit the Blue Star Museum FAQ page.

Payment and Museum Information

We currently accept cash, Apple Pay, MasterCard, Visa, and American Express.

We are closed on Mondays as well as Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

No, we do not allow reentry.

Tickets are available two months in advance. New tickets will be released on the first Tuesday of each month.

Ticketing Delivery

Tickets can either be held at the Ticketing Desk or delivered to you via email. Discounted tickets will automatically be held at the Ticketing Desk.

If you’re ordering tickets online, select “e-tickets” at checkout.

Upon purchase of your tickets, you will receive an email with a QR code within two hours; please look for the subject line “Your Tickets.” Simply present the QR code on your phone or by printing out the email when you arrive at the museum; our Visitor Services staff will scan it for you.

Our Visitor Services team is happy to help. Please email tickets@nmwa.org to have your mobile tickets re-sent. You may also present your order confirmation at the ticket desk, and we will take it from there.

Refunds, Ticket Exchanges, and Donations

In the event the museum closes due to severe weather or other unforeseen circumstances, our Visitor Services team will contact you to exchange your tickets for another day or process a refund.

You can apply the amount paid toward future admission or programs. Also, we can convert your ticket to a tax-deductible donation. Please contact tickets@nmwa.org to make requests.

Member Ticketing 

Complimentary admission for members begins at the Advocate (formerly Supporter) level. Join today!

Everyone who enters the museum must have a ticket and check in with Visitor Services. We highly encourage reserving your tickets online in advance, but we will always have walk-up tickets for our members. Log in to reserve your tickets in advance.

Please see our Membership page for information based on the level of membership.

We are so grateful to our charter members! In addition to your charter status, you must have an active membership at the Advocate (formerly Supporter) level or above to receive complimentary admission.

Please contact our Visitors Services team at tickets@nmwa.org to reserve your ticket in advance. On the day of your visit, please present the completed pass at the Ticketing Desk upon arrival. Guest passes are not available to redeem online. Guest passes cannot be used for programs and ticketed events.

Additional Visitor Information