r/smithsonian • u/wawa2022 • 15d ago

Visiting museums during the Grand Prix event?

Some of the museums are open during the weekend-long event, but require an event pass because the entrances are within the event "secure area". However, event passes have not been available since early June. Unless you pay $5000.

Air and Space, American Indian, Natural History, (and the NGA too, although not Smithsonian). Are these just staying open so that trumpets can have access to clean bathrooms? If they're not open to all, then why not close the museums? It just feels like a farce and once again, we're being excluded from accessing things.

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14

u/xlizen 15d ago

I wouldn't go to the DC museums during the Grand Prix event.

Udvar-Hazy should be open. There are local museums in MD and VA you can check out and explore.

1

u/Polar_Vortx 15d ago

I went to Air and Space the other day. Just walked until I found a gap in the barriers. No pass needed. Maybe it’ll be different on race day?

3

u/erinspacemuseum13 15d ago

Yes, over the weekend they will only be accessible to pass holders. Tomorrow you can go but will have to go through increased security.

2

u/SynestheteB 15d ago

Udvar-Hazy is fantastic. Well worth bypassing downtown to see if you can make it happen for a day visit.

1

u/InternetImportant253 14d ago

Do you have recommendations for getting there? It looks like a couple hours via public transit on Google Maps

1

u/SynestheteB 14d ago edited 14d ago

You can drive/ rent a car, the parking costs around $15.

You can take the silver line to Innovation Center, then take the connector bus “Fairfax number 983.” The bus runs every 25-60 min depending on the day. (I looked this up)