Michael Turner
Short answer: Small daypacks and slim shoulder bags are permitted for gallery visits; oversized luggage, rolling suitcases, garment bags, and large duffels are not allowed on exhibit floors. All carried items will pass through security screening at public entrances.
Practical recommendations: Choose a compact pack that fits comfortably under an arm or on a lap, keep load light, stow bulky outerwear in coat check when available, and secure loose straps to avoid contact with display surfaces. Place electronics and fragile items in padded compartments; present bags for inspection promptly to speed entry.
Arrival tips & restrictions: Expect lines during peak hours (weekends, holidays, midday). Avoid food and beverages unless permitted in designated areas; carry only essential medical supplies and identification in clearly labeled pockets. For group visits, contact museum staff in advance for current permitted-item lists and locker availability.
Personal bag policy at National Museum complex
Recommendation: carry compact personal bags only; oversized packs, rolling suitcases and large duffels must be deposited at coat check or secured off-site.
All bags are subject to security screening at museum entrances; expect X-ray machines and possible manual inspection.
Quick rules
- Size guideline: prefer bags under 14″ x 11″ x 6″ to reduce chances of required storage.
- Typically prohibited items: firearms, knives exceeding local legal limits, explosives, industrial tools, large tripods, and open alcohol containers.
- Special exhibitions and certain galleries may ban all bags larger than small purses; follow posted signage and staff directions.
- Coat check availability varies by location; fees and operating hours differ–ask at information desk upon arrival.
- Photography: flashless still images usually allowed in public galleries; professional lighting, large tripods and commercial equipment often require a permit.
- Security wait times: add 10–30 minutes during peak hours, holidays and major events.
- Accessibility exceptions exist for medical supplies and service animals; carry supporting documentation when possible.
Practical tips: arrive with minimal carry, lock valuables separately, label stored items with name and phone, avoid eating inside artifact galleries, and check museum website or contact visitor services ahead of visit for exhibit-specific restrictions and coat check locations.
Permitted packs and site-specific restrictions
Recommendation: Use a small daypack, crossbody pouch, or clear bag; oversized luggage and rolling suitcases are frequently refused or must be checked offsite.
General rules
- Security screening applies at all SI-operated museums; all bags are subject to inspection.
- Most venues permit personal bags sized for daily use; large duffels, commercial coolers, boxed parcels, and wheeled luggage are commonly prohibited.
- Special exhibitions and galleries with loaned or conservation-sensitive works often impose stricter limits or complete bag bans for galleries where fragile objects are displayed.
- Photography gear with monopods, tripods, or large cases may require prior approval or storage outside exhibit spaces.
Sites with stricter enforcement or limited storage options
- National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC)
- National Air and Space Museum (main building and Udvar-Hazy Center)
- National Museum of Natural History
- Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
- Renwick Gallery and Freer Gallery of Art / Arthur M. Sackler Gallery during special exhibitions
- Smaller research centers and temporary off-site exhibition spaces
Practical steps
- Check museum website for current bag policy and any posted size limits before travel.
- Plan to carry valuables in a small pouch or clear bag for faster screening.
- If carrying large gear or luggage, arrange storage at hotel, station, or private locker service rather than expecting on-site coat/bag check.
- Allow extra time on arrival for bag inspection and possible redirected entry if an item is refused.
What pack sizes and types are allowed through museum security?
Carry a small daypack no larger than 16 x 12 x 6 inches (40 x 30 x 15 cm); soft-sided personal packs and purses within those dimensions pass screening with the least delay.
Size guidelines
Recommended maximum: 16 x 12 x 6 inches (40 x 30 x 15 cm). Items measuring up to about 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm) may be subject to additional inspection or asked to be stowed at coat check. Any luggage larger than roughly 20 x 16 x 10 inches or wheeled suitcases are commonly not admitted and often must remain in a vehicle or at a coatroom.
Types allowed and restricted
Allowed with routine screening: small daypacks, crossbody bags, clear totes that meet size limits, waist packs, small camera bags, and laptop sleeves. Often restricted or refused: hard-shell luggage, rolling suitcases, oversized duffels, framed hiking packs, large camera backpacks, coolers, and multi-compartment gear bags. Tripods, selfie sticks, and large cases for musical instruments or sports equipment frequently require advance permission or separate handling.
All carried items are subject to X-ray and manual inspection by museum security staff; pack contents such as aerosols, large knives, and prohibited liquids will be confiscated or denied entry. If visiting a special exhibition or gallery with delicate objects, consider using coat check or switching to a small clear bag and review the specific museum’s rules before arrival.
Prohibited items for personal bags at the national museum complex
Leave weapons and sharp tools at home: all firearms and ammunition, switchblades and gravity knives, fixed-blade knives, box cutters, razor blades, and scissors with blades longer than 4 inches are prohibited.
Flammable, explosive and reactive materials are banned: gasoline, lighter fluid, propane canisters, gunpowder, fireworks, flares, aerosol paint, solvent-based cleaners and any fuel canisters or compressed-gas cylinders.
Chemical agents and incapacitating sprays (pepper spray, mace, tear gas), corrosive substances (acids, alkalis), and unknown powders or suspicious liquids will be confiscated and may trigger law-enforcement response.
Large mechanical equipment and power tools – hammers, wrenches, drills, generators and industrial cleaning machines – are not permitted. For examples of prohibited outdoor cleaning gear see best pressure washer for cleanign a motorbike.
Sporting and recreational items that can be used as weapons are restricted: baseball bats, hockey sticks, skateboards, scooters, poles, and similar long items. Professional camera supports (tripods, monopods, stabilizers) frequently require an advance permit; handheld consumer cameras are generally acceptable but subject to on-site rules.
Open food and alcoholic beverages are not allowed inside exhibition halls; sealed containers may be inspected. Pets are prohibited except for certified service animals. All personal bags are subject to inspection; oversized or restricted items may be refused entry or required to be stored offsite, so plan storage ahead of arrival.
How screening of personal packs works at museum checkpoints and what triggers secondary inspection
Keep personal packs compact, with electronics and layered items on top for immediate X‑ray placement; expect secondary inspection when scans, alarms, or staff concerns identify ambiguous or prohibited contents.
Primary screening method: every carry pack passes through an X‑ray conveyor while visitors walk through a metal detector. If the X‑ray operator flags an image or the walkthrough sensor alerts, a secondary procedure follows. Secondary procedures include manual bag opening and visual search, swab testing for explosive residue, handheld metal‑wand sweep, and targeted pat‑downs of the carrier only when alarmed or if behavior raises concern.
Most common causes of secondary checks: dense or cluttered images on X‑ray that hide item shapes; multiple layered containers (sealed pouches, wrapped bundles); large quantities of electronic gear or batteries; opaque or sealed food containers; liquids above permitted amounts; sharp objects or tools; metal detector alarms from concealed metal; items resembling weapon components or pyrotechnics; unattended or abandoned packs; visible damage or leakage.
Operational recommendations for faster processing: place laptops, tablets, and camera bodies in an easy‑access pocket; remove loose keys, large belt buckles, and coins before screening; consolidate small containers and place liquids in a clear bag; label medication and infant food clearly for quick verification; keep foldable umbrellas compact and accessible – for a well‑rated compact option see best place to buy umbrella melbourne.
| Trigger | Secondary action | How to avoid delay |
|---|---|---|
| Ambiguous X‑ray image (dense or overlapping items) | Open pack for operator review; item‑by‑item visual inspection | Organize contents; separate electronics and bulky items |
| Metal detector alarm | Handheld wand sweep; remove metal objects; possible pat‑down | Empty pockets, remove belts with metal, secure jewelry |
| Large/opaque containers or sealed bundles | Unwrap and inspect; swab testing if suspicious | Use clear bags for food/liquids; avoid sealed multilayer wraps |
| Excess liquids, aerosols, gels | Container verification or confiscation | Follow posted liquid limits; carry medications with labels |
| Prohibited items detected | Confiscation or removal from premises; possible escort out | Check lists of prohibited items before arrival; pack accordingly |
| Random screening or suspicious behavior | Manual search and brief questioning | Maintain clear ID and calm cooperation with staff |
Where to check, store, or temporarily leave a pack during a National Mall museum visit?
Use staffed coat checks at museum entrances when available; ask the information desk on arrival whether cloakroom service is operating that day.
If a cloakroom is not offered, use vetted commercial luggage-storage networks (examples: Bounce, LuggageHero, Vertoe, BagBNB). These partner with nearby shops and hotels and typically charge about $5–15 per item per day; rates vary by location and duration.
Hotel concierges commonly accept items for registered guests; some will hold small bags for non-guests for a fee–call ahead to confirm size limits and hours.
Public locker options near the Mall are limited; do not rely on long-term lockers at museum sites. Union Station and Reagan National Airport operate baggage services or partner vendors that accept luggage for a fee; allow extra transit time if using those locations.
When leaving a pack off-site, keep passport, wallet, medications, and electronics on person or in an internal clothing pocket; leave only non-sensitive items. Obtain a written or electronic receipt, photograph the item and its tag, and note the partner’s address and hours.
For short holds while visiting a single gallery, many museums will accept small parcels at information desks for brief periods; staff discretion applies–confirm size limits and retrieval procedures to avoid delays.
If carrying fragile, oversized, or regulated materials, contact museum administration via the venue’s official website or group-visits office ahead of time to arrange supervised storage or special handling.
Packing tips to avoid delays and comply with SI bag policies
Carry a small daypack no larger than 16 x 16 x 8 inches; soft-sided, clear-front designs pass through X-ray more smoothly and are permitted at most SI entry points.
Place electronics (phones, tablets, cameras, laptops) in an external pocket or the topmost compartment for rapid removal; keep chargers and cables bundled to prevent loose items from spilling onto the conveyor.
Store liquids, gels and aerosols in travel-size containers and consolidate into a single clear quart-sized resealable bag; toiletries larger than 3.4 oz/100 ml should be packed in checked luggage or left in vehicle when possible.
Exclude sharp objects, full-size tripods, monopods, sporting gear, tools and flammable items; these categories frequently appear on prohibited lists and trigger secondary review or denial of entry.
Minimize loose metal (coins, keys, large belt buckles) and place them in a small pouch; wear shoes that slip off easily to reduce time at magnetometers and lower the chance of wand checks.
Label outer surface with contact information and keep tickets/ID in an external pocket for immediate access; separate paperwork from clothing to avoid paper clutter during X-ray inspection.
If hauling larger luggage is unavoidable, arrive 30–45 minutes earlier than planned to allow for extra screening or storage arrangements; verify storage availability at the specific SI location ahead of arrival.
Quick pre-entry checklist
1) Small daypack ≤16 x 16 x 8 in; 2) Electronics accessible and cables bundled; 3) Liquids in clear quart bag; 4) No tripods/monopods, sharp tools, or aerosols; 5) Wallet/ID/tickets in outer pocket; 6) Minimal loose metal.
When to use alternative options
Opt for a clear tote, small crossbody, or coat pockets for gallery-heavy visits or special exhibitions with stricter restrictions; consider nearby luggage storage services for oversized items to avoid refusal or lengthy secondary checks.
