Natural History Museum Entry Rules: Bags, Food and Gear

Bags may be subject to a thorough search, and the museum encourages visitors to limit what they bring. It gives no bag size limit. Visitors are encouraged to refrain from bringing large bags, backpacks or suitcases. The page does not ban backpacks outright. The pages do not mention purses.

• Bag: Searched, travel light
• Backpack: Discouraged, searched
• Water bottle: Bottled water permitted
• Outside food: Eaten outside only

Bottled water is on the list of items permitted in the museum. Seating for bagged lunches is not available. Bagged lunches must be stowed away at all times and eaten outside the museum, and there is no refrigerated storage. The pages do not mention coolers.

Cameras are permitted for noncommercial still and video photography. Tripods, monopods and selfie sticks are not allowed at any time. Tripods, monopods and selfie sticks may not be used inside the museum. The pages do not mention camera lenses, drones, laptops, tablets and power banks.

Strollers and small, pushed wagons are on the list of items permitted. The museum has elevators on every floor. The pages do not mention a medical bag process.

The pages do not mention umbrellas, blankets and seat cushions.

Placards, signs and banners are on the list of items not permitted in the museum. The pages do not mention flags and binoculars.

The pages describe no separate medical bag process, so ask the venue before the event if you need to bring medical items.

Everyone goes through a full security screening, like at an airport but with shoes and belts on. Visitors walk through a metal detector, or are hand-screened with a wand.

The museum has no coat check, bag storage or lockers.

The page describes a regular visit. It points to the Smithsonian's own visitor tips and security pages for the full prohibited items list, which were not read.