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Can You Bring a Backpack Into Attractions? Rules by Venue

Of the 15 attractions we have verified for backpacks, 6 allow them with limits and 9 do not say. Rules can change by event, so check the event page for your date too. Each venue below shows its own rule, the official page it comes from and the date we read it.

Last updated

At a glance

Attractions compared
15
State a rule
6
Last check
Oct 5, 2026

How the verified attractions treat backpacks

Allowed with limits: Statue of Liberty, Space Needle, One World Observatory, CN Tower, National Museum of Natural History and Alcatraz Island.

Not mentioned on the pages we read: Griffith Observatory, Independence Hall and Liberty Bell, Washington Monument, Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, National Air and Space Museum, National Museum of American History and National Museum of African American History and Culture. We do not guess for these, so ask the venue or check the event page.

A verdict here is a summary of the venue's own wording, and the rows below give that wording. Rules can change by event, so a game and a concert at the same venue can differ. See the backpacks guide for how every kind of venue treats them.

What each of the 15 attractions says

Each row is the venue's own rule, with the official page it came from and the date we read it.

Backpack

  • Alcatraz IslandConditional

    Small backpacks up to 16 x 20 inches are welcome, and oversized backpacks are not.

    Alcatraz City Cruises prohibited items page, checked

  • CN TowerConditional

    Knapsacks smaller than 53 x 23 x 38 centimetres are welcome inside. Larger ones are not permitted.

    CN Tower common questions page, checked

  • Empire State BuildingNot stated

    The pages do not mention backpacks.

    Empire State Building FAQ page, checked

  • Griffith ObservatoryNot stated

    The pages do not mention backpacks.

    Griffith Observatory guidelines page, checked

  • Independence Hall and Liberty BellNot stated

    The pages do not mention backpacks.

    Liberty Bell Center visit page, checked

  • Mount Rushmore National MemorialNot stated

    The pages do not mention backpacks.

    Mount Rushmore safety page, checked

  • National Air and Space MuseumNot stated

    The pages do not mention backpacks.

    National Air and Space Museum entry and guidelines page, checked

  • National Museum of African American History and CultureNot stated

    The pages do not mention backpacks.

    NMAAHC frequently asked questions page, checked

  • National Museum of American HistoryNot stated

    The pages do not mention backpacks.

    National Museum of American History visit page, checked

  • National Museum of Natural HistoryConditional

    Visitors are encouraged to refrain from bringing large bags, backpacks or suitcases. The page does not ban backpacks outright.

    National Museum of Natural History visit page, checked

  • One World ObservatoryConditional

    Backpacks are included in the bag size limit of 25 inches high, 17 wide and 9 deep.

    One World Observatory prohibited items page, checked

  • Space NeedleConditional

    Small backpacks are permitted inside. Large backpacks of carry-on size go in the free lockers near the main entrance.

    Space Needle bag policy page, checked

  • Statue of LibertyConditional

    All backpack-style bags, including oversized bags, drawstring bags and backpack purses, are prohibited in the pedestal. At primary screening, bags just have to fit the x-ray opening.

    Statue of Liberty safety and security page, checked

  • Top of the RockNot stated

    The pages do not mention backpacks.

    Top of the Rock tickets and FAQ page, checked

  • Washington MonumentNot stated

    The pages do not mention backpacks.

    Washington Monument restricted items page, checked

Keep comparing

Questions about backpacks at attractions

  1. It depends on the venue. Of the 15 attractions we have verified, 6 state a rule for backpacks, and the rows above show each one with its source.

  2. None of the 15 attractions we have verified bans backpacks outright on the pages we read. Several set limits, so read the row for your venue.

  3. Often. The venues we have verified say rules can change by event, so check the event page for your date and the venue page linked above.

Sources for this page

Every rule above comes from one of these official pages. They open in a new tab.

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Not affiliated with any venue. Always confirm with the venue for your event. How we verify