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Can You Bring a Camera Into Attractions? Rules by Venue

Of the 15 attractions we have verified for cameras, 4 allow them, 7 allow them with limits and 4 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
11
Last check
Oct 5, 2026

How the verified attractions treat cameras

Allowed outright: CN Tower, National Museum of Natural History, Alcatraz Island and National Air and Space Museum.

Allowed with limits: Statue of Liberty, One World Observatory, Griffith Observatory, Empire State Building, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, National Museum of American History and National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Not mentioned on the pages we read: Space Needle, Independence Hall and Liberty Bell, Washington Monument and Top of the Rock. 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 cameras 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.

Camera

  • Alcatraz IslandAllowed

    Personal cameras and mobile devices are on the permitted items list.

    Alcatraz City Cruises prohibited items page, checked

  • CN TowerAllowed

    The Tower encourages guests to bring cameras, phones and tablets.

    CN Tower common questions page, checked

  • Empire State BuildingConditional

    Professional camera equipment and stands, meaning tripods, monopods and bipods, are prohibited.

    Empire State Building FAQ page, checked

  • Griffith ObservatoryConditional

    Photography for personal use is allowed inside and outside, and that includes a professional photographer working for a couple. It must not interfere with other visitors, and it is never allowed inside the theaters or the Zeiss telescope dome.

    Griffith Observatory guidelines page, checked

  • Independence Hall and Liberty BellNot stated

    The pages do not mention cameras.

    Liberty Bell Center visit page, checked

  • Mount Rushmore National MemorialConditional

    Filming, still photography and audio recording that involves eight or fewer people generally needs no permit if it uses hand-carried equipment, does not need exclusive use of a site and does not disrupt others.

    Mount Rushmore filming and photography page, checked

  • National Air and Space MuseumAllowed

    Personal photography on a cell phone or camera is allowed. Selfie sticks, tripods and monopods are not.

    National Air and Space Museum entry and guidelines page, checked

  • National Museum of African American History and CultureConditional

    The Smithsonian permits still and video photography for noncommercial use. Photography of fine art is prohibited.

    NMAAHC frequently asked questions page, checked

  • National Museum of American HistoryConditional

    Cameras are allowed, and photography is encouraged except in the Star-Spangled Banner gallery, where it is prohibited to preserve the flag.

    National Museum of American History visit page, checked

  • National Museum of Natural HistoryAllowed

    Cameras are permitted for noncommercial still and video photography. Tripods, monopods and selfie sticks are not allowed at any time.

    National Museum of Natural History visit page, checked

  • One World ObservatoryConditional

    DSLR cameras and flash pieces are permitted. Professional photo or video equipment, video cameras, recording devices, lights and tripods are not.

    One World Observatory FAQ page, checked

  • Space NeedleNot stated

    The pages do not mention cameras.

    Space Needle bag policy page, checked

  • Statue of LibertyConditional

    Visitors with Crown tickets may carry a camera, but camera bags are not authorized. Large film or photography bags and equipment cases are prohibited unless part of a permitted activity.

    Statue of Liberty safety and security page, checked

  • Top of the RockNot stated

    The pages do not mention cameras.

    Top of the Rock tickets and FAQ page, checked

  • Washington MonumentNot stated

    The pages do not mention cameras.

    Washington Monument restricted items page, checked

Detachable lens

  • Alcatraz IslandNot stated

    The pages do not mention camera lenses.

    Alcatraz City Cruises prohibited items page, checked

  • CN TowerNot stated

    The pages do not mention camera lenses.

    CN Tower common questions page, checked

  • Empire State BuildingNot stated

    The pages do not mention camera lenses.

    Empire State Building FAQ page, checked

  • Griffith ObservatoryNot stated

    The pages do not mention camera lenses.

    Griffith Observatory guidelines page, checked

  • Independence Hall and Liberty BellNot stated

    The pages do not mention camera lenses.

    Liberty Bell Center visit page, checked

  • Mount Rushmore National MemorialNot stated

    The pages do not mention camera lenses.

    Mount Rushmore safety page, checked

  • National Air and Space MuseumNot stated

    The pages do not mention camera lenses.

    National Air and Space Museum entry and guidelines page, checked

  • National Museum of African American History and CultureNot stated

    The pages do not mention camera lenses.

    NMAAHC frequently asked questions page, checked

  • National Museum of American HistoryNot stated

    The pages do not mention camera lenses.

    National Museum of American History visit page, checked

  • National Museum of Natural HistoryNot stated

    The pages do not mention camera lenses.

    National Museum of Natural History visit page, checked

  • One World ObservatoryNot stated

    The pages do not mention camera lenses.

    One World Observatory prohibited items page, checked

  • Space NeedleNot stated

    The pages do not mention camera lenses.

    Space Needle bag policy page, checked

  • Statue of LibertyNot stated

    The pages do not mention camera lenses.

    Statue of Liberty safety and security page, checked

  • Top of the RockNot stated

    The pages do not mention camera lenses.

    Top of the Rock tickets and FAQ page, checked

  • Washington MonumentNot stated

    The pages do not mention camera lenses.

    Washington Monument restricted items page, checked

Tripod

  • Alcatraz IslandNot stated

    The pages do not mention tripods.

    Alcatraz City Cruises prohibited items page, checked

  • CN TowerConditional

    Tripods are allowed as long as they do not disrupt the experience of other guests.

    CN Tower common questions page, checked

  • Empire State BuildingNot allowed

    Tripods, monopods and bipods are prohibited.

    Empire State Building FAQ page, checked

  • Griffith ObservatoryConditional

    The only equipment allowed for personal photography is a camera and discreet use of a tripod on the exterior only. Extra lighting and reflector boards are not allowed.

    Griffith Observatory guidelines page, checked

  • Independence Hall and Liberty BellNot stated

    The pages do not mention tripods.

    Liberty Bell Center visit page, checked

  • Mount Rushmore National MemorialNot stated

    The pages do not mention tripods.

    Mount Rushmore safety page, checked

  • National Air and Space MuseumNot allowed

    Selfie sticks, tripods and monopods are not allowed.

    National Air and Space Museum entry and guidelines page, checked

  • National Museum of African American History and CultureNot allowed

    The museum prohibits tripods, monopods, selfie sticks and similar devices. Working media need permission from the Office of Public Affairs and an escort.

    NMAAHC frequently asked questions page, checked

  • National Museum of American HistoryNot allowed

    Tripods, monopods and selfie sticks are not permitted without prior approval.

    National Museum of American History visit page, checked

  • National Museum of Natural HistoryNot allowed

    Tripods, monopods and selfie sticks may not be used inside the museum.

    National Museum of Natural History visit page, checked

  • One World ObservatoryNot allowed

    Tripods are on the professional equipment list of prohibited items.

    One World Observatory prohibited items page, checked

  • Space NeedleNot allowed

    The FAQ says regular rules apply for proposals, including no tripods.

    Space Needle FAQ page, checked

  • Statue of LibertyNot allowed

    Tripods are on the pedestal prohibited items list.

    Statue of Liberty safety and security page, checked

  • Top of the RockNot allowed

    Tripods are not allowed.

    Top of the Rock tickets and FAQ page, checked

  • Washington MonumentNot stated

    The pages do not mention tripods.

    Washington Monument restricted items page, checked

Keep comparing

Questions about cameras at attractions

  1. It depends on the venue. Of the 15 attractions we have verified, 11 state a rule for cameras, and the rows above show each one with its source.

  2. None of the 15 attractions we have verified bans cameras 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