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Can You Bring a Tripod Into Attractions? Rules by Venue

Of the 15 attractions we have verified for tripods, 2 allow them with limits, 9 ban them 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 tripods

Allowed with limits: Griffith Observatory and CN Tower.

Not allowed: Statue of Liberty, Space Needle, One World Observatory, National Museum of Natural History, Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, National Air and Space Museum, National Museum of American History and National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Not mentioned on the pages we read: Independence Hall and Liberty Bell, Washington Monument, Alcatraz Island and Mount Rushmore National Memorial. 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 tripods 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.

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 tripods at attractions

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

  2. Statue of Liberty, Space Needle, One World Observatory, National Museum of Natural History, Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, National Air and Space Museum and National Museum of American History and 1 more ban them, according to the official pages we read.

  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