Visitor Statistics

Because the Smithsonian museums are free, we cannot base our visit tallies on a number of tickets sold. 

Smithsonian guards use hand clickers to count everyone entering the museums through public entrances during the hours the museums are open. The counts sometimes include staff, as well as visitors who leave the museum and return. A person visiting three Smithsonian museums on any given day will be counted three times. For these reasons, we always refer to the numbers below as "visits" rather than "visitors".

Visit numbers are complied on a calendar year basis. Beginning in 2001, the total visits to the Smithsonian also reflect the number of visits to the National Zoo.

2013

Totals for 2013 (through end of April)
Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture
(Smithsonian American Art Museum and The National Portrait Gallery)		 346,528
National Museum of African Art 78,852
National Air and Space Museum 2M
National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center 399,392
National Museum of American History 1.7M
National Museum of the American Indian (Washington, D.C.) 441,047
National Museum of the American Indian Heye Center (New York City) 173,568
Anacostia Community Museum 11,505
Arts and Industries Building Closed for renovation
Cooper-Hewitt, National Museum of Design (New York City) Closed for renovation
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden 234,334
National Museum of Natural History 2.7M
Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum 46,306
S. Dillon Ripley Center 70,579
Smithsonian Institution Building, "The Castle" 473,728
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery 94,019
Freer Gallery of Art 155,660
National Postal Museum 104,368
National Zoo 216,380
Total Visits in 2013 9.6M

2012

Totals for 2012 
Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture
(Smithsonian American Art Museum and The National Portrait Gallery)		 1M
National Museum of African Art 353,959
National Air and Space Museum 6.8M
National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center 1.4M
National Museum of American History 4.8M
National Museum of the American Indian (Washington, D.C.) 1.6M
National Museum of the American Indian Heye Center (New York City) 441,397
Anacostia Community Museum 31,168
Arts and Industries Building Closed for renovation
Cooper-Hewitt, National Museum of Design (New York City) Closed for renovation
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden 753,258
National Museum of Natural History 7.6M
Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum 162,051
S. Dillon Ripley Center 465,654
Smithsonian Institution Building, "The Castle" 1.4M
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery 359,813
Freer Gallery of Art 509,930
National Postal Museum 321,953
National Zoo 2.3M
Total Visits in 2012 30.3M

2011

Totals for 2011 
Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture
(Smithsonian American Art Museum and The National Portrait Gallery)		 948,345
National Museum of African Art 384,693
National Air and Space Museum 7 million
National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center 1.2 million
National Museum of American History 4.6 million
National Museum of the American Indian (Washington, D.C.) 1.4 million
National Museum of the American Indian Heye Center (New York City) 365,512
Anacostia Community Museum 48,230
Arts and Industries Building Closed for renovation
Cooper-Hewitt, National Museum of Design (New York City) (Closed for renovation 7/2011) 190,752
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden 623,039
National Museum of Natural History 6.6 million
Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum 164,925
S. Dillon Ripley Center 464,315
Smithsonian Institution Building, "The Castle" 1.5 million
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery 387,694
Freer Gallery of Art 557,983
National Postal Museum 325,900
National Zoo 1.9 million
Total Visits in 2011 28.6 million

2010

Totals for 2010
Anacostia Community Museum 58,000
Arts and Industries Building Closed for renovation
Cooper-Hewitt, National Museum of Design (New York City) 181,000
Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture
(Smithsonian American Art Museum and The National Portrait Gallery)		 1.1 million
Freer Gallery of Art 488,000
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden 621,000
National Air and Space Museum 8.3 million
National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center 1.1 million
National Museum of African Art 310,000
National Museum of American History 4.2 million
National Museum of the American Indian (Washington, D.C.) 1.3 million
National Museum of the American Indian Heye Center (New York City) 300,000
National Museum of Natural History 6.8 million
National Zoo 2.3 million
National Postal Museum 343,000
Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum 151,000
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery 308,000
S. Dillon Ripley Center 363,000
Smithsonian Institution Building, "The Castle" 1.8 million
Total Visits in 2010 30.2 million

2009

Totals for 2009
Anacostia Community Museum 34,000
Arts and Industries Building Closed for renovation
Cooper-Hewitt, National Museum of Design (New York City) 172,000
Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture
(Smithsonian American Art Museum and The National Portrait Gallery)		 1 million
Freer Gallery of Art 634,000
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden 668,000
National Air and Space Museum 7 million
National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center 440,000
National Museum of African Art 403,000
National Museum of American History 4.4 million
National Museum of the American Indian (Washington, D.C.) 1.4 million
National Museum of the American Indian Heye Center (New York City) 286,000
National Museum of Natural History 7.4 million
National Zoo 2.2 million
National Postal Museum 349,000
Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum 161,000
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery 349,000
S. Dillon Ripley Center 439,000
Smithsonian Institution Building, "The Castle" 1.9 million
Total Visits in 2009 30 million

2008

Totals for 2008
Anacostia Community Museum 36,000
Arts and Industries Building Closed for renovation
Cooper-Hewitt, National Museum of Design (New York City) 154,000
Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture
(Smithsonian American Art Museum and The National Portrait Gallery)		 1 million
Freer Gallery of Art 603,000
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden 670,000
National Air and Space Museum 7 million
National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center 1.2 million
National Museum of African Art 322,000
National Museum of American History 480,000 (reopened Nov. 21 after a 2-year renovation)
National Museum of the American Indian (Washington, D.C.) 1.5 million
National Museum of the American Indian Heye Center (New York City) 306,000
National Museum of Natural History 7 million
National Zoo 2.1 million
National Postal Museum 334,000
Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum 137,000
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery 288,000
S. Dillon Ripley Center 453,000
Smithsonian Institution Building, "The Castle" 1.7 million
Total Visits in 2008 25.2 million

2007

Totals for 2007
Anacostia Community Museum 37,000
Arts and Industries Building Closed for renovation
Cooper-Hewitt, National Museum of Design (New York City) 224,000
Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture
(Smithsonian American Art Museum and The National Portrait Gallery)		 786,000
Freer Gallery of Art 590,000
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden 740,000
National Air and Space Museum 6 million
National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center 1 million
National Museum of African Art 310,000
National Museum of American History Closed for renovation
National Museum of the American Indian (Washington, D.C.) 1.8 million
National Museum of the American Indian Heye Center (New York City) 281,000
National Museum of Natural History 7.1 million
National Zoo 2.6 million
National Postal Museum 326,000
Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum 132,000
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery 308,000
S. Dillon Ripley Center 296,000
Smithsonian Institution Building, "The Castle" 1.6 million
Total Visits in 2007 24.2 million

 

2006

Totals for 2006
Anacostia Community Museum 46,000
Arts and Industries Building Closed for renovation
Cooper-Hewitt, National Museum of Design (New York City) 207,000
Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture
(Smithsonian American Art Museum and The National Portrait Gallery)		 480,000
(for last 6 months only)
Freer Gallery of Art 462,000
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden 757,000
National Air and Space Museum 5 million
National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center 1 million
National Museum of African Art 211,000
National Museum of American History 2.4 million
Closed for renovation
National Museum of the American Indian (Washington, D.C.) 1.6 million
National Museum of the American Indian Heye Center (New York City) 240,000
National Museum of Natural History 5.8 million
National Zoo 2.6 million
National Postal Museum 390,000
Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum 155,000
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery 260,000
S. Dillon Ripley Center 241,000
Smithsonian Institution Building, "The Castle" 1.3 million
Total Visits in 2006 23.2 million

Past

   2005

Totals for 2005
Anacostia Community Museum 25,000
Arts and Industries Building Closed for renovation
Cooper-Hewitt, National Museum of Design (New York City) 129,000
Freer Gallery of Art 323,000
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden 699,000
National Air and Space Museum 6.1 million
National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center 1.2 million
National Museum of African Art 158,000
National Museum of American History 3.0 million
National Museum of the American Indian (Washington, D.C.) 2.2 million
National Museum of the American Indian Heye Center (New York City) 299,000
National Museum of Natural History 5.6 million
National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian American Art Closed for renovation
National Zoo 1.8 million
National Postal Museum 519,000
Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum 143,000
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery 147,000
S. Dillon Ripley Center 198,000
Smithsonian Institution Building, "The Castle" 1.3 million
Total Visits in 2005 24 million

   2004

Totals for 2004
Anacostia Community Museum 22,000
Arts and Industries Building Closed for renovation
Cooper-Hewitt, National Museum of Design (New York City) 150,000
Freer Gallery of Art 355,000
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden 659,000
National Air and Space Museum 4.9 million
National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center 1.6 million
National Museum of African Art 165,000
National Museum of American History 2.9 million
National Museum of the American Indian (Washington, D.C.) 820,000
National Museum of the American Indian Heye Center (New York City) 254,000
National Museum of Natural History 4.4 million
National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian American Art Closed for renovation
National Zoo 1.8 million
National Postal Museum 353,000
Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum 115,000
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery 188,000
S. Dillon Ripley Center 178,000
Smithsonian Institution Building, "The Castle" 1.5 million
Total Visits in 2004 20.4 million

   2003

Totals for 2003
Anacostia Community Museum 29,000
Arts and Industries Building 886,000
Cooper-Hewitt, National Museum of Design (New York City) 149,000
Freer Gallery of Art 315,000
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden 660,000
National Air and Space Museum 9.4 million
National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center 220,000
National Museum of African Art 170,000
National Museum of American History 2.6 million
National Museum of the American Indian Heye Center (New York City) 266,000
National Museum of Natural History 5.2 million
National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian American Art Closed for renovation
National Zoo 1.8 million
National Postal Museum 313,000
Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum 168,000
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery 162,000
S. Dillon Ripley Center 239,000
Smithsonian Institution Building, "The Castle" 1.1 million
Total Visits in 2003 24 million

   2002

Totals for 2002
Anacostia Community Museum 31,000
Arts and Industries Building 900,000
Cooper-Hewitt, National Museum of Design (New York City) 136,000
Freer Gallery of Art 405,000
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden 691,000
National Air and Space Museum 8,500,000
National Museum of African Art 179,000
National Museum of American History 4,200,000
National Museum of the American Indian Heye Center (New York City) 340,000
National Museum of Natural History 6,260,000
National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian American Art Closed for renovation
National Postal Museum 321,000
Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum 150,000
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery 214,000
S. Dillon Ripley Center 280,000
Smithsonian Institution Building, "The Castle" 1,600,000
Total Visits in 2002 26.3 million

   2001

Totals for 2001
Anacostia Community Museum Closed for renovation
Arts and Industries Building 1.2 million
Cooper-Hewitt, National Museum of Design (New York City) 138,000
Freer Gallery of Art 295,000
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden 718,000
National Air and Space Museum 9.3 million
National Museum of African Art 208,000
National Museum of American History 5.2 million
National Museum of the American Indian Heye Center (New York City) 361,000
National Museum of Natural History 8.4 million
National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian American Art Closed for renovation
National Postal Museum 377,000
Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum 141,000
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery 188,000
S. Dillon Ripley Center 489,000
Smithsonian Institution Building, "The Castle" 1.8 million
Total Visits in 2001 31.7 million

Total Visits

Smithsonian Institution, Total visits
2000 31.1 million
1999 28.5 million
1998 28.6 million
1997 27.4 million
1996 22.4 million
1995 23.6 million
1994 24.7 million
1993 25.9 million
1992 26.6 million
1991 25 million
1990 25 million
1989 24 million
1988 28 million
1987 27 million
1986 22.7 million
1985 23.7 million
1984 30.1 million
1983 25.8 million
1982 22.6 million
1981 22.1 million
1980 21.1 million
1979 23.1 million
1978 24.7 milllion
1977 22.9 million
1976 20.4 million
1975 17.8 million
1974 14.3 million
1973 15 million
1972 15 million
1971 14.3 million
1970 13.4

 

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