Tours

current tour programs

Cooper Hewitt offers 45-minute tours aligned to exhibition topics. Led by our experienced Design Guides, tours will provide opportunities for interactivity and discussion.

PUBLIC TOURS
Daily 1:30 p.m., free with museum admission.

PRIVATE AND GROUP TOURS
The maximum tour group size is 25 people. Design Guide led private tour fee: $150, plus museum admission 

SELF-GUIDED TOURS
Any group over 10 people are required to make reservations. The maximum tour group size is 25 people. Self-guided tour fee: museum admission.

Lecturing in the galleries

• College/University teachers may lead/lecture their own class through the Museum.
• Groups being led by non-Cooper Hewitt staff, groups that arrive at the Museum
  without a reservation, and any type of group that has not been approved, vetted, or scheduled by the Tours department may be denied entry to the Museum.
• Cooper Hewitt does not allow third parties to accept fees for guiding groups and leading those groups through the Museum.
• Should you gain entry, we reserve the right to ask you to leave; no refunds will be issued.

RESERVATION REQUESTS AND FEES 
Reservations are required for all tours. Organizers are encouraged to submit a reservation request at least four weeks in advance.

Request a Group Tour Here

TOUR DESCRIPTIONS

Making Home—Smithsonian Design Triennial
Featuring 25 site-specific, newly commissioned installations, Making Home—Smithsonian Design Triennial explores design’s role in shaping the physical and emotional realities of home across the United States, US Territories, and Tribal Nations. The exhibition is the seventh offering in the museum’s Design Triennial series, which was established in 2000 to address the most urgent topics of the time through the lens of design.

Andrew Carnegie Mansion Tours
Cooper Hewitt is housed in the former home of industrial magnate Andrew Carnegie. Learn about the history of the mansion and its transformation from home to museum.

ACCESSIBILITY 

• Location: Tours will take place in person throughout Cooper Hewitt (2 East 91st Street, New York, NY). The areas covered are fully wheelchair accessible. Tours will begin in the Great Hall located on the first floor of the museum. Read more about accessibility at Cooper Hewitt. 
• What to Expect: The tour involves moving through gallery spaces and standing to view the details of the building; wheelchairs and portable stools are available for those who can’t walk or stand for long periods of time. 
• Accommodations: For general questions, or if we can provide additional accessibility services or accommodations to support your participation in this program, please email us at CHEducation@si.edu or let us know when registering. Please make your accommodation request as far in advance as possible—preferably at least one week before the program date when possible.

The Willi Smith Digital Community Archive invites friends, collaborators and admirers of American designer Willi Smith to share in writing his history. This site collects and publishes personal recollections, new scholarship, video, and digital ephemera that contributes to a greater understanding of Smith’s life, work, and times.

Mansion History

Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum is housed in the former home of industrial magnate Andrew Carnegie. Learn about the history of the mansion and its transformation from home to museum.

For Educators and Caretakers

Smithsonian Learning Lab

In these short video lessons led by Cooper Hewitt educators, be inspired to solve design challenges.

Design at Home Activity Book

In Design at Home, you’ll get hands-on experience in thinking like a designer. Explore design solutions, relax with a coloring page, and dream up your next big idea. Design on your own or with friends and family—all are welcome!