FAQs | Kennedy Center

Operating Hours
Monday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Directions

: Directions to the Kennedy Center can be found here.
: The Foggy Bottom/George Washington University/Kennedy Center Station (23rd and I) is the closest stop. It is a short walk via New Hampshire Ave. OR you can use the FREE Kennedy Center Shuttle (signs are at the street curb as you exit the Metro escalator). It departs every 15 minutes from 9:45 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9:45 a.m.-midnight Fridays and Saturdays, and 11:45 am – 11 p.m. Sundays, and 4–11 p.m. on Federal holidays.
: The signs for the shuttle are at the curb side as you exit the Metro escalator. You can take the Shuttle at the Kennedy Center across from the entrance to the Hall of Nations.

Parking

Purchased passes are available via the Account Page. Print your passes to enter the garage.

Parking is available to patrons on a first-come, first-served basis. It is possible for the parking garage to become full on busy performance days. Other off-site parking is available at the Watergate garage and Columbia Plaza at 2400 Virginia Avenue., but on a limited basis. Enter the Watergate garage from New Hampshire Avenue opposite the Saudi Embassy. You may call (202) 416-7988 Monday through Friday between 9 am to 5 p.m. with any questions about the Kennedy Center parking facility.

Performance Parking
- The parking rate is $25.
- Early Bird special is $17 (M-F, in by 9:30 a.m. and out by 6 p.m.)

All major credit cards accepted: Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express.

Discounted Pre-Paid Parking

Patrons may pre-purchase parking online at a discounted price of $22 (a $3 savings). Parking can be added from your shopping cart whenever purchasing performance tickets, or it can be purchased on its own from the parking calendar. Blackout dates apply.
Free Box Office and Gift Shop Parking

One hour of free parking is available when visiting our Box Office or spending $10 or more at our Gift Shops (if validated at the Box Office or Gift Shops).

Box Office validation is not available when picking up free tickets.

Please see our main Parking page for the latest details on hours.

Parking may be purchased in advance up until 8 p.m. the day before you intend to park. If Pre-Paid Parking is sold out, you may still purchase parking when you arrive at the Kennedy Center.

Buy Pre-Paid Parking

How Does Pre-Paid Parking Work?

Accessible parking spaces are located on all levels by the west side of the motor lobbies nearest the river. The accessible parking is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis for vehicles bearing valid DMV accessible parking placards or license. For information about van accessible parking for vehicles over 6 ft. 6 in. tall, please call (202) 416-7988

For vehicles taller than 6 ft., there are limited spaces available on Levels A, B, and C (max. clearance 7 ft.).

Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations are available on a first come, first served basis. Each level of the garage is equipped with two EV charging stations, which are located on the south side of the garage (near the REACH).

Dining

: Menus, contact information, group sales information, special event information, and more can be found at the Roof Terrace Restaurant website.
: Yes, please visit the Roof Terrace Restaurant website for reservations.

For group reservation availability and additional information regarding planning an event at the Roof Terrace Restaurant, please contact Carolina Gomez via e-mail or call 202.416.8581 to make further arrangements.
: To book a group and review group menu offerings for the KC Café, contact James Claypool via e-mail.

Tours

: The Kennedy Center offers free daily guided tours given by Friends of the Kennedy Center volunteers. The tour highlights the historic events that led up to the establishment of the national cultural center that is also our nation's living memorial to President John F. Kennedy, and includes an interactive exhibit on his life and presidency.

Visitors also learn about the works of art given to the Center, such as Robert Berks's bust of President Kennedy, Willy Weber's Apollo X, and the stunning REACH buildings by architect Steven Holl.

View "Artist Gifts and the Artists Who Created Them".

Learn more about art & sculpture at the REACH

For more information call (202) 416-8340.
: Mon. - Fri. 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Sat. & Sun. 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

last weekday tour departs at 4:30 p.m. and last weekend tour departs at 12:30 p.m.

All tours of the Kennedy Center Campus start at the Tour Desk on Level A. Tours last approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. For parties of 15 or more, please see Group Tours.
: Serving Visitors with Disabilities

Wheelchair Reservation and Assistance Request

The Kennedy Center strives to make its performances and facilities accessible to all our patrons. For additional information or questions, contact the Office of Accessibility at (202) 416-8727 or [email protected].

All tours are accessible to people with disabilities. Wheelchairs and assistive listening devices available upon request.

Kennedy Center Friends tour guides welcome our visitors with disabilities and provide many accommodations. Assistive listening devices are available at the tour desk on the A-level for visitors who have a hearing loss, and all tours are wheelchair-accessible. Additionally, Touch tours, Sign-Interpreted tours, and Meet Your Seat tours are offered upon request.

Touch tours are given by specially-trained Friends tour guides for visitors who are blind or have low vision. Attendees will be able to touch some of the works of art, including several sculptures.

Sign-Interpreted tours are available for visitors who are Deaf. Attendees will see the main theaters and lounges, and will learn about the gifts and the artist who created them such as Robert Berks's bust of President John F. Kennedy, Willy Weber's Apollo X, and the stunning Israeli Lounge.

Request a Touch or Sign-Interpreted tour here:

Request an Access Tour

Meet Your Seat tours are available for patrons with cognitive disabilities to "meet their seat" in advance of the performance they are attending or to view seating locations before purchasing tickets.

Request a Meet Your Seat tour by completing and emailing this form:

Request a Meet Your Seat tour

Please note: Touch tours, Sign-Interpreted tours and Meet Your Seat tours are available upon request with at least two weeks' advance notice. Please contact the Accessibility Office for further information at (202) 416-8727 (voice), or online at [email protected].

The REACH

Thank you for considering a visit to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts! Please review the information below regarding our policies for visiting the Center:

Pets are welcome during non-event hours. Visitors are required to leash and clean up after pets. Pets are not allowed inside Kennedy Center buildings. Service animals, as specified in the Americans with Disabilities Act regulations, are permitted indoors and outdoors.
Guests are welcome to bring a picnic to our outdoor spaces during non-event times. Coolers must be limited to 16 quarts or smaller. Personal chairs must be limited to 36" high or smaller.
No grills, glass containers, or personal fireworks are permitted on Kennedy Center campus.
Alcoholic beverages are only allowed through Kennedy Center authorized food and beverage providers and must be consumed within the providers’ operating perimeter. Outside alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
Launching, landing, or operating unmanned or remote-controlled aircraft (“drones”) on the Kennedy Center campus is strictly prohibited.
Personal tents that block other visitors’ views are prohibited on the Kennedy Center campus.
Possession of firearms is prohibited on federal lands.
There is no swimming, wading or bathing in reflecting pools and fountains.

Operating Hours Monday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.