Can you reserve a site at Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum?

No. Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, New York — sites, fees and cancellation alerts

Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum is the only museum in the nation devoted exclusively to historic and contemporary design. The Museum presents compelling perspectives on the impact of design on daily life through active educational and curatorial programming. It is the mission of Cooper-Hewitt's staff and Board of Trustees to advance the public understanding of design across the twenty-four centuries of human creativity represented by the Museum's collection.

The Museum was founded in 1897 by Amy, Eleanor, and Sarah Hewitt- granddaughters of industrialist Peter Cooper -as part of The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art. A branch of the Smithsonian since 1967, Cooper-Hewitt is housed in the landmark Andrew Carnegie Mansion on Fifth Avenue in New York City. The campus also includes two historic townhouses renovated with state-of-the-art conservation technology and a unique terrace and garden. Cooper-Hewitt's collections include more than 250,000 design objects and a world-class design library. Its exhibitions, in-depth educational programs, and on-site, degree-granting master's program explore the process of design, both historic and contemporary. As part of its mission, Cooper-Hewitt annually sponsors the National Design Awards, a prestigious program which honors innovation and excellence in American design. Together, these resources and programs reinforce Cooper-Hewitt's position as the preeminent museum and educational authority for the study of design in the United States.

Hours
Monday-Thursday: 10am-5pm
Friday: 10am-5pm
Saturday: 10am-6pm
Sunday: 10am-6pm
Garden entrance on 90th Street open May-September (weather permitting)
Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day

Getting there

Public transit routes include the Lexington Avenue 4, 5, and 6 subways (86th or 96th Street Stations), and Fifth and Madison Avenue buses.

40.78440, -73.96007 · 40°47'3.8"N 73°57'36.2"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Official map for this area

Typical weather

Typically 85°F in Jul, down to 40°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	40	42	50	62	71	80	85	83	76	65	54	44
Low °F	28	30	36	46	55	64	70	69	62	51	42	34
Precip in	3.6	3.2	4.3	4.1	4.0	4.5	4.6	4.6	4.3	4.4	3.6	4.4

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 0.6 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Fees and stay limits

$16 Adult Admission

From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.

Common questions about Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

Can you reserve a site at Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum?: No. Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Camping near Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

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Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum