How to Get Tickets to the New African American Museum in DC

WASHINGTON, DC — It's one of the most anticipated museum openings in D.C. history, and one of the hottest tickets in town. All 28,500 tickets for the Sept. 24 opening day of the National Museum of African American History and Culture were sold in less than an hour after being made available on Aug. 27, but if you really want to get into the museum, you have a few options.

Buy on the secondary market -- If you still really, really want to go to opening day, you can check out the secondary market. Not surprisingly, some people are looking to cash in on the hot event, and numerous individuals have posted their opening day tickets on Craigslist, with some going for as high as $200 apiece. Be sure to verify the seller and beware of common Craigslist scams, however.

Visit anyway, and enjoy a free concert -- Even if you can't get into the museum itself, there will be plenty of festivities going on outdoors on the National Mall nearby that is open to the public. The museum is hosting a free three-day, two-night festival on Sept. 23-25 near the museum featuring legendary musical acts like Public Enemy, the Roots and local group Experience Unlimited.

Get a timed entry pass -- You'll have to wait until as late as November to get in the museum this way, but at least you'll get in this year, and for free. The museum is making timed entry passes for the months of November and December available to the general public. Demand is very high, so the museum is implementing the timed entry system to "serve as many visitors as possible while maintaining a secure, safe and smooth flow of people into the museum," according to the website. Timed passes are free of charge, and a limited number can be obtained on the same day of your visit. The museum will begin distributing same-day timed passes on Sept. 26, after opening weekend.

"Please be prepared for large crowds and extended wait times. While we will do our best to honor the scheduled time on your passes, your actual entry time is subject to building capacity and safety," the site adds. Click here for more information on obtained a timed pass.

Image via Wikimedia user Fuzheado