No illegal items obviously while purses and bags (worn on ONE shoulder) are subject to search at entry door but no body frisk. No consumption of foods or water inside bags while browsing priceless museum pieces but a quick gulp on the benches in the Rotunda is fine.
They search your bag. If you have water you must keep it in your bag.
Search bag, pass through metal detector, remove things from pockets.
Pretty straightforward. They will check your bags and i believe they don't allow water bottles. We kept bottles in the bags. This is my fav museum at the Smithsonian. Wish you well!!
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