(Photo by Mack Male)

Did you know that in most places, you have to pay to get into museums? You’d be forgiven for forgetting about that in D.C., where you can see art, history, Julia Child’s kitchen, and, once, giant glowing pumpkins thanks to the Smithsonian Institution.

Now, Smithsonian magazine is extending the deal at other museums for its annual Museum Day. On Saturday, you and a friend get access to more than 1,500 museums across the country with a special ticket, available on the Smithsonian magazine website.

In D.C., that includes luxe interiors at Dumbarton House, female-focused art at the National Museum of Women in the Arts, and architecture at the National Building Museum. Here’s what you need to know to take advantage of the deal.

Is this just an open house of museums?
Great idea, but no. When you head to the Smithsonian magazine site, you’ll select the museum you’d like tickets for. Your ticket to that museum will be emailed to you, and you’ll show that to get in.

That doesn’t mean there’s no opportunity to double-dip: There’s one ticket allowed per email account, so take advantage of your work email or dig up the password for your old hotmail account to make a mini museum tour. Just don’t say you got that tip from us.

Got it. What do I get when I enter?
Each ticket grants entry to one museum for two people. A museum makes a great first date, just saying.

And beware! Some tickets will specify that they must be printed for access. You can show all others on your smartphone.

Does two people include kids?
It varies by museum. If a museum charges an entry fee for children, then children can be included as one of your two free guests. If children are normally free to enter, they’ll enter for free as per usual and you can include another adult in your ticket. Smithsonian magazine recommends that you call the museum you plan to visit if you have questions.

What museums in D.C. can I hit up?
In addition to the already-free museums (which, curiously, are also listed on the Museum Day form), there are six institutions that will grant free access on Saturday:

Dumbarton House
National Building Museum
National Museum of Women in the Arts
Newseum
The Kreeger Museum
The Phillips Collection

Forty additional museums in Maryland and another 75 in Virginia are also participating. Some are nearby, including the College Park Aviation Museum in Maryland and the Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden and Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, both in Alexandria.

Are any museums doing anything cool for Museum Day?
We’re so glad you asked. The National Museum of African American History and Culture—which is always free to enter—is hosting a special scavenger hunt all about “hidden herstory.” The Hirshhorn’s (again, free) weekly pop-up for kids, “Check It Out,” will also be taking place Saturday, including special kits to guide children’s visit around the museum.