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National Archives Museum

ArchitectureHistoryClosed todayFreeArchives–Navy Memorial–Penn Quarter (Green, Yellow lines)

The National Archives Museum occupies John Russell Pope's monumental 1935 neoclassical archives building on Constitution Avenue, where the Charters of Freedom — the original Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights — are displayed in a domed Rotunda. Alongside them sit an original 1297 Magna Carta in the David M. Rubenstein Gallery and The American Story, a permanent gallery opened in November 2025 that uses AI to let each visitor explore millions of archival records. A Discovery Center aimed at younger visitors and a rotating "Opening the Vault" display of rarely seen treasures round out the museum. Admission is free.

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Permanent Collections

Plan Your Visit

Getting there

701 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20408, United States (public entrance at Constitution Avenue and 9th Street NW)

Nearest station: Archives–Navy Memorial–Penn Quarter (Green, Yellow lines), Federal Triangle (Blue, Orange, Silver lines), Judiciary Square (Red line)

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Hours

MonClosed
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ThuTodayClosed
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Admission

Free

Free admission for all; reservations are not required. Free general-admission tickets or $1 timed-entry tickets can be booked in advance to reduce waiting, which can exceed an hour at peak times.

Nearby

National Museum of Natural History

ScienceFree4 min walk

National Gallery of Art

ArtFree4 min walk

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

ArtFree6 min walk

National Portrait Gallery

ArtFree7 min walk

Visitor Information

Is National Archives Museum free to visit?
Yes, general admission to National Archives Museum is free. Free admission for all; reservations are not required. Free general-admission tickets or $1 timed-entry tickets can be booked in advance to reduce waiting, which can exceed an hour at peak times.. Some special exhibitions may charge a separate ticket, so check the museum's website before visiting.
What are the opening hours of National Archives Museum?
National Archives Museum is open Open daily 10:00–17:30, with last admission at 17:00. Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
Where is National Archives Museum?
National Archives Museum is located at 701 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20408, United States (public entrance at Constitution Avenue and 9th Street NW), in the Penn Quarter / National Mall area of Washington, DC. The nearest stations are Archives–Navy Memorial–Penn Quarter (Green, Yellow lines), Federal Triangle (Blue, Orange, Silver lines), Judiciary Square (Red line).
What can I see at National Archives Museum?
The Declaration, Constitution and Bill of Rights under glass in a marble Rotunda — America's founding documents, free to see. Current highlights include Charters of Freedom, Discovery Center, Free and Independent: A Celebration of the Declaration.
Do I need to book National Archives Museum in advance?
National Archives Museum is free to enter and most days you can walk in. Free admission for all; reservations are not required. Free general-admission tickets or $1 timed-entry tickets can be booked in advance to reduce waiting, which can exceed an hour at peak times.. For special exhibitions, weekends, and school holidays, booking a timed slot can help you skip queues. Check the museum's website for current requirements.
When is the best time to visit National Archives Museum?
Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.

David Samuel (Hellodavey1902) via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

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