Back to museums

National Museum of Natural History

HistoryArchaeologyScienceClosed · Opens 10amFreeFederal Triangle (Metro Blue/Orange/Silver)

Opened in 1910 as the first Smithsonian building raised purely for the national collections, this Beaux-Arts landmark on the National Mall holds more than 148 million specimens and artifacts across seven research departments. Visitors pass Henry the African bush elephant in the domed rotunda on their way to the Hope Diamond, a Tyrannosaurus locked in combat with a Triceratops, a 45-foot right whale and 274 mounted mammals. Behind the galleries, several hundred scientists study everything from meteorites to human origins. Admission is free and no ticket is required.

What's On

Now
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan

Permanent Collections

Plan Your Visit

Getting there

10th St. & Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20560, United States

Nearest station: Federal Triangle (Metro Blue/Orange/Silver), Archives–Navy Memorial–Penn Quarter (Metro Green/Yellow), Smithsonian (Metro Blue/Orange/Silver)

Show on map

Hours

Mon10:00–17:30
Tue10:00–17:30
Wed10:00–17:30
ThuToday10:00–17:30
Fri10:00–17:30
Sat10:00–17:30
Sun10:00–17:30

Admission

Free

Admission is free and no passes or tickets are required.

Nearby

National Archives Museum

ArchitectureFree4 min walk

National Museum of American History

HistoryFree4 min walk

National Museum of Asian Art

DesignFree5 min walk

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

DesignFree5 min walk

Visitor Information

Is National Museum of Natural History free to visit?
Yes, general admission to National Museum of Natural History is free. Admission is free and no passes or tickets are required.. Some special exhibitions may charge a separate ticket, so check the museum's website before visiting.
What are the opening hours of National Museum of Natural History?
National Museum of Natural History is open Open daily 10:00–17:30, including public holidays. Closed 25 December. Doors close at 17:30 and all visitors must exit.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
Where is National Museum of Natural History?
National Museum of Natural History is located at 10th St. & Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20560, United States, in the National Mall area of Washington, DC. The nearest stations are Federal Triangle (Metro Blue/Orange/Silver), Archives–Navy Memorial–Penn Quarter (Metro Green/Yellow), Smithsonian (Metro Blue/Orange/Silver).
What can I see at National Museum of Natural History?
The Hope Diamond, a T. rex mid-kill and 148 million specimens under one great green dome — free, every day, on the Mall. Current highlights include Bison: Standing Strong, Cellphone: Unseen Connections, David H. Koch Hall of Fossils — Deep Time.
Do I need to book National Museum of Natural History in advance?
National Museum of Natural History is free to enter and most days you can walk in. Admission is free and no passes or tickets are required.. 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 Museum of Natural History?
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.

ajay_suresh via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)

DirectionsVisit Website