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National Museum of the American Indian

ArtHistoryOpen until 5:30pmFreeL'Enfant Plaza (Metro)

Opened in 2004 as the first national museum devoted entirely to Native peoples, the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian occupies a five-storey, Kasota limestone building designed by Douglas Cardinal (Blackfoot) to look weathered by wind and water. Every exhibition is developed with and presented from the perspective of Native communities, drawing on a collection of some 800,000 objects spanning the whole hemisphere. Highlights include the treaty exhibition Nation to Nation, the pop-culture reckoning of Americans, and the outdoor National Native American Veterans Memorial. The Mitsitam Native Foods Cafe serves Indigenous regional cooking and is a destination in its own right.

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Permanent Collections

Plan Your Visit

Getting there

Fourth Street & Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20560, United States

Nearest station: L'Enfant Plaza (Metro), Federal Center SW (Metro)

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 always free; no tickets or timed passes required.

Nearby

Visitor Information

Is National Museum of the American Indian free to visit?
Yes, general admission to National Museum of the American Indian is free. Admission is always free; no tickets or timed passes 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 the American Indian?
National Museum of the American Indian is open Open daily 10:00–17:30. Closed 25 December. The Lelawi Theater is currently closed; the outdoor National Native American Veterans Memorial is open 24 hours a day.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
Where is National Museum of the American Indian?
National Museum of the American Indian is located at Fourth Street & Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20560, United States, in the National Mall area of Washington, DC. The nearest stations are L'Enfant Plaza (Metro), Federal Center SW (Metro).
What can I see at National Museum of the American Indian?
Curving golden-limestone landmark on the Mall where Native nations tell the story of the Americas in their own words. Current highlights include Americans, InSight: Photos and Stories from the Archives, Making a Statement.
Do I need to book National Museum of the American Indian in advance?
National Museum of the American Indian is free to enter and most days you can walk in. Admission is always free; no tickets or timed passes 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 the American Indian?
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.

Carol M. Highsmith / Library of Congress, via Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)