Immerse yourself in the red, white and blue at this impressive free museum that brings American history to life.
The Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington, DC, is a must-visit destination for history buffs, pop culture gurus and families. Located on the National Mall, this free museum houses quintessential American artifacts like the Star-Spangled Banner, First Ladies’ gowns, Muhammad Ali's boxing gloves and Prince's "Yellow Cloud" guitar.
Don't miss this chance to get up close and personal with U.S. history in the nation's capital.
What is the National Museum of American History? Is it free?
The nearly 800,000 square-foot Smithsonian museum presents America’s history in all of its complexity – through research, in-depth exhibits, extensive collections and public outreach – and encourages visitors to be challenged and inspired by the stories they encounter.
The museum is open daily (except Dec. 25) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Like all Smithsonian museums, it is free to access. No tickets are required.
How many objects are there at the museum? What can I see?
The museum's collection features more than 1.7 million artifacts; among the most famous are Dorothy’s ruby slippers in The Wizard of Oz. It also houses 22,000 linear feet of archival documents, including sheet music written by DC legend Duke Ellington.
The museum prominently features what is perhaps the most American artifact of all: the Star-Spangled Banner. The flag flew above Fort McHenry in Baltimore during the War of 1812, inspiring Francis Scott Key to write our national anthem and awaits your visit in a permanent exhibition.
Another treasured item on display is the top hat worn by President Abraham Lincoln on the fateful night of April 14, 1865, when he set off to Ford’s Theatre and was later assassinated in by John Wilkes Booth.
You'll also find Muhammad Ali's boxing gloves, Julia Child's kitchen, Prince's "Yellow Cloud" guitar and even characters like Miss Piggy and C-3PO.
Less than 1% of these artifacts are on view at a time.
Where is the National Museum of American History? How do I get there?
The museum is located on Constitution Avenue NW along the National Mall. The easiest way to get there is via Metrorail or Metrobus. The closest Metro stop is Smithsonian, on the Blue, Orange and Silver lines. Metrobus routes will all take you to the National Mall, where you can explore the iconic monuments and memorials after you’ve gotten your full dose of American history. The facility is handicap-accessible, and dedicated parking spaces are located on Madison Drive NW.
Which exhibits I can find inside the National Museum of American History?
The museum's exhibits take on a diverse range of topics within our history, making it a beloved as a source for all things Americana.
- American Democracy: The Great Leap of Faith covers the "history of citizen participation, debate and compromise," spanning from our nation's founding to present day.
- Lincoln’s hat is among a number of presidential relics that each tell a story in an exhibit entitled The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden.
- The women who stood by the side of our nation’s leaders are memorialized in The First Ladies, which boasts more than two dozen gowns, fine china and other furnishings.
- Colorful, crowd-favorite exhibit Entertainment Nation explores America's unparalleled role in pop culture through an extraordinary collection of objects channeling major moments in theater, music, sports, movie and television.
- Marvel at the home kitchen of fine-cooking darling Julia Child, whose workshop is a part of the FOOD: Transforming America’s Table 1950-2000 exhibit, which delves into the evolution of eating in America thanks to new technologies, forward-thinkers and social and cultural shifts.
- The evolution of American transportation and business are also given their due in separate exhibits. Stroll the car-buff friendly America on the Move exhibit, which sports the first automobile driven across the U.S. and a 40-foot stretch of Route 66 within its collection of 340 objects.
- American Enterprise focuses on the country’s commercial innovations from the past 300 years.
Browse the full selection of exhibitions.
Is the museum family-friendly?
Yes! While the museum has many interactive elements in its exhibits, it has two hands-on spaces aimed towards young children: Spark!Lab, which focuses on STEM activities for ages 6-12, and Wegmans Wonderplace, for explorers under 6.
Both spaces are open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where can I see the Molina Family Latino Gallery? Is it inside the Museum?
The National Museum of American History houses the Molina Family Latino Gallery, the first step toward the newest Smithsonian museum: The National Museum of the American Latino. While plans for the full museum are still in development, the gallery is open to the public and currently features ¡Presente! A Latino History of the United States. The bilingual exhibition explores Latino and Latina perspectives in American history, highlighting stories often excluded from mainstream narratives.
