The history of the United States is writ large at this institution, with artifacts representing pop culture, innovation, government history, and more. Zoom out. What’s this place all about? Opened in 1964, what is now the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History is a modern monolith with a streamlined marble exterior. This museum is huge, spanning about 750,000 square feet. A tourist must-visit on the National Mall, you could easily spend the entire day here exploring the collection of artifacts owned by famous and ordinary Americans alike. (Note that a number of
exhibits are temporarily closed due to pandemic-related construction, but are slated to return in late 2021.) A museum's permanent collection is its defining feature: How was this one? The National Museum of American History's brief is all-encompassing: tell the story of America using a collection of more than 1.8 million historical objects. That could be anything from Muhammad Ali's boxing gloves to Thomas Edison's light bulb, to a recently acquired Bob Ross painting.
Exhibits keep us coming back. What can we expect? Most exhibits are ongoing, but recent special exhibits include “Reckoning with Remembrance: History, Injustice, and the Murder of Emmett Till” that closes in October and an upcoming spring exhibit geared toward elementary schoolers illustrating financial literacy. The Smithsonian has been committed to keeping this institution up-to-date: renovations in the past two decades modernized the building and organized the massive
collection of objects into themes, like the second floor's “The Nation We Build Together” wing, which covers everything from religion to diversity to democracy. What did you make of the crowd? In the before-COVID times, this was school group field trip central—and a must-stop for tourist families as well. On the practical tip, how were the facilities? There are many escalators throughout the museum, but all levels are served by elevators as well. For seating and
a spot to take a break, head to Unity Square. Any guided tours worth trying? The museum's audio guide rental program is currently suspended. However, you can click on a link, and a free audio guide is available on your mobile device in English or Spanish to lead you through museum highlights or tours organized by topics like “American Democracy.” Gift shop: obligatory, inspiring—or skip it? Find miniature copies of the U.S. Constitution, Rosie the Riveter socks,
books about Woodstock, and more Americana memorabilia at the museum's 6,000-square-foot museum store. Is the café worth a stop? The main 600-seat cafe, called Eat at America's Table, is temporarily closed. If you really need a drink or snack as fuel to keep exploring, the smaller The LeRoy Neiman Jazz Cafe is open. Any advice for the time- or attention-challenged? There really is something for every interest here: "Star Wars" fans can make a beeline to C-3PO,
and gear heads can gawk at the collection of cars in the “America on the Move” exhibit. For a quick jaunt through the highlights, the museum suggests seeing the original Star-Spangled Banner, the lunch counter from Greensboro's famous sit-in during the Civil Rights movement, Dorothy's ruby slippers from “The Wizard of Oz,” Julia Child's exact kitchen, and Michelle Obama's inauguration dress in "The First Ladies" exhibit, among others. All
listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. The iconic Georgetown hotel has been reborn, and now embraces a modern-but-retro feel. The prime location in D.C.'s downtown, combined with Kimpton’s always-elevated service, make this a top choice that won’t break the bank. Home away from home to D.C.'s influential and powerful. Where everyone seems like an ultra cool local, whether they are or not. A modern take on D.C.'s upscale hotel scene. America's third president would happily stay here. This post is about the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington, DC. We cover tickets, hours, exhibits, and other topics to help you plan your visit. So, let's get started.
The Smithsonian National Museum of American History tackles the monumental task of displaying and preserving the most important pieces of American history and culture since this country’s birth. HOW TO GET HERE The American History Museum is located on the National Mall at Constitution Ave and 14th St NW. The closest metro stop is Federal Triangle, which has the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines.  After exiting the metro, take a right down 12th St NW, cross Constitution Ave NW, then walk to the right until you reach the entrance located on Constitution Ave, between 12th and 14th St NW. There is also an entrance on the Madison Dr. NW side of the building, but generally, the Constitution Ave entrance has a shorter line. Parking NearbyStreet parking is very limited in the area, so be sure to budget some time to find a spot. There are free parking spaces open to the public on Jefferson and Madison Drive, but the competition for these is fierce. A lot of the on-street parking is limited to 2 or 3 hours, so check nearby signs before you leave your vehicle. The National Museum of American History has partnered with SpotHero to help visitors easily find and reserve parking spots in the area. Use their website to view all of the available parking facilities and find cheap deals! Do I need a ticket to the American History Museum?Like all Smithsonian Institutions, it is free and unticketed to visit the American History Museum. This is good because you get access to one of the top museums in the country free of charge. However, there’s no way to guarantee an entrance time and the museum will often get crowded in the spring and summer. If you’re visiting in the busy season, it’s best to get there around 10 am when the museum opens. Security The museum does have a light security check at all entrances. Visitors are required to walk through a metal detector and have their bags manually checked by a security guard. There are no weapons or sharp objects, such as scissors, allowed inside. You also may not use a tripod or a selfie-stick in the museum. While you can bring outside food or drink into the museum, there are no places inside where you are allowed to eat or drink it. There are two cafes where you can buy a snack or coffee. Once inside, there are a limited number of lockers that you can store things in if you wish at no charge. Hours of Operation
How Much Time Do You NeedThis museum is large enough that it would probably take weeks to thoroughly visit all of the exhibitions. For this reason, we suggest that you pick a few exhibitions that interest you (our favorites are below!) and set out to visit those first. It’s a good idea to plan on spending at least an hour in the museum. Highlights of the American History MuseumSince this museum tries to cover all American History and culture, many guests can feel overwhelmed when deciding which exhibitions to visit. Luckily, for this same reason, there really is something to interest everyone in the museum. Here is a full list of exhibitions (http://americanhistory.si.edu/exhibitions), and we’ve listed some of our favorites below. Please note that the museum does sometimes close exhibitions or remove objections for preservation work. The Star-Spangled BannerOne of the greatest treasures in the museum, and arguably in the country, is the original Star-Spangled Banner. The flag is 30 feet tall and 34 feet long and was commissioned for Fort McHenry from Baltimore flagmaker Mary Young Pickersgill. The 15 star-15 stripe-flag inspired Francis Scott Key, who watched the Battle of Fort McHenry from an enemy ship in the bay, to write a poem he originally called “Defence of Fort M’Henry”. Later it was set to the tune of a British song and became our national anthem. The flag is housed in a special climate-controlled display case and surrounded by an exhibition with more details on the Battle of Fort McHenry and the flag’s creation. It is located in the center of the second floor. The First LadiesThis exhibition explores the different contributions that America’s First Ladies have made to their country over the years. Although they were seen as merely accessories to the President in the past, First Ladies have changed the country in ways both small and profound. There is also an incredible collection of more than 25 gowns worn by First Ladies spanning over 100 years. It is located in the center of the third floor. Ruby Red Slippers from Wizard of Oz The most popular objects by far are Dorothy’s ruby slippers from the Wizard of Oz. This collection is on the west of the third floor. America on the Move For transportation enthusiasts, you can see an original old DC streetcar American Democracy You can see Thomas Jefferson's writing desk and George Washington's document box for storing documents during the Constitutional Convention, plus cool campaign trinkets from the 1800s to today. The American Presidency Exhibit - this is where President Abraham Lincoln's hat is! This museum is also the home to Julia Child's Kitchen (however this is closed as of Jan 2022) Related Posts:
What should I not miss at the Smithsonian museum of American history?17 Awesome Things to See. The Batmobile.. A Piece of the Berlin Wall.. World Trade Center Steel.. Abraham Lincoln's Hat.. The First Ladies' Dresses.. The Presidential Football.. George Washington's Chair.. The Gunboat Philadelphia.. What can you see at the National Museum of American History?The American History Museum's collection contains more than three million historical objects—including the famed Star-Spangled Banner—and documents that explore the evolution of the American identity.
Which Smithsonian museum is the most popular?Most visited Smithsonian museums and institutions in the United States in 2021 (in 1,000s). What is the most valuable thing in the Smithsonian?The Hope Diamond Necklace
The 45.52-carat deep blue Hope Diamond is estimated to be worth between $250 - $350 million. It was ever so casually mailed to the Smithsonian in a plain brown wrapper via registered mail by donor Harry Winston. It's one of the most visited museum objects in the world.
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Best things to see at smithsonian american history museum
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