Here is our epic list of 85 DC Museums, Libraries, and Galleries to visit! All the best lists come from a need – this one was created to help us as we started to explore our National Capital Region Home. We’ve tried to share a link to the museum, gallery, library, or historical site. We’ve included opening times and admission fees as best as we can establish. We’ve also noted the latest information about closures and renovations, but definitely check websites before rocking up!
Last updated in April 2024.
African American Civil War Memorial Museum
The African American Civil War Memorial Museum is currently undergoing renovation and expansion. These renovations were due to be completed in the Summer of 2022. However, the indoor exhibit is still closed in spring 2024 for renovation and expansion. The Memorial Plaza allows guests to view the Spirit of Freedom Statue and the 209,145 USCT Soldiers whose names are engraved on the Memorial Wall of Honor.
The museum is located at 1925 Vermont Ave, NW Washington DC, directly across the street from the African American Civil War Memorial, located at 10th and U Streets, NW Washington DC. Use public transportation, including taxis, to avoid the traffic issues in the area. The nearest metro stop to the museum is the green/yellow line, Ust/African American Civil War Memorial Cardozo stop. Exit the metro station at 10th and Ust NW.
Admission is Free for individuals and groups.
American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center
The AU Museum hosts rotating exhibitions of contemporary art from around the globe and the Alper Initiative, a dedicated research and display space for the art history of Washington, DC. Located on American University’s main campus at the Katzen Arts Center.
Open through June 11 – August 7, Friday-Sunday only, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Closed Monday–Thursday. No reservations are required and admission is Free.
Parking is available in the Katzen Arts Center garage. Parking is $2 per hour on weekdays and free on weekends. The museum is accessible by bus from the Tenleytown-AU Metro Station.
Anacostia Community Museum
The Anacostia Community Museum is located at 1901 Fort Place, SE, Washington, DC.
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, except Dec. 25.
Arts and Industries Building
A Smithsonian Museum, on the national mall, the Art and Industries Building is only open for special events. Located at 900 Jefferson Drive, SW, Washington, DC
Larz Anderson House
Anderson House, also known as Larz Anderson House, is a Gilded Age mansion located at 2118 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, on Embassy Row in the Dupont Circle neighbourhood of Washington. Larz Anderson is a Beaux Arts-style mansion.
Cared for by the Cincinnati Society, Larz Anderson House was built in 1902.
Visitors can tour Anderson House and view our current exhibition Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, 12 to 4 p.m. There is an accessible entrance with a ramp into the building from the front courtyard. The second floor of Anderson House is accessible by elevator.
Admission is free. No reservations are needed except for groups of 10 or more visitors. Tours begin at 15 minutes past each hour and last approximately one hour. The first tour begins at 10:15 a.m., Tuesday through Saturday, and at 12:15 p.m. on Sunday. The last tour begins at 3:15 p.m. each day. Self-guided tours of the house are not permitted.
The Society’s library is open by appointment Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Art Museum of the Americas
The Art Museum of the Americas is located at 201 18th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006
Open: 10am-5pm Tue-Sun. Admission is Free
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery is located at 1050 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC. This is a Smithsonian museum.
Summer hours until September 15:
10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday–Wednesday
11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday–Friday
Charles Sumner School
The Charles Sumner School, established in 1872, was one of the earliest schools for African Americans in Washington, D.C.
Located at 1201 17th St NW, Washington, DC 20036, United States. The museum is open to the public free of charge Monday-Friday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Chinese American Museum DC
The Chinese American Museum DC is a cultural museum in Downtown Washington, DC. Located at 1218 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20036, United States. Open: Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm.
The Chinese American Museum Foundation is located just four blocks from the White House. The 1907 Beaux-Arts mansion is near the National Geographic Museum, the historic Jefferson Hotel, and Embassy Row. Admission is Free.
Clara Barton Missing Soldiers Office
Located at 437 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20004, United States.
The Clara Barton Missing Soldiers Office Museum is temporarily closed at this time to groups smaller than 10. Admission fees apply.
Opens at 11:00 AM. Last entry to museum at 4:30 PM
Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum is located at 2 East 91st Street, New York, NY.
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day except Tuesdays. Closed Thanksgiving and Dec. 25
Timed-entry tickets required.
DAR Museum
The DAR Museum, run by the Daughters of the American Revolution, is an art and history museum in Washington, D.C. The museum is located in Memorial Continental Hall, just down the street from DAR Constitution Hall, where some of the museum’s concerts occur.
Admission is Free. Located at 776 D Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20006.
Decatur House
Decatur House is a historic house museum at 748 Jackson Place in Washington, D.C. It is named after its first owner and occupant, Stephen Decatur. It is a 2-minute walk from Renwick Gallery. It is one of the oldest surviving homes in DC. While guided tours are possible, it is hard to tell from their website as the information focuses on renting the location for events.
Dumbarton House
Dumbarton House is a Federal style house located in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. It was completed around 1800. Its first occupant was Joseph Nourse, the first Register of the Treasury.
Self-guided tours are available Friday through Sunday. They have some interesting local events: sunday yoga, film festivals and more.
Friday through Sunday 10:00am to 3:00pm (last museum entry is 2:45pm). Admission fees are around $8 per adult. You can make an advance reservation but ticket purchases are not required.
Our grounds are open every day from dawn to dusk, free of charge! Please consider making a donation to Dumbarton House to ensure the continued beauty and availability of our gardens.
Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection
Dumbarton Oaks is a historic estate in the Georgetown neighbourhood of Washington, D.C. It was the residence and garden of wealthy U.S. diplomat Robert Woods Bliss and his wife, Mildred Barnes Bliss.
In the late summer and early fall of 1944, at the height of the Second World War, a series of important diplomatic meetings took place at Dumbarton Oaks. Their outcome was the United Nations charter that was adopted in San Francisco in 1945.
It opens its doors to the public to visit its historic garden, designed by Beatrix Farrand; its museum, with world-class collections of art; and its Music Room, for lectures and concerts.
Located at 1703 32nd St NW, Washington, DC. There are also extensive gardens.
Reserve timed tickets to the Gardens – $7.00
Reserve timed tickets to the Museum – Free
Regular Season (March 15–October 31). Gardens are Open 2–6 p.m., Tuesday–Sunday, except for federal holidays. Season passes for the gardens are available for purchase. For safety reasons, to minimize physical contact and practice social distancing, reservations must be made in advance online. No reservations will be taken on-site or by phone. No food and drink (other than water) are permitted in the gardens.
Folger Shakespeare Library
The Folger Shakespeare Library is an independent research library on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., United States. It has the world’s largest collection of printed works of William Shakespeare and is a primary repository for rare materials from the early modern period in Britain and Europe. It is a 3-minute walk from the Library of Congress.
Located at 201 E Capitol St SE, Washington, DC.
No tours or exhibitions are currently being offered due to the building renovation.
For a list of ticketed programs, please see Performances & Events.
Ford’s Theatre National Historic Site
Ford’s Theatre is a theater located in Washington, D.C., which opened in August 1863. It is infamous for being the site of the assassination of United States President Abraham Lincoln on April 14, 1865.
Museum tours are self-guided and take around 30 minutes.
For an additional $5 (and starting again in March 2023), see a 40-minute performance explores the key facts of the assassination while capturing the emotions of that fateful night. The production also has been featured in local schools and at the White House. When they happen, In-person performances of One Destiny are offered Tuesdays-Saturdays as part of historic site entries at 10:30a and 11:30a.
The theater is still in operation – and tickets can be purchased for shows including “A Christmas Carol” and “Shout Sister Shout.”
The Visitor Guidelines are detailed – note the long list of what is not permitted – and tickets should be reserved in advance.
Freer Gallery of Art
Freer Gallery of Art is located at Jefferson Drive and 12th St., SW, Washington, DC. This is a Smithsonian Institution – affiliated with the Sackler Gallery. Freer Gallery focuses on Asian Art.
Summer hours until September 15. 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday–Wednesday
11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday–Friday.
Frederick Douglass National Historic Site
The Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, administered by the National Park Service, is located at 1411 W Street, SE, in Anacostia. Located at 1411 W St SE, Washington, DC. Douglass’s legacy is preserved here at Cedar Hill, where he lived his last 17 years.
Beginning March 1, 2022, the Frederick Douglass NHS is closed to the public for renovations until 2023.
General Federation of Women’s Clubs Headquarters
GFWC Headquarters is a National Historic Landmark located at 1734 N Street, NW in Washington D.C. Built as a private residence in 1875, it has served as the headquarters of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs since 1922.
Headquarters serves as host to events, such as the annual Women’s History Month event and Holiday Open House, and the property houses the popular Iron Gate Inn Restaurant.
The building is currently closed to visitors.
George Washington University Art Galleries
The George Washington University Art Galleries, the Luther W. Brady Art Gallery and the Dimock Gallery, are two university-owned and operated art galleries that showcase the University’s permanent art collections, as well as visiting exhibitions.
Located at Corcoran Flagg Building, 500 17th Street, NW Washington, DC 20006
Open to the GW community (students, faculty and staff) Wednesday – Friday, 1:00-5:00 pm. Or, to make an appointment to see the exhibition, please email lutherbradyart @ gmail. The Luther W. Brady Art Gallery is currently only open to GW class visits to view the collection.
Georgetown University Art Galleries
The Georgetown University Art Galleries — which stand on the homeland of the Nacotchtank and their descendants, the Piscataway Conoy people — encompass two distinct exhibition venues: the Maria & Alberto de la Cruz Art Gallery and the Lucille M. & Richard F.X. Spagnuolo Art Gallery. During the academic year, the Galleries present exhibitions featuring works by highly acclaimed professional artists, studio art faculty, and graduating art majors and host various innovative, interdisciplinary public programs.
Located at 1221 36th St NW 101 & 102, Washington, DC. Admission is Free.
Thursday – Saturday: 10:00am – 6:00pm; Sunday: 1:00pm – 5:00pm. CLOSED school holidays & summer break.
German-American Heritage Museum of the USA
The German-American Heritage Museum of the USA, or GAHM, is located in the Penn Quarter’s Hockemeyer Hall in Washington D.C.,
Located at 719 6th St NW, Washington, DC.
German-American Heritage Museum is open: Tue – Fri 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
Haupt Garden
Covering over four acres, the Enid A. Haupt Garden is situated between the Smithsonian Castle and Independence Avenue. This is one of the Smithsonian Museum Gardens. Haupt Garden open daily dawn to dusk.
It was designed to be a modern representation of American Victorian gardens as they appeared in the mid to late 19th century.
Located at 1050 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC.
The Smithsonian’s gardens are located on the National Mall and in the Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture in downtown Washington, D.C. View the Gardens Map to see the locations of 14 gardens and landscapes.
Heurich House Museum
Heurich House Museum, also known as the Christian Heurich Mansion or Brewmaster’s Castle, is a Gilded Age mansion in the Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington D.C. Located at 1307 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, DC.
Museum tours take place on Thursday and Friday at 4:00 pm and 5:30 pm, Saturday at 1 pm and 2:30 pm. Pre-registration only, no walk-ins. Tickets are released on the first Thursday of the month for the following month and sell out quickly. Private tours are currently unavailable. Tickets are $10 each.
TOURS AVAILABLE THROUGH AUGUST 4TH, CHECK BACK IN THE FALL FOR MORE TOUR TIMES.
Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens
Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens is a decorative arts museum in Washington, D.C., United States. The former residence of businesswoman, socialite, philanthropist and collector Marjorie Merriweather.
Located at 4155 Linnean Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008. Advance reservations are not required, but they encourage visitors to book their tickets online in advance to ensure a smooth check-in.
Open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed on Mondays, most national holidays, and several weeks at the end of January. Suggested donation of $15 per adult on weekdays. Thirteen acres of formal gardens extend from the house’s terraces and porches in a progression of “outdoor rooms.”
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden is located at Independence Ave. at 7th St., SW
Washington, DC. This is a Smithsonian Institution.
10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, except Dec. 25.
The Sculpture Garden is open: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. The Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden open daily 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except Dec. 25.
Historical Society of Washington, D.C. & City Museum of Washington, D.C.
The Historical Society of Washington, D.C., also called the DC History Center, is an educational foundation dedicated to preserving and displaying the history of Washington, D.C. The society provides lectures, exhibits, classes, and community events.
Open Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.. Library and exhibit are closed on holidays. Located at 801 K Street, NW at Mount Vernon Square Washington, DC.
Central Public Library
The Carnegie Library of Washington D.C., also known as Central Public Library, now known as the Apple Carnegie Library, is situated in Mount Vernon Square. This building now houses an Apple store, so this is an architectural adventure only.
Howard University Gallery of Art
The Howard University Gallery of Art is open Monday – Thursday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
During summer it is encouraged to request an appointment for your visit M-Th 10am-4pm to ensure staff availability and avoid renovation or other scheduling conflicts. Please always request an appointment for groups.
The Gallery of Art is located in Lulu Vere Childers Hall, 2455 Sixth Street NW, Washington, DC, 20059, home of the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts.
They host a virtual tour so if you want to see some art but can’t get to the building, check that out.
Interior Museum – Department of the Interior
The Interior Museum is a museum operated by the United States Department of the Interior and housed at the Department’s headquarters at the Stewart Lee Udall Main Interior Building in Washington, D.C., on the first floor. It is located at 1849 C St NW, Washington, DC. The museum is free and open to the public, Mondays through Fridays, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (closed on Federal holidays). Advance reservations are required for the hour-long public tours of the Stewart Lee Udall Department of the Interior Building provided on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
International Spy Museum
The International Spy Museum is open 9am to 7pm, 7 days a week.
We recommend advance ticket purchase. Weekends and the summer touring seasons are popular at the Spy Museum. Guests purchasing tickets onsite may experience a wait to enter the exhibition. Tickets are around $25 per adult.
Kreeger Museum
The Kreeger Museum is a modern and contemporary art museum located in Washington D.C. It is located in the former home of David Lloyd Kreeger and Carmen Kreeger. open Tuesday – Friday: 10am-12pm, 2pm-4pm and Saturday- 10am-12pm, 1:30pm-3:30pm (Grounds close at 4pm). Timed Entry passes are required. There is a 50 minute self guided tour. $10 per adult for tickets.
Laogai Museum
The Laogai Museum is in Dupont Circle, Washington, D.C., the United States. It showcases human rights in the People’s Republic of China, focusing particularly on Láogǎi, the Chinese prison system of “Reform through Labor”. Located on the First & Second Floor, 1901 18th St NW, Washington, DC, it has not reopened since the pandemic, yet, but keep an eye on their website.
Established in 2008 through the support of the Yahoo! Human Rights Fund, the Laogai Museum is the first museum in the United States to address human rights issues in China directly.
Library of Congress
Located at 10 First Street, SE Washington, DC, this iconic building is one of those that I can’t believe I haven’t been to. Reserve your timed entry pass here. For entrance into Library of Congress reading rooms, you will need a valid Reader Identification Card. The Thomas Jefferson Building is open to visitors Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Library is not offering guided tours, however roaming volunteers are available throughout the Thomas Jefferson Building to answer questions, give directions, and share stories about the Library’s collections and building. Their gift shop (on their website) looks to be a “take all my money situation” too!
Live! at the Library every Thursday evening from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Enjoy happy hour drinks and food available for purchase in the Great Hall overlooking the U.S. Capitol. The series will regularly feature special conversations, music, performances, films, and workshops that showcase the broad range of holdings at the national library.
Lillian & Albert Small Jewish Museum; operated by the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington
The Lillian & Albert Small Jewish Museum, located in the Judiciary Square neighbourhood of Washington, D.C., houses the oldest surviving synagogue building. The Society’s collections trace the history of the Jewish community in the greater Washington, D.C., area from the mid-19th century through the present day. It is currently under renovation/construction. The synagogue building has been moved three times in its history, with a final move in 2019 to become part of the planned Capital Jewish Museum.
Open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 1pm to 4pm. Free Admission. Located at 701 4th Street, NW, Suite 200, Washington, D. C.
Lincoln Memorial
The Lincoln Memorial is a U.S. national memorial built to honor the 16th president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. It is on the western end of the National Mall in Washington, D.C., across from the Washington Monument, and is in the form of a neoclassical temple. The memorial’s architect was Henry Bacon. It is located at 2 Lincoln Memorial Cir NW, Washington, DC.
Open 24 hours a day.
Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site
The Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site preserves the house of civil rights leader Mary McLeod Bethune. It is located in Northwest Washington, D.C., at 1318 Vermont Avenue NW. National Park Service rangers offer home tours, and a video about Bethune’s life is shown. It is part of the Logan Circle Historic District.
The House is open to the public for tours on Thursdays, Fridays, & Saturdays. Tours will be offered beginning at 9:45 am and will be given every thirty minutes, with the exception of 12-1 pm, and the last tour will occur at 4 pm.
Every week on Fridays and Saturdays, there is a community walking tour discussing the surrounding neighbourhood.
Meridian International Center
Exhibitions of paintings, photographs, sculptures, videos, and crafts that reflect various aspects of American culture to encourage foreign understanding. Meridian stewards these residential jewels designed by John Russell Pope, architect of the Jefferson Memorial, the West Building of the National Gallery of Art, and the National Archives. Both houses are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Meridian is strategically located between the White House and Embassy Row. It forms a city block of historic and architectural interest.
Site tours are offered Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., subject to house schedule. An appointment is required to view the property. Meridian International Center is closed on Sundays and federal holidays
In light of current events, Meridian has suspended public hours on Saturdays until further notice. In addition, site tours and visits to the property may be more limited during this time. All visits to the property require an appointment and should be scheduled through the Events Department by sending an event inquiry or by contacting us below.
Museum of Cultures and Heritages of America – MOCHA
Museo de Culturas y Herencias Americanas has an expansive collection of artwork that reflect the search of native-born and immigrant artists for the great American dream of freedom and opportunities. They are currently closed.
Museum of the Bible
Located at 400 4th St SW, Washington, DC. Open 10am to 5pm daily, Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Closes at 4:00 p.m. Christmas Eve. Admission is cheaper if purchased online in advance ($25 per adult walk-up). They highly suggest guests utilize the Metro as parking is very limited in the area. Museum of the Bible is conveniently located within steps of the Federal Center SW Metro Station, which can be reached on the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines.
Museum of the Bible‘s docent-led tours explores the ways the Bible has impacted our history and culture. Tours are $10 and take 60 minutes.
National Air and Space Museum
A Smithsonian museum. The National Air and Space Museum reopens this fall of 2022.
Located at 655 Jefferson Drive, SW, Washington, DC. Open: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, except Dec. 25
There is also another facility, the National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center at 14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway Chantilly, VA.
10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, except Dec. 25
National Arboretum
The Arboretum is open every day from 8:00am to 5:00pm. Picnic only in the National Grove of State Trees picnic area. Barbecues, fires, and alcoholic beverages are prohibited. Radios without headphones are prohibited anywhere on the arboretum grounds. There are concerts and other activities that take place in the arboretum.
National Archives Museum
The National Archives Museum in Washington, DC, is home to the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights. These founding documents, along with the Lawrence F. O’Brien Gallery, the Public Vaults, and the David M. Rubenstein Gallery, featuring Records of Rights, are open for visitors from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. Open every day except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Admission is always free. Reservations are not required. Located at 701 Constitution Avenue, NW [between 7th & 9th Streets] Washington, DC. The General Public Entrance is near the corner of Constitution Avenue and 9th Street, to the left of the stairs.
Entry to the National Archives is free. Reservations are not required for individuals or groups wishing to enter the National Archives Museum through the General Public Entrance. Still, reservations are strongly suggested between March and Labor Day to avoid potentially long lines outside. A nonrefundable $1.00 advance reservation convenience fee will be charged for each reserved ticket. Changes are allowed on a ticket order at no additional charge. If you cancel, reservation fees are nonrefundable. Same-day reservations are permitted.
Metro: Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter (Green/Yellow Lines).
National Bonsai and Penjing Museum
Located on the campus of the United States National Arboretum, the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum features Bonsai and Penjing botanical specimens and displays. Explore the bonsai and related art collections, the special exhibits and events, and more about their pavilions and gardens.
The National Bonsai & Penjing Museum is open every day from 10:00am to 4:00pm. Note: The museum’s hours are shorter than those of the Arboretum which are every day from 8:00am to 5:00pm. The National Bonsai & Penjing Museum is located on the grounds of the U.S. National Arboretum at 3501 New York Avenue N.E. – Washington D.C. 20002.
There is no charge for admission to the Arboretum or the Museum and parking on the grounds is free. No tickets are needed for entry. The Museum is closed for federal holidays during the months of November through February. Food, drinks, smoking, pets (except service animals), and bicycles are not allowed in the museum complex.
National Building Museum
Located at 401 F Street NW, Washington, DC. Hours of Operation: Thursday–Monday, 11 am–4 pm. Visits to the Great Hall, the Museum Shop, Gun Violence Memorial Project and What’s Already There: Sustainable Architecture from Brussels are FREE. Advance-purchase tickets are suggested but not required. Same-day, walk-up tickets may be purchased at the Visitor Center. $10 adult ticket.
Metro: The Museum is located across the street from the Judiciary Square (Red Line) station’s F Street NW entrance. Alternatively, you can take the Yellow/Green/Red lines to the Gallery Place-Chinatown station and walk two blocks east to the Museum.
National Cathedral
The Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in the City and Diocese of Washington, commonly known as Washington National Cathedral, is an American cathedral of the Episcopal Church. It was opened on 29 September 1990.
Admission: Visitors do require admission if they are there for touring purposes. Entering the Cathedral for worship is free. $15 per adult, $10 per youth (ages 5–17), senior, military (active or veteran), or student. Located at: 3101 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016
The Cathedral also has gardens, open from dawn to Dusk!
National Children’s Museum
The National Children’s Museum is a children’s museum and science center in downtown Washington, D.C. It is intended to serve children up to age 12 and their families through interactive exhibits exploring science, technology, engineering, art, and math.
located at 1300 Pennsylvania avenue NW Washington, close to Federal Triangle metro station.
Open every day except Tuesdays – 9:30 am – 4:30 pm. closed Tuesdays, thanksgiving day, and Christmas day. Tickets are required – $16 per person older than 1!
National Deaf Life Museum
located on the Gallaudet University campus. The National Deaf Life Museum is a museum focusing on the culture and history of deaf and hard of hearing people in the United States. During the Spring 2022 semester, National Deaf Life Museum visits are by appointment only.
National Gallery of Art
The National Gallery of Art, and its attached Sculpture Garden, is a national art museum in Washington, D.C., United States, located on the National Mall, between 3rd and 9th Streets, at Constitution Avenue NW: 6th and Constitution Ave NW
Washington, DC. Open 10 am to 5 pm every day. Free Admission. free, daily guided tours. These one-hour tours meet in the Rotunda of the National Gallery’s West Building.
National Geographic Museum
The National Geographic Museum is a compact museum displaying photographs & rotating exhibits on scientific expeditions & explorations. Located 1145 17th St NW, Washington, DC. Admission prices are $20 a tick and can be purchased online in advance and walk up the same day. Entry to the museum includes access to all exhibitions currently on view. Open Monday – Sunday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. The last ticket sold at 5 p.m. Closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
National Guard Memorial Museum
The National Guard Memorial Museum is a military museum hosted by the National Guard Educational Foundation. It is located in northwestern Washington, DC, near the National Postal Museum, Union Station and Georgetown University Law Center.
A a participant in the Blue Star Museums Initiative–a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families and the Defense Department. You can schedule tours for five or more people.
Located at One Massachusetts Ave, NW Washington, D.C. 20001. Open Monday – Friday, except holidays, from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.
National Law Enforcement Museum
The National Law Enforcement Museum is a mostly-underground facility located adjacent to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC’s Judiciary Square near several district and federal courthouses. Located at 444 E St NW, Washington, DC. Open Thursday – Saturday, 10 AM – 5 PM. The Museum is Closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Tickets can be purchased in advance for around $20 per adult.
Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture
The National Museum of African American History and Culture is the only national museum devoted exclusively to documenting African American life, history, and culture. It was established by an Act of Congress in 2003, following decades of efforts to promote and highlight the contributions of African Americans. To date, the Museum has collected more than 40,000 artifacts, and nearly 100,000 individuals have become members. The Museum opened to the public on September 24, 2016, as the 19th museum of the Smithsonian Institution.
Open daily 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., except December 25. Located at 1400 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20560.
Free timed-entry passes are required for entry.
National Museum of African Art
National Museum of African Art is one of the Smithsonian Museums. Located at 950 Independence Ave., SW Washington, DC. 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, except Dec. 25. We recommend taking the elevator to the lowest floor and walking through the museum from the bottom floor upwards. We really enjoyed a visit here in the heat of July. Most of the Museum is below ground.
National Museum of American History
National Museum of American History is 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, except Dec. 25,
It is located at 1300 Constitution Ave., NW Washington, DC.
National Museum of the American Indian
The National Museum of the American Indian is located at 4th Street and Independence Ave., SW
Washington, DC.
10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, except Dec. 25.
National Museum of American Jewish Military History
National museum of Natural History
National Museum of Natural History is located at 10th St. and Constitution Ave., NW
Washington, DC. This is a Smithsonian Museum.
10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, except Dec. 25
National Portrait Gallery
The National Portrait Gallery is located at 8th and G Streets, NW, Washington, DC. This is a smithsonian Museum.
It is located at 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, except Dec. 25.
National Postal Museum
The National Postal Museum is located at 2 Massachusetts Ave., NE, Washington, DC. This is a Smithsonian Museum.
10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, except Dec. 25
National Zoo
The National Zoo is located at 3001 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, DC. Open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily (July 1 to Sept. 30) & 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily (Oct. 1 to June 30). Closed Dec. 25
The Octagon House
The Octagon Historic House Museum, owned by the American Institute of Architects Foundation, is located at 1799 New York Avenue NW in Washington, D.C. The museum is open Thursday and Friday, from 1pm-4pm year-round, and also on Wednesdays during the summer. The Octagon does not charge an admittance fee. The Octagon is within walking distance of the Farragut West and Farragut North metro stations.
The house served as an important social center in Washington’s early years, and when the British burned the White House in 1814, President Madison, his wife Dolly Madison, and their family lived in the Octagon for six months as the city rebuilt following the attack.
Old Korean Legation Museum
The Old Korean Legation Museum is a historic house museum located at 15 Logan Circle NW in the Logan Circle neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Located at 500 13th St NW, Washington, DC.
The first and second floors were restored based on historical research, true to the original form of the late nineteenth century when the Korean legation was in operation, and the third floor was refurbished into an exhibition space intended to inform visitors on the history of Korea-U.S. relations and the Korean legation building. Admission is free. Open from 10:00 to 17:00 Thursday-Sunday, Closed on Mondays. Reservations are available on the website. Guided Tours are available: 10:00 / 11:00 / 13:00 /14:00 / 15:00 / 16:00. Self-guided groups may schedule a visit whenever the Museum is open.
Old Stone House
The Old Stone House is the oldest unchanged building in Washington, D.C., United States. The house is also Washington’s last pre-revolutionary colonial building on its original foundation. Built-in 1765, Old Stone House is located at 3051 M Street, Northwest in the Georgetown neighborhood. Located at 3051 M St NW, Washington, DC.
The park is open during daylight hours.
O Street Museum Foundation
The O Street Museum Foundation is a museum that focuses on exploring the creative process. Located in Washington, D.C., O Street Museum Foundation is housed in five interconnected townhouses with over 100 rooms and 32 secret doors. Located at 2020 O St NW, Washington, DC.
Tours (based on availability) Sunday — Wednesday 9 am – 6 pm, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 9 am – 9 pm (Minimum time needed 45 minutes. Maximum tour time 2 hours). Over 100 rooms (guaranteed to see at least 60). Over 80 secret doors (guaranteed to be able to find at least 32 — if you find 2, you are above average). Tours range in price from $35-65 per person.
Phillips Collection
The Phillips Collection is an art museum founded by Duncan Phillips and Marjorie Acker Phillips in 1921 as the Phillips Memorial Gallery located in the Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington, D.C.
Timed tickets are required for general admission and cost $16. Reservations are offered four weeks in advance, with a new week added each Tuesday at noon. Tickets for General Museum Admission include entry to all special exhibitions on view on the date of your visit. The museum café is currently not open. Access to the sculpture courtyard is dependent on weather conditions.
Planet Word
Planet Word is a language arts museum that opened in Washington, D.C., in October 2020. The museum is described as “The museum where language comes to life” and features interactive exhibits. Located at 925 13th St NW, Washington, DC. Open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The last entrance time is 3:30 p.m. General admission is free, with a suggested $15 donation to support the museum’s mission-driven programs, exhibits, and educational outreach.
Planet Word is an immersive language experience located at the historic Franklin School in Washington, D.C. Ideal for all ages, Planet Word is a voice-activated museum (the world’s first!), and our interactive galleries and exhibits bring words and language to life in all sorts of fun ways.
Date idea? Like mysteries, riddles, and puzzles? Reserve a puzzling case and solve the mysteries inside. $20 per case, with a suggestion of 4 people per case. Learn more
This is one of our favourite museums – so interactive and fun!
President Lincoln’s Cottage at the Soldiers‘ Home
President Lincoln and Soldiers’ Home National Monument, sometimes shortened to President Lincoln’s Cottage, is a national monument on the grounds of the Soldiers’ Home, known today as the Armed Forces Retirement Home. Located at 140 Rock Creek Church Rd NW, Washington, DC.
Open Daily from 9:30 to 4:30 pm. Guided tours on the hour, 10 am to 3 pm. Due to space restrictions, an advanced ticket purchase is still strongly recommended. Purchasing your tickets in advance and arriving at your scheduled time are the only ways to ensure entry into the Cottage. Tickets are $15 for the guided tour.
Renwick Gallery
Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum is located at 1661 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC. This is a Smithsonian Institution.
10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, except Dec. 25.
Saint John Paul II National Shrine
The Saint John Paul II National Shrine is a national shrine in Washington, D.C., sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. It is a place of prayer for Catholics and welcomes people of all faiths. Open daily; there is no admission fee. Open Monday-Friday 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m; Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Located at 3900 Harewood Road, NE Washington, DC . Free parking onsite.
Salve Regina Gallery
The gallery is located in Salve Regina Hall and is open to the public, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Located at 620 Michigan Ave., N.E. Washington, DC.
Scottish Rite Temple and Supreme Council Library
The House of the Temple is now fully open with normal operating hours, Monday through Thursday. Tours for both members and the public are available during those days, and they will comply with local guidelines for such activities. We offer free, guided tours Monday–Thursday at the following times: 10 am, 11 am, 2 pm and 3:30 pm*. No tickets are required, and admission to the House of the Temple during regular hours is FREE for everyone.
S. Dillon Ripley Center
A Smithsonian Institution, The S. Dillon Ripley Center is entered from a copper-domed kiosk on Jefferson Drive between the “Castle” and the Freer Gallery of Art, the S. Dillon Ripley Center houses the Smithsonian Associates, the Discovery Theater, and the Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition Service. It features changing exhibitions.
Sewall–Belmont House and Museum
The Belmont–Paul Women’s Equality National Monument is a historic house and museum of the U.S. women’s suffrage and equal rights movements located in the Capitol Hill neighbourhood of Washington, D.C. The monument is named after suffragists and National Woman’s Party leaders Alva Belmont and Alice Paul. Located at 144 Constitution Avenue, NE, Washington DC.
Renovation work funded through the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) began in January 2022. The museum will remain closed to the general public during construction. We hope to welcome visitors again in 2023.
Smithsonian American Art Museum Reynolds Ctr
Smithsonian American Art Museum is open 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, except Dec. 25.
It is located at 8th and G Streets, NW Washington, DC.
Smithsonian Institution Building
Smithsonian Institution Building (The Castle) is located at 1000 Jefferson Drive, SW, Washington, DC.
8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, except Dec. 25.
Textile Museum – George Washington University
Collections of rugs & clothing from around the world, dating from 3000 BC to the present. Located at 701 21st St NW, Washington, DC. The George Washington University Textile Museum is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am. to 5 pm. Closest Metro Station: Foggy Bottom-GWU (Blue, Orange, and Silver lines).
Tudor Place
Tudor Place is a Federal-style mansion in Washington, D.C. that was originally the home of Thomas Peter and his wife, Martha Parke Custis Peter, a granddaughter of Martha Washington.
Located at 1644 31st St NW, Washington, DC. Tudor Place is open for guided house tours & self-guided garden visits. Open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sundays from Noon – 4 p.m. All visitors must check in at the Visitor Center upon arrival. The grounds close at 4:00 p.m. Entry after 3:30 p.m. will not be permitted.
Advanced registration is suggested. Suggested donation of $10/ticket. The ticket includes garden access following a tour. Guided tours are held at the top of each hour. The last tour starts at 3:00 p.m. Visitors for the 3:00 p.m. tour should plan to view the gardens before the tour. For Garden only visits, When you arrive, check-in at the Visitor Center to receive a ticket and garden map. No advanced registration is required for a garden-only visit. Garden visits are self-guided.
Bring a picnic meal, and be sure to remove all trash. Trash receptacles are not provided. Bring mats, blankets or a camp chair. Due to the historic landscape, games, chairs with legs, blow-up furniture, etc. are not permitted. For the duration of a Historic House visit, guests will be asked to leave picnic baskets in the Visitor Center.
United States Capitol
The United States Capitol, often called The Capitol or the Capitol Building is the meeting place of the United States Congress and the seat of the legislative branch of the U.S. federal government. It is on Capitol Hill at the eastern end of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.The White House
Located at First St SE, Washington, DC. The Capitol Visitor Center is open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. All tours are led by our professional tour guides and visit the Crypt, the Rotunda and National Statuary Hall. Advance reservations are required for a tour. Visit the SCHEDULE A TOUR page to select a day/time. All tours, programs and activities are free of charge. Visitors enter through the Capitol Visitor Center, located underground on the east side of the Capitol.
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is the United States’ official memorial to the Holocaust. Adjacent to the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the USHMM provides for the documentation, study, and interpretation of Holocaust history. Free timed-entry tickets are required for entry.
The Museum is free and open every day. It is closed on Yom Kippur and Christmas Day. The Museum and its exhibitions are open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The Museum is located on the National Mall, just south of Independence Avenue, SW, between 14th Street and Raoul Wallenberg Place (15th Street) in Washington, DC. The nearest Metro stop is Smithsonian on the Orange, Blue, and Silver lines, located one block east of the Museum
U.S. Navy Museum Navy-Museum
The National Museum of the United States Navy, or U.S. Navy Museum for short, is the flagship museum of the United States Navy and is located in the former Breech Mechanism Shop of the old Naval Gun Factory on the grounds of the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, D.C. Located at 736 Sicard St SE, Washington, DC. Open 9am-4pm Monday through Friday; Saturdays 10am-4pm.
Admission (Entry) is free, and visitors do not need a ticket. All visitors must have a valid photo ID to enter the Washington Navy Yard to visit the National Museum of the United States Navy. Visitors without a DoD CAC, Uniformed ID and Privileges Card, USG-issued ID, Federal PIV Credentials, or TWIC or an escort with one of these credentials must report to the Visitor Control Center (VCC) at the primary access gate at 11th and O Streets SE (GPS address is 1022 O Street SE, Washington, DC). The VCC is open weekdays, 6:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
If a person is not in possession of one of the aforementioned credentials, there are still two additional ways to gain access. Unescorted individuals can download the Base Access Pass Registration form ahead of their visit and provide the completed document to VCC personnel upon arrival to expedite the process. The form, which vets the individual, is also available at the VCC.
The Museum is several blocks east of the Navy Yard Metro (Green Line) and several blocks south of the Eastern Market Metro (Blue/Orange Lines).
Washington Monument
The Washington Monument is an obelisk shaped building within the National Mall in Washington, D.C., built to commemorate George Washington, once commander-in-chief of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War and the first President of the United States. Located at 2 15th St NW, Washington, DC. Open 24 hours a day.
The White House
The White House is the official residence and workplace of the president of the United States. It is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., and has been the residence of every U.S. president since John Adams in 1800. The best way to organize a tour is through your congressional representative’s office.
The Wilderness Society Gallery
Located at 1801 Pennsylvania Avenue NW #200, Washington, DC.
Woman’s National Democratic Club Museum
Located at 1526 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, DC. The WNDC Museum is housed in a landmark nineteenth-century residence, originally built for Sarah Adams Whittemore, an opera singer and member of the distinguished Adams family of Massachusetts. The building, designed by Harvey Page, is informally called “the Whittemore House.” Significant interior features include the Arts and Crafts foyer and stairwell, and an elaborate plaster ceiling in the former music room, now the Hamlin Room. In addition to the architecture, the Whittemore House contains a rich permanent collection of fine art and furniture. The WNDC Ballroom & Upstairs art galleries feature rotating exhibitions from DC-area artists.
Woodrow Wilson House
The Woodrow Wilson House was the residence of the twenty-eighth President of the United States, Woodrow Wilson after he left office. It is at 2340 S Street NW just off Washington, D.C.’s Embassy Row. On February 3, 1924, Wilson died in an upstairs bedroom. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964.
They offer hour-long and 30-minute-long General Guided House Tours every Saturday, as well as regularly scheduled Specialty Tours throughout the week. Reserve your tour time online or email wilsonhouse@woodrowwilsonhouse.org to schedule. You must reserve your tour time in advance – all tours are guided. They also host vintage game nights for adults and special tours for girl scout troops!
Some fun extra things
DC By The Book
D.C. By the Book is a project which explores local Washington and its character as a city as it is brought to life by fiction. Explore your favourite fiction at D.C. By the Book website.
