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Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
A family looks out over Henry the elephant in the rotunda of the museum.

Discover the
Natural World

Open seven days a week, 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., except Dec. 25
We're on the National Mall 10th St. & Constitution Ave. NW Washington, D.C. 20560
Free Admission

Plan your visit
We are open seven days a week
A woman in a white lab coat kneeling on one knee while holding an open book with a picture of planet Earth on the cover. Three dancers pose around her. One looking over her shoulder, another behind her with one arm and leg up in the air, another looking sideways at her, and a fourth in mid-air with arms wide.
FOR FAMILIES

World & Me: Caring for Our Planet

Join us July 12 as we celebrate diversity found in nature, movement, and the planet we call home with local dancers from Company | E, musicians from Sound Impact, and museum educators.
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Featured Exhibitions

a bright halo of stars over a dark landscape
Second floor | Temporary Exhibit

Lights Out: Recovering Our Night Sky
an image of a cellphone taking a picture of a cellphone photo of two women wearing masks
Second floor | Special Exhibit

Cellphone: Unseen Connections
A fossilized T. rex biting a triceratops
FIRST FLOOR | EXHIBIT

David H. Koch Hall of Fossils - Deep Time
Red diamond gem on a black background
NEW EXHIBIT

The Winston Red Diamond

Come see one of the rarest gemstones on Earth — the Winston Red Diamond. It’s now on display alongside 40 other gems from the Winston Fancy Color Diamond Collection. Arranged in a radiant rainbow of color, they feature every shade imaginable from deep teal to soft peach.
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Two children put their hands on a mural at the Museum.

Today's Events

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02:00 pm
Ocean Topics Cart Chat

Understanding the Natural World and Our Place In It

Two children explore collections items in the Museum.
Education
Explore the World of Paleobiology
Research & Collections
A view of the gems and minerals exhibits.
Exhibits

Delve into the fascinating story of our planet, from its fiery beginnings through billions of years of transformation, and explore life on Earth through exhibitions and activities, collection objects and research that happens in the lab and in the field.

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