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Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
A boy smiles as he looks at a butterfly sitting on a paint brush he is holding, while a girl next to him watches in wonder.

Visit

Hours

Open daily except December 25, 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Location

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

10th St. & Constitution Ave. NW
Washington, D.C. 20560

Google Map

Admission

Admission is FREE to the museum and programs, except where noted.

Special message to visitors: The National Museum of Natural History remains temporarily closed, but select Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo are open. To see the locations that are currently open under the Smithsonian’s phased reopening plan, view the Smithsonian visitor information page.

In addition, this closure includes access to the NMNH collections via scientific visits or outgoing loans. Users may continue to access collections information via collections.si.edu. Please do not ship collections such as returned loans to the museum at this time. We will reopen when we are advised that it is safe to do so.

A Smithsonian educator and scientist observe a fossil.

Digital Resources

While we are all social distancing, visit the National Museum of Natural History blog to find seven ways you can explore our online offerings from home.
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Must-do Experiences

Two visitors standing in front of the case holding the Hope Diamond, holding up their smart phones to take a picture of it.
Hope Diamond, The Janet Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology, Gems, and Minerals, Second Floor. Photo by Paul Fetters.
Two children in a dark exhibit hall looking at the coral reef fish tank which is right in front of them.
Coral reef fish tank, Sant Ocean Hall, First Floor. Photo by Paul Fetters.
Two children put their hands over handprints on the wall of a model cave in the Human Origins exhibit.
Cave handprints, David H. Koch Hall of Human Origins, First Floor. Photo by Paul Fetters.
A woman in front of 10 foot tall Megalodon shark jaws, holding up her smart phone to photograph four people behind the jaws.
Megalodon jaws, Sant Ocean Hall, First Floor. Photo by Paul Fetters.
An Insect Zoo employee holds a tarantula in his hand as three children and a woman look in amazement.
Live tarantula, O. Orkin Insect Zoo, Second Floor. Photo by Paul Fetters.
Bronze sculpture of an early human with a beard and mustache squatting and holding out a piece of wood.
Early human species sculpture, David H. Koch Hall of Human Origins, First Floor. Photo by Paul Fetters.
A girl uses a microscope to look at a collection object in the Q?rius education center. A man helps her with the microscope.
Examining collection objects, Q?rius, The Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center, Ground Floor. Photo by Jennifer Renteria, Smithsonian.
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a skeleton of a smilodon

Visit the New Fossil Hall

It’s here! The David H. Koch Hall of Fossils – Deep Time officially opened June 8, after five years of preparation. Journey through time from the beginning of life on Earth through the reign of the dinosaurs to the present.
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A view of the Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals with a hippo in the foreground.

Today at the Museum

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Museum Address
The museum is located at 10th St. & Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20560 (Google Map). There are accessible entrances on Constitution Ave. NW and Madison Dr. NW. There is no public parking. Please see the options below for taking the Metro or parking offsite.

Metro
The closest Metro to the accessible entrance on Constitution Avenue is the Federal Triangle Metro station, which is located on the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines. The closest metro along the Green and Yellow line is Archives/Navy Memorial. The closest Red line station is Metro Center. View a map of the closest Metro stations.

Parking
There are no Smithsonian Institution public parking facilities on the National Mall. A few nearby commercial lots and garages may have available parking. If you must drive, please see parking options. For additional information on bus parking, contact the National Park Service Mall Operations Office at 202-426-6841.

For More: Visit our Getting Here and Parking Page.

The National Museum of Natural History is committed to providing inclusive experiences for all audiences. Please contact 202-633-3611 or send an email NMNHAccessibility@si.edu for access services. For more information visit the Accessibility Information page.

Entrance
Both entrances to the museum are now accessible. Enter from the Constitution Avenue side of the building or the National Mall side. A new elevated walkway is open on the south side, or National Mall side, of the building.

Parking
The Smithsonian does not provide parking, but there are designated accessible spaces around the National Mall.

You can view and print a map with accessible entrances, curb cuts, designated parking, and more for Smithsonian facilities on the National Mall. Standard and large print copies are also available at the Visitor Information Desks.

Service Animals
Service dogs specially trained to assist a person with a disability are welcome in the Museum.

Information for Visitors in a Wheelchair

  • All of the Museum's exhibitions (including the Butterfly Pavilion) are accessible by wheelchair, and all public floors of the Museum can be reached by elevator.
  • All theaters include wheelchair locations and companion seats.
  • All food service areas are accessible by wheelchair with no steps, turnstiles, or other potential obstructions
  • All Museum restrooms are accessible to those with mobility disabilities or in wheelchairs. Family/companion care restrooms are located on the First Floor off the Rotunda via the Sant Ocean Hall.

Information for Visitors Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

  • Video presentations within exhibitions are open captioned. 
  • Induction loops are installed at the Rotunda Visitor Information Desk and the Worldwide Theater in the Hall of Human Origins.
  • Assisted Listening Devices are available upon request for programs in Baird Auditorium and Q?rius Theater.
  • Sign language interpretation or real-time captioning (CART) are available for public programs with a two week advanced notice. To request this service, please call (202) 633-5238 or e-mail NMNHAccessibility@si.edu.

Information for Visitors Who Are Blind or Partially Sighted

  • Large print floor plans are available at the Visitor Information Desks on the ground floor and first floor of the Museum.
  • Tactile objects are provided for all visitors at designated points throughout the Museum. A full list of tactile objects can be found at the Information Desks in large print and braille.
  • Verbally-described tours with tactile elements designed for visitors with visual disabilities are available with a two-week advanced notice. Subject to volunteer availability. To request this service, please call (202) 633-5238 or e-mail NMNHAccessibility@si.edu.
  • The Deep Time Audio Description App use the accessibility features native to a visitor’s phone to explore the new Fossil Hall through a self-guided tour. Much of the Fossil Hall exhibition has been summarized into a manageable size and integrated with visual descriptions of key content, videos, touchscreen interactives, and iconic specimens. The app features in-depth descriptions of the 29 tactile opportunities within the gallery. The app also provides images with alt text and captions, a Frequently Asked Questions section, and a search function. 
  • Volunteer-led interactive cart programs with tactile elements take place in select exhibit hall and are subject to volunteer availability.

Information for Visitors with Developmental, Learning & Sensory Disabilities

Calendar of Events
This calendar of events highlights some of the programs and activities that will be happening at the museum.

For More: Visit Our Accessibility Information Page

We are committed to visitor safety and have security measures in place to keep you and Museum objects protected. When you arrive at the Museum you can expect a full security screening similar to what you might experience at the airport, except you can keep your shoes and belts on.

Help speed your entry into the Museum by having your bags open and ready for inspection, and empty your pockets before going through the screening station.

Items Not Permitted in the Museum

  • Firearms / ammunition
  • Knives (including pen, pocket or "Swiss Army"-style knives)
  • Aerosol cans (including pepper spray and Mace)
  • Scissors
  • Tools (screwdrivers, awls, etc.)
  • Placards, signs, or banners
  • Pets (except service animals)
  • Wagons (collapsible and fixed wheel)

Items You Are Prohibited from Using Inside the Museum

  • Tripods
  • Monopods
  • Selfie sticks
  • E-cigarettes
  • Skateboards / scooters

Items Permitted in the Museum

  • Strollers
  • Cameras
  • Mobility aids (canes, walkers, etc.)
  • Service animals (not emotional support animals)
  • Bottled water

Check the Smithsonian's security policy for the most up-to-date information. 

The museum's Security Office is located on the Ground Floor in the north (Constitution Avenue) lobby next to the elevators.

Dining

Ocean Terrace Café
10:00 am – 5:00 pm Coffee Bar
10:00 am – 3:00 pm Food Service
First Floor
The Ocean Terrace Café has been developed with a greater focus on grains and vegetables being at the core of a daily diet. Entrees feature sustainable items, seasonally available local produce, artisan craft foods, vegetable focused entrees, and the reduced use of proteins. Featured items include our Global Vegetable Grain Bowls, Sandwiches, and Market Plates. In addition to lunch try our fair trade certified coffees and teas along with cold brewed and espresso based beverages. Round off our offerings with house baked pastries, desserts, and local crafted gelato. While visiting the café, check out the Mega-toothed Shark exhibit in the first-floor atrium.

Atrium Café
11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Ground Floor
The museum’s largest café, featuring Butcher Craft Burgers, Flatbreads, Pasta and a Chef’s Market Table.

See full menus on the Dining & Shopping page.

Outside food continues to be prohibited in the museum.

Shopping
Selected merchandise items in our shops are now available for purchase online at the Smithsonian Store.

For inquiries about our museum stores, please contact the NMNH Store Management Team at 202.633.2060.

Gem and Mineral Store
Location: Second Floor

Hours: 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM

Extraordinary fossils, gemstones, mineral specimens, and science kits

Gallery Store
Location: Ground Floor, Evans Gallery

Hours: 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM

Unique cultural treasures from around the globe – jewelry, gifts, books, media, and graphics.

Family Store
Location: Ground Floor, Evans Gallery

Hours: 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM

Engaging and educational toys, tons of fun, museum mementos, dinosaurs galore!

Dinos and More Store
Location: First Floor, near the Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals

Hours: 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM

A world full of plush animals

Natural History Express Kiosk
Location: Second Floor, near Beauty Rich and Rare
Hours: 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Unique gift assortments inspired from our museum’s exhibits

Bag Lunches
Limited bagged lunch seating is available in the Atrium Café. Bagged lunches must be stowed away at all times while visiting the museum and must only be eaten in the Atrium Café on the Ground Floor. The museum has no refrigerated storage for lunches. Please call the NMNH Groups hotline at 202-633-7515 for questions about group dining.

Nursing Station
The museum now has a dedicated public nursing room. Located in the Constitution Avenue Lobby, the public nursing room allows our visitors to nurse in private and is close to the restrooms and health unit.

Pets
Pets (except service animals) are not permitted in the museum. Emotional support animals are not permitted in the museum.

Photography
The Smithsonian permits still and video photography for noncommercial use only in its museums and exhibitions, unless otherwise posted. For the safety of our visitors and collections, the use of tripods, monopods, and selfie sticks is not permitted at any time. Working members of the media who need to use a tripod or monopod must obtain permission from the museum’s Press Office and must be escorted by a museum staff member while in the building.

Notice: Visitors may be filmed, photographed, or recorded by the Smithsonian for educational and promotional uses, including for posting on the Smithsonian’s and other public websites.

Wi-Fi
The museum provides free Wi-Fi access; choose the "si-visitor" network on your device. No password necessary. This is a public, unsecured network.

Smoking
Smoking is prohibited in all Smithsonian facilities. This includes e-cigarettes.

Please see the "Prepare for Security" section for items that are not permitted inside the museum.

Additional Resources

Boys and girls look at snail specimens on a table where zoologist Ellen Strong is sitting. She is speaking to the students.
Group and School Visits
Snake Collections at the Museum Support Center
Virtual Tour
A lab tech works in with equipment in the biorepository at the Museum.
Professional Visits

Download Museum Map

Navigate your way around all three floors of the museum.

Detail of the museum map showing the Ocean Hall and Rotunda.