National Museum of American History

10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily
Closed Dec. 25

1300 Constitution Ave., NW
Washington, DC

Free, no passes needed

About

Devoted to the scientific, cultural, social, technological, and political development of the United States, the museum traces the American experience from colonial times to the present. 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.

Highlights

Star-Spangled Banner; Washington’s uniform; Jefferson’s lap desk; Dorothy’s ruby slippers; American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith.

MetroAccess

To provide an address for MetroAccess Paratransit, please use 1300 Constitution Ave., NW.

We encourage the use of Metrorail and Metrobus.

Metrorail

Metro Station: Federal Triangle or Smithsonian (Mall exit)

Nearest Accessible Metro Entrance:
Federal Triangle
West side of 12th St., NW, between Pennsylvania and Constitution Ave., NW

Check Metrorail's Elevator and Escalator Service Status page for service disruptions.

Parking

There is no public parking facility for Smithsonian museums on the National Mall. A limited number of city-operated metered parking spaces are available, including several accessible parking spaces.

View a map of accessible parking spaces.

Reserved parking near the museums can be purchased in advance through ParkWhiz.
Note: ParkWhiz is a third-party vendor (ParkWhiz Privacy Policy).

Dining

Eat at America's Table
Eat at America's Table Cafe will be closed for maintenance from Monday, January 12 - Thursday, March 5. The Jazz Cafe will be open with an expanded menu.

Jazz Café
(1st Floor)
Enjoy a specialty coffee, cold drink, light lunch, or delicious pastry.
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For assistance with/information on group dining, please visit Group Sales.

Shopping

Main Museum Store
1 Center
202.633.7400

This vast 6,000-square-foot store is centrally located on the first floor. Visitors may browse through merchandise inspired by the museum’s collection, apparel, home accessories, ornaments, personalized leather bracelets, jewelry, books, and the most incredible selection of socks!

Mall Museum Store
2 Center
Located at the Mall entrance to the Museum, the Mall Store is the best place for museum souvenirs, a trendy accessory, fun jewelry and a snack to keep you fueled for your next museum visit.

Or shop online.

See Getting Here for information on accessible parking and public transportation.

Accessibility Information and Programs

Disability access service requests: call 202.633.3717 or email NMAH tours

My Visit

How Can You Forget Me: Filipino American Stories

Explore the overlooked history of a trailblazing Filipino community in California from the 1910s to the 1970s.

December 23, 2025 – November 28, 2027

American History Museum
My Visit

Corazón y vida: Lowriding Culture

This vibrant, bilingual exhibition showcases the unique car-making tradition of lowriding culture with photos, graphics, and two classic cars.

September 26, 2025 – TBD

American History Museum
My Visit

The Gunboat Philadelphia Preservation Project

Follow the preservation of the gunboat USS Philadelphia, an iconic reminder of the spirit of the American Revolution.

August 22, 2025 – Ongoing

American History Museum
My Visit

Road Warriors/Guerreros de la carretera

This robotic vehicle demonstrates promising research advances in artificial intelligence and driverless vehicles.

July 23, 2024 – Fall/Winter 2026

American History Museum
My Visit

Zen And the Open Road

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, the author's 1966 Honda Super Hawk motorcycle is on display.

April 15, 2024 – Ongoing

American History Museum
My Visit

Change YOUR Game

A family-friendly, interactive exhibition on the intersection of invention, sports, and technology.

March 15, 2024 – Ongoing

American History Museum
My Visit

Added to My Visit Removed from My Visit

Treasures and Trouble: Looking Inside a Legendary Blues Archive Added

~~Treasures and Trouble: Looking Inside a Legendary Blues Archive~~ Removed

View My Visit

Treasures and Trouble: Looking Inside a Legendary Blues Archive

Highlights from a one-of-a-kind archive documenting the blues as compiled by Robert “Mack” McCormick are featured in the museum’s Archives Center cases.

June 23, 2023 – Ongoing

American History Museum
My Visit

Entertainment Nation

Entertainment Nation examines how entertainment brings Americans together, shapes us, and provides a forum for important national conversations.

December 9, 2022 – Indefinitely

American History Museum
My Visit

Rallying against Racism

This display features the “Fight the Virus, NOT the People” COVID-19 Banner, donated by the San Francisco Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA).

October 1, 2022 – November 2025

American History Museum
My Visit

We Belong Here: Marking the 50th Anniversary of Title IX

Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the federal legislation that unintentionally helped bring equality to sports.

June 23, 2022 – November 2025

American History Museum
My Visit

Really BIG Money

Artifacts and activities help young visitors understand that money can be a powerful and memorable way to learn about the world.

April 8, 2022 – Indefinitely

American History Museum
My Visit

Added to My Visit Removed from My Visit

The Only One in the Room: Women Achievers in Business and the Cost of Success Added

~~The Only One in the Room: Women Achievers in Business and the Cost of Success~~ Removed

View My Visit

The Only One in the Room: Women Achievers in Business and the Cost of Success

This display features the stories of eight strong women who made it to the top.

November 20, 2020 – TBA

American History Museum
My Visit

America's Listening

America's Listening tells the story of recorded sound and innovations that contributed to how we consume music and movies today.

October 19, 2018 – Indefinitely

American History Museum
My Visit

Art in Industry

Art in Industry looks back at a time when Americans embraced artistic skills as a way to build a consumer-oriented industrial economy.

March 22, 2018 – TBA

American History Museum
My Visit

Waterloo Boy

The development and use of gasoline-powered tractors in the early 1900s helped change the business of American farming.

February 22, 2018 – Indefinitely

American History Museum
My Visit

Wallace H. Coulter Unity Square

Wallace H. Coulter Unity Square is where history will inspire you to participate—in the museum and in civic life.

June 28, 2017 – Permanent

American History Museum
My Visit

Many Voices, One Nation

Explore the 500-year journey of how many distinct peoples and cultures shaped and negotiated the culture of the U.S.

June 28, 2017 – Permanent

American History Museum
My Visit

American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith

Presents national treasures that represent American democracy—based on the bold American experiment to create a government “of the people, by the people and for the people.”

June 28, 2017 – Permanent

American History Museum
My Visit

Greensboro Lunch Counter

The sit-in of four African American college students at this Woolworth counter helped ignite a youth-led movement to challenge inequality throughout the South.

June 28, 2017 – Indefinitely

American History Museum
My Visit

Giving in America

Giving in America looks at the history of philanthropy in United States, commemorating the movements and people who made and continue to make a difference.

November 29, 2016 – Permanent

American History Museum
My Visit

Always Ready: Firefighting in the 19th Century

Explores how the role of citizens in fighting fire changed dramatically over the 19th century along with the technology.

September 16, 2016 – November 2025

American History Museum
My Visit

Wegmans Wonderplace

Wegmans Wonderplace welcomes curious kids ages 0–6 and their grownups. Please also note that children may not visit Wegmans Wonderplace without an adult. Please check our events calendar for the latest hours.

December 9, 2015 – Indefinitely

American History Museum
My Visit

Inventing in America

This exhibition focuses on inventions and innovators of the past and present, including Samuel Morse, Alexander Graham Bell, and Thomas Edison.

July 1, 2015 – Indefinitely

American History Museum
My Visit

Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project

In Object Project, visitors consider the impact of innovative things on everyday life in the past.

July 1, 2015 – Permanent

American History Museum
My Visit

Spark!Lab

Open Wednesday–Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Spark!Lab reveals the real story behind inventors’ work through hands-on activities that help kids and families learn about the history and process of invention. Hours are subject to change.

July 1, 2015 – Indefinitely

American History Museum
My Visit

American Enterprise

Learn how business and innovation helped the United States develop from a small dependent agricultural nation to one of the world's largest economies.

July 1, 2015 – Permanent

American History Museum
My Visit

The Value of Money

The Value of Money examines global histories of exchange, cultural interaction, political change, and innovation.

July 1, 2015 – Indefinitely

American History Museum
My Visit

Big Band

“Big Band” by American painter LeRoy Neimanm features a composition of 18 iconic jazz musicians, together in what he envisioned to be his “dream” band.

March 31, 2015 – Indefinitely

American History Museum

View all American History Museum exhibitions