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American Indian Museum

National Museum of the American Indian

Hours

clock

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

Location

location

4th St. & Independence Ave., SW
Washington, DC

map View Floor Plan , download pdf download

ticket Free, no passes needed

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About

The National Museum of the American Indian cares for one of the world’s most expansive collections of Native objects, photographs, and media, covering the entire Western Hemisphere from the Arctic Circle to Tierra del Fuego. The museum’s sweeping curvilinear architecture, its indigenous landscaping, and its exhibitions, all designed in collaboration with tribes and communities, combine to give visitors from around the world the sense and spirit of Native America.

Highlights

Americans; Nation to Nation: Treaties between the United States and American Indian Nations; ImagiNATIONS Activity Center.

MetroAccess

To provide an address for MetroAccess Paratransit, please use 320 Maryland Ave., SW.

We encourage the use of Metrorail and Metrobus.

Metrorail

Metro Station: L’Enfant Plaza (Smithsonian Museums exit); Blue, Green, Orange, Silver, or Yellow line

Nearest Accessible Metro Entrance:
L’Enfant Plaza
SW corner of the Department of Transportation courtyard; D St. SW between 6th and 7th St.

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

Mitsitam Espresso Bar
The museum's Espresso Bar offers a variety of Native-inspired food options such as posole, chili, Hatch green chile corn muffins, wild rice salad, and sandwiches. Pastries and desserts are also available.
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Mitsitam Café 

The Mitsitam Native Foods Cafe offers a menu of Native-inspired foods. Under the leadership of executive chef Alexandra “Alex” Strong, stations reflect the bounties of the various regions throughout the Western Hemisphere, from the Four Corners to coastlines and woodlands. “Mitsitam” means “Let’s eat!” in the Native language of the Delaware and Piscataway peoples.
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.


Shopping

The Roanoke Museum Store presents Native American artistry from the past and present, illustrating how different artists interpret cultural traditions and art forms. The store features jewelry, textiles, and other works by Native artisans; souvenirs; and children’s books and toys. Selected books, music, and gifts are also available via our online bookstore and the Smithsonian Store. 

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

Accessibility Information and Programs

  • Smithsonian accessibility for visitors
  • Museum accessibility details

Disability access service requests: NMAI-GroupReservations@si.edu

  • My Visit

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    Water's Edge: The Art of Truman Lowe Added

    Water's Edge: The Art of Truman Lowe Removed

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    Water's Edge: The Art of Truman Lowe

    Lowe’s elegant sculptures evoke the rivers, streams, and waterfalls of the Wisconsin woodlands where he was raised and the canoes used to traverse them.

    November 25, 2025 – January 1, 2027

    American Indian Museum DC

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    InSight: Photos and Stories from the Archives Added

    InSight: Photos and Stories from the Archives Removed

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    InSight: Photos and Stories from the Archives

    InSight features images from the Archives Center that give an intimate view of Indigenous lives.

    May 23, 2025 – TBD

    American Indian Museum DC

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    Making a Statement Added

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    Making a Statement

    Two gowns worn by Oscar-nominated actor Lily Gladstone (Siksikaitsitapi [Blackfeet]/Nimiipuu [Nez Perce]) are on view.

    February 28, 2025 – March 2026

    American Indian Museum DC

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    Unbound: Narrative Art of the Plains Added

    Unbound: Narrative Art of the Plains Removed

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    Unbound: Narrative Art of the Plains

    This exhibition celebrates the full expression of narrative art among Native nations of the Great Plains.

    June 1, 2024 – January 20, 2026

    American Indian Museum DC

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    National Native American Veterans Memorial Added

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    National Native American Veterans Memorial

    The memorial welcomes and honors Native American veterans and their families, and educates the public about their extraordinary contributions.

    November 11, 2020 – Permanent

    American Indian Museum DC

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    Americans Added

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    Americans

    American Indians represent less than 1 percent of the U.S. population, yet names and images of Indians are everywhere. Americans invites visitors to ask why.

    January 18, 2018 – Indefinitely

    American Indian Museum DC

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    Nation to Nation: Treaties between the United States and American Indian Nations Added

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    Nation to Nation: Treaties between the United States and American Indian Nations

    Learn about the treaties that lie at the heart of the relationship between Indian nations and the United States.

    September 21, 2014 – January 17, 2028

    American Indian Museum DC

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    As We Grow: Traditions, Toys, Games Added

    As We Grow: Traditions, Toys, Games Removed

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    As We Grow: Traditions, Toys, Games

    The toys, games, and clothing displayed offer children ways of learning traditions of families and people and represent many tribes and time periods.

    August 22, 2012 – Permanent

    American Indian Museum DC

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    Return to a Native Place: Algonquian Peoples of Chesapeake Added

    Return to a Native Place: Algonquian Peoples of Chesapeake Removed

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    Return to a Native Place: Algonquian Peoples of Chesapeake

    This small display provides an overview of the history of the Native peoples of the Chesapeake Bay region.

    November 13, 2006 – Indefinitely

    American Indian Museum DC

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    Window on Collections Added

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    Window on Collections

    These permanent displays feature more than 3,500 items from the museum's collection that reveal the remarkable breadth and diversity of Native American objects.

    September 21, 2004 – Permanent

    American Indian Museum DC

  • View all American Indian Museum DC exhibitions arrow-right
Violin and bow

Violin and bow

Bottle

Double-spout-and-bridge bottle depicting faces and centipedes

Shoulder bag/Bandolier bag

Shoulder bag/Bandolier bag

Cricket balls

Necklace

Necklace with attached flute

Container with cover

Container with cover

Kiowa Ah-Day

Basket worn at a woman's waist when picking berries or digging roots

Figure

Figure of a squirrel

Girl's dress

Girl's dress

Peace medal

Peace medal

Napi Gives People Life

Drawing

White Bead '81

Drum, amplifier, and accessories

Drum, amplifier, and accessories

Vessel

Vessel in the form of a monkey

Peace medal necklace

Necklace with Andrew Jackson peace medal

Bracelet

Blue Face Bracelet (Chief Joseph)

Mask

Bear Mask

Fetish figure

Lynx figure

Cradleboard

Cradleboard

Incense burner/Incensario

Incense burner/Incensario in the form of a puma

Vessel and cover

Vessel with cover

Woman's collar

Woman's collar

Man's outfit

Man's outfit consisting of shirt, breechcloth, and leggings

Qero/Kero

Qero in the form of a jaguar's head

Painting

Anishinaabe Fishing Rights

Vessel

Paqcha (ritual vessel) depicting a llama head with arybalo (jar)

Ball

Ball

Playing cards

Deck of 37 Playing cards

Canteen

Canteen

Coffee set; Cup/Mug

Coffee set

Feast bowl in the form of a tufted puffin

Bottle and stopper

Bottle with herring and leaf designs

Metate/Flat mortar

Metate/Flat mortar in the form of a jaguar

Painting

Creation Story

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