All Smithsonian museums in Washington, D.C., including the National Zoo, and in New York City continue to be closed to support the effort to contain the spread of COVID-19.
National Museum of Natural History
10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily
(7:30 p.m. during extended hours)
Closed December 25
Admission is free
About
The world's most popular natural history museum is dedicated to understanding the natural world and our place in it. 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. The museum is larger than 18 football fields and is home to the largest natural history collection in the world.
Highlights
Q?rius, where teens, tweens and their families connect science with everyday experiences; Q?rius jr, a discovery room for families with young children; Hall of Human Origins; National Fossil Hall, Deep Time; mammals; Ocean Hall; the Hope Diamond; Egyptian mummies; Daily tarantula feedings in the O. Orkin Insect Zoo; Butterfly Pavilion ($).
Dining
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Ocean Terrace Café
(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.
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Coffee Bar
11 am. – 4 p.m. Food ServiceAtrium Café
(Ground Floor)
The museum’s largest café, featuring Butcher Craft Burgers, Flatbreads, Pasta, and a Chef’s Market Table.
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Getting Here
We encourage the use of public transportation.
Metro Station: Smithsonian (Mall exit) or Federal Triangle
There is no public parking facility for Smithsonian museums on the National Mall. Limited 3-hour metered parking and commercial lots are available—see parking map. Reserved parking near the museums can be purchased in advance through ParkWhiz.
Note: ParkWhiz is a third-party vendor (ParkWhiz Privacy Policy).
- Beauty Rich and Rare
- Challenging the Face of Science: The Bearded Lady Project
- The David H. Koch Hall of Fossils—Deep Time
- Mega-toothed Shark
- The Birds of America: from Original Drawings
- Sea Monsters Unearthed, Life in Angola's Ancient Seas
- Outbreak: Epidemics in a Connected World
- The Garden Lounge
- Objects of Wonder
- Turtle Ocean
- African Elephant
- FossiLab
- Mud Masons of Mali
- Eternal Life in Ancient Egypt
- The David H. Koch Hall of Human Origins: What Does It Mean To Be Human?
- Sant Ocean Hall
- Butterflies + Plants: Partners in Evolution
- Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals
- African Voices
- Janet Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology, Gems, and Minerals
- Insect Zoo, O. Orkin
- Birds of the District of Columbia
- Bone Hall
