National Museum of Natural History

10th St. & Constitution Ave., NW
Washington, DC

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

Admission is free

naturalhistory.si.edu

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

Hall of Human Origins; National Fossil Hall, Deep Time; mammals; Ocean Hall; the Hope Diamond; Egyptian mummies; O. Orkin Insect Zoo; Butterfly Pavilion ($).

Getting Here

We encourage the use of Metrorail and Metrobus.

Metrorail

Metro Station: Smithsonian (Mall exit) or Federal Triangle

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.

MetroAccess

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

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 and Shopping

Dining

Atrium Café
(Ground Floor)
The museum’s largest café, featuring family-friendly menus such as Butcher Craft Burgers, a seasonal Chef’s Market Table, desserts, beverages, wine/beer, and coffee.
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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. Try our fair-trade certified coffees and teas along with house-baked pastries and desserts.
11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For assistance with/information on group dining, please email segroupsales@si.edu.

Shopping

Stores include unique cultural treasures from around the globe, engaging and educational toys, museum mementos, dinosaurs galore, extraordinary gems and minerals, science kits, and more.

For inquiries, please contact the NMNH Store Management Team at 202.633.2060. Selected merchandise is available for purchase online at the Smithsonian Store. .

Gem and Mineral Store
Second Floor

Gallery Store
Ground Floor, Evans Gallery

Family Store
Ground Floor, Evans Gallery

Dinos and More Store
First Floor, near the Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals
Open hours vary