Skip to content
BusinessesGrow
National Museum of African American History and Culture, Washington, DC

Photo: Frank Schulenburg, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

MuseumsHistory BuffIconic

National Museum of African American History and Culture

1400 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC · Washington, DC

Why you should go…

This bronze-latticed landmark carries you from the depths of the slavery galleries up through the triumphs of Black culture, Chuck Berry's Cadillac and Muhammad Ali's gear among them. It's the Smithsonian's most affecting museum and free to visit; reserve timed passes early, especially for weekends.

  • #smithsonian
  • #history
  • #culture
  • #free

Good to know

General museums guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Check the special exhibition separately

    Touring shows usually carry their own ticket and their own opening hours, listed apart from general admission.

  • Look for the free window

    Many museums run community days, member evenings, or discounted late openings. It is worth a look before you pay full price.

  • Travel light through the door

    Large bags and backpacks often have to go to a coat check, and lines for it move slowly at opening.

  • Weekday mornings beat weekend afternoons

    School groups clear out by early afternoon midweek, while weekends stay busy from late morning on.

What's around here?

The closest stops to National Museum of African American History and Culture, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Museums
    Iconic

    Smithsonian National Museum of American History

    Free

    Dorothy's ruby slippers, the actual Star-Spangled Banner, and Julia Child's kitchen, America's attic, free on the National Mall.

    Steps awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    Iconic

    Washington Monument

    Free

    Ride 500 feet up the world's tallest stone obelisk for the only aerial panorama of the White House, Capitol, and Mall.

    Steps awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Museums
    Powerful

    United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

    Free

    A profound, self-guided journey through Holocaust history just off the Mall, free, with timed passes for the Permanent Exhibition.

    0.3 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    Iconic

    National Cherry Blossom Festival

    Free

    Annual spring celebration around DC's Tidal Basin with cherry blossoms, a parade and cultural events.

    0.3 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Museums
    Iconic

    Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

    Free

    The Hope Diamond, the Nation's T. rex, and Henry the elephant, the Mall's busiest free museum packs the whole natural world under one green dome.

    0.3 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    Iconic

    World War II Memorial

    Free

    Circle a fountain plaza ringed by 56 granite pillars and two arches honoring Americans who served in World War II.

    0.4 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing