National Museum of Natural History
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Washington, DC
10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily
Closed Dec. 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
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 visit Group Sales.
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
Accessibility
See Getting Here for information on accessible parking and public transportation.
Accessibility Information and Programs
Disability access service requests: NMNHAccessibility@si.edu or call 202.633.5238
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- Cellphone: Unseen Connections
- Lights Out: Recovering Our Night Sky
- Barro Colorado Island 100 Years of Discoveries and Wonder
- Nature of the Book
- Our Places: Connecting People and Nature
- Berns Quartz
- The David H. Koch Hall of Fossils—Deep Time
- Mega-toothed Shark
- Sea Monsters Unearthed, Life in Angola's Ancient Seas
- The Garden Lounge
- Objects of Wonder
- African Elephant
- 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
- FossiLab
- Insect Zoo, O. Orkin
- Birds of the District of Columbia
- Bone Hall