National Museum of African American History and Culture

National Museum of African American History and Culture

National Museum of African American History and Culture
5
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Monday
12:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
About
This 10-story Smithsonian Institution museum is dedicated to showcasing the African-American way of life, culture, and experiences through America's history.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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Address
How to get there
  • Federal Triangle • 6 min walk
  • Smithsonian • 7 min walk
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See what travellers are saying
  • 5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A museum to reconcile America
    A nice spot where I understood the full history of the United States. I really encourage you guys to visit this museum if you're on a trip in Washington, it's really a must-see. By looking at the history of America through an African-American lens, we finally understand where race matters and how it's divided us. The floor about sport and music were amazing and even if the slavery part was a little heartbreaking, it's still something we can't just take our eyes off and in overall, it was awesome. An undeniable experience that no one should let go. .
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled with friends
    Written 22 February 2024
  • NDSuzieQ
    Boston, Massachusetts
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Phenomenal
    Definitely didn’t budget enough time for this fantastic museum. We had 3pm reservations and I figured we would have plenty of time to walk around the mall before dinner. Nope. Ushered out of the building when it closed at 5:30 and def could have used another 30 min or more. Found museum very educational and enjoyed chronological layout of the museum to enhance my understanding. Very glad we picked this one on our trip. Was quite crowded near entrance at the beginning but thinned out a lot as we worked our way around.
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 22 February 2024
  • Boyd J
    Maleny, Australia
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Wonderful, Enlightening
    This museum is deceptive from the outside. It looks like it’s three stories high, though there are also several levels underground and by descending to level three and then working your way up, the story of African Americans in the USA unfolds from the earliest days of slavery to the present day. It’s a depressing and often unpleasant story as well, but one that needs to be told. The museum also showcases African Americans in sport, music, the Arts, politics and industry and there are many stories of great achievement and happiness, though throughout, racial discrimination is an integral, and sadly pervasive element of the achievements. A phenomenally important museum and another must-see on a visit to Washington DC.
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 23 February 2024
  • 415Cyclist
    San Anselmo, California
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Absolutely amazing place. Go early in the day!!
    Absolutely amazing place. Go early in the day!! Going here was a last min change of plans. So wish this was my first stop of the day. This could have easily been my only stop of the day. It's much bigger than I expected. Go early in the day before the crowds build up. Go downstairs first. 3 floors of stuff. Then hit the galleries on the upper floors. I went later in the day. Bypassed the welcome desk and went to the upper floors. Had no idea the underground portion existed. Upper galleries were amazing. Sports, entertainment, military, religion, Tv, radio, theater, music. On my way out, I see lots of folks heading to an escalator going to the underground. I go to the Welcome desk to inquire. The one I by passed at first! Learned that the main exhibits are downstairs. It's about 2 in the afternoon. This underground gallery is 3 floors and is absolutely packed. There's A LOT to see. With all the other folks there it's kinda hard to really stop at everything. I'm already running low on steam from previously exploring other museums. So I'm feeling overwhelmed and tired. My next visit to DC, I'm going to this museum early in the day. Hopefully beat the crowds and take my time.
    Visited December 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 8 March 2024
  • Patrice A
    Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A must see
    The museum starts you in the basement and takes you through the course of time over three levels from the time of slavery through emancipation and the civil rights movement. The basement had low ceilings and was quite crowded, which I wonder if it was done intentionally to give you the sense of the crowded slave ships. There were times that I was moved to tears. The upper three levels had entertainers and sports, which were interesting and illustrated the struggle for equality, but less vital to the visit if you are strapped for time. Reserve your tickets ahead of time so you can get in.
    Visited March 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 30 March 2024
  • James F
    Cranbury, New Jersey
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Historical Truths Are Sometimes Hard
    It's much bigger inside than it looks on the outside. We spent two hours on the "History Galleries" and that wasn't nearly enough time to see and absorb all of that exhibit alone. One could easily spend a full day in the museum as a whole. Whoever designed the layout of the exhibits deserves credit for making visitors feel as much as read and see the African American experience. The history exhibits attempt to answer a lot of the standard questions: Who. What. Where. When. And how. What's missing is the "Why." That is left for the visitor to ponder. We'll go back to see more of this very good museum next time we're in DC.
    Visited March 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 31 March 2024
  • Nikola M
    Vero Beach, Florida
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Modern and superbly done
    I was always intrigued by the beautiful architecture of this building and didn’t expect much. I was absolutely blown away by the displays. They are interesting, informative and really well done. This is possibly my favorite museum on the Mall now. Start from the top floor (4th) and work your way down.
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 3 April 2024
  • Alireza123
    Tehran, Iran
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Must see in washington
    Washington is city of museums . In my opinion this one is one of the best. Most of the museums in dc ar free but should registered in their website for exact day and time in advance. I suggest to book a time a few days sooner to sure not miss it( for white house you need to book three weeks in advance for this museum may be one week sooner).some museum give limited tickets(again free) every day morning . It takes about 2 hours minimum.very meaning full, incentive and encouraging. I enjoyed the mottos and atmosphere.
    Visited March 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 5 April 2024
  • 5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A must see. A wonderfully planned museum.
    There is so much to discover in this museum beyond what one might expect. I spent several hours and learned much more about a major part of American history and events that occurred during my lifetime, and are part of today and the future. I had a little trouble finding the correct link for the timed ticket reservation that you need for this museum. Possibly because it was a busy time. A guard at the tour entrance to the museum directed me to a QR code for the tickets and I get one for that afternoon.
    Visited April 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 24 April 2024
  • Jay
    Phoenix, Arizona
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Best Museum in DC
    It is no understatement that the National Museum of African American History and Culture is one of the best museums I've been to in my life. As someone who prides themselves in visiting a variety of museums, this one takes the cake. The curation is fantastic, I feel like I learned so much and wish I had spent more time here. When I come to DC again, this will be the first museum I visit. It wasn't too difficult to get tickets if you book them early enough, and they are of course free! The subject matter of the museum of course is very heavy, and I think if you have kids that are older (at least high school) they will be able to appreciate it more. I'd highly recommend this museum and if you are on the fence about visiting - still do it!
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 7 May 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles3,800 reviews
Excellent
3,197
Very good
417
Average
101
Poor
31
Terrible
54

Mike
Orlando, FL
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2024 • Friends
An informative, meaningful, and often poignant museum celebrating the fascinating history and culture of African Americans. Timed-entry tickets are required to enter. Tickets are free and I recommend reserving them online prior to arriving at the museum. There are 3 huge floors filled with exhibits inside the main structure, and several underground concourses also with exhibits. Plan at least 2 hours if you want to see everything. Every aspect of African American studies are featured, including the contributions made by African Americans to society as well as the rampant discrimination that this community faces. These stories need to be told, and this museum does a wonderful job at telling them. This is one of the most enriching experiences I have been to, and I definitely recommend it!
Written 6 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Couples
Firstly although this museum is free you do need to book a timed entry. It is a very popular museum and so tickets are in demand. If my memory serves me right they are released 30 days in advance. You have very little hope of gaining entry if you don’t book a time well in advance.

We visited on a Monday when it doesn’t open until midday and 15 minutes prior to opening the line was already quite long.

The museum itself threw me a bit, in that you are advised to start in the basement in order to follow the journey of the African American people in chronological order from the days of slavery up to more modern times, thus you are climbing upwards all day. I don’t know but to me with my experience of museum visits it seemed slightly back to front and should start at the top and walk down.

The presentations on the slave trade are extensive, there is a lot to take in. As someone who has focused on this despicable era of history I didn’t necessarily learn anything new even though personally I took 4 hrs to get through the first two floors. This was partly because of the number of visitors and secondly because, as with most USA museums, it can be a bit information overload. As a consequence I didn’t really get the time to appreciate fully the remainder of the museum.
To see it all properly expect to set aside at least a full day.

It was disappointing to me to see very few visitors of white ethnicity and made me question whether this section of society either don’t want to be reminded of history or feel by the title of the museum it is not relevant to them?

Being from the UK I am fully aware of our country’s role in the slave trade which is very well documented and presented at the International Museum of Slavery in Liverpool which was at the centre of this historical era.
Personally instead of shying away from it, i think every country needs to own their history. America is so proud of the American Revolution and the subsequent Declaration of Independence and yet are only now starting to show the world what happened in their country both to the Black African slaves and the Native American Indians.
Written 5 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

BAM1113
New York City, New York, USA
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2024 • Couples
My husband and I had visited the museum a few years earlier and underestimated how much time is needed to see it fully (and were unable to get tickets on subsequent days to continue), so we returned this year. This is an exceptional museum and requires at least a full day, if not two, to properly absorb and appreciate all of the exhibits. When you go, start on the sub-level in the History Galleries because the space is more constrained (intentionally we believe to better evoke the feelings of the historical experience) and quite crowded. As you ascend to the upper floors the space opens, brightens and soars as they highlight the extraordinary achievements of African Americans. The displays are stunning in all areas, intelligently annotated and very informative. Even if you believe you know a lot about African American history, you will learn so much more. A must-see.
Written 12 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Diana L
Omaha, NE
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2024 • Solo
Hands down my favorite museum I went to on my trip. Shout it out loud that this is a museum you need a full day for. Or at least don't make any hard fast plans the day you do this museum. I went for 5 hours and I didn't even make it to all the levels. That being said it is so well put together, so informative I will suggest this museum over and over to anyone who will listen. You do need timed tickets though so make sure you reserve those (it's free just need to make a reservation). The layout is easy to follow. Lots of places to sit down if needed. GREAT cafe if you're hungry. The gift shop is ok, lots of book options.
Written 20 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jennie T
Jersey City, NJ
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Family
This museum is a MUST-DO for everyone, especially those who need a reminder of how strong and beautiful African American culture is.

It would take many hours to thoroughly explore the museum. If I lived close by, I'd try to go once a month and conquer each floor. Tickets are always free, but reserving a time slot is necessary to guarantee a chance to view this wonderful exhibit.

You can learn at your own pace, going to any floor you want, but I recommend starting from the ground up. This would have you begin at the horrendous origins of slavery through the civil rights movement. There is so much to cover, and the crowds can sometimes be uncomfortable to stand in, but fortunately there are places that expand space for guests so they are not all bunched up together.

The museum was clean, no complaint about the staff, and I loved that the history spanned to modern time, showing just how far African Americans have come to fight for freedom through various forms of expression including: cooking, music, fashion, etc.

I didn't see any places to eat, but there were a ton of food carts surrounding the building and you're in the core of D.C where the most popular attractions are based in, so you're bound to find something after walking around.

This is not a museum just for African Americans; it is for every human who desires to learn about history. They can see the brutality of the past, so they can improve in the present, and make a better future. This was a worthwhile visit that will stay with me for a long time.
Written 1 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023 • Friends
This museum has been on my "bucket" list for many years. The pandemic delayed my trip, but this year, I made a special effort to secure tickets.

From my initial entry into the museum, I knew this was going to be a special trip. I walked up to the information desk and asked the employee, "As a first timer, where do I begin?" She answered by saying, "The museum is decided into two main sections, History and Culture. Which are true most interested?" With a slight pause, I said,"Let's start with history."

She showed me where to take the elevator 3 stories down at the start of the History section and work my way back up to the main level.

Even though I visited at 2 pm on the 4th of July, the museum was not overly crowded.

The exhibits were well documented and presented in a way to allow a person to take all the time they needed to absorb the content without feeling rushed or in the way.

The most impactful display to me was the exhibit of the segregated railway car. To visually see the difference between the "colored" and "white" section allowed me to "experience" the shame a person felt during that time.

Please take the time to schesule a visit to this museum. The tickets are released one month in advance. I would recommend setting aside 2, 3 hour days, at a minimum. You will not be disappointed.
Written 23 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MeganMunro
Toronto, Canada
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2024 • Couples
This museum is very impactful and memorable. It just felt really cramped and crowded. We even booked a time to attend, but the place was really too busy with people to be able to read the captions or see things in detail.
It was a very moving experience and the layout/path of the museum is really well done.
Friends told us to eat in the cafeteria as well and we loved it - massive portions and you can buy a whole bottle of wine for lunch if you'd like.
Written 7 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

rsbdesign
Carmichael, CA
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023 • Couples
This museum is a must see if you're in Washington DC. Advance tickets are required, must be booked on line, available 30 days in advance. Best recommendation is book for 10am when museum opens, line up early. Once in, go downstairs to the concourse first. Best exhibits are there and by 11am the area is choked with visitors making it very difficult to appreciate what is displayed. The third floor also has great exhibits and is less crowded. The fourth floor has a wonderful art exhibit and the second floor has immersive activities and is the least crowded.
Written 4 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

mykki
Europe
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2024 • Solo
I have been to so many museums around the world, from Fiji to NZ and AUS, Namibia, South Africa and all over Europe and few in USA but this one was the best of all of them!! I started the tour at 10 a.m. and left just before closing time. Well done to all involved and made this possible!!
The restaurant was also very good.
What I did not like was the ridiculous price of some items in the shop like a tote bag for 68$
Written 3 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Pam105
New Jersey
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2024 • Solo
Anyone who is visiting Washington DC should put this museum on their must visit list. It is so popular that tickets must be purchased in advance and than be prepared to spend a minimum of 3-4 hours. Or break up the visit into two days if one has the time since there is so much to see and review. If you wish to know the HISTORY of Africans in the Americas start at the lowest level to get a sense of what it felt like to be forced into slave ships, sold and separated from everything and learn to survive in a different country. Than as you move to the upper floors the HISTORY and Culture will progress to the present years. It is a journey of enlightenment. Some of the exhibits will rotate out to make room for different exhibits. Each time we visited the museum there was always something new to see. There are plenty of restrooms, benches and a cafe when hunger strikes.
Written 22 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE (2025) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor

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