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National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
All images courtesy of the National American History Museum

Hours:

  • 10 to 5:30; after May 31, check for extended summer hours; closed December 25

Location:

  • 14th St. and Constitution Ave., NW
    Washington, DC

Phone/Website:

Metro:

Blue Line Orange Line
  • Smithsonian Station (Mall exit) or Federal Triangle

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Floorplan

Explore our museum floor plans before you go so you can make the most of your time when you arrive.

View all museum floor plans

Eat at the National Museum of American History

The Stars and Stripes Cafe (lower level west) offers a wide variety of natural and sustainable foods, beef burgers, pizza, hot dogs, barbecue, sandwiches, soups, salad bar and desserts.

For lighter fare or desserts, visit the Constitution Cafe (first floor), offering a variety of sandwiches, salads and soups made with natural and locally grown ingredients, as well as pastries, ice cream, specialty coffees and bottled beverages.

View all Smithsonian cafes

Landmark Objects at the National Museum of American History

Six iconic artifacts point the way to themes and stories in American History.

Train IconTransportation and Technology
The 1831 "John Bull," one of the nation's earliest steam locomotives

Train IconScience and Innovation
The 1865 Vassar telescope used by America's first woman astronomer, Maria Mitchell

Train IconAmerican Ideals
The Greensboro lunch counter of the civil rights era

Train IconAmerican Lives
Horatio Greenough's statue of George Washington

 

Train IconEntertainment, Sports and Music
Disney's Dumbo elephant ride car

Train IconAmerican Wars and Politics
Clara Barton's ambulance

 

Shop at the National Museum of American History

The Price of Freedom Store located in the East Wing on the third floor, highlights leaders of the United States during wartime and offers military-inspired books, gifts, apparel, reproduction historic documents and mementos.

View all Smithsonian stores

Artists in Dialogue

Tips

Get your hands on history. Track down one of the museum’s cart displays and play around with everyday objects from other eras, like a reproduction cotton gin.

Get inventive at “Spark!Lab” on the first floor. Open daily 10 to 4 for all ages. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Laboratory and science experiments, lasting about 25 minutes, are offered every half-hour from 10:30 to 3:30.

At the Nina and Ivan Selin Welcome Center, located on the second floor near the National Mall entrance, visitors can learn about special tours and demonstrations. Check out the new touch-screen table, which shows a timeline of important dates in American history.

Purchase tickets to the simulator rides at the information desk on the ground floor or in the simulator gallery.

Hungry or Thirsty?

The Stars and Stripes Cafe (lower level west) offers a wide variety of natural and sustainable foods, beef burgers, pizza, hot dogs, barbecue, sandwiches, soups, salad bar and desserts. For lighter fare or desserts, visit the Consti­tution Cafe (first floor), offering sandwiches, salads and soups made with natural and locally grown ingredients, as well as pastries, ice cream, specialty coffees and bottled beverages. Visit si.edu/group_tours, to receive discounts for groups of 20 or more. Please eat and drink only in the cafes.

Simulator Rides

Choose an adventure and take an exciting virtual trip onboard one of four high-tech ride simulators. Experience action-packed roller coaster courses or racing in futuristic high-speed hover-cars. Take a submersible to the ocean floor in search of lost legends or journey through the solar system. Located on the lower level, across from the Stars and Stripes Cafe, rides are $7 per person.

Find It

Doll house: Third floor, West Wing, by the escalators
Julia Child's kitchen: First floor, West Wing
"Spark!Lab:" First floor, West Wing, next to "Science in American Life"
Abraham Lincoln's pocket watch: Third floor, Center
The Ruby Slippers: Third floor, West Wing
First Ladies Gowns: Second floor, West Wing

Highlights Tours

(walk-in; meet at either info desk)

Reduced schedule; check at either welcome desk; full schedule to begin in January 2009.

Beginning Fri., Nov. 21, 2008:
• Daily, 10:15 AM, 1 PM, and other times as announced
Note: Tours run approximately 1 hour.


Foreign-Language Highlights Tours: Spanish

(walk-in; meet 1st floor, center, Constitution Ave. Corridor)

Beginning Sun., Dec. 14, 2008:
• Every Sun., 2-3 PM
Note: Tours run approximately 1 hour.


Spotlight Mini-Tours

(walk-in; check at either welcome desk for daily schedule and location)

A docent offers a 15-minute overview tour of an exhibition or an informal conversation about a favorite museum object. Look for the "Docent on Duty" sign outside selected exhibitions.

Beginning Fri., Nov. 21, 2008:
• Daily, between 10:30 AM and 3 PM


Tours for Visitors with Hearing and Visual Impairments

(by appointment, 2-week notice required; call 202-633-3717 (recording/voice mail available 24 hours a day); 202-357-1563 (TTY)); e-mail nmahtours@si.edu

Note: An interpreter translates for visitors who do not understand sign language.


Garden Tour: Heirloom and Victory Garden

Sponsored by Horticulture Services Division

Look for our knowledgeable horticulturist who will give a tour of and discuss some of the plants in the Heirloom Garden and Victory Garden.

• Heirloom Garden
(walk-in; meet outside on Mall Terrace, Southwest Corner)

Tours offered June 4 - September 24, 2009:
- Every other Thurs.: 1 PM, weather permitting
(alternating with Victory Garden tours)

• Victory Garden
(walk-in; meet outside Stars and Stripes Cafe, Lower Level)

Tours offered June 11 - October 15, 2009:
- Every other Thurs.: 1 PM, weather permitting
(alternating with Heirloom Garden tours)

Note
- No tours on federal holidays


Behind-the-Scenes Textiles Tour: Quilts

(by reservation; for details and reservations, call 202-633-3825 (voice/tape))

In this behind-the-scenes tour of the museum's quilt collection, a skilled docent highlights a selection of quilts from the 17th- through the 20th-century.

Year-Round:
• 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month

Notes
- Because space is limited, only 10 visitors per tour can be accommodated; as well, no children under 12 or tag-alongs permitted.
- Because docent cannot return for latecomers, participants are asked to arrive on time.
- No tours offered in December or on federal holidays.


Behind-the-Scenes Textiles Tour: Lace

(by reservation; for details and reservations, call 202-633-3826 (voice/tape))

In this behind-the-scenes tour of the museum's lace collection, a skilled docent highlights examples of lace from the 17th- through the 20th-century and discusses the tools and history of lacemaking.

Year-Round:
• 4th Thursday of each month

Notes
- Because space is limited, only 10 visitors per tour can be accommodated; as well, no children under 12 or tag-alongs permitted.
- Because docent cannot return for latecomers, participants are asked to arrive on time.
- No tours offered in November and December or on federal holidays.