Get your hands on history. Track down one of the museum's cart displays and play around with everyday objects from the past, like a reproduction cotton gin.
Learn science by doing science in Spark!Lab on the first floor. Open daily 10 to 4. For all ages. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Lab experiments, lasting about 25 minutes, are offered every half-hour from 10:30 to 3:30.
Make sure to stop and admire the new third-floor vista made possible by the museum's recent renovation.
At the new Nina and Ivan Selin Welcome Center, located on the second floor near the National Mall entrance, visitors can learn about special tours and demonstrations and purchase tickets for Smithsonian's IMAX® theaters and ride simulators.
(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.
(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.
(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
(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.
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
(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.
(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.
Explore our museum floor plans before you go so you can make the most of your time when you arrive.
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Abraham Lincoln: An Extraordinary Life
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Inaugurations Past
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Spark!Lab
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The First Ladies at the Smithsonian
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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.
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.
Six iconic artifacts point the way to themes and stories in American History.
Transportation and Technology
The 1831 "John Bull," one of the nation's earliest steam locomotives
Science and Innovation
The 1865 Vassar telescope used by America's first woman astronomer, Maria Mitchell
American Ideals
The Greensboro lunch counter of the civil rights era
American Lives
Horatio Greenough's statue of George Washington
Entertainment, Sports and Music
Disney's Dumbo elephant ride car
American Wars and Politics
Clara Barton's ambulance
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