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
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About
This 10-story Smithsonian Institution museum is dedicated to showcasing the African-American way of life, culture, and experiences through America's history.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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The area
Address
How to get there
  • Federal Triangle • 6 min walk
  • Smithsonian • 7 min walk
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions

5.0
3,641 reviews
Excellent
3,070
Very good
396
Average
94
Poor
30
Terrible
51

GreenMountainGirls
Montpelier, VT202 contributions
Mar 2023
So excellent. Allow plenty of time. Plan to take it slowly. Make sure to get reservations for a time-entry ticket well ahead of time. Go at 10:00 for smaller crowds. And be prepared to be moved. We didn't see the whole museum but spent three hours walking through the entire history section. Even if you think you know all this history, it's a powerful experience to see how they have put it all together with so many perspectives and voices that have been forgotten or ignored or buried. Beautifully done museum, well worth the visit. Regarding food, we'd heard good things about the cafe but we were there on a crowded weekend so we chose not to wait in the very long line for the cafe and went elsewhere instead. We did notice a ton of food carts outside the museum!
Written 11 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Jessica Nham
Washington DC, DC8 contributions
Feb 2023 • Solo
A masterpiece by the British Starchitect David Adjaye. Takes more than 1 visit to truly appreciate the architecture and the curation of the exhibits. The historic timeline takes you from pre-slavery all the way through present time. There are artifacts that span all time periods. I saw some beautiful photography and artwork about the BLM protests and the victims of police brutality at a recent exhibit.
Written 1 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thank you for visiting the National Museum of African American History and Culture and providing your feedback. We appreciate your enthusiasm for the museum and passion for African American history. We thank you for sharing your personal experience visiting the museum and hope you plan to return! Thank you for visiting and submitting a review. Sincerely, Visitor and Guest Services National Museum of African American History and Culture
Written 6 March 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Tim R
Kingston, NY87 contributions
Feb 2023
This is a critical visit for anyone coming to DC. Knowing African-American history is critical to understanding American history. But - it is an exhausting story of horror, and cruelty, and struggle - one that isn't yet complete. And it requires time. I spent 5 hours on the Lower Level alone (History), and will have to return for the upper levels.

Note that it was very busy when I visited, and you do need to book ticket-entry-times in advance.

The cafe has many food selections, but had a very long line around lunch time and a long-line to pay after lunch (not enough cashiers... by the time I paid and sat my meal was cold!).
Written 28 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thank you for visiting the National Museum of African American History and Culture and providing your feedback. We appreciate your enthusiasm for the museum, and we thank you for providing your personal experience and tips for visiting the museum. We hope you plan to return! Thank you for visiting and submitting a review. Sincerely, Visitor and Guest Services National Museum of African American History and Culture
Written 6 March 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

marketta h
Ridgeland, SC2 contributions
Feb 2023 • Family
Traveling from South Carolina I was so proud to see our southern styles helped shaped the culture and displayed in the museum.
Written 28 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thank you for your feedback. We appreciate your enthusiasm for the museum and passion for African American history. We thank you for sharing your personal experience visiting the museum! Thank you for submitting a review. Sincerely, Visitor and Guest Services National Museum of African American History and Culture
Written 6 March 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Chimata-no-kami
New York City, NY204 contributions
Feb 2023
Let me say that I am quite conservative and do not subscribe to the whole new wokeness craze. However, this museum is extremely well thought through, the content is quite informative and the exhibits draw your attention (I've spent hours reading some of the descriptions). It is also good that the content is not just about the suffering and struggle of African Americans, but also highlights their achievements in American society.

I would give it 5 stars if it wasn't for poor logistics - to get into the history section there is a long line...
Written 23 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thank you for your feedback. We appreciate your enthusiasm for the museum and passion for African American history. We thank you for sharing your personal experience visiting the museum! Thank you for submitting a review. Sincerely, Visitor and Guest Services National Museum of African American History and Culture
Written 6 March 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Patricia B
Boston, MA66 contributions
Jan 2023
It took me a year to get tickets and I'm afraid I was disappointed. There are no docent led tours so you explore on your own. The lobby is giant and offers lockers but you need to search for them. You start the exhibits on the lower level and follow history as you rise in levels. The actual exhibit space is tight and the lighting low, I found it difficult to read many of the explanations, which were wordy to start with. The cafeteria was large with a southern menu, we had already eaten so only ordered tea and cake. The gift shop was small with limited items. Considering the many museum options in Washington, I would not put this on my "must see" list.
Written 20 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thank you for visiting the National Museum of African American History and Culture and providing your feedback. We apologize that we did not meet your expectations. We appreciate your honest feedback, even though it was very regrettable to read about your experience. We are very serious about ensuring that our visitors have a favorable experience. Please know we have taken your comment seriously. We ask that you allow us another opportunity to serve you, as we encourage you to visit our museum again soon. Sincerely, Visitor and Guest Services National Museum of African American History and Culture
Written 6 March 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Greg2117
Pace, FL741 contributions
Feb 2023 • Friends
This museum is really well done and offers a lot of insight into how the first slaves were brought over and how our country progressed. Great examples of African culture and how our country benefited from it. Huge donations by Oprah and bill gates to this make this place what it is.
Written 13 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Dear Greg Thank you for visiting the National Museum of African American History and Culture and providing your feedback. We appreciate your enthusiasm for the museum and passion for African American history. We thank you for sharing your personal experience visiting the museum and hope you plan to return! Thank you for visiting and submitting a review. Sincerely, Visitor and Guest Services National Museum of African American History and Culture
Written 19 February 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Krista
Charlottesville, VA8 contributions
Feb 2023
Beautiful and immersive experience designed to give a lasting and valuable memory for the whole family! Our family of 4 (1 adult, 3 kids ages 13, 11, 6) enjoyed this museum equally and for a variety of reasons. The exhibits and space are designed to create a special experience for all ages. I was especially pleased to see that young children were considered in hands on learning and it provided an immersive experience that didn't fully rely their reading ability to enjoy. This museum is an absolute must when touring D.C. I will be going back child-free so I can spend even more time reading and delving deep into the large amount of information and history within.
Written 13 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Dear Owtloud Thank you for visiting the National Museum of African American History and Culture and providing your feedback. We appreciate your enthusiasm for the museum, and we thank you for providing your personal experience and tips for visiting the museum. We look forward to your return! Thank you for visiting and submitting a review. Sincerely, Visitor and Guest Services National Museum of African American History and Culture
Written 19 February 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

denverista
Denver, CO134 contributions
Feb 2023
This is well worth a visit -- beautiful building, educational exhibits. It is busy and the space on the lowest level can get crowded--not the best ventilation, so bring a good mask if you are so inclined.
Written 9 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Dear Denverista, Thank you for visiting the National Museum of African American History and Culture and providing your feedback. We appreciate your enthusiasm for the museum, and we thank you for providing your personal experience and tips for visiting the museum. We hope you plan to return! Thank you for visiting and submitting a review. Sincerely, Visitor and Guest Services National Museum of African American History and Culture
Written 19 February 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

LANCE O
1,140 contributions
Oct 2022
fabulous...wonderful...inspiring...and be sure to have lunch at the cafeteria, the food is excellent

you could be there one to two hours...you could be there one to two days...totally awesome no matter the time spent

enjoy
Written 9 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Dear Lance O, Thank you for visiting the National Museum of African American History and Culture and providing your feedback. We appreciate your enthusiasm for the museum, and we thank you for providing your personal experience and tips for visiting the museum. We hope you plan to return! Thank you for visiting and submitting a review. Sincerely, Visitor and Guest Services National Museum of African American History and Culture
Written 19 February 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE (Washington DC) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about National Museum of African American History and Culture

National Museum of African American History and Culture is open:
  • Mon - Mon 12:00 PM - 5:30 PM
  • Tue - Sun 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.

We recommend booking National Museum of African American History and Culture tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 19 National Museum of African American History and Culture tours on Tripadvisor