National museum of african american history and culture hours

Among the things to see and do in Washington, a tour of African American history is a must. The main destination for such a tour is the National Museum of African American History and Culture. This is part of the Smithsonian Institution's state museums and is located on the National Mall in Washington DC.

As a result of a federal law, this museum was founded in December 2003 and inaugurated in 2016 by President Barack Obama, being a historic moment for the country. Inside the museum you can appreciate a wide collection of objects belonging to African-American culture, from the times of slavery to the present day, what are you waiting for to explore it?

The best option

African-American History Tour with Reserved Museum Entry

African American history tour and reserved access to the museum

Spend a different kind of day learning about African American history on a tour that will take you to iconic sites such as the National Museum of African American History and Culture and many more.

Failure to explore African American history on your way through Washington will cause you to miss out on an important part of history. With this tour you won't skip a beat as you'll start with a stop at the United States Navy Memorial and Naval Heritage Center. From there, you'll pass by sites such as the White House and the Lincoln Memorial.

In addition to seeing popular sites, you'll have a chance to stop at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial and the Civil War Memorial Museum. Finally, you'll enter the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Although admission to this museum is free, a pre-scheduled entry pass is required. Reservations are included in this tour so you won't waste time at this step.

I love this plan because with your guide you will learn historical details that you might miss on your own. Plus, it's an economical option that includes air-conditioned transport to take you from one place to another. So, in just about 3 hours and for around €75, you'll have had a fairly comprehensive educational tour of African-American culture.

Recommended if... you'd like to visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture and other historical sites.

How much do tickets to the Museum of African American History in Washington DC cost?

You have no excuse not to visit this iconic museum, as admission is free, as it is a Smithsonian museum. However, you do need to book your ticket in advance. This booking process was taken since its inception, as the museum is usually very crowded.

Tickets are timed passes, i.e. your ticket is valid only at a specific time of the day. If you arrive late, your pass will not be valid and you will not be allowed entry. So it is best to be punctual. You can also tour the entire museum until closing time, at approximately 17:30.

On the other hand, I recommend you book your ticket in advance, as there are a limited number of passes available each day, so you'd better be cautious! Plan your trip to the Washington DC Museum of African American History well in advance. You can book up to 30 days before your visit.

Only 6 passes are allowed per person. However, if you are travelling with a group of more than 10 people, I recommend booking a group pass. These tickets are issued at 8am. If you schedule your visit on the same day, if passes are available, you will be able to watch online from 8.15am.

How to get tickets to the Museum of African American History in Washington DC at the box office

Perhaps you are more traditional and want to buy your free pass at the ticket office. However, the only way available is to book your pass online. In less busy seasons, you may be able to go to the ticket office, but it is usually online.

When you arrive at the entrance you must show the code you receive after booking your ticket. This will be scanned to check that everything is in order. You can show it using your smart phone or if you prefer, print out your pass before your visit. I recommend you to be very punctual because if the time has expired, you will not be able to enter.

Are there special tickets for children?

Children, like all visitors regardless of age, must book their tickets in advance. Children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. They are not allowed to run or play on the premises.

This museum is a place that can be fascinating for all audiences. If you were looking for things to do with children in Washington DC, this may be a good option.

If you are interested in activities specially designed for children, I recommend checking the museum's events list before your visit. There you can see if there is anything special where your children can learn about history in a fun way.

Are there guided tours of the Washington DC Museum of African American History - are they worth it?

Of course you can! If you would like to visit the museum with a specialised guide, I recommend you check out the upcoming tours, guided visits and events on the official website. It all depends on the time of year you visit the museum. Please note that visitors usually use a map to guide them during their visit. It is available in English, Spanish, French and Chinese.

In any case, I recommend a historical tour with access to the Museum of African American History in Washington DC This is the best option you can choose, as there are not too many alternatives that include a tour inside this museum.

How to get to the Museum of African American History in Washington DC

You have several options for visiting the museum. The easiest is probably to take public transport. The closest Metro stations to the museum are Federal Triangle and Smithsonian, just off the Mall. Once you arrive at one of the stations, you can follow the directions on Google Maps and walk to the museum in a few minutes.

If you want to know more about how to ride the metro in Washington DC, you can visit the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority website.

You also have the option of travelling by bus. If you choose to do so, I recommend using the DC Circulator bus line. The CC National Mall Route bus will drop you off in front of the 15th Street and Madison Drive entrance. At 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW there is also another entrance. Either entrance is scanned for entry passes.

Top Things to See at the Museum of African American History in Washington DC

The National Museum of African American History and Culture is a fascinating state-of-the-art building. Inside, you can take a tour through almost every aspect of African-American history. Each exhibit addresses African-American art, slavery, sports, the civil rights movement and much more.

Even looking at its exterior will surprise you, as it is made up of a three-tiered bronze screen. This is the work of Ghanaian architect David Adyaje and is a tribute to the iron work done by African-American slaves in the American South.

When you enter the museum you will probably be amazed at what you can find. However, there are certain exhibits that are not to be missed. One of them is the Musical Crossroads, which describes the history of African-American music from its origins. Here you will find the history of musical genres such as jazz and hip-hop.

Another must-see exhibition is Slavery and Freedom. In this section you will find first-person accounts and artefacts that tell the story of what was probably humanity's worst episode. Likewise, Defending Freedom and A Changing America are exhibitions that highlight the struggle for civil rights, the activism and assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the mandates of Barack Obama. There is even a space dedicated to the Black Lives Matter movement.

How much time do you need to visit the Washington DC Museum of African American History?

I can't tell you exactly how many hours you will need to wander through the more than 25,000 square metres of exhibits inside the Museum of African American History in Washington DC. It all depends on the pace of your visit. The good news is that you can stay inside the museum until it closes its doors.

On the other hand, before entering the museum it is normal to queue. The length of the queue will depend on the number of visitors and the season in which you visit. If it is a high season, such as in summer, you may spend up to an hour waiting for your turn to enter. Once inside the museum, you will sometimes have to wait for a room to be vacated before you can enter.

In any case, I recommend you be prepared to tour the museum in at least 1 hour. If you have certain exhibits in mind that you want to see, I advise you to go straight to them. Afterwards you can go through the rest of the exhibitions. In any case, if you go with a guide, he or she will help you visit the most popular, relevant or eye-catching parts of the museum.

Traveller Tip

If you're in Washington DC for a limited time, I recommend making a well-organised travel itinerary. Museums like the African American History Museum have so many galleries to explore, but you'll only be able to see them all if you spend a few minutes in each one.

Opening hours of the Museum of African American History in Washington DC

The museum opens its doors to the public from 10am and closes at 5.30pm. To book your ticket on the day you can log on to the website from 6 am. You will receive your entrance pass in the post by 8 am at the latest.

Please note that you can only book entrance passes until 4pm, as no visitors are allowed after that time. Also, the exhibits begin to close at 5.15pm, so it's best to keep an eye on your watch as you make your way around.

You can visit the museum at any time of the year because the only day it closes is 25 December. That's why this is one of the best museums to visit in Washington.

Tips for visiting the Washington DC Museum of African American History

The Museum of African American History in Washington DC is one of the best museums you can visit in this city. That's why I recommend that you take into account several factors to make your visit incredible:

• Influx of tourists: even though it is not one of the most iconic places in Washington and it is a relatively new museum, it receives many tourists. So I recommend that you visit between 10am and noon on any day of the week. Be aware that on weekends it tends to be very crowded, especially after noon.

• If you have no choice but to visit the museum during peak hours, try to arrive at least 1 hour before your ticket time. The queues are usually very long and this can delay the rest of your day in Washington.

• If this is your first time in Washington DC, you may not know how to use public transport. So the best thing to do is to check the metro map and bus line stations. Keep your smartphone handy to confirm your route on Google Maps.

• I recommend you to bring your smartphone with you to take some pictures and selfies with your companions. Please note that it is forbidden to take pictures of the works of art, unless otherwise stated.

What are the shops at the Washington DC Museum of African American History?

The Museum of African American History shops in Washington DC are operated in partnership with Smithsonian Enterprises. Here you'll find many souvenirs and details that you're sure to love. Prices range from approximately €10 to €50 for everything you'll find.

The main shop is located in Heritage Hall, level 1, while the Pop-up Stores are on level 3, outside the Community Galleries. The shops open at 10am and close at 5.30pm. Please note that the shops are not always open at the same time. Generally, the main shop is the one that provides the most consistent service.

The museum also has an online shop. Shopping there may be a good option if you don't want to wait in line or if you don't want to waste time and continue visiting historic sites in Washington DC.

Where to eat near the Washington DC Museum of African American History

On a sightseeing tour you should always take into account a special stop for lunch. I suggest you take time out of your day, either before or after your visit to the museum, to enjoy lunch or dinner. If you want something light, you can visit The Sweet Home Café, which is open daily from 11am and closes at 3pm.

Here you'll find traditional and authentic samples of African-American culture and history. You'll also find contemporary options made with locally sourced ingredients. You can also get special dishes if you have any allergies or are vegan. You can talk to the manager to find out what options are right for you.

If you decide to eat outside the museum, you can choose from different options that you are sure to love. The first option I recommend is Barmini, which many people rate as one of the best restaurants in Washington. However, it is located about 10 minutes away from the museum. In addition to the dishes, you can order quality alcoholic beverages.

Another option that is located much closer to the museum is the Round Robin Bar. The food here ranges in price from €15 to approximately €50. You can also choose from a wide variety of dishes and it is located just 5 minutes from the museum.