National Museum of African American History and Culture

About National Museum of African American History and Culture

The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, opened in 2016, is dedicated to documenting African American life, history, and culture in the United States. Its distinctive bronze-colored, three-tiered corona facade, designed by architect David Adjaye, was inspired by Yoruban caryatid columns, and the building includes underground history galleries as well as upper floors devoted to community and culture. Signature exhibits trace the transatlantic slave trade, segregation, and the civil rights movement, alongside collections celebrating African American contributions to music, sports, art, and culture; artifacts include a Tuskegee Airmen training plane and items belonging to Nat Turner, Harriet Tubman, and Chuck Berry. Free timed-entry passes are required for all visitors regardless of age, released 30 days in advance and same-day at 8:15 a.m. ET; the museum is open Tuesday-Sunday 10am-5:30pm and Monday 12-5:30pm, with all guests passing through metal-detector security screening.

Location

1400 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20560

Nearby attractions

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  National Mall

  A vast open-air national park stretching between the Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial, lined with iconic monuments and Smithsonian museums.

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  Washington Monument

  A 555-foot marble obelisk honoring George Washington, offering sweeping views of DC from its observation level.

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  Thomas Jefferson Memorial

  A domed neoclassical monument on the Tidal Basin honoring Thomas Jefferson, surrounded by famous cherry blossom trees.

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  Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial

  A granite memorial on the Tidal Basin featuring a colossal carved likeness of Dr. King emerging from a 'Stone of Hope.'

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  Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial

  A sprawling outdoor memorial along the Tidal Basin divided into four outdoor 'rooms' representing FDR's four terms in office.

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  Vietnam Veterans Memorial

  A stark black granite wall inscribed with the names of more than 58,000 U.S. service members who died or went missing in the Vietnam War.

Nearby restaurants

• Zaytinya

  Mediterranean · $$$ · Downtown / Penn Quarter

• Ben's Chili Bowl

  American / Comfort Food · $ · U Street

• Mi Vida

  Mexican · $$ · Navy Yard / Waterfront

• Ambar Capitol Hill

  Balkan · $$ · Capitol Hill

• Centrolina

  Italian · $$$ · Downtown / Penn Quarter

• Maketto

  Cambodian / Taiwanese · $$ · Capitol Hill