National Museum of Natural History
National Mall—sample rating
Postdlf, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
About National Museum of Natural History
The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, opened in 1910, holds one of the world's largest natural history collections, with more than 145 million specimens and artifacts spanning the natural and cultural worlds. Its most famous single object is the 45.52-carat Hope Diamond, displayed in the Harry Winston Gallery, alongside extensive dinosaur and fossil halls, an Ocean Hall, and the Insect Zoo. The Rotunda, dominated by a massive African bush elephant taxidermy specimen, greets visitors at the museum's main entrance on the National Mall. The Hall of Fossils, renovated and reopened in 2019 as 'Deep Time,' presents an updated look at the history of life on Earth, including a real Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton. Admission is completely free with no tickets required, though visitors go through security screening with a metal detector at entry.
Why visit
It's home to the Hope Diamond, a real T. rex skeleton, and one of the world's great natural history collections, all free.
Best time to visit
Arrive right at opening (10am) on a weekday to beat school groups and tour crowds, especially around the dinosaur hall.
Recommended duration
Allow about 2 hours (120 minutes).
Opening hours
- Every day
- 10:00-17:30
Free; no tickets needed; closed December 25; security screening with metal detector.
Information may change — verify details before visiting.
Location
10th St & Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20560
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Nearby attractions
National Mall
A vast open-air national park stretching between the Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial, lined with iconic monuments and Smithsonian museums.
Washington Monument
A 555-foot marble obelisk honoring George Washington, offering sweeping views of DC from its observation level.
Thomas Jefferson Memorial
A domed neoclassical monument on the Tidal Basin honoring Thomas Jefferson, surrounded by famous cherry blossom trees.
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.'
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
A sprawling outdoor memorial along the Tidal Basin divided into four outdoor 'rooms' representing FDR's four terms in office.
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
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Stay near National Mall
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