National Postal Museum
Capitol Hill—sample rating
Antony-22, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
About National Postal Museum
Located in the historic City Post Office building next to Union Station, the Smithsonian's National Postal Museum tells the story of the U.S. postal system from Colonial post roads to modern package delivery. Visitors can walk beneath vintage mail planes, climb aboard a stagecoach, and explore a recreated 1920s small-town post office.
Why visit
A surprisingly engaging and uncrowded Smithsonian museum with the world's largest stamp gallery and hands-on exhibits for kids.
Best time to visit
Combine with a visit to Union Station across the street; quieter than the Mall museums year-round.
Recommended duration
Allow about 1 hours (60 minutes).
Opening hours
- Every day
- 10:00-17:30
Closed December 25; always free, no tickets required.
Information may change — verify details before visiting.
Location
2 Massachusetts Ave. NE, Washington, DC 20002
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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 Capitol Hill
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