Can’t decide which free museums in Washington DC to visit?
Living and working in the Washington DC area means I have regular access to the city’s museums. And because many of these museums are free, I get to duck in and check them out quite regularly. Whether it’s a quick stop during my lunch break or making a special trip to see a limited-time exhibit, I consider myself a regular at the free museums in Washington DC.
So what about when you have limited time in Washington DC and are trying to figure out which of the many museums to check out? Worry not, this local has you covered! I’m going to give you my top nine favorite free museums in Washington DC along with some pointers for making the most of your day(s) here in the city (and if you’re also wandering what to do at night, check out my post on the 37 Best Things to do at Night in Washington DC).
Washington DC has so much history and culture to offer, and one of the most appealing things is that much of it is completely free! Whether you’re after art, history, science, or culture, our nation’s capital has something for everyone!
Discover the 9 Best Free Washington DC Museums
Here are my top favorite free museums in Washington DC and what I love most about them – I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!
1. National Archives Museum
If you are looking for a museum that houses some of the most historically significant artifacts in our nation’s history, you should stop by the National Archives Museum in Washington DC. Here, you can view several historical documents that have shaped our country’s history, including the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. It is quite awe-inspiring to view these impressive (if not very faded) documents in person.
During this particular visit, the museum had a unique exhibit about the country’s historical coal communities. Several images captured by photographer Russell Lee highlight how the coal industry shaped the nation and affected families.
Admission is free, and passes are not required, but time-entry passes are available on the website to avoid long lines. Of note is that this museum is text-heavy compared to many of the others on this list, so it may not be a great choice if you have young children. Most of the exhibits are passive rather than interactive, and there is quite a bit to read.
2. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
One of the more somber and reflective museums on this list, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum educates visitors about the causes, events, and atrocities of the Holocaust. The Holocaust Museum does require free time-entry passes.
Visiting this museum is an emotional experience, starting with the story card you receive about a real person who lived or died during the Holocaust, and you will find yourself personally invested in understanding what this person may have gone through. I was especially moved by the personal items, such as photographs, suitcases, and shoes, on display. Seeing those everyday items and hearing survivor testimonies made it all the more real.
I recommend you conclude your visit to this museum at the Hall of Remembrance; during my visit, I just sat there for a few minutes to reflect on everything. As with the African American History Museum, you will want to allow plenty of time in this museum to fully absorb and reflect on the magnitude of this time in history. You’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of history—and probably a lot to think about.
3. Daughters of the American Revolution Museum
I stumbled across the Daughters of the American Revolution Museum when I was walking around Washington DC one day. The museum is tucked in a beautiful historical building just a couple of blocks from the White House.
The Daughters of the American Revolution focuses on early American history using full-scale rooms decorated exactly how they would’ve looked in the 1700s and 1800s. It’s a unique way to experience history rather than just reading about it.
Each room is set up with authentic furniture, fabrics, and little details that show what life was like in various regions during the colonial and early federal periods. I found the craftsmanship especially interesting in today’s commercial products world.
The Daughters of the American Revolution Museum has also done a lot to preserve women’s roles in American history. I got a real sense of how women helped shape early America, both at home and behind the scenes during the Revolution. It’s a quiet museum with a personal feel compared to many of the others on this list. Please note that this museum is not open on Sundays.
4. National Museum of African American History and Culture
The second of the two more reflective free museums in Washington DC on this list is the National Museum of African American History, which houses many moving exhibits covering African American history. This museum does require free timed-entry passes to help with crowd control and allow everyone to improve their understanding of African American History. I recommend looking for your free passes several days in advance.
Don’t be fooled by the outside of this museum, most of the artifacts are actually underground. The museum is set up to provide visitors with a progressive experience, starting with slave boats from Africa. I was particularly awed by the piece of wood on display that was recovered from one of these boats.
Progressing through the museum, visitors will see both moving and disturbing images related to the African American experience in the US. From slavery to segregation to African Americans who have shaped our present culture, there is a lot to learn. A couple of my favorite parts included a segregated train car with recordings of conversations that would have taken place. I also enjoyed learning more about Rosa Parks during my visit.
It’s a bit difficult to judge how much time you should plan to dedicate to the African American History Museum. My friends came into town and decided to spend three full days going through it, while others have spent a few hours. There is a great deal to take in, and many visitors will find it to be a very emotional experience.
5. National Museum of American History
Whenever I’m feeling a bit nostalgic, I like to wander through the National Museum of American History and reflect on the unique artifacts that have shaped our country’s history. From inventions to pop culture, this museum has a bit of everything that makes us proud to be ‘Merican.
My favorite portion of the American History Museum is the area dedicated to the First Ladies of the United States. I like to stroll through and look at all of the inaugural dresses on display and how fashion has changed throughout our nation’s history. They also have a nice collection of dinnerware used during various presidencies.
The American History Museum also has an extensive collection of innovations and inventions that helped shape the country. Visitors can stand alongside full-sized train cars, cable cars, and, well, car cars as they explore how Americans contributed to modern transportation.
Finally, this museum would not be complete without a nod to American Pop Culture. During this particular visit, I enjoyed checking out Dorothy’s Ruby Slippers, R2-D2, and C-3PO of Star Wars fame. I also checked out a display of miscellaneous technology that brought back some fond memories, including the old Simon Says electronic game.
6. National Museum of the American Indian
As a kid growing up in Indiana, I would see arrowheads and other artifacts people had found in spring after the fields had been tilled for planting. I loved learning about the American Indians and imagining their way of life hundreds of years ago, and the National Museum of the American Indian helps expand my knowledge a bit more with each visit.
The American Indian Museum has four floors of various artifacts and memorabilia from North, Central, and South American Indian tribes. I recommend you take the elevator up to the fourth floor and work your way back down. In general, this will put you at the ‘beginning’ of the American Indian timeline. Finish out your visit in the Mitsitam Cafe on the first floor, which serves authentic American Indian foods such as pork pozole and fry bread.
On this particular visit, several of the museum’s exhibits were being updated. One of the newer exhibits that caught my eye highlighted various products using American Indian names, such as Indian Motorcycles. Regardless of whether you’re interested in traditional artifacts such as arrowheads or learning about how American Indians influence products we use today, this museum has something for you!
7. National Museum of Natural History
If you have an aspiring scientist – or a full-grown adult who just likes science like me – the National Museum of Natural History is a must-see while you’re visiting Washington DC. This Smithsonian museum has everything from fossils and mummies to live butterflies to the infamous Hope Diamond!
The Natural History Museum provides a unique look at Earth science and human evolution. The various exhibits provide visitors with a look at life in the oceans and on land, going back hundreds of thousands of years. There are countless fossils and skeletons from dinosaurs to present-day animals…there is even a mummy’s coffin!
My favorite part of this museum is the extensive geological collection – everything from crystals and minerals to meteors from outer space! The gems housed alongside the Hope Diamond would make the richest kings and queens drool (and in fact, the museum does have a pair of Marie Antoinette’s earrings).
Perhaps most unique to the Natural History Museum is the live butterfly exhibit, which is the only exhibit in the museum that is not free. When I visited the museum, the exhibit was closed, but everyone I talked to highly recommended it! Regardless of what your interests are, this free museum is likely to be one of your favorites.
8. National Postal Museum
I was a stamp collector growing up, which is to say I inherited a random stamp collection from my cousin and became completely fascinated with stamps. I still get a little distracted whenever I walk into a post office. So it’s not surprising that I would recommend the National Postal Museum as one of the top free museums in Washington DC.
Now, before I lose all credibility, hear me out – do you know how all those pieces of mail are sorted and separated in order to get to their destinations? Have you ever seen an Inverted Jenny in person? Do you know who Owney is? Spend a couple of hours wandering through the Postal Museum and you’ll have your answers!
Visitors to this museum can view all US stamps, including airmail and Duck stamps. You’ll learn that the postal system has evolved from the Pony Express to airmail to the trucks used today. And, there are interactive experiences for children of all ages.
My favorite parts of the museum include the video explaining how all the mail is marked, sorted, and moved about the country every day – completely mesmerizing! And I admit, I did enjoy the interactive experience of throwing fake packages into mailbins based on their addresses, despite being a bit old to participate. This is one of the smaller free museums in Washington DC – I’d recommend allowing no more than 2 hours unless you really want to geek out to all the stamp stuff!
9. National Air and Space Museum
The National Air and Space Museum is undoubtedly one of the most visited in Washington DC…because kids young and old are fascinated by flight! This museum does require free timed-entry passes to help with crowd control and give everyone a better experience while taking in all of the amazing air and space memorabilia. I recommend you pencil this museum in early in your day!
My favorite part of the National Air and Space Museum is the Wright Brothers’ Flyer exhibit and learning about how a couple of bicycle makers paved the way for flying! Although the fabric has been replaced, the structure at the museum is the original one that flew at Kitty Hawk! Visitors can follow the evolution of flight through additional aircraft that are on display, all the way to outer space with the Apollo 11 Command Module!
In addition to all the cool air and space artifacts, the National Air and Space Museum has many interactive exhibits, amazingly knowledgeable docents, and an IMAX theatre and a planetarium (both for a fee). And if you don’t get your fill of air and space at the downtown location, be sure to fit in a visit to the Udvar-Hazy Center near Dulles Airport to see even more amazing flying things!
Top Museum Tips
With so many free museums to choose from, it can feel overwhelming to figure out where to begin. You’ll definitely want to do some research in advance and be prepared to be out and about for the entire day. But with a bit of planning and an adventurous spirit, you can create unforgettable memories in the nation’s capital – let’s dive into how to make the most of your day(s) here!
Be in the Know
Make the most of your museum time by understanding the ins and outs of each museum you plan to visit. The quickest way to do this is through the individual museum websites. These sites will offer a variety of visitor information that you’ll want to know about before you go!
Having trouble deciding on which of these amazing free museums you want to visit? Check for temporary exhibits that may bump a specific museum to the top of your list. Have a museum that is an absolute must-see? The website will let you know if a timed-entry pass is required – the passes are free but usually must be booked ahead. Museum websites will also provide information such as guided tour times, food options, and renovation closures.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, be sure to check the local weather – you’ll likely be doing lots of walking outside!
Have a Plan
Now that you’ve done a bit of internet sleuthing and identified which museums are on your must-see list, it’s time to come up with a plan! Most of the amazing museums on this list open at 10 am and close at 5:30 pm, giving you about 7 hours to work with.
I recommend identifying those museums that require timed-entry passes and penciling those into your schedule first. After all, you have a specific time you need to be there! But not to worry, the proximity of these museums to each other still makes it quite easy to explore several in one day – and to catch views of landmarks such as the Capitol Building and Washington Monument along the way.
You will need to consider how much time you want to dedicate to each museum and allow walking time between each. And don’t forget things like bathroom and lunch breaks (and maybe a break for ice cream in the summer)!
Pack Properly
Chances are you’ve read this far because you’re visiting Washington DC for a few days and want to pack into each day as you possibly can. So you’ve done your research, made a plan, and now you should properly prepare to be out and about the city all day!
Pack light and pack well. I cannot think of one museum that does not have a security checkpoint (don’t worry, not full-scale TSA checkpoints), so go through those bags and downsize as much as possible. Ideally, you’ll have an umbrella or rain gear, water, and sunscreen.
Take breaks. I get it, you want to see all the sites. But if you’re visiting Washington DC’s free museums in the summer, you need to take frequent breaks to rest, hydrate, and apply sunscreen. Despite being in the mid-Atlantic, DC summers are no joke. And even if it’s not the summer, you’ll want some breaks with all the walking you’ll be doing.
FAQs
How much time does it take to go through the museums?
It depends! I have ducked into these free museums for as little as 15 minutes to see a special exhibit, and I have had friends visit and dedicate a whopping THREE DAYS to one amazing museum because of their interest in the subject. This is where planning your day comes in handy; don’t feel you have to go to every nook and cranny of a museum if you’re only interested in a particular exhibit or area within the museum.
What is the best way to get to the museums in Washington DC?
I wholeheartedly endorse using the Metro (rail and buses) and your feet to visit museums in Washington DC! Driving and parking in the city can be a real headache; if you do decide to drive, be sure to download parking apps such as ParkMobile or SpotHero. The Metro provides a reliable, inexpensive, and accessible alternative to museums, restaurants, and suburban locations in the greater Washington DC area.
How many free museums are there in Washington DC?
This feels like a trap question…because it’s a moving target! At any one time, there are 50-60 free museums open in Washington DC. This includes things like art galleries and gardens that aren’t museums in the traditional sense. The bottom line, if free is your budget, there is no shortage of attractions in DC!
Conclusion
So there you have it, my top 9 free museums in Washington DC. Regardless of what your interests are, Washington DC’s free museums offer something for everyone. I feel so fortunate to be able to pop into these museums most anytime I want to. I hope this list helps you make the most of your time in the city, and don’t forget to wear comfy shoes—you’ve got a lot of exploring to do!