National Museum of the American Indian
National Museum of the American Indian
National Museum of the American Indian
4
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
About
The National Museum of the American Indian houses artifacts, art, historical and cultural objects from Native Indian communities in the Hemisphere.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: National Mall
How to get there
- Federal Center SW • 5 min walk
- L'Enfant Plaza • 6 min walk
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915 within 10 kms
See what travelers are saying
- Boyd JMaleny, Australia1,778 contributionsWanted To Appreciate The Experience More Than I DidI'm sad to say that this was my least favorite museum of our week-long visit to Washington DC. There is some good art but the floor on treaties is depressing - lots of words and treaty after treaty broken. I was looking more for galleries and in depth displays and explanations about American Indian lifestyles and culture. I guess I was expecting something in the vein of the National Museum of African American History and Culture; I was disappointed.Visited November 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten February 24, 2024
- Adamj7777London, United Kingdom148 contributionsIncredibly interesting and unique. Do try fit this in.A fantastic and unique museum. There’s no where else like this that I’ve seen. Yes, it is a difficult and upsetting history to absorb, but important and absolutely worth it. Some of the details and interpretations made me quite emotional. Would recommend this to everyone. It’s smaller than a lot of the other museums so you don’t need as much time to give it the attention it deserves as you do with the others which can take a whole day each. I did this in a few hours with some of the galleria in a lot of detailVisited February 2024Traveled soloWritten March 1, 2024
- Tia KMundelein, Illinois30 contributionsThis museum is a quick run through after a day at Air and SpaceIt’s a beautiful building. I was expecting a wealth of knowledge on Native American history to come from all directions. There is a large circle in the middle and would t it be great to see demonstrations taking place. No drum circle, no Native Americans showing how they make a drum. No Native Americans showing the beautiful beadwork and jewelry making, no Navajo nation present show a whole exhibit of their beautiful wall hanging and rugs? No exhibit on the latest movie Killers of the Flower Moon to show the truth from Hollywood. Get some of the movie sets, clothing, words from the best actress herself who received awards. The place was mainly empty except for the kids section. The gift shop has some beautiful and unique items but not presented as authentic or history of which tribe. With all the writing and pictures of politics they need to balance it with something that will catch people’s eyes and draw them to the museum. My son, 12 years, buzzed through it in a half hour because nothing draws your eye except the kids area.Visited March 2024Traveled with familyWritten March 26, 2024
- NurseSunny23Kingsport, Tennessee3 contributionsToo commercial and not enough real lifeComing from a Native American background, I was very disappointed in this museum. There was an entire room dedicated to Pocahontas and nothing to Sacajawea. There were 2 large rooms dedicated to propaganda and show business "Indians". They had everything from a coffee canister to movie posters but very little actual artifacts of Native American history. I would have loved to actually see pottery, baskets, tools, clothing, and how they lived their everyday lives instead of who played an "Indian" in a movie or show.Visited September 2023Traveled with familyWritten April 5, 2024
- MeganCorbin, Kentucky73 contributionsA hidden gem with the best play area for small children!We came here because we had to wait for tickets at the Air & Space Museum and this museum is right next door. This museum is a hidden gem if you have small children. It has the coolest play area and my toddler absolutely loved it! It was the highlight of his trip to DC. There isn't much to do in DC for toddlers but this place is a must for the play area alone! He absolutely had a blast and even enjoyed the music presentation in the atrium and even played his monkey drum along with the speaker. We enjoyed this museum.Visited April 2024Traveled with familyWritten April 22, 2024
- Kate S346 contributionsDon't Miss in DCOut of all the museums we went to in DC, this one was actually my favorite. I learned so much about the Native Americans that had not been taught in our public school system and it truly opened my eyes. They have you start at the 3rd floor and make your way down to the bottom. The third floor is basically about all the treaties that happened between the natives and whites. The second floor is broken up into the north and south ends. The north end had an art exhibit from a native artist. The south end had various exhibits on how natives are represented in our daily lives, wars throughout history, advocates and enemies of the natives, and Pocahontas. The first floor was mainly the store since some exhibits were closed. I would highly recommend visiting this museum!Visited April 2024Traveled with friendsWritten May 2, 2024
- sgavoyagesParis, France10,578 contributionsA little disappointingThe exterior architecture is original and challenging. On the other hand, the interior is reminiscent of the Guggenheim. The visit is actually quite quick, which is rare for a mall museum. There is a historical part which begins with the treaties and which extends to the present day. There are short films commented by Robert Redford. Then a rather original room on the presence of Indians in commerce and the American imagination. Nice shop but too expensive. Restaurant under construction. One hour maximum.Visited May 2024Traveled soloWritten May 23, 2024
- Ross TPortland, Texas302 contributionsNulhatenami Yushe Enta KiikeyanWe were happy at the museum when we visited. It is a beautiful building and expansive. It was a Friday morning when we arrived at the museum and it was not crowded. We started the self-guided tour on the 4th Floor where we learned about the sad history of treaties and relations between the US and Indian Nations through history. It is a wonder that any discernible Indian cultures survived to this day. On the 3rd Floor we viewed and enjoyed the fascinating exhibit of Indian influences on Americana. In addition, there was an art exhibit that we appreciated. The 2nd Floor exhibit was not open, apparently under development. But, the Gift Shop was open and it had a number of nice things to purchase. Though we enjoyed the museum a lot, we thought it would be nice to have exhibits that compared the art and cultures of the various Indians of America. A work in progress.Visited May 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten June 12, 2024
- barbaravignolaVignola, Italy3,484 contributionsTo visitLocated in the museum area of Washington, it is definitely worth a visit to understand and learn history. Starting from the 4th floor, you go up with the elevator. Different information is displayed in the rooms, there are notice boards with clothes and objects. It comes down to the third and there are several prints representing Indians in society, such as advertising or movies there is a children's play area. On the second floor there is the shop. On the ground floor the bar, self service and entrance. The museum is free and does not require a reservation. During our visit there was a representation of indigenous people who showed songs and dances and explained their history.Visited June 2024Traveled with friendsWritten June 30, 2024
- TravellerNew York City, New York3,319 contributionsVery interesting museumI visited the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in August 2024. It was my second time to visit this museum and I think it is often overlooked. The fourth floor has the whole history between the United States and American Indian nations covering key treaties and events. I thought it was interesting and well organized. The third floor had interesting exhibits which included the impact of the American Indian on American culture, the Battle of Little Bighorn and Pocahontas. I had a snack in the cafe - a fresh baked apple cinnamon muffin. On the way out there was a totem pole. The museum is located next to the Air and Space Museum and on the other side the US Botanical Gardens. It is 20 minutes walking to the US Capitol visitor center and the Library of Congress. I think it is worthwhile to include the National Museum of the American Indian in one’s itinerary.Visited August 2024Traveled soloWritten August 15, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Penny A
Chapel Hill, NC12 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
The structure itself is amazing. There were many people but it was not crowded. The gift shop has items from tribes in America, Canada and South America reasonably priced, very attractive and in all price ranges. The current exhibit was based on the numerous treaties the American Government brought forth to the various tribes and then broke-- when it suited the Government which continuously wanted more land, removing tribes from native and sacred lands. Our group ranged from 14-80 and everyone learned something and felt the exhibits were meaningful and interesting.
Written January 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PondaBaba
Poughkeepsie, NY5 contributions
Jun 2022
We intended to just spend a couple hours in this museum, but ended up staying the entire day. There was so much to see and learn. One exhibit told of the different creation narratives and spiritual beliefs of many different Indian groups, and how it affects their worldviews, which was fascinating. Another exhibit detailed the many treaties made with the United States, and, sadly, how the US "altered the deal" in almost every case.
We were traveling with kids (ranging from 7 to 17) and the youngest kid was a little bored, but the 10-year old was surprisingly engaged, especially with the films. The exhibits are not hands-on and are not really geared toward young kids; it might be helpful to offer a scavenger hunt page or something to keep them looking for things.
Also, the cafeteria was terrific! It offered native inspired foods that were really tasty and well-prepared (albeit at museum cafeteria prices). And the museum building itself is beautiful, and a work of art in its own right. Highly recommend avoiding the crowds at the Air and Space and Natural History museums to check this one out.
We were traveling with kids (ranging from 7 to 17) and the youngest kid was a little bored, but the 10-year old was surprisingly engaged, especially with the films. The exhibits are not hands-on and are not really geared toward young kids; it might be helpful to offer a scavenger hunt page or something to keep them looking for things.
Also, the cafeteria was terrific! It offered native inspired foods that were really tasty and well-prepared (albeit at museum cafeteria prices). And the museum building itself is beautiful, and a work of art in its own right. Highly recommend avoiding the crowds at the Air and Space and Natural History museums to check this one out.
Written July 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GabrielaSeevetal
Seevetal, Germany10,420 contributions
Sep 2024 • Couples
The expectation was very high – according to the guide, one of the largest Indian museums in the world. A totem pole in the foyer, otherwise a lot of animation about films and little exhibition. There is a similar museum in Vancouver – but far more detailed and interesting. Here the building from 2004 is the highlight, the construction, the curved and also the foyer, which is open to the top floor, very nice.
Automatically translated
Written December 23, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Footloosewomen
California Bay Area140 contributions
Oct 2024 • Solo
The museum was okay, but I was expecting more information and more variety in what was displayed. There was a Day of the Dead celebration with dancing the day I was there, but the area was crowded, so somewhat difficult to watch the show. Definitely don’t get any food there! The turkey sandwich was expensive and one of the worst I’ve ever had.
Written November 24, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
F4981JCmichaels
Vancouver, WA2,924 contributions
Jun 2021
First a caveat. The rating I give here is not based upon going inside and seeing the exhibits. It's about what I saw on the outside.
We have visited Washington D.C. more than once in the past. We like road trips, and even though we live in Washington *state*, we have a good friend on the East Coast we like to see from time to time. This time, it appeared that all of the museums were closed when we left on May 24th, so we did not anticipate seeing anything. When we got to D.C., we pulled up by the art museum's eastern building and saw people going inside and asked them if the museums were open. They were, but only if you had tickets, which were free online. We did not know that before arriving. So, I figured that not having tickets, that our "best bet" was the American Indian Museum, since 1) we are Smithsonian members, and 2) specifically members of this particular museum as well, even though anyone can go in for free. I realized that the answer still might be "no," since the reason for the tickets was to limit the number of people together due to COVID-19, but I figured it might be worth a shot; two extra people who are members might not be that many more to worry about.
So...we parked the car across the street, walked up as far as the middle of the building, by the waterfall, where my wife sat down, since she cannot walk too far at once, especially on the hot, humid day we were there. And why do architects seem to never take into account those using the buildings they design? Why was the entrance as far from parking as it could be?
Anyway, I continued up to a guard, who thought I had a valid possibility, and we went to the one who checked tickets and explained the situation. He replied that proximity alarms were already going off even with the limited number of people already present, and as much as he really wanted to let us in, he could not.
We will still continue our support, but were disappointed we could not get in. So, the rating is average. Negative for not designing the building with handicapped people in mind, or even non-handicapped, since they too have to walk the length of the building to get to the entrance. Poor planning in my opinion. Why not build a parking garage under it, like the museums in the Canadian capital do? Positive, for the outside appearance of the building, the effort to make it look like it was a natural setting, such as the shape of the building, the surrounding plants and the waterfall; plus the waterfall for cooling things down, and putting sculptures outside for all to see.
So, maybe some day, we will see it, if we live long enough for another big trip. At least we got to see the Sakakawea Memorial and the Sitting Bull Memorial along the Missouri River near Mobridge, South Dakota on this trip. That was memorable. Two famous Native American memorials in a nondescript location near a cow field, both people who played a big part in American history. Yet, you won't find their statues in Washington D.C.
We have visited Washington D.C. more than once in the past. We like road trips, and even though we live in Washington *state*, we have a good friend on the East Coast we like to see from time to time. This time, it appeared that all of the museums were closed when we left on May 24th, so we did not anticipate seeing anything. When we got to D.C., we pulled up by the art museum's eastern building and saw people going inside and asked them if the museums were open. They were, but only if you had tickets, which were free online. We did not know that before arriving. So, I figured that not having tickets, that our "best bet" was the American Indian Museum, since 1) we are Smithsonian members, and 2) specifically members of this particular museum as well, even though anyone can go in for free. I realized that the answer still might be "no," since the reason for the tickets was to limit the number of people together due to COVID-19, but I figured it might be worth a shot; two extra people who are members might not be that many more to worry about.
So...we parked the car across the street, walked up as far as the middle of the building, by the waterfall, where my wife sat down, since she cannot walk too far at once, especially on the hot, humid day we were there. And why do architects seem to never take into account those using the buildings they design? Why was the entrance as far from parking as it could be?
Anyway, I continued up to a guard, who thought I had a valid possibility, and we went to the one who checked tickets and explained the situation. He replied that proximity alarms were already going off even with the limited number of people already present, and as much as he really wanted to let us in, he could not.
We will still continue our support, but were disappointed we could not get in. So, the rating is average. Negative for not designing the building with handicapped people in mind, or even non-handicapped, since they too have to walk the length of the building to get to the entrance. Poor planning in my opinion. Why not build a parking garage under it, like the museums in the Canadian capital do? Positive, for the outside appearance of the building, the effort to make it look like it was a natural setting, such as the shape of the building, the surrounding plants and the waterfall; plus the waterfall for cooling things down, and putting sculptures outside for all to see.
So, maybe some day, we will see it, if we live long enough for another big trip. At least we got to see the Sakakawea Memorial and the Sitting Bull Memorial along the Missouri River near Mobridge, South Dakota on this trip. That was memorable. Two famous Native American memorials in a nondescript location near a cow field, both people who played a big part in American history. Yet, you won't find their statues in Washington D.C.
Written October 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
925alexandra_y
London, UK95 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
Really interesting building architecturally from the outside and inside, and incredibly insightful galleries throughout. We arrived around 2pm which on a cloudy/rainy day seemed to be the peak time but we only waited about 10 minutes to get inside. There are flags of each of the recognized tribes throughout, a gallery on misusing native emblems and names for merchandising purposes that fill up 3 large walls from floor to ceiling, a room on the real Pocahontas, veterans of all of the US wars, and more!
Once there we headed to the cafe which had more hot/fresh food options than I was expecting from a museum in general. The frybread taco was enormous and pretty good, and other people's dishes looked filling as well.
Then we made our way up to the top floor via the elevator (spacious, accessibility friendly) and started through the exhibit on treaties. Now, before you skip, give it a decent chance. There are cultural artifacts as well as informative posters on key treaties between the USA and the indigenous tribes of America, split into different stages and with blurbs about what each side stood to gain/lose and their interpretation of that agreement. Makes you really wonder why we weren't taught more of this in history classes growing up.
Managed to stay just over 2 hours because it was almost closing time, and definitely want to come back again to see what was missed and revisit.
Once there we headed to the cafe which had more hot/fresh food options than I was expecting from a museum in general. The frybread taco was enormous and pretty good, and other people's dishes looked filling as well.
Then we made our way up to the top floor via the elevator (spacious, accessibility friendly) and started through the exhibit on treaties. Now, before you skip, give it a decent chance. There are cultural artifacts as well as informative posters on key treaties between the USA and the indigenous tribes of America, split into different stages and with blurbs about what each side stood to gain/lose and their interpretation of that agreement. Makes you really wonder why we weren't taught more of this in history classes growing up.
Managed to stay just over 2 hours because it was almost closing time, and definitely want to come back again to see what was missed and revisit.
Written April 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rita829
Province of Trento, Italy626 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
I honestly thought they would tell the story and tragedy of the indigenous population and how they had to adapt and live with the expropriation of their lands.
It is arranged on various floors, with soft lighting and descriptive panels that tell, for example, how the Indians "chose" to help the Americans in the wars, and how they used their native language to transmit messages that were not understandable to the enemies.
In short, a biased narrative that tells nothing of their origins and vicissitudes - Inside a kind of bar/diner and a gift shop.
Sin
It is arranged on various floors, with soft lighting and descriptive panels that tell, for example, how the Indians "chose" to help the Americans in the wars, and how they used their native language to transmit messages that were not understandable to the enemies.
In short, a biased narrative that tells nothing of their origins and vicissitudes - Inside a kind of bar/diner and a gift shop.
Sin

Written November 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Isabella N
10 contributions
Dec 2024 • Friends
The National Museum of the American Indian is located on Fourth Street & Independence Avenue, SW, Washington DC. It was established in November, 1989, and serves to display the historical timeline, events, and cultural displays that encapsulate the experiences of Native Americans before and after colonization. Specifically, it was created to educate the public further on Native American heritage that may not have been taught in the education system. The museum is open from 10 am - 5:30 pm, and held a special event the day that I went because of National Native American Heritage Day. The museum brought a Native American woman who then performed the Hoop Dance with 22 hoops (depicting the story of her life from birth to present).
Throughout the museum, there were a plethora of art pieces, including tapestries, weaving looms, and some tangible items like dolls/clothing. Along with that, there were elongated timelines across the walls of important events/treaties that affected Native populations (Proclamation Line, Battle of Little Bighorn, & the Indian Removal Act). The museum also contained a large room with many different depictions of art, literature, and symbolism of Native Americans throughout American history; as you walk into each adjacent room, there are more exhibits that display items from the Native Americans' perspective, such as more excerpts from their government pertaining to treaties. I found it interesting how the outside view of the outside was mostly in the perspective of white colonists and the stereotypes that are associated with Native Americans, while the inside of each room was the swapped view from the Native Americans' side.
Overall, I found the entire experience to be extremely educational; I learned a lot more about the Native American experience, especially since a lot of U.S. history classes within my school do not have much input on different perspectives, rather, focusing on the colonists' point of view. The Hoop Dance performed during my museum trip was astonishing to watch and allowed me to further see how culturally significant dancing was in Native American society. Lastly, I decided to tour this museum because I planned to visit on National Native American Heritage Day, which meant there would be a special exhibit, and I wanted to learn more about specific events more and how their impact still affects Native American populations today.
Throughout the museum, there were a plethora of art pieces, including tapestries, weaving looms, and some tangible items like dolls/clothing. Along with that, there were elongated timelines across the walls of important events/treaties that affected Native populations (Proclamation Line, Battle of Little Bighorn, & the Indian Removal Act). The museum also contained a large room with many different depictions of art, literature, and symbolism of Native Americans throughout American history; as you walk into each adjacent room, there are more exhibits that display items from the Native Americans' perspective, such as more excerpts from their government pertaining to treaties. I found it interesting how the outside view of the outside was mostly in the perspective of white colonists and the stereotypes that are associated with Native Americans, while the inside of each room was the swapped view from the Native Americans' side.
Overall, I found the entire experience to be extremely educational; I learned a lot more about the Native American experience, especially since a lot of U.S. history classes within my school do not have much input on different perspectives, rather, focusing on the colonists' point of view. The Hoop Dance performed during my museum trip was astonishing to watch and allowed me to further see how culturally significant dancing was in Native American society. Lastly, I decided to tour this museum because I planned to visit on National Native American Heritage Day, which meant there would be a special exhibit, and I wanted to learn more about specific events more and how their impact still affects Native American populations today.
Written December 13, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alan H
Toronto, Canada177 contributions
Mar 2023
After long looking forward to visiting the NMAI, we finally had our chance this week. We were very positively impressed in many ways: the architecturally striking building, the Native gardens, the art works (including a spectacular painting by Norval Morisseau), some of the displays. But we arrived just a few weeks after the closure of the last of the three original permanent exhibitions, "Our Universes." (The two others, "Our Lives" and "Our Peoples," closed years ago.) The Lelawi Theatre, which used to present an introductory movie, is also closed. These three exhibitions and the introductory movie had (we gather) presented a fine introduction to Indigenous cultures and languages, spiritualities and religions, achievements, economies, governments, ways of life, rivalries and alliances and mutual influences. There's no longer much with a similar general purpose. Someone at the information counter indicated, or implied, that something new was being developed, but couldn't tell us what that would include. So it felt as if things were in transition. Apparently the timing of our visit was just very unfortunate. As of now, the exhibitions focus overwhelmingly on how American Indians are seen by, or live in relation with, settler people. These exhibitions include "Nation to Nation," an informative though wordy survey of treaties between First Nations and settler governments; the Trail of Tears; Little Big Horn; Pocahontas; settler images of Indians in commerce and advertising and entertainment; US federal statutes about Indians. It's as if you went to a museum about Europe, hoping to find out about European music and ideas and social history and achievements, but found instead that room after room focused not on Europe but on how Americans dealt with Europe. So we were disappointed. The NMAI is still worth a visit if you're in town, but I wouldn't recommend making it a special destination, as we did.
Written March 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
VeronicaVAtlanta
Atlanta, GA143 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
We visited the museum on Thursday, December 7th, between 2/2:30 pm to 3:30 pm ET—first-time visitors.
PROS:
The building is beautiful. The exhibits and information on the 4th floor are engaging, informative, and well-displayed.
The staff member (a young woman) on the 3rd floor approached us, offering advice to review the exhibits. She was cheerful and friendly.
CONS:
Grumpy staff.
We paused when we entered the building, trying to decide which direction to walk. The staff member (a woman) pointed and said "there." No smile. Abrupt. It did not set a positive tone. Except for the young woman on the 3rd floor and a man on the 1st floor, this was our consistent experience with staff. As we exited, my husband paused to order a Lyft (We are in our mid-70s). A female staff member came to the area and told us we had to come in or get out. Sigh.
Customer service/hospitality is of the utmost importance to us, and what we experienced would cause me to pause when considering whether to return and affect my consideration of recommending the museum.
PROS:
The building is beautiful. The exhibits and information on the 4th floor are engaging, informative, and well-displayed.
The staff member (a young woman) on the 3rd floor approached us, offering advice to review the exhibits. She was cheerful and friendly.
CONS:
Grumpy staff.
We paused when we entered the building, trying to decide which direction to walk. The staff member (a woman) pointed and said "there." No smile. Abrupt. It did not set a positive tone. Except for the young woman on the 3rd floor and a man on the 1st floor, this was our consistent experience with staff. As we exited, my husband paused to order a Lyft (We are in our mid-70s). A female staff member came to the area and told us we had to come in or get out. Sigh.
Customer service/hospitality is of the utmost importance to us, and what we experienced would cause me to pause when considering whether to return and affect my consideration of recommending the museum.
Written December 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is there a bag/coat check or locker area where luggage can be stored?
Written October 22, 2023
Pretty much the whole museum is worth going through. However, it depends on what your interests are. Are you into the points of view of the natives and the occupying forces? There’s plenty of that. If you’re into artifacts preserved from those times, there’s some of that, too. There is a section on the southern and Central American natives, too.
Written June 20, 2021
The "advertising" shows how the stereotypical images of American Indians was widely used in past and is still being used. That was the purpose of the huge display. Purpose of display was not to "impress" anyone, but to make a point that many Americans got strange ideas about Indians from looking at these silly advertising signs, ads, and seeing 1950s movies.
The museum has less funding than the African American museum, so less displays, etc. Those will take some time. Overall it is a good new museum with a beautiful exterior and interior. The displays of Lakota leather shirts was wonderful, hope you saw those, and also the beaded work in the center cases.
Written September 12, 2018
i dont see a question . but i know i found it a very nice and it had interesting things that i didnt know . so i found it a good way of learning some things about indians i didnt know . i enjoyed my visit ....
Written September 12, 2018
Heading to DC in early August. Have never been to National Museum of the American Indian; how much time should I allot? For comparison, I spent 4 hours at the Holocaust Museum a few years ago.
Written July 28, 2018
I would allow as much time as you did for the Museum as you did for the Holocaust museum. You should plan to eat at the cafe, delicious authentic food.
Written July 29, 2018
Hello Jim G. and others,
I visited the museum yesterday with my daughter and grandson. Although I enjoyed the displays, I was most interested in seeing how the curators would handle the influence of European colonization upon the American Indian. I only saw a vague reference to that in a short video (on the right) as we entered the American Indian enclave. I'd like to know where to find the section referred to by Jim G.as we obviously missed it.
Thank you.
ANOUL
Written February 25, 2018
It seems the curators either did not have the courage or the license to explain the real story of settler colonialism in N America or the genocidal progress of the "conquering of the West." Highly recommend you read "An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States" a non-fiction book written by the historian Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz and published by Beacon Press.
Written October 23, 2023
I would suggest at least 3 or 4 hours. There is a lot to see and it is definitely worth reading about each exhibit. The café is very good.
Written February 2, 2018
Where did you park? Metered or garage?
Written February 5, 2016
The only way you can get free parking on weekends Saturday is probably limited now since DC is changed its parking lot is you have to be at the locations on the street before the museum opens other than that everybody is hip to parking where they can park free and keeping your car sitting there for a few hours until they're through with their day. Tottori mobiles and the tour buses sometimes have package deals where you can get on and off and it makes it easy they all have stops that you will be able to identify so that you can hop on it a different attractions all for a fee
Written July 11, 2017
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
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