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Discover the Natural World

Open seven days a week, 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., except Dec. 25 We're on the National Mall 10th St. & Constitution Ave. NW Washington, D.C. 20560 Free Admission

a hand holding cellphone infant of an array of minerals

Explore Our New Cellphone Exhibit

Featured exhibitions.

a bright halo of stars over a dark landscape

Lights Out: Recovering Our Night Sky

an image of a cellphone taking a picture of a cellphone photo of two women wearing masks

Cellphone: Unseen Connections

A fossilized T. rex biting a triceratops

David H. Koch Hall of Fossils - Deep Time

A black and yellow garden spider sitting in a web in front of a thick stand of tall yellow and black flowers with long green stems. There is a house behind the flowers.

The World & Me: Save a Spider!

Two children put their hands on a mural at the Museum.

Today's Events

A blue and black Blue Morpho butterfly and two red, orange, and black monarch butterflies

Butterfly Pavilion

Understanding the natural world and our place in it.

Two children explore collections items in the Museum.

Delve into the fascinating story of our planet, from its fiery beginnings through billions of years of transformation, and explore life on Earth through exhibitions and activities, collection objects and research that happens in the lab and in the field.

Explore From Home

Come enjoy the wonder of Natural History

During this time when educational resources are more important than ever, we are expanding our digital content and programming to provide them to you. Please help support our efforts to keep curious minds engaged and educated about the wonders of the natural world.

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Events & Festivals in Washington, DC

Visiting the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC

Experience some of the most vital art in the world at this renowned museum in washington, dc, what and where is the national gallery of art.

The National Gallery of Art and its gorgeous Sculpture Garden (which features an ice rink in the winter time) are located on Constitution Avenue NW between 3rd and 9th Streets NW. Through its East and West Buildings, the museum preserves, collects and exhibits works of art from numerous countries and historical eras. Its collection features roughly 141,000 paintings, drawings, photographs, sculptures and forms of new media that stretch all the way back to the Middle Ages.

When is the National Gallery of Art open?

The museum is open every day of the year except Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. Its hours are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily. Admission is always free.

How to get to the National Gallery of Art?

The easiest way to reach the National Gallery of Art is via Metrorail  or the DC Circulator . The closest Metro stop is Archives – Navy Memorial – Penn Quarter on the Green and Yellow Lines. The DC Circulator’s National Mall route will take you near the Gallery’s buildings and Sculpture Garden – making it easy to continue your exploration of the National Mall afterward. The facility is handicap-accessible.

What’s inside the National Gallery of Art?

The National Gallery of Art regularly features temporary exhibits that highlight distinctive artists in a range of mediums. From Renaissance masters to modern-day marvels, you will be able to take in creations that advance and challenge form and structure. Be sure to check out the museum’s current exhibits and installations as you plan your visit.

After a three-year renovation, the Gallery’s East Building has added two sky-lit tower galleries, two staircases connecting all levels of the museum, a rooftop terrace with a dazzling blue rooster sculpture and more than 500 works of art, including pieces by Alexander Calder, Barbara Kruger, Jasper Johns, Pablo Picasso and Mark Rothko. The I.M. Pei-designed wing sleekly contrasts the Beaux Arts and Classical architecture throughout DC, making it a must-visit for those looking to have their mind blown by art.

Connecting the West and East Buildings is Leo Villareal’s incredible Multiverse installation. More than 41,000 LED nodes light up the 200-foot space, creating abstract configurations that literally light your way as you head from one building to the other via an underground concourse.

An exploration of the West Building is as revelatory and moving of a museum experience as exists in the U.S. Thousands of essential works, organized by period and national origin, are arranged in spectacular and comprehensive galleries across two floors of exhibition space. The main floor features European paintings and sculptures that date as far back as the 13th century, as well as seminal American art. On the ground floor, you can gaze at pieces by essential masters such as Manet, Renoir and Cézanne, as well as decorative art, prints and drawings. The museum’s expansive gift shop, also located on the ground floor, is well worth a visit.

The Gallery’s Sculpture Garden should also be a part of your visit. The 6.1-acre space, adjacent to the West Building, features beautiful trees, walking and seating areas and 17 sculptures taken from the Gallery’s collection. Among them: Robert Indiana’s famous AMOR , a play on the artist’s LOVE sculpture. The Garden also sports a fountain that serves as an ice rink from November – March, as well as The Pavilion Café, which offers year-round service and indoor seating.

The National Gallery of Art also hosts events throughout the year, including concerts, guided tours, gallery talks and much more. Check the museum’s calendar before you go.

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National museum of natural history.

Madison Avenue entrance of the National Museum of Natural History

Director:  Kirk Johnson Total full-time employees:  362 Annual budget (federal and trust) FY 2022:  $121.9 million Approximate number of artifacts/specimens: 148 million Total museum size: 1.32 million square feet Public space size: 325,000 square feet Visits (2022):  Approximately 4 million Website: naturalhistory.si.edu  

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History connects people everywhere to Earth’s unfolding story. Its researchers, scientific collections, free exhibitions and educational programs address fundamental questions, spark curiosity and illuminate the beauty and wonder of the planet. The formal title for Kirk Johnson is Sant Director, in recognition of an endowed gift from the philanthropists, Roger and Vicki Sant.

Research and Staff

The scientific research staff is organized into seven departments: anthropology, botany, entomology, mineral sciences, invertebrate zoology, paleobiology and vertebrate zoology. Museum programs address current topics, such as biological diversity, global climate change, molecular systematics for enhancing the understanding of the relationship between living things, ecosystem modeling and the documentation and preservation of human cultural heritages.

In 2022, the museum’s scientific staff authored 614 scholarly publications.

Collections

The museum holds over 148 million objects and specimens, making it the largest natural history collection in the world. Approximately half of the collection is maintained at the Smithsonian’s Museum Support Center in Suitland, Maryland, which provides state-of-the-art conditions for storage and conservation of collections as well as a library and advanced research facilities.

Permanent Exhibitions

  • The Janet Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology, Gems and Minerals showcases the Hope Diamond and other treasures from the National Gem Collection. It also encompasses re-created mines and galleries that present important research in mineral chemistry and physics; plate tectonics, seismology and the study of volcanoes; and planetary science.
  • The David H. Koch Hall of Human Origins explores the epic story of how the human species evolved over 6 million years, adapting and surviving during an era of dramatic climate change. It features more than 285 early-human fossils and artifacts, lifelike full-size reconstructions of several hominid species and 23 interactive experiences, including a morphing station where visitors can see what they would look like as early humans.
  • The Sant Ocean Hall demonstrates how the ocean is intrinsically connected to other global systems and the daily lives of people around the world. Features include male and female giant squids and an exact replica of a living North Atlantic right whale.
  • Butterflies + Plants: Partners in Evolution demonstrates how butterflies and plants have evolved and diversified together for millions of years. The Butterfly Pavilion (open Tuesday through Saturday) offers visitors the opportunity to be surrounded by hundreds of beautiful butterflies and tropical plants and observe up close how these organisms have evolved and diversified together for millions of years.
  • Eternal Life in Ancient Egypt showcases more mummies than have been on display at any time in the museum’s history. The exhibition combines rare artifacts and cutting-edge research tools to illuminate how Smithsonian scientists have pieced together the lives of ancient Egyptians through their burial practices and rituals in preparation for their eternal life.
  • The Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals tells the story of mammal evolution across 225 million years, with more than 274 specimens on permanent display. Designed with families in mind, the hall includes four discovery zones with hands-on activities that help visitors explore an array of mammal adaptations and habitats around the world.
  • The David H. Koch Hall of Fossils - Deep Time invites visitors to travel through ancient ecosystems, witness the evolution of life and get up close to some 700 fossil specimens, including dramatically posed giants like Tyrannosaurus rex, Diplodocus and the woolly mammoth. In a massive, 31,000-square-foot exhibition space spanning 4.6 billion years of Earth’s history, visitors can explore the epic story of how Earth’s distant past is connected to the present and informs its future. The space also features the museum’s FossiLab , a glass-enclosed lab that allows visitors to watch museum paleontologists and trained volunteers extract fossils from rock and make fossil casts and molds.
  • The O. Orkin Insect Zoo offers visitors a variety of exhibits and live insects—as well as daily tarantula feedings—and plenty of hands-on activities.
  • The Bone Hall features almost 300 vertebrate skeletons. It highlights the diversity and unity of every major group of vertebrates, supporting ideas of evolution and common ancestry. In the exhibition’s mobile app, Skin and Bones , 13 different skeletons come to life through 3D augmented reality and tracking. The app shows how the specimens move or look in life and how their skeletons work.
  • African Voices examines the diversity, dynamism and global influence of Africa’s peoples and cultures over time in the realms of family, work, community and the natural environment. It includes historical and contemporary objects from the museum’s collection and commissioned sculptures, textiles and pottery. Video interactives and sound stations provide selections from contemporary interviews, literature, proverbs, prayers, folk tales, songs and oral epics.

Education and Outreach

The museum offers a variety of educational programs for people of all ages. Visitors can engage onsite and online with scientists, collections and research that happens in the lab and in the field. 

The museum’s innovative learning space, Q?rius, The Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center, inspires students, families and educators to explore their world through a scientific lens by directly interacting with science experts and more than 6,000 specimens, including bones, minerals and fossils. School programs aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards are available for K–12 student groups on weekday mornings by reservation.

The museum’s educators have also developed a new and responsive approach to teachers’ expressed needs for age-appropriate, accessible science content in response to the national education crisis brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The award-winning “Transmedia Bundles” are nine extremely rich collections of engaging and accurate digital experiences and content resources, each thematically aligned to core science concepts and skills. A blend of standards-aligned live interactive virtual programs and asynchronous resources, they are a new model for meeting the needs of K–12 teachers and students throughout the country and around the world. Virtual programs include the Smithsonian Science How webcasts and webinars that offer students online access to museum experts through interactive, television-style programs.

The award-winning Youth Engagement through Science (YES!) internship program pairs high school students with Smithsonian experts. Throughout the summer, students and mentors work together inside laboratories and out in the field exploring important scientific questions.

About the Museum

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, located at 10th Street and Constitution Avenue N.W., Washington, D.C., is one of the most visited natural history museums in the world. Opened in 1910, the museum houses the world’s largest collection of natural history specimens and artifacts. The museum is open daily (closed Dec. 25) from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, visit the museum on its website and on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram .

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Exterior of the National Museum of Natural History

The Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Photo by Chip Clark, Smithsonian Institution

Exterior of NMNH buidling, Madison Drive entrance main entrance

The Madison Drive entrance of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Photo by Hugh Talman and James Di Loreto, Smithsonian Institution

Aerial view of NMNH building on the National Mall

Photo by James Di Loreto, Smithsonian Institution

The National Archives Museum depicts our astounding national mosaic and tells the stories of the American journey.

Visiting the museum.

Visitors waiting to enter the National Archives Museum

Hours and Location

10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Last admission is 30 minutes prior to closing.

Open every day except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Admission is always free. Reservations are not required.

701 Constitution Avenue, NW [between 7th & 9th Streets] Washington, DC 20408

  • The General Admission entrance is near the corner of Constitution Avenue and 9th Street, to the left of the stairs.
  • The Special Events entrance is near the corner of Constitution Avenue and 7th Street, to the right of the stairs.
  • The National Archives Research Center entrance is at 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.

Metro: Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter (Green/Yellow Lines)

Visitor's Guide with Map and Information in other languages: English |  Español | Français | Deutsch | 中文 | 日本語

Tips and guidelines to make your visit to the National Archives Museum more enjoyable:

Reservations

Entry to the National Archives is free. Reservations are not required for individuals or groups wishing to enter the National Archives Museum through the General Public Entrance, but reservations are strongly suggested between March and Labor Day to avoid potentially long lines outside. A nonrefundable $1.00 advance reservation convenience fee will be charged for each reserved ticket. Changes are allowed on a ticket order at no additional charge. If you cancel, reservation fees are nonrefundable. Same-day reservations are permitted.

National Archives Museum Renovation

The National Archives Museum in Washington, DC, is redesigning its permanent galleries, learning center, and theater. This once-in-a-generation renovation, undertaken in partnership with the National Archives Foundation, is scheduled to be completed in summer 2025 and will be part of the Archives' celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence the following year.

To prepare the new spaces, the Public Vaults exhibition is closed. The National Archives Rotunda — home to the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights — will remain open during the renovation. The Lawrence F. O’Brien Gallery, the David M. Rubenstein Gallery, and the National Archives Store will also remain open.

Entry to the National Archives Museum is free, and reservations are not required. Timed entry tickets are available 90 days in advance. You may reserve up to six tickets per reservation, and there is a non-refundable $1.00 convenience fee per ticket. To reserve tickets to the National Archives Museum, please go to Recreation.gov.

Things to Do and See

Explore our exhibition galleries and enjoy other family-friendly activities :

  • Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom --home of the Declaration of Independence , Constitution , and Bill of Rights
  • Record of Rights in the David M. Rubenstein Gallery, featuring a 1297 Magna Carta
  • Power & Light: Russell Lee's Coal Survey  opening March 16, 2024, in the Lawrence F. O'Brien Gallery
  • Featured Document Exhibit in the East Rotunda Gallery
  • See our Calendar of Events for current programs and special activities

We recommend that you allow at least 90 minutes to visit the exhibit galleries.

Virtual Tour of the Museum in English and American Sign Language (ASL):

  • Waiting Time: It can take up to 1 hour or more to enter the building during the months of March, April and May, Thanksgiving weekend, the week between Christmas and New Year's Day, and other times when there is heavy visitor traffic. We encourage you to come prepared for inclement weather while waiting outdoors.
  • Security & Bags: Visitors are required to go through a security screening. Only one bag is allowed per person; bags cannot be larger than 17 x 26 inches (43 x 66 centimeters) in size.
  • Parking: There is no parking available at the museum. There is limited metered parking along Constitution Avenue, or visitors may take advantage of a number of public parking garages within a few blocks of the building. Use of the Metro system is highly recommended.

Accessibility

wheelchair icon

  • National Archives Store and Gift Shop The National Archives Store is open daily, 10 a.m. to closing.
  • Café The Charters Café is open Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. A small seating area with vending machines and an ATM is open all day.

Rules & Guidelines

Face coverings.

Face coverings are not required in the National Archives Museum.

Social Distancing

Practice social distancing during your visit by staying at least 6 feet from anyone not in your group. 

Enhanced Cleaning Measures

The National Archive Museum is conducting enhanced cleanings of the museum and high-touch areas. Hand sanitizer is available throughout the museum.

Photography

Non-flash photography is encouraged in all public areas of the National Archives Museum unless otherwise posted.

Food, chewing gum, and beverages are prohibited in the theater and exhibition areas.

Group Visits

We’re excited to have your group visit the National Archives Museum, but ask that you follow the following guidelines:

  • Please arrive at the museum at your scheduled arrival time. The museum is not responsible for reuniting late arrivals with their groups.
  • Students and youth groups are required to break into groups of 10, with one chaperone assigned per group.
  • Unchaperoned or misbehaving students or youth who cause or risk damage to the museum or disturb other visitors will be escorted out of the museum and the group may not be allowed admission in the future.

Tips for Other Visitors & Groups

Families and visitors with children.

Suggestions for kid-friendly activities and other tips for visiting with children .

School Groups & Students

Reservations are not required, but you can reserve a timed entry .

Armed Forces

As a special tribute to our Armed Forces, service personnel in uniform or presenting a valid military I.D., and veterans presenting proof of service may enter through the Special Events entrance on the corner of Constitution Avenue and 7th Street . Family and guests are also welcome.

For information regarding scheduling a military promotion or re-enlistment ceremony at the National Archives, please contact [email protected] .

National Archives Foundation

Members of the National Archives Foundation and their guests may enter through the Special Events entrance at the corner of Constitution Avenue and 7th Street by showing their membership card.

Visitor Services Contact Information

For additional questions, please contact Visitor Services at [email protected] .

CLOSED ON MONDAYS

Last admission at 16:30 closed at 17:30 closed at 21:00 on saturday -->, notice on temporary closure of the national museum of china.

Dear visitors,

In order to coordinate with the activities in the surrounding areas, the National Museum of China will be closed to the public from June 25 to July 1, 2021. We will reopen on July 2, 2021.

Sorry for the inconvenience caused to your visit and thank you for your understanding.

National Museum of China

June 16, 2021

Getting Here

National museum of china.

No. 16 East Chang'an Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100006 (East side of Tian'anmen Square)

Bus Route: You can take the No.1, No.2, No. 52, No. 82, No.120 buses, or Sightseeing Line 2, Tourist Bus Line 1 and Line 2 and get off at Tian'anmen East Station.

Metro: You can take Metro Line 1, get off at Tian'anmen East Station, and exit the station through Exit C or D.

Notice on the orderly opening of the National Museum of China

Dear visitors:

The NMC opens to the public from Tuesday to Sunday and closes on Monday (except for public holidays). Its opening hours are from 9:00 to 17:30 (last admission at 16:30).

In accordance with the regulations on conducting regular epidemic prevention, all visitors must make online appointments (with different time slots available). Please make your appointments 1-7 days in advance and plan your visit properly.

We welcome visitors to make online appointments through our official website or official WeChat platform.

Official Website: https://ticket.chnmuseum.cn/yuyue/index

Official WeChat Platform:

(Please scan the QR code above, scroll down and click “Visits”, and access the “Reservation” page.)

Inquiries: 010-65116400 (9:00-16:30)

Entering The Museum:

The admission to the museum is free. If you are not a Chinese citizen, please bring your passport to the kiosk located at the northwest entrance* of the museum, where you can get a ticket free of charge, valid on the day of issuance.

Charged Exhibitions:

Some temporary exhibitions in the museum require a paid ticket. You will find information about the tickets at the service desk at the west grand hall, the official website, and the exhibition page on the official WeChat platform. You will be able to purchase tickets at the entrance of each exhibition.

Please Note: the northwest entrance of the museum is located at the east side of Tian'anmen Square. You will need to pass Tian'anmen Square security checkpoint to arrive.

Notice to Visitors

Be a responsible visitor:.

Valid ID documents are required to enter the museum during the opening hours. Visitors must go through security check. Prohibited items and pets must not be brought into the museum. Applications must be filed for organizing activities in the museum such as lectures, surveys and video recording, and the activities can be organized only upon approval.

Notice To Visitors

You may take photos in exhibitions displaying NMC’s collections; you are kindly reminded not to use flashlight, selfie stick or tripod.

Hand luggage shall be deposited after security check before entering the museum (costs based on the size of the package).

Sentiments of the Literati

The Pursuits and Passions of Scholar-officials in Ancient China

2019/08/14-2019/11/07

Guided Tours

Staff-led guided tours, volunteer-led guided tours, multi-media guides, audio guide rental, smart guide, food and services, cafe and dining.

Skip to Main Content of WWII

Plan Your Visit

Plan Your Visit

Hours and information.

Museum Exhibits and Museum Store Open daily, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Closed Mardi Gras Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.

Please note that the Museum closes at 5 p.m., so visitors who arrive after 3 p.m. should expect an abbreviated visit. All ticket sales are final and no refunds offered. Tickets expire after their assigned date.

Beyond All Boundaries Daily showings, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Shows start at the top of the hour.

Freedom Theater Daily showings, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Shows run twice an hour..

The American Sector Restaurant & Bar Open daily, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Jeri Nims Soda Shop Open daily, 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

* Click here to purchase tickets for visitors with accessibility needs prior to your visit.

Click here for more Information about Museum access for visitors with accessibility needs.

Exterior of the parking garage at the National WWII Museum

The Museum's paid parking garage located at 1024 Magazine Street. This portion of Magazine Street is a one-way, and the garage is located on the left side. If full, there are several paid lots in the neighborhood not owned by the Museum with varying fees.

Road To Tokyo: Pacific Theater Galleries

Housed in four buildings, each arranged around central themes of the war, Museum exhibits offer visitors an opportunity to experience the war through the eyes of the men and women who lived it. Interactive features, oral histories, and personal vignettes add a meaningful perspective. 

visit national museum

Expressions of America

Expressions of America  is a first-of-its-kind nighttime sound and light experience celebrating the power of individual Americans to impact the world around them during a time of monumental conflict.

Soldier with radio in Jeep, Pacific theater

Museum Campus Guide

Designated by Congress as the official WWII museum of the United States, The National WWII Museum is located in downtown New Orleans on a seven-acre campus, where seven soaring pavilions house immersive historical exhibits, on-site restoration work, a period dinner theater, and restaurants.

Servicemembers with Servicedogs

Accessibility

The National WWII Museum is committed to making its galleries, exhibits, pavilions, and programs accessible to all visitors.

Liberation Pavilion

The Museum’s highly anticipated final permanent exhibit hall, Liberation Pavilion, is now open. Over two floors of exhibit space, Liberation Pavilion explores the end of World War II, the Holocaust, the postwar years, and how the war continues to impact our lives today. The third-floor theater features a brand-new cinematic experience focused on what was at stake during World War II, the meaning of Allied victory, and subsequent generations’ responsibility to defend democracy, protect freedom, and advance human rights.

Itineraries

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Full-day Itinerary (Recommended)

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Two-day Itinerary

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Half-day Itinerary

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WWII Travel Intinerary - Drive Back to Houston

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WWII Travel Intinerary - Drive Back to Dallas/Fort Worth

Priddy family foundation theater.

The Priddy Family Foundation Freedom Theater on the third floor of Liberation Pavilion offers audiences a multimedia experience focused on what was at stake during World War II and the meaning of Allied victory. The production, developed by The Hettema Group, highlights how freedom almost vanished from the world in the 1930s and 1940s, efforts to protect and promote freedom during and after World War II, and how each generation has a responsibility to defend democracy, protect freedom, and advance human rights. At a pivotal moment in the show, the theater audience platform itself rotates.

Museum Campus

Designated by Congress as the official WWII museum of the United States, The National WWII Museum is located in downtown New Orleans on a six-acre campus, where six soaring pavilions house historical exhibits, on-site restoration work, a period dinner theater, and restaurants. 

US Freedom Pavilion Pavilion exterior

Expressions of America  is a first-of-its-kind nighttime sound and light experience celebrating the power of individual Americans to impact the world around them during a time of monumental conflict. Available exclusively at The National WWII Museum in New Orleans,  Expressions of America  immerses audiences in written words, songs, and personal reflections of the everyday men and women who served our country in every way imaginable during World War II.

Experience the Victory

Travel to The National WWII Museum in New Orleans to explore, remember, and reflect on World War II through exclusive access to the Museum’s campus. Multiple departure dates are available.

National WWII Museum exterior Campaigns of Courage

Due to ongoing construction on the Museum’s main entrance, guests must enter through a temporary entrance on Magazine Street near the Soda Shop.

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The National Museum of China

The National Museum of China

Beijing has about six or seven major tourist highlights including the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, and the Great Wall. But the National Museum of China is often overlooked by tourists though it sits right next to The Forbidden City and Tian'anmen. It is actually one of China's best museums and is the world's third most visited museum.

  • World's third most visited: Only the National Museum of Natural History in the US and the Louvre in France get more visitors.
  • 7.5 million visitors: In 2013, there were 7.5 million visitors.
  • One of China's grandest antiquities museums: Perhaps only the Shaanxi Museum in Xi'an has more ancient treasure. The National Museum is known for its collection of Qing era (1644 to 1912) imperial treasure and ancient porcelain and cloisonne ware.
  • Historical museum: The main emphasis of the museum is to teach about China's imperial history, WWII, the Communist victory, and China's modern history.
  • Free entry for foreign tourists.

The National Museum — One of China's Biggest Collections of Ancient Treasures

With so many other interesting places in Beijing to go to, foreign tourists often miss this premier national museum on the eastern side of Tian'anmen . It is the most visited museum in Asia. The ancient antiques exhibit is among the best in the country, but the museum main emphasis is modern history.

The grand capital city scenery all around Tian'anmen is worth a look around. So while you are looking around at all the modern and ancient construction, you can visit the museum. Entry to the National Museum is free for foreign tourists.

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Amazing Antiques and Treasures Inside

The highlight for the tourists is the thousands of pieces of artwork, treasures, and artifacts . Some of it is worth a lot of money, and many pieces are quite beautiful showing the techniques and styles changing over the centuries.

Many of these antiques are displayed in "China Through the Ages." It is a chronological display up to the Qing Dynasty. They are also displayed in galleries called Bronze Art, Jade, Porcelain, Coins, Buddhist Sculpture, Chinese Calligraphy and Paintings, Ming (1368 to 1644) & Qing Furniture, and others.

  • Houmuwu Ding: A Shang era (1700 BC to 1000 BC) ding (cauldron with legs) that is more than 3,000 years old is the major highlight. It weighs 832 kilograms and is the world's most massive ancient bronze object.
  • Li Gui: Another cauldron was discovered in 1976 from the Zhou era (1045 to 221) that is believed to commemorate the Zhou conquest of the Shang territory. It is so important that it is not allowed to leave the country.
  • Hundreds of ceramics pieces: Stone age ceramics and the artwork of craftsmen in the region over a period of thousands of years are displayed. Many piece are strikingly beautiful and intricate, and you can spend hours just looking at them.

While at the Museum See the Adjacent Highlights

All around Tian'anmen, you can see the contrast between the ancient imperial construction and modern government buildings and vast plazas and open areas. It is scenic, and seems otherworldly in congested Beijing.

The Forbidden City (Palace Museum) is the most massive complex of preserved ancient structures in China and is 600 years old. It is now China's best museum. It was the best of China's architecture. The Palace Museum is a highlight for learning history and seeing exhibits.

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Travel Essentials

  • Chinese: 中国国家博物馆 Zhōngguó Guójiā Bówùguǎn /jong-gwor gwor-jyaa bor-woo-gwann/ 'China National Museum'
  • Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, must enter by 4:00 pm.
  • Subway: Line 1 to Tian'anmen East Station or Line 2 to Qianmen Station
  • Photography: Permitted but no flash.
  • Lines and security: There may be long lines, especially on weekends/holidays. Expect X-ray scanners and being frisked by guards. Personal items, tripods, and equipment may have to be left at the entryway.

Touring China's Museums with China Highlights

The National Museum is one of the best museums, and there are others in Beijing and around the country to see too.

8-Day Tour of Beijing, Shanghai, and Xi'an : The Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Great Wall, Summer Palace, Terracotta Warriors, and Shaanxi History Museum are just part of this tour. Tell us, and we'll include the National Museum.

  • 5-Day Beijing Family Tour
  • One Day Beijing Highlights Private Tour

4-Day Beijing Private Tour

  • 8-Day Beijing–Xi'an–Shanghai Private Tour
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  • 10-Day Lanzhou–Xiahe–Zhangye–Dunhuang–Turpan–Urumqi Tour
  • 11-Day Classic Wonders
  • 11-Day Family Happiness
  • 12-day Panda Keeper and Classic Wonders
  • 13-Day A Broad Taste of China
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  • 14-Day China Natural Wonders Discovery
  • 14-Day Classic China Photo Tour
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  • 3-Week Must-See Places China Tour Including Holy Tibet
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Tokyo National Museum: The Complete Guide

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Tokyo National Museum

There are few nations in the world with as vivid a global identity as Japan. When we think of Japan, we have very clear images that flash up in our minds: geisha and samurai; Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines; works of calligraphy and ukiyo-e paintings; tea ceremonies and sushi; and surely several more. The Tokyo National Museum is a museum dedicated to all that makes Japan the country it is today and houses the largest collection of Japanese art in the world. It is a place of history and art and a celebration of every era of Japanese history and everything created along the way. To explore the Tokyo National Museum is to discover Japan. Here is a complete guide to the museum, tips for making the most of it, and how to get there.

History and Background

Open for about 150 years, since 1871, Tokyo National Museum, also known colloquially as Tohaku, is Japan’s oldest art museum and holds more than 116,000 artifacts that trace the history of Japan. Of these pieces, 89 are national treasures of Japan, and 650 are items of cultural importance. These artifacts are spread across six buildings within the grounds, with each building to be considered a museum in its own right. Because of its sheer size, this a museum you’ll want to dedicate at least half a day to if you can’t make repeat visits, and prioritize areas you are particularly interested in.

The gardens of the Tokyo National Museum are also extensive and open for visitors in the spring and fall for leaf-peeping and admiring the cherry blossoms. Special points of interest are present in the garden such as the five-storied pagoda, the gravestones of the Arima clan, and the remains of the Jurin-in Azekura Storehouse.

Veronika-K / Getty Images

What to See and Do

Being so extensive, the museum provides plenty of insight and inspiration for whatever period of Japanese history you’re interested in, and it covers all regions and epochs of the country including the Kingdom of Okinawa and Ainu of the North. 

The first area to explore is the Honkan Building (or Japanese Gallery), which opened in 1938. The building itself is an important cultural property due to the western architectural style paired with a Japanese tiled roof. The multi-floor building houses Japanese artwork from thousands of years ago to the present day including ceramics, shoji screens, maps, clothing (including samurai armor and kimonos) as well as weapons. It’s an impressive and inspiring collection that will leave you eager for the next building. If you only have time for one of the museum’s buildings, make it this one.

Another must-visit part of the museum is the Tyokan building, known as the Asian Gallery, to the right of the Honkan. Inside, you’ll find art and historical pieces from around Asia, Central Asia, and Egypt including ancient textiles, sculptures, ceramics, and Buddhist statues from the second century onwards.

For special exhibitions, make sure to catch the Heiseikan building, which has four galleries dedicated to temporary exhibitions as well as the Japanese Archaeological Gallery where you can see ancient artifacts including Paleolithic and Neolithic tools and pottery.

Another unmissable part of the museum is The Gallery of Horyuji Treasures with items donated to the Imperial Household from the Horyuji Temple in 1878. This includes 300 valuable objects from the seventh and eighth centuries, including paintings, calligraphy, textiles, lacquerware, and woodwork. There’s also a restaurant on the ground floor of the building.

Descriptions are in both English and Japanese for individual items, with broader descriptions for each room in multiple languages so there’s no missing out if you don’t speak Japanese.

Audioguides can be picked up from the main entry point in a number of languages and they also offer volunteer-based guided tours in English on Honkan Building’s 2nd floor several times a month with more details on their website.

Greg Elms / Getty Images

How to Visit

Tokyo National Museum is open between 9:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily and until 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The museum closes on Monday or the following Tuesday if Monday is a national holiday. Entry is 620 yen with special exhibitions priced separately; they take both cash and international credit cards. Last entry to the museum is 30 minutes before closing. You can also book your tickets online in advance.

Getting There

The easiest way to reach the Tokyo National Museum is on the subway; get off at one of two stations within a 10-minute walk: Ueno and Uguisudani Station. The green Yamanote ring line to Ueno Station is the most common and easiest route. The museum is situated in northern Ueno Park and entry is via the main visitor gate. 

Tips for Visiting

  • Make sure to set aside some time to explore Ueno Park, a stunning natural space, which features several other museums, statues, and shrines to explore including the following: National Museum of Science and Nature, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, National Museum of Western Art, Kaneiji Temple, Toshugu Shrine, Shinobazu Pond, and a statue of war hero Saigo Takamori.
  • If you are visiting in the spring make sure to catch the museum’s cherry blossom viewing event, a popular spot that is often missed by visitors. Running from early March to late April, you’ll be able to enjoy sakura themed exhibitions and enjoy entry to the museum garden to see the blossoms.
  • During the spring and fall, the museum opens a traditional Japanese-style garden and teahouse to admire the foliage. It can also be rented out for tea ceremonies and haiku gatherings.
  • There are restaurants and cafes right around the museum so there’s no need to plan lunch ahead of time, though Ueno park is a popular picnic spot with benches if you want to eat outside.
  • If you’d like to plan your visit before arriving you can download the English guide in advance and also explore the Tokyo National Museum website .
  • Keep an eye out for International Museum Day if you are arriving in May as the entry is fee is waived.

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A Visitor's Guide to the Smithsonian Museums in Washington DC

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Government agencies communicate via .gov.sg websites (e.g. go.gov.sg/open). Trusted websites

Original Building

Building, 1887

The front block of the museum building dates back to 1887. It features an elegant neo-Palladian design, a European style of architecture characterised by a highly symmetrical façade and the use of pediments above windows.

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NOT CROWDED

Guided Tours

Group visits, amenities & museum etiquette.

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Accessibility

Photography & filming, e-visitor guide, open daily 10am - 7pm*.

The museum will open earlier at 9am on Quiet Mornings.

Glass Rotunda (Story of the Forest by teamLab and Singapore, Very Old Tree by Robert Zhao) at 6.15pm.

All other galleries: 6.30pm

Admission Prices

  • Singapore Citizens & PRs
  • Tourists & Foreign Residents

Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents (please present  Pink  or  Blue  NRIC for scanning) and Children 6 years and below (any nationality) enjoy free admission to all permanent galleries.

Admission to Plastic: Remaking Our World special exhibition is free for concession holders who are Singaporeans or PRs , i.e. students, teachers, senior citizens, National Servicemen (NSFs) and Persons with disabilities (PWD); and children of 6 years. Please present your passes to enjoy special admission privileges.

[NOTICE] The museum is undergoing restoration and upgrading works. This is part of our ongoing efforts to preserve the building for future generations and to provide a quality museum experience for our visitors.

Notes  

1  Valid proof of identity (eg. passport, school pass) must be presented at the Visitor Services counter to enjoy concession admission.

2  Admission is free for All Galleries  for students, staff and teachers from the following types of schools in Singapore:

  • 100% government schools : Primary, Secondary, ITE, Junior College, Polytechnic
  • Government-Aided Schools / Independent Local Schools : eg. Hwa Chong School Institution, Anglo-Chinese School, Singapore Sports School, SOTA, NAFA and LaSalle    
  • Singapore Universities : eg. NUS, NTU, SMU, SUTD. SIT, SUSS, NIE

Concession admission fee applies to non-Citizen and non-Permanent Resident students from the following types of schools in Singapore:

  • Private Schools  eg. Kaplan, MDIS, SIM, LaSalle International
  • Students from schools overseas

3  Special Access refers to persons with disabilities (PWDs). One caregiver accompanying visitors with disability will enjoy free admission, regardless of caregiver's nationality. 

Children 6 years and below (any nationality) enjoy free admission to all permanent galleries and special exhibitions

Our admission fees have been adjusted to reflect the reduced galleries and facilities available, and to make up for any inconvenience caused.

Please present your passes to enjoy special admission privileges.

Enjoy $2 off admission you present a valid ticket stub from the Changi Chapel and Museum or Reflections at Bukit Chandu 4 *

2  Admission is free for All Galleries  for non-Citizen / non-Permanent Residents students, staff and teachers from the following types of schools in Singapore:

3  Special Access refers to persons with disabilities (PWDs). One caregiver accompanying visitors with disability will enjoy free admission, regardless of caregiver's nationality.

4  Discount is valid for 3 months from the date of purchase of Changi Chapel and Museum or Reflections at Bukit Chandu's ticket.

Getting Here

Turn left from Stamford Road onto Fort Canning Road for National Museum’s car park entry/exit.

Limited parking facility is available at the National Museum. Other parking facilities are available at Singapore Management University, Manulife Centre, Fort Canning Park and YMCA.

Hourly Parking Rates: Mon - Sun (including Public Holidays)

All parking charges are inclusive of GST

Grace Period: 10 minutes (only pick up and drop off allowed)

You may alight from any of the following buses at YMCA bus stop: 7, 14, 14e, 16, 36, 64, 65, 77, 106, 111, 124, 128, 139, 162, 162m, 167, 171, 174, 174e, 175, 190, 700, 700A, 972 and walk 120m

or Alight from any of the following buses at Singapore Management University (SMU), Stamford Road bus stop: 7, 14, 14e, 16, 36, 77, 106, 111, 124, 128, 131, 147, 162, 162m, 166, 167, 171, 174, 174e, 175, 190, 700, 700A, 857 and walk 136m to the National Museum.

You may alight at Bencoolen Station (DT21) on the Downtown Line and walk 350m via Bencoolen Street

or alight at Bras Basah Station (CC02) on the Circle Line and walk 250m via Bras Basah Road and Bencoolen Street

or alight at Dhoby Ghaut Station (CC01/NE06/NS24) on the Circle/North-East/North-South Line and walk 450m via Orchard Road

or alight at City Hall Station (EW13/ NS25) on the East-West/  North-South Line and walk 600m via Stamford Road to the National Museum.

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Keep up to date with all our museums!

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National Museum of African-American History and Culture Tickets and Tours

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This post is a guide to visiting the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African-American History & Culture (NMAAHC), including information on tickets, tours, how to get there, and what to expect updated and the new ticketing policies.

Plan Your Visit

Guided tours.

As a tour guide in Washington, DC, for over a decade, I take groups to visit museums every week. The National Museum of African-American History & Culture is one of the most moving museums, especially with school groups.

When the museum opened in 2016, the team at DC by Foot immediately started arranging group visits for the groups we work with and I have been bringing people there ever since.

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I am not a member of the Black Washington community, so these are not my stories to tell. I am grateful for the incredible curation of this museum to share the history and culture in a way I cannot.

I agree with the members of our Washington DC Travel Tips Facebook Group that this is a museum worth visiting.

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Free Tickets to the African American Museum

Unlike many of the Smithsonian museums, the NMAAHC DOES require timed tickets to visit.

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Tickets are free, but we highly recommend you reserve them as soon as possible as tickets often become fully booked. Regardless of age, everyone requires a ticket, and you may reserve up to 9 tickets at one time.

Each day at 8:00 am EST, tickets open for 30 days out. At 8:15 am, a small number of same-day passes are released online.

You can reserve free timed tickets on their website: https://nmaahc.si.edu/passes

Tickets to the African American Museum are timed - but you can enter the museum anytime AFTER your reserved time until 4 pm . It is okay if you are late to your timed tickets to the NMAAHC.

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The information in this section will help you plan an outing the National Museum of African-American History & Culture. This is where you will find details on how to get there , the best times to visit , security information, and what to expect .

WHERE IS THE NMAAHC ?

The NMAAHC is located on the National Mall at 1400 Constitution Avenue NW. It is between Constitution Avenue and Madison Drive, next to the American History Museum and the Washington Monument.

Map for NMAAHC

There are many ways to get there and it is a short walk from many other destinations on the National Mall. We recommend this link for specific directions to the museum: https://www.si.edu/museums/african-american-museum

The nearest Metro Stations are Federal Triangle (Blue, Orange, and Silver line) and Smithsonian (Blue, Orange, and Silver line.)

It is also a short walk (10-15 minutes) from Metro Center (Red Line.) The Circulator Bus drops at the Washington Monument, just across the street from the museum. For more information on navigating the Metro, check out our blog post HERE . 

Alternatively, many of the hop on hop off buses have a stop nearby to the NMAAHC.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

The NMAAHC is a very in-demand tourist destination with limited capacity. It attracts large crowds throughout the year, especially on weekends, and is always busy. The museum opens at 10 am and by noon, it is pretty crowded.

Best time to visit NMHHAC

The best time to enter may depend on your timed entry passes but if you want to avoid crowds, we suggest planning a visit to the museum for the off-peak season (January-February and September-December.)

Typical weekdays during the off-peak months will be a little more manageable, especially if you arrive when the museum opens at 10am.

Best time to visit NMAAHC on Weekday

Many members of our 50K person Washington DC Travel Tips Facebook group want to know how long to spend at the African American Museum.

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A popular suggestion is to split up a visit if you can snag tickets on two different days.

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SECURITY SCREENING

Like all Smithsonian museums in D.C., you will encounter security at the NMAAHC. The following items are not permitted in the museum:

  • Tripods, monopods, selfie sticks
  • Knives of any size
  • Food and drink (other than bottled water)
  • Aerosol cans, including pepper spray and mace

There are lockers at the museum to store bags and coats.

You are more than welcome to bring strollers, walkers, and wheelchairs into the museum and it is completely ADA-compliant. Smartphones are also permitted and you may take non-flash, non-commercial photography in the galleries, unless otherwise posted.

You can bring food and drinks into the museum if they are sealed and not eaten inside. A great cafe is open from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm (opens at 12:00 pm on Mondays) if you're hungry!

A GUIDE TO VISITING NMAAHC

The NMAAHC is a very popular museum and you can expect lines to enter, especially right when the museum opens at 10am.

Even if you have obtained a timed entry pass, you might encounter lines at the security entrance during peak season.

Exterior NMAAHC

Once you clear security, the museum itself is self-guided. All guests enter the museum in Heritage Hall (Floor L1.) We suggest taking the escalators (or elevator) downstairs to the lower level, known as the Concourse.

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This is where you can access the three floors of history galleries (Floors C1-C3) and it is the only way to enter that portion of the museum.

You can expect there might be a line at this point, especially during peak season. The history gallery experience begins in an elevator that takes you to the lowest level of the museum.

The first exhibit highlights the Atlantic Slave Trade and it works its way chronologically up to 2008 and the election of the first African-American President.

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The history galleries empty you right next to the Contemplative Court, a perfect spot to reflect and relax before heading upstairs.

On the upper levels (Floors L2-L4), you will find exhibitions highlighting the cultural contributions of African-Americans, community galleries, and more. You can find a detailed breakdown of the museum here: https://nmaahc.si.edu/visit/maps

This museum is HUGE! It has 85,000 square feet of exhibition space with nearly 3,000 objects and 183 videos.

The average guest visit time at most museums in D.C. is 2 hours - the average guest visit time at NMAAHC is 5 hours. Of course, much will depend on your pace, level of interest, and how crowded the museum is, but know that you won’t likely be able to see it all in one visit.

In order to make the most of your visit, we suggest downloading the museum’s free mobile app, which will help you familiarize yourself with the layout, exhibits, and objects that you might want to see during your visit: https://nmaahc.si.edu/connect/mobile/apps . The app also has information in Spanish and French (printed brochures in those languages are available at the welcome desk as well.)

There are no guided tours inside the NMAAHC at this time.

Museum volunteers and staff are at the welcome desk in Heritage Hall and at highly trafficked points in the museum to answer questions and give you guidance on your visit. You can see a list of upcoming museum events here: https://nmaahc.si.edu/calendar/upcoming

While we do not offer guided tours inside the NMAAHC, our National Mall and All-in-One tours begin not far from the museum. Our guides are happy to provide detailed guidance on getting the most out of your visit and can answer any questions you have.

Free Tours by Foot offers guided tours of many of the other Smithsonian Museums , however.

If you're interested in the Black American history of Washington DC, we have two self-guided tours that focus on this area.

Exhibit Highlights

This museum, like all the Smithsonian museums, is massive!

You could spend days here and not see every artifact on display. We highly recommend spending a few minutes at the welcome desk to get recommendations on objects and exhibits that will most fit your interests.

If possible, review the museum map before you arrive here ( https://nmaahc.si.edu/visit/maps ) and familiarize yourself with the exhibits.

Map of the National Museum of African American History and Culture

For a first visit to the museum, these are what we consider the must-see areas:

C3: Slavery & Freedom (1400-1877)

This is where the history exhibits begins and it works its way chronologically through the Atlantic slave trade into the American Revolution, the American Civil War, and the Reconstruction era.

Be sure to see the Edisto Island slave cabin, which was brought from South Carolina to be installed whole in the gallery’s main hall as well as the lace shawl Queen Victoria gifted to Harriet Tubman.

Slave Cabin at NMAAHC

C2: Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom (1876-1968)

This is a continuation of the history exhibits, focusing on the century of Jim Crow laws and racial division across the nation. A Southern Railway passenger coach with segregated compartments is a must-see. Right across from the railcar is an interactive element that put you in the position of protesting and organizing - you can sit in a modern recreation of the Woolworth’s lunch counter and explore critical actions that were taken during the Civil Rights movement.

A guard tower from Camp H at Louisiana State Penitentiary is at the end of the lunch counter - you will usually see a line wrapping around the tower. That is the Emmett Till Memorial, one of the most moving exhibits in the museum. Till’s murder at the age of 14 in 1955 was a defining moment in the Civil Rights movement, particularly after his mother insisted that her son be displayed in a glass topped casket for the world to see. The original casket is on display, as well as an exhibit about Till’s life, death, and legacy.

Note: Photography is not allowed at all in the Emmett Till Memorial exhibit.

C3: A Changing America (1968 and Beyond)

This is the final floor in the history exhibits and brings the story of the museum into the present day. The year of 1968 is highlighted, as a landmark year for Civil Rights, with exhibitions highlighting the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.

The exhibit looks at both advances and setbacks in the fight for equality, including pop cultural items such as the set for the Oprah Winfrey show and the boombox carried by Radio Raheem (portrayed by Bill Nunn) in Spike Lee’s Do The Right Thing.

Be sure to look for the black and red dress worn by First Lady Michelle Obama during the ceremony to mark the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington, 1963.

Concourse Level  

You’ll find the Contemplative Court as you exit the history galleries - this peaceful space is meant for reflection and contemplation as you transition out of the history galleries and back into the museum. You might recognize this from the final season of the TV show Scandal - Kerry Washington actually filmed here at the museum!

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Heritage Hall  

You’ll find the gift shop, restrooms, and welcome desk here. The Corona Pavilion is currently screening a film by award-winning filmmaker Ava Duvernay here. The film, titled August 28th, looks at one date through multiple years to tell the story of Emmett Till, Motown music, Martin Luther King Jr, Hurricane Katrina, and more.

L2: Explore More  

This level primarily offers resources for researchers, educators, and those wishing to learn more about their own family history. These are a series of rotating interactive activities in this space and is a good place to stop with children who want to get hands-on with the museum.

L3: Community Galleries  

The exhibits here focus on African-American contributions to the military and sports as well as the building of communities across the nation.

Highlights include information on all 89 African-Americans who have been awarded the Medal of Honor, the flight jacket of Lt. Col. Woodrow W. Crockett (one of the Tuskegee Airmen), and the efforts taken to desegregate the armed forces.

NMAAHC Tuskeegee Airplane

In the sports gallery, be sure to look for the blazer worn by Althea Gibson, one of the first African-American tennis stars, Jack Johnson’s boxing gloves, a pair of 1985 Air Jordans, and the leotard belonging to gold medal Olympian Gabrielle Douglas.

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L4: Culture Galleries

This floor shifts the focus to popular culture, with music galleries, stage, screen, visual art, and cultural expressions. At the entrance to the music gallery, you’ll see the red Cadillac El Dorado belonging to Chuck Berry, one of the pioneers of rock n’roll.

visit national museum

You’ll also see the famed Mothership, the centerpiece prop for George Clinton and his bands. You’ll also see items belonging to movie stars, like the tap shoes of Sammy Davis Jr., and stage performers, like the original costumes from the Broadway hit The Wiz.

NMAAHC P Funk Mother Ship

Be sure to check out our comprehensive list of things to do in DC as well as these related posts:

  • American History Museum
  • Air and Space Museum
  • Natural History Museum
  • Smithsonian Museum Tours

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The top 7 art museums to visit in Tokyo

Zoria Petkoska

Jan 19, 2024 • 6 min read

TOKYO, JAPAN - JANUARY 25:  Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama sits working on a new painting, in front of other newly finished paintings in her studio, on January 25, 2012 in Tokyo, Japan. Yayoi Kusama, who suffers from mental health problems and lives in a hospital near her studio, is one of today's most highly revered and popular of Japanese artists. She is one of the world's top selling living female artists breaking records in the millions. A major retrospective of her work is on display at Tate Modern in London through June 5, 2012.  (Photo by Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert/Getty Images)

There's always something new on show from films at the Ghibli Museum to works by Yayoi Kusama in Tokyo © Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert / Getty Images

In a city of ravenous for art, in  Tokyo lines for exhibitions are as long as those for the latest pop idol's concerts.

The dozens of museums and galleries in Tokyo with dynamically changing exhibitions – from ukiyo-e woodblock prints to NFT gifs blinking on LED canvases – ensure even locals will never get bored. Whether local or international, there is always something new on show in the impeccable art halls of Japan's capital.

Weekends and holidays are best avoided if possible. And in this city of meticulous, perpetually full schedules, tickets should be bought in advance. Rarely is the entrance-ticket free, save for Culture Day (November 3). Most art institutions close on Mondays; the rest of the week, public ones shut their doors as early as 5pm, while private museums and galleries stay open longer.

Neon-pink artwork featuring two people in white in a mirrored room filled with hovering globes or balloons

1. teamLab Planets

Best immersive museum in Tokyo

Not even a typhoon could deter the people lining up for one of the first teamLab exhibitions back in August 2016. Since then, the international art collective – composed of various specialists, such as artists, programmers, engineers, CG animators, mathematicians and architects – has been unstoppable.

teamLab Planets is a whimsical wonderland, one where you enter barefoot, climb a waterfall, step on flowers of light in silky warm water, and knock around giant colorful balls. In contrast to most museums, here you should touch the art, snap photos, proclaim your excitement and dive into the fun – in other words, truly immerse yourself. 

There are four massive exhibition spaces and two gardens, with a living orchid exhibit and occasional seasonal additions, like cherry blossoms in March and April. In teamLab Planets' front yard stands the public art sculpture named Universe of Fire Particles Falling from the Sky , a lava-lamp-like beacon of digital flowing art. In the same area, Reversible Rotation – Non-Objective Space  is a special mirror-walled art room where one can eat creative ramen offerings from Vegan Ramen UZU, surrounded by teamLab's unique spatial calligraphy projections. Tickets are purchased in advance, with a predetermined time slot. 

2. Yayoi Kusama Museum

Most dynamic museum dedicated to a single artist

Run by the eponymous Yayoi Kusama Foundation, this museum opened in 2017 to have the art of its prolific avant-garde namesake always on display. Best known for her polka-dot pumpkins and infinity mirror rooms, the 93-year-old Kusama keeps creating today, with some of the works exhibited referring to themes of isolation. 

Unlike museums dedicated to a single artist that remain pretty static, the Yayoi Kusama Museum often changes exhibits, which makes the tickets highly coveted, considering even Tokyoites are itching to visit at least twice a year. Also, the museum often exhibits works for the first time ever in Japan – or the world. 

The current exhibition "Visionary Colors" runs until March 2024. Tickets must be purchased in advance, with a predetermined time slot. 

Interior shot of the National Art Center in the Roppongi Hills of Tokyo, Japan

3. Mori Art Museum

Art with a view

On the 52nd and 53rd floors of Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, Mori Art Museum stands tallest among museums in Tokyo. Visit for the art and linger for the views.

Ticket holders of Mori Art Museum can also enter the open-air Sky Deck for just ¥500 (about US$5). It's a rare open-air observation deck in Tokyo, and the 360-degree view includes the iconic Tokyo Tower and the Tokyo Skytree. Even Tokyo Bay is visible by day. 

The museum is a private institution that walks the tightrope between brave curation of cutting-edge art and pop culture. In the last few years alone, the museum has held exhibitions on the ukiyo-e painter Hokusai, as well as Hello Kitty and Attack on Titan, and it's collaborated with Hollywood darling Takashi Murakami and futurist designers and stars of Japanese architecture.

Exterior of the Ghibli museum, which holds the work of Studio Ghibli.

4. Ghibli Museum

Best for children and children at heart

Whimsical and fantastical, this museum looks like it belongs in a Ghibli movie itself. Ivy hugs the colorful walls, while a Totoro plushie grins from a fake entrance and one of Laputa's iron giants stands on the museum's rooftop.

The doors of the Ghibli Museum open to an even more magical space. Upon entering, you are given a ticket made from pieces of 35mm film that were actually used in theaters. You can hold it up to the light and see which scene from a Ghibli film you got. 

Once in, there is original Ghibli art displayed, peeks into animation history and even a replica of Hayao Miyazaki's work desk. The museum screens short movies, some of which are exclusive to the museum and only available for a limited time. The cute cafe and museum shop on the premises are among the best places for Ghibli merchandise . 

A special exhibition on  The Boy and the Heron opened in November 2023 and is tentatively expected to run through to 2025.

At just ¥1000 (US$8) for an adult ticket (less for children), it is affordable but notoriously difficult to nab one due to high demand. Advance reservations only. Also, be prepared for the fact that no photos are allowed inside the museum.  

A man on a staircase with floor-to-ceiling windows inside the 21_21 Design Sight Museum in Roppongi

5. 21_21 Design Sight

Best museum for design hipsters

With names such as starchitect Tadao Ando and fashion designer Issey Miyake involved, architecture, fashion and design otaku (geeks) fall head over heels for this museum. 

Architects and Japan have always had a special affair – every architect wants to visit the country with the most Pritzker Architecture Prize winners. One of those winners is Tadao Ando, so 21_21 Design Sight's building alone is art, with its sloping concrete roof and underground halls. It's made both to blend into Midtown Garden greenery and to stand out with its concrete geometry. 

The art exhibitions often fulfill the tall order of showing something you've never thought of before – 2021's "Translations," for instance, had robot monks singing sutras and a computer screen room translating everything you said into myriad languages, among other things. In 2024, Shunji Yamanaka's prototyping of the future, and an exhibition of ethereal works by American artist Daniel Brush are in the calendar. 

6. Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum

Local art lovers' best-kept "secret" spot

As much as public institutions can be secret, or as much as secrets can exist today, the Teien Art Museum is something close to a secret – at least, it's relatively uncrowded.

Open since 1983, it's housed in the former residence of Prince Asaka Yasuhiko, a building designated one of Japan's Important Cultural Properties. The prince and princess lived in Paris in the golden age of art deco, so the whole building was constructed in that style by the best artisans of the time. 

Today, the exhibitions at Teien Art often focus on art deco or have a French connection, such as the recent displays of glass art by Lalique. The museum's 2024 spring exhibition celebrates the museum's 40th anniversary, with an exhibition that analyzes and interprets anew the building, its construction and its artefacts.

People walking at dusk near the entrance of the Honkan (Japanese Gallery) in the Tokyo National Museum

7. Tokyo National Museum

Best museum for first-time visitors to Japan

The Tokyo National Museum in Ueno Park is Japan's first, oldest and largest museum, displaying a vast collection of primarily Japanese artworks for 150 years now. There are yet more superlatives in order: with more than 100,000 pieces, hundreds of them national treasures, the Tokyo National Museum possesses one of the biggest and best art and history collections in Japan, featuring paintings, sculptures, calligraphy, architectural models, metalware, swords, pottery, archeological objects and more.

With a wealth of traditional Japanese items, such as kimono, samurai armor, calligraphy scrolls and ukiyo-e woodblock prints (mainly in the Honkan building), it's a must-visit for all Japan aficionados. Since most Japanese people would have visited this landmark museum early on, it's often uncrowded and relaxed, with spacious exhibition halls spread over six buildings. In the teahouses in the garden, you might even chance upon a haiku gathering.

This article was first published May 2022 and updated January 2024

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Honors Black Women This Women’s History Month with Digital Offerings and Special Programming

Collection of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, gift of Dr. Patricia Heaston

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) celebrates Black women entrepreneurs the entire month of March on the museum’s social media channels @NMAAHC. African American women began taking charge of their lives and livelihoods immediately following Emancipation. Undaunted by gender conventions and racism, these women worked to build revenue streams that enhanced their own lives, while fortifying and uplifting the race. In 1881, washerwomen in Atlanta staged the largest-ever strike by African Americans, walking off the job for weeks until their demands and those of other service workers were met. Learn more about the Atlanta Washerwomen Strike of 1881 on the Searchable Museum page. Throughout March, visitors can participate in tours, including “ Big Objects, Big Stories: Afrofuturist Harriet Tubman. ” The series “ Explore More! In Stem ” for ages 8 and older continues with a series of workshops that explore STEM concepts in relation to African American history, culture and the museum.

Sweet Home Café guests can enjoy a carefully curated menu celebrating women in hospitality every Friday from 12 p.m.–3 p.m. throughout March during the “Chef’s Table” program. Through a selection of creative dishes and desserts, the chefs share stories and share experiences related to their heritage, influences and identities. Participating chefs include Aida Bah, Victoria Cloud, Alexandra Strong and Denise Jones. For more details, visit the Sweet Home Café’s webpage . Entry to the museum includes access to the café. Menu items vary in price.

March Programming Schedule

 All programs are free; advanced registration is required unless noted below.

Explore More! in STEM

Explore More! in Stem: How the Museum Uses Light     Tuesday, March 5; 11 a.m.–1 p.m.    Second-floor classrooms   Explore More! in STEM is a classroom program for ages 8 and older to explore STEM concepts in relation to African American history, culture or the museum. In this lesson, people will learn about discuss what light is, how solar power is used in the museum and the purpose of the museum’s “Corona.”  

Explore More! in Stem: Flying High with the Triple Nickles    March 12 and 13; 11 a.m.–1 p.m.    Second-floor classrooms   Explore More! in STEM is a pop-up program for ages 8 and older that focuses on a particular STEM concept and relates it to the museum. In this lesson, visitors will learn about 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion (aka the Triple Nickles), make their own parachutes and test them.

Explore More! in Stem: Having Fun with Frequencies    March 19 and 20; 11 a.m.–1 p.m.    Second-floor classrooms   Explore More! in STEM is a pop-up program for ages 8 and older that focuses on a particular STEM concept and relates it to the museum. In this lesson, visitors will learn about sound, frequency, famous African American electric guitarists and how electric guitars work.  

Sweet Home Café Chef’s Table

Sweet Home Café Chef’s Table with Aida Bah, R/A Lead Cook at World Bank Group    Friday, March 8; 12 p.m.–3 p.m.    Sweet Home Café   Visitors can enjoy a special menu curated by Restaurant Associates’ (R/A) Aida Bah at the Sweet Home Café. Bah was born and raised in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, and has roots in Senegal. Bah’s love for the culinary arts dates to her earliest childhood memories of seeing her aunt, an avid cook, prepare various dishes. Bah moved to the United States in 2021 and currently serves as Cook 2 at R/A’s World Bank Group location. She will share a few of her specialty dishes with the goal of allowing guests to gather and connect over a delicious meal.  

Sweet Home Café Chef’s Table with Victoria Cloud, Regional Chef with Compass Group—Chevron Oil    Friday, March 15; 12 p.m.–3 p.m.    Sweet Home Café   Victoria Cloud serves as a Regional Chef with Compass Group—Chevron Oil. Before joining Compass Group’s Corporate Dining Services, Cloud worked for 16 years with acclaimed chefs. She traveled to learn new techniques while working at Le Meridian, Doubletree and Hilton Hotels, where she earned her first executive chef position. Cloud favors Latin, Mediterranean and Creole cuisines. She also holds a pastry degree and developed a love for baking by watching her mother create desserts from scratch.  

Sweet Home Café Chef’s Table with Alexandra Strong, R/A Executive Chef at the National Museum of the American Indian    Friday, March 22; 12 p.m.–3 p.m.    Sweet Home Café   Chef Alexandra “Alex” Strong is the executive chef with Restaurant Associates (R/A) at the Mitsitam Café in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C. Before taking the helm at Mitsitam Café, she worked at a variety of R/A locations, including Capital One, the World Bank, the U.S. Senate, Google, the Georgia Aquarium and the Carnival Center for Performing Arts. She received a bachelor’s degree in culinary arts with a minor in music from the Art Institute of Atlanta.  

Sweet Home Café Chef’s Table with Denise Jones, General Manager with R/A at the Sweet Home Café    Friday, March 29; 12 p.m.–3 p.m.    Sweet Home Café    Denise Jones is the woman behind Sweet Home Café’s successful operation. Jones earned Compass Group’s prestigious “Be A Star” award and served on the DIAC (Diversity, Inclusion, Action Counsel) committee for several years. Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Jones joined R/A in March 1998 and contributed to the success of major premier accounts, such as the National Museum of Natural History, the Smithsonian Castle, Corporate Executive Board and Deloitte.

Community Day

Community Day: Celebrating Women in Music    Saturday, March 23; 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Heritage Hall    This program will feature live music, including Shared Voices, a program of the Denyce Graves Foundation. Other activities will introduce visitors to the lesser-known female artists from the museum’s collection.  

New View in the Museum

“Penny” dress

“Penny” dress worn by Janet Jackson on “Good Times"

Collection of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Ophelia DeVore

Gold sequin and black chiffon scarf worn by Ophelia DeVore

Collection of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture

The Case of Dred Scott in the United States Supreme Court

Collection of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Dance Theatre of Harlem

Pointe shoe and tights worn by Ingrid Silva of Dance Theatre of Harlem

Last Chance

The museum’s “ Spirit in the Dark: Religion in Black Music, Activism and Popular Culture ” exhibition closes April 7. The exhibition includes photographs of several prominent African Americans, such as Aretha Franklin, Duke Ellington, Marvin Gaye, Angela Davis, Malcolm X, Maya Angelou, Reverend Ike and Jesse Jackson, examining religion’s impact on their lives and the larger Black community. Photographs featured in the exhibition are taken from the recently acquired Johnson Publishing Company archive, which is jointly owned by the museum and the Getty Research Institute. “Spirit in the Dark” showcases 37 framed photographs from the Johnson Publishing Company archive and approximately 25 objects from the museum’s collection.

About the National Museum of African American History and Culture  Since opening Sept. 24, 2016, the National Museum of African American History and Culture has welcomed 10 million in-person visitors and millions more through its digital presence. Occupying a prominent location next to the Washington Monument on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the nearly 400,000-square-foot museum is the nation’s largest and most comprehensive cultural destination devoted exclusively to exploring, documenting and showcasing the African American story and its impact on American and world history. The museum has also launched and is continually expanding its reach with the Searchable Museum portal and other efforts to bring the African American history into the world’s hands and homes. For more information about the museum, visit nmaahc.si.edu follow @NMAAHC on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram or call Smithsonian information at (202) 633-1000.

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Siouxland Families

Why you should visit the National World War I Museum with Kids

T he National World War I Museum in Kansas City is home to the world's largest collection of WWI artifacts, and it's a surprisingly good place to take kids. I went with my family, and the museum provided complimentary admission so that I could write about it here and for an article I'm working on for Living Here Midwest . Here's why I think families should bring kids to the National WWI Museum, and what else families should know before you go:

What is the National World War I Museum? 

Why learning about wwi matters for kids.

In a nutshell, I think it's important for kids to learn about history, including the sad and scary parts of history like war, while they are with their parents so we can help make sure they experience it in an age-appropriate way and help them make sense of it in light of their specific personality and life experiences and our family's values and beliefs. 

War can be kind of abstract for kids to understand--or too scary. But it's important for kids to know that resolving conflicts peacefully can help avoid war, and to understand why that's so crucial. When people are too far removed from war, it's easy to forget the costs of failing to resolve conflicts peacefully. 

I remember seeing the WWII memorial in Caen, in Normandy, France, when I was 8, and I will always remember running through the grass near the beach with my brothers and seeing the huge divots that had been made by bombs decades before. While some people might think that is too young, my parents made sure the information that I saw was age appropriate and helped me understand it, and I think it helped shaped my worldview and led to my interest in international relations and choice to get a political science degree!

Where is the National World War I Museum? 

The National World War I Museum is in downtown Kansas City, very near to both Union Station and Crown Center. The official address is 2 Memorial Drive, Kansas City, MO 64108

There is free parking in the U-shaped drive that is in front of the National WWI Museum and in small lots on the museum's grounds. There are also parking garages at both Union Station and Crown Center, and Kansas City public transportation comes to the WWI Museum.

Liberty Memorial Plaza and Tower

The limestone tower itself is 217 feet tall and was designed by architect Harold Van Buren Magonigle. New York sculptor Robert Aitken carved 4 elaborate Guardian Spirits representing Honor, Courage, Sacrifice, and Patriotism.

And surrounding the tower is a beautiful limestone plaza, including two flat-topped limestone buildings that contain spectacular art, and elevators leading to the museum underneath. The memorial courtyard area also features two stunning sphinxes. Each weighs 615 tons and stretches 32' long. They both have their eyes covered with their wings; "Memory" while facing East to shield from the horrors of the war in Europe, and "Future" while facing West to hide away from tragedies yet to pass. 

The entire memorial courtyard is one of the most stunning architectural pieces in the Midwest, filled with beauty and meaning. 

And there's a spectacular view of downtown Kansas City from the courtyard around the tower, and from the top of the tower.

The Liberty Memorial and the National World War I Museum were finally reopened in 2006 and the museum was designated as a National Historic Landmark. In 2004, Congress designated the museum officially as the nation's World War I Museum, and in 2014 President Barack Obama officially proclaimed it "a World War I Museum and Memorial."

Poppies and glass bridge

Today, one of the first things guests encounter inside on their way to main galleries is the glass bridge. Underneath the bridge are 9,000 silk poppies growing out of a painted field representing a WWI battlefield. The poppies serve as a reminder of the lives lost in WWI, inspired by the poem In Flanders Field by WWI surgeon John McCrae. Each of the 9,000 poppies represents a thousand combatant deaths, in total representing 9 million deaths in WWI, which is the low end of the estimate of military personnel who died in WWI. 

Permanent Collection of the National World War I Museum

The permanent collection of the National WWI Museum includes a huge variety of artifacts from World War I including uniforms, firearms, artillery, medical equipment, photos, letters, documents, and much more. Throughout the museum, these pieces are displayed thoughtfully, amidst interpretive signage to help visitors make sense of what they're seeing. 

There are also sections of reproduction trench to immerse visitors in what life in the trenches would have felt like. Some improvements to the trench exhibits are planned for later in 2024, but they're already pretty impressive. 

The museum had a nice collection of vehicles and weaponry that were favorites with our kids. 

The main gallery area also includes a theater where visitors can watch an informational film about WWI. 

Open Storage

The little war.

The cases include a variety of fascinating objects like children's clothes that look like WWI soldiers and nurses, a tiny teddy given to a soldier by his family to stay in his pocket and look out for him, and a large toy set that looks like a WWI-era French village with American troops marching through. 

One of the really cool things about the exhibit is that each case has a "big read" written at about an 8th grade level and a "little read" written at about a 3rd grade level, so that young visitors can better understand what's happening but at their own level. 

Another really interesting touch is the hands-on area of the exhibit. The staff at the National WWI Museum reprinted some out-of-print children's books from WWI that helped children understand what was going on. Kids visiting the National WWI Museum can read them with their parents or other adults, along with several picture books from the gift shop. There's a cozy chair. to sit and read them in, and there are floor puzzles made from WWI posters, and dominoes to play.  

Other Temporary and Traveling Exhibits at the World War I Museum

The National World War I Museum also hosts other temporary and traveling exhibits. From June 2023 to April 2024, the museum is featuring an exhibit called Bespoke Bodies that takes a deeper look at the history of prosthetics, a subject that affects many veterans. 

Starting in May 2024, the museum will be featuring a new exhibition called Sacred Service that looks at the role of faith in WWI. 

Over There Cafe at the National WWI Museum

There were also nice bathrooms near the cafe and in a few other places in the museum. 

Gift Shop at the National World War One Musuem

Research center at the national world war i museum and memorial.

The National World War I Musuem and Memorial is one of best places in the world to do WWI related research, which is unsurprising given the size of their collection! They have several research computers available for use on the main floor near the guest services desk, and they have a research library downstairs near the open storage displays. This would be a great place to research WWI for a school project, to find out what your ancestors did in the war, or just for someone interested in diving deeper into WWI topics.

Special Events at the National World War I Museum and Memorial

The WWI Museum is known for its high-quality historical lectures, storytimes for kids, living history reenactments, hands-on history events, and for their Stars and Stripes Picnic on the museum lawn on the Fourth of July with live music, fun food and souvenir vendors, and some of KC's best fireworks. 

Find out more about the National World War I Museum and Memorial

To find out more, visit the National WWI Museum website or connect with them on Facebook or Instagram.  

in the background, the tower of the National World War I Memorial against a blue sky. In the foreground, the post title

National Museum of the American Latino

¡descubra miami: celebrating women.

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino is teaming up with HistoryMiami for its March Free Family Fun Day to celebrate the incredible achievements of women for Women’s History Month! Learn about the remarkable women who played a pivotal role in creating and shaping the Magic City and be inspired to make your mark in history. Enjoy craft activities, storytelling, and more! The day will be a fun-filled day of activities for families and visitors of all ages.  

Families will also experience a special program from the National Museum of the American Latino called ¡Descubra! featuring art demonstrations, science talks, fun art and science activities, music, and special activities from the United States Patent and Trademark Office, a ¡Descubra! national collaborator. Bring the family to meet Latina experts in environmental science, virology, and sustainability.  

At 2 p.m., Jorge Zamanillo, founding director of the National Museum of the American Latino, will share his vision for creating a community-centered museum and answer your questions. Stay for complimentary pastelitos y café.  

Doors open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with activities from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Spend the afternoon exploring the history and culture of Miami.  

¡Descubra! is made possible in part through program support provided by NBC Universal Telemundo Enterprises. To learn more about our sponsor’s educational resources, please visit www.elpoderenti.com .

More Events

¡Únete a nuestra comunidad! Regístrete para recibir las últimas actualizaciones y síganos mientras construimos un museo donde la historia y cultura latina es celebrada, compartida y preservada para las generaciones futures.

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