The National Museum of Natural History is one of Washington DC’s most beloved attractions and a must-visit for travelers interested in science, culture, and the natural world. Far beyond being a quick stop along the National Mall, this Smithsonian Institution museum invites visitors of all ages to explore life on Earth through stunning exhibits and world-class collections that span billions of years of history.
National Museum of Natural History: More Than Just a Museum
The National Museum of Natural History is at 10th Street and Constitution Avenue NW on the National Mall. It is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with extended hours in some seasons. Admission is free, and no tickets are needed to enter, making it easy for visitors to wander through at their own pace.
Incredible Exhibits and Global Stories
Inside the museum’s expansive 1.5 million-square-foot facility, visitors will find a dazzling array of permanent and temporary exhibits that tell the story of our planet, its inhabitants, and the science that helps us understand them. Highlights include the David H. Koch Hall of Fossils – Deep Time, where millions of years of Earth’s history unfold through hundreds of fossil specimens, including Tyrannosaurus rex and woolly mammoth.
The Janet Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology, Gems, and Minerals houses some of the world’s most extraordinary gemstones, including the famed Hope Diamond and samples from asteroids collected through NASA missions. In Ocean Hall, visitors encounter the incredible diversity of life beneath the waves, from full-sized whale replicas to displays that trace how ocean ecosystems connect to our daily lives.
Hands-On Learning and Special Experiences
The museum’s halls are designed to engage curiosity and inspire discovery. In Bone Hall, you can compare skeletons from a wide range of animals and learn how bone structures reveal an animal’s life and behavior. The Butterfly Pavilion, alive with tropical plants and floating butterflies, brings the natural world to vibrant life. Specialized spaces such as the Live Insect Zoo spotlight the often-overlooked world of arthropods, while exhibits like Cellphone: Unseen Connections explore how everyday technology is linked to natural resources.
A Global Collection and Scientific Impact
More than a travel destination, the museum is also an active center of research. It houses the largest natural history collection in the world, with over 148 million specimens ranging from plants and animals to cultural artifacts used by scientists across disciplines. Many visitors are fascinated by open research spaces like FossiLab, where paleontologists work in view of the public, revealing the scientific process up close.
Perfect for All Ages
Whether you are planning a family outing, a school trip, or a day of solo exploration, the museum’s breadth means there is something for everyone. Children and teens especially enjoy interactive learning centers like Q?rius, which offers hands-on science experiences and encourages young visitors to think like researchers.
Plan Your Visit
Amazing discoveries await at the National Museum of Natural History, where the story of life on Earth unfolds across captivating exhibits and priceless collections. Make time to explore beyond the iconic exhibits and see why this Washington, DC, institution is one of the world’s most popular natural history museums.
Read more about DC attractions here!
