Looking for the best free museums in Washington DC?
Washington DC has so many incredible, free museums in plenty of subjects that cater to all interests: art, history, science, culture, and so many more!
I was born in DC and I live just a short 30-minute drive from the nation’s capital. I’ve spent countless weekends exploring different museums in DC and I’ve been on more school field trips to DC than I can count.
What’s really cool about museums in DC is that most of them are free! Here’s a rundown of my top 15 free museums in Washington DC that are worth the visit.
Short on time?
Washington DC is packed with world-class museums in every category, and most of them are totally FREE to visit! Don’t miss top picks like the National Gallery of Art, Hirshhorn Museum, and National Portrait Gallery. You can also join guided experiences at the National Air & Space Museum, National Museum of American History, National Museum of African American, National Museum of Natural History, and Museum of the Bible.
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15 Incredible Free Museums in Washington DC
1. National Gallery of Art
The National Gallery of Art is one of Washington DC’s most iconic museums, divided into two buildings—the West Building and the East Building. Located on the National Mall, it houses a world-class collection of European and American art from different eras.
You can explore an outstanding collection for free. The museum is well organized, and the museum map they give you helps you navigate the extensive collections. You can easily include the National Gallery of Art as part of your DC day trip! It’s close to other must-see spots in DC.
If you plan on visiting the indoor galleries, it’s best to set aside at least 2-3 hours, maybe more to really spend time in each exhibit. Tickets are free and you don’t need to book in advance, but special exhibits may require timed entry or reservations. Be sure to check the National Gallery’s website for any updates before your visit.
2. National Museum of American History
If you’re looking to learn more about American history, this museum is a must. The National Museum of American History has a collection of everything you can imagine: from the original Star-Spangled Banner to robots from the Star Wars films, to old American cars.
You can see everything in a few hours, but if you want to really learn about American history and read most of the information in the exhibits, you’ll be there all day.
The museum is wheelchair accessible, very clean, and usually not that crowded. Entry is free, and although you don’t need to book tickets, special exhibits or programs may require reservations.
If you want a guided experience, you can opt for this exclusive guided tour.
➡️ The BEST Exclusive Guided Tour of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History
3. National Museum of Natural History
This is my favorite free museum in DC! The National Museum of Natural History is one of the most popular museums. It’s larger than 18 football fields and is home to the largest natural history collection in the world.
Don’t miss the giant elephant in the rotunda! The museum is home to more than 126 million artifacts, including the Hope Diamond, Egyptian mummies, and a living coral reef. There’s so much here to immerse yourself in the collection’s stories and objects. I recommend spending an entire day here if you can.
Even though the museum is free to enter, it’s really huge and it’s hard to cover all of the exhibits on your own. That’s why I recommend booking a guided tour of the Museum of Natural History to cover every part of the museum and learn about the exhibits on display.
➡️ The BEST Small Group Guided Tour of the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History
On this tour, you’ll follow your guide to some of the most iconic museum collections, and also visit some exclusive seasonal exhibits! You’ll learn stories and facts that you wouldn’t normally discover on your own.
Keep in mind that weekends at the museum can get crowded. Entry is free, and you don’t need to reserve a ticket in advance unless for special exhibits (that’s why I recommend going with a guided tour!).
4. National Portrait Gallery
The National Portrait Gallery showcases portraits of some of the most influential figures in American history, from George Washington to modern-day cultural icons. The museum is open until 7 PM most days, which is longer than the majority of the museums along the National Mall.
Don’t miss the huge illuminated neon USA piece and the courtyard at night! Take some time to explore this museum, or spend a whole day here. The museum is free to enter, but special exhibits may charge a fee.
I recommend visiting the National Portrait Gallery at night, when most museums are closed, and then exploring other fun nighttime activities in DC.
5. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
I’ll never forget my visit to the Holocaust Memorial Museum on a school field trip. It was an emotional rollercoaster. Parts of this museum are hard to see, but it’s a fantastic memorial and illustration of some of the most horrible times in history.
They also have a small section called “Daniel’s story” to help explain this time in history to small children. Admission is free, but this museum gets busy. I recommended booking tickets to the Holocaust museum in advance to avoid long wait times.
Online reservations may incur a $1 processing fee, and tickets usually have timed entry. Plan on allowing around 2 hours for a visit.
Just keep in mind that while photography is allowed in some parts of the museum, it’s important to be mindful of the sensitive nature of the exhibits.
6. National Museum of African American History & Culture
Ever since this museum opened in 2016, it’s drawn thousands and thousands of crowds every year. The outside of this museum is beautiful– the sun turns the museum from black to gold at some angles.
Inside the National Museum of African American History & Culture, there are lots of compelling exhibits in arts, history, music, sports, and culture. The exhibits are amazingly detailed and inspiring!
The museum is free, but because it’s so popular, the African American History Museum only offers timed entry tickets. Be sure to book your tickets online in advance. Plan to spend at least 2–3 hours here, as there’s a lot to take in. For a guided experience, consider taking this history tour.
➡️ I recommend this history tour at the National Museum of African American History & Culture
7. Smithsonian American Art Museum
The Smithsonian American Art Museum is one of the oldest and most visually diverse collections in the United States. It houses everything from early American portraits to contemporary art, and the Renwick Gallery features really unique craft exhibits.
The two museums – the art gallery and the American Art Museum, are connected to each other. The museum is free, open until 7 PM, and can be visited without a timed entry ticket. I recommend spending 1.5-2 hours here.
8. National Museum of the American Indian
Housed in the stunning Beaux-Arts building, the National Museum of the American Indian offers insight into Native American cultures across North and South America. The exhibits are visually rich and showcase beautiful traditional art.
There are plenty of exhibits about the US’s relationship with Indigenous people. They have a great section on treaties, so if you feel like you don’t know much about Indigenous history, it’s really a great place to visit and learn something new.
The museum also has two cafes with AMAZING food, inspired by Native American cuisine. It’s free to enter and easily accessible by metro (stop at the Smithsonian station).
You can expect to spend around 1.5–2 hours here. No reservations are necessary, though special events may require booking in advance.
9. National Museum of the United States Navy
The National Museum of the United States Navy offers an incredible look at the history of the U.S. Navy and military history in the United States, featuring aircraft, ship models, and submarines. It’s a relatively quiet spot, there are plenty of opportunities for good photos since the museum is generally less crowded.
The staff is knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and ready to share interesting stories and answer questions. I highly recommend this museum to anyone interested in military history!
The museum is free, and no reservations are needed. It’s a good idea to set aside at least 1–2 hours for your visit.
10. National Postal Museum
The National Postal Museum tells the story of the U.S. postal system. You can walk back in time and experience the main DC post office, see historical postage stamps, and learn about the evolution of mail delivery.
The exhibits are really beautiful, interactive, and creative! Museums like these showcase the culture of a country, and the National Postal Museum doesn’t disappoint. You can create your own stamps and even get six stamps for free in a nice big box, which makes for a fun souvenir.
The museum is free to enter and wheelchair accessible. Expect to spend around 1.5 hours exploring.
11. Smithsonian Castle
The Smithsonian Castle is the heart of the Smithsonian Institution, and though it’s not as large as some of the other museums on this list, it’s a beautiful building in its own right.
It features a beautiful, well-kept garden where you can walk around and take pictures, and the building itself looks very European on the outside, making it a beautiful backdrop for any photo.
The Smithsonian Castle is free and a great place to start your museum adventures and get information about the rest of the Smithsonian museums. No ticket is necessary, and it’s wheelchair accessible. Just be sure to check online to see if it’s open on the days you’d like to visit!
12. Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
This eclectic modern art exhibit is catered to a variety of tastes. There are beautiful displays, and it’s a good place to explore while you’re waiting for entry into other museums that have timed entry tickets.
The museum’s collection of contemporary art offers unique visuals from both established and emerging artists. There’s a cute little coffee shop inside and outside with plenty of seating. Entry to the museum is free, and no reservation is needed.
13. National Air and Space Museum
The National Air and Space Museum is popular among tourists. You can explore the evolution of human flight and space exploration, and check out historic aircraft like the Apollo lunar modules.
This museum is great if you’re interested in science or space. There’s a whole section upstairs where you can view the solar system and watch a 7-minute video about satellites with some real footage!
The museum is free to enter with timed entry tickets. It’s best to reserve tickets online in advance and plan to spend around 2-3 hours exploring this museum. For a guided experience, consider taking this exclusive National Air and Space Museum tour.
➡️ Take this exclusive National Air and Space Museum tour for a guided experience.
12. National Archives Museum
Home to the U.S. Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Bill of Rights, the National Archives Museum offers glimpses into the nation’s founding documents. Entry is free, but a $1 non-refundable convenience fee is charged for each timed entry ticket. For a guided experience, this exclusive National Archives Museum tour will elevate your experience.
Keep in mind that there is no photography allowed in some areas of the museum, and the entire museum typically takes 1–1.5 hours to explore.
➡️ I recommend this exclusive tour of the National Archives Museum!
13. Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art
This museum features art that spans across multiple Asian cultures, from ancient artifacts to contemporary pieces. It’s a quiet, peaceful, beautiful museum to explore. This museum is usually less crowded than the Museum of Natural History.
There are so many Hindu and Buddhist sculptures and plenty of Chinese and Japanese art. Each room has its own mystical quality, with intricate artifacts dating back to the 5th century. The museum is well worth the visit!
Admission is free, and you don’t need to book tickets in advance. A visit typically takes 1-2 hours.
Top 5 Honorable Mentions
While these museums may not be free, they are well worth the visit for anyone interested in unique and specialized exhibitions:
14. International Spy Museum
The International Spy Museum is one of my favorite museums in DC. It’s a popular museum with plenty of interactive exhibits to go through. You can easily spend 4-5 hours here! I recommend arriving when the museum first opens. They have an entire exhibit on James Bond and it’s fascinating to hear real spy stories by former agents.
Tickets cost $27 per person, but the experience is well worth it. It’s a fun, immersive experience for all ages!
15. Museum of the Bible
If you’re interested in the history and impact of the Bible, this museum has beautiful exhibits and artifacts about the intersection of faith, history, and culture.
The exhibits are interactive and informative, and they have a nice children’s section. The illuminated manuscripts are beautiful and the “All Creation Sings” exhibit is breathtaking with thought-provoking installations.
Tickets are about $30 online and you can also purchase tickets here!
➡️ Purchase your Museum of the Bible tickets in advance!
16. National Museum of Women in the Arts
The National Museum of Women in the Arts celebrates the works of female artists throughout history over the last few centuries. The museum is on the smaller side, but they have a rich collection of classic paintings and modern art (and a stunning lobby!).
There’s usually a tour guide waiting in the lobby, and you can join a free, 45-minute guided tour. Tickets cost $16/adult.
17. National Law Enforcement Museum
This National Law Enforcement Museum museum offers a unique look at the history and impact of law enforcement in America. The museum is very informative, well laid out, and has plenty of interactive activities and videos.
The driving simulator is great (you have to be 16 or older to do it) and they have interesting artifacts like J Edgar Hoover’s desk and a helicopter that saved plane crash victims in 1982. There is also a display of weapons, tools, and vehicles used by law enforcement agencies.
Admission is $22/adult, and it’s an interesting stop for anyone curious about police and law enforcement!
18. Hillwood Estate, Museum, & Gardens
This gorgeous estate is the former residence of businesswoman, socialite, philanthropist, and collector Marjorie Merriweather. There is so much Russian Imperial and French decorative art from the 18th century (including some Faberge eggs), and a beautiful garden that makes for some incredible photos.
I highly recommend taking a guided tour to learn all about the estate and its artifacts! You can easily spend the whole day here exploring the gardens, mansion, and greenhouse – the Hillwood estate is beautiful year-round.
Because the building is so old, wheelchair accessibility is a bit of a challenge, especially along the narrow garden paths. However, the museum staff is very friendly and does their best to accommodate all visitors. Admission is $18 for adults.
Where To Stay In DC
To make the most of your time, you’ll want to stay somewhere central and near the museums, especially if you’re spending only one day in Washington DC. Here are some centrally located options to help you relax and unwind after a long day of museum-hopping:
📍Budget Option: The State Plaza Hotel offers spacious rooms with modern amenities in a central location. A few blocks away from the White House, it’s perfect for travelers who want comfort without the high price tag.
📍Mid-Range Option: The Hamilton Hotel is a stylish, centrally located option within walking distance of major attractions like the White House and National Mall.
📍Luxury Option: The Willard InterContinental offers a luxurious stay near the National Mall. This historic hotel has been serving guests since 1818 and is known for its opulent rooms and high-end service. The location is perfect for visiting all of the monuments, Smithsonian museums, and has some stunning views.
Getting Around
Washington, D.C. is a very walkable city, especially around the National Mall area, where many of the major attractions are within easy walking distance of each other. DC is pretty safe to walk around, as long as you stick to the touristy areas.
If you want to cover more ground or visit other areas of DC, the D.C. Metro is an efficient and affordable option. One-way fares typically range from $2 to $6, depending on the distance, and it’s a fast and convenient way to travel.
You can also bike or scooter throughout DC with Capital Bikeshare, a bike rental service with stations throughout the city where you can easily pick up and drop off bikes.
FAQs
Some of the most common questions I get asked about visiting museums in Washington DC.
What museums are free in DC?
Washington DC is home to many free museums, particularly those part of the Smithsonian Institution. Some of the best-known free museums include the National Museum of American History, the National Gallery of Art, the National Museum of Natural History, and the National Portrait Gallery.
Most museums on the National Mall, as well as others like the Hirshhorn Museum and the National Air and Space Museum, offer free admission year-round.
What is the #1 museum in DC?
While “the best” museum varies depending on your interests, the National Museum of American History is often regarded as one of the most iconic and popular museums in Washington DC.
It’s home to priceless artifacts like the original Star-Spangled Banner and the First Ladies’ gowns, making it a must-see for visitors looking to dive into America’s rich cultural and historical narrative.
Are DC museums free for the military?
Yes! Active-duty military personnel and their families can enjoy free admission to most of the Smithsonian museums in Washington DC. Many of the museums also offer additional discounts on special programs and events, so it’s always worth asking about military benefits when you visit.
Do you have to pay to get into the Smithsonian Museums?
No, admission to Smithsonian museums is completely free for everyone! This includes the National Museum of American History, the National Gallery of Art, and the Smithsonian Castle, among others.
However, some special exhibits or events may have a fee, so be sure to check in advance if you’re planning to attend a special show or exhibition.
Final Thoughts
Visiting a museum in Washington DC is a great way to spend an afternoon. These museums offer something new with every visit—giving you the chance to learn a little bit about American history and culture, and to create some lasting memories!
I hope you enjoy your next adventure in Washington DC.
Happy travels!
About the Author
Sasha is the founder of Little Happy Travels, a blog with tips and inspiration for combining work + travel and living the digital nomad lifestyle. As a business coach and remote worker, she’s spent the last few years traveling the world while helping others do the same. Follow for guides, tips, and personal stories on working from anywhere!
