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National Museum of the American Indian - Washington, District of Columbia

👍 Reviews 📌 Map ℹ️ Information ⏰ Hours

Address: 4th St SW, Washington, DC 20560, United States.
Phone: 2026331000.
Website: americanindian.si.edu
Specialties: History museum, Art museum, Museum, Tourist attraction.
Other points of interest: On-site services, Live performances, Wheelchair-accessible car park, Wheelchair-accessible entrance, Wheelchair-accessible toilet, Assistive hearing loop, Gift shop, Theatre, Cafe, Offers tours, Restaurant, Toilet, Wi-Fi, Family friendly, Admission fee, Good for kids, Has changing table(s).
Opinions: This company has 10829 reviews on Google My Business.
Average opinion: 4.5/5.

📌 Location of National Museum of the American Indian

National Museum of the American Indian 4th St SW, Washington, DC 20560, United States
☎️2026331000

The National Museum of the American Indian

For visitors seeking an enriching and educational experience, the National Museum of the American Indian stands as a premier destination in Washington, D.C. Located at 4th St SW, Washington, DC 20560, United States, this Smithsonian museum offers a comprehensive exploration of the diverse histories, cultures, and contemporary issues of Native peoples across the Americas. With a dedicated team and a commitment to accuracy and respect, the museum provides a valuable resource for both seasoned researchers and casual observers alike. The museum’s mission is to ensure the survival and vitality of indigenous peoples through the collection, study, and preservation of their cultures. It operates under the Smithsonian Institution, ensuring a standard of excellence and scholarly rigor.

About the Museum

The National Museum of the American Indian isn’t just a repository of artifacts; it’s a vibrant and evolving institution. It showcases a vast collection of over 120,000 objects, spanning thousands of years and representing the breadth of Native American artistic and cultural traditions. Exhibits range from ancient pottery and textiles to contemporary art and photography, offering a multifaceted view of Native American history and heritage. The museum’s permanent collection includes objects from nearly 100 tribes, reflecting the incredible variety of cultures and languages within the Native American community. A key focus is on telling authentic stories, moving beyond traditional narratives and acknowledging the complexities of Native American experiences.

Key Features and Amenities

Visitors can expect a thoughtfully designed space that encourages engagement and discovery. Here’s a breakdown of the important features:

  • Exhibitions: Rotating exhibits delve into specific themes and cultures, offering fresh perspectives and in-depth analysis.
  • On-site Services: The museum provides a variety of services to enhance the visitor experience, including information desks, restrooms, and accessible facilities.
  • Accessibility: The museum is committed to inclusivity and accessibility. It features an wheelchair-accessible car park, a wheelchair-accessible entrance, wheelchair-accessible toilets, and an assistive hearing loop.
  • Entertainment: Live performances and theatrical productions offer a dynamic and engaging way to learn about Native American storytelling and traditions.
  • Retail: The gift shop offers a selection of Native American crafts, books, and educational materials.
  • Dining: Visitors can enjoy refreshments at the cafe and a full restaurant on-site.
  • Educational Programs: The museum actively engages with schools and communities through a range of tours and educational programs.

Location and Contact Information

The museum’s address is 4th St SW, Washington, DC 20560, United States. For inquiries, you can reach them at Phone: 2026331000. You can also find more information and plan your visit on their official website: Website: americanindian.si.edu.

Visitor Feedback & Reviews

The National Museum of the American Indian consistently receives positive feedback from visitors. Currently, the museum boasts a remarkable 10829 reviews on Google My Business with an average opinion of 4.5/5. This high rating reflects the museum’s dedication to providing a valuable and engaging experience for all who visit. Commonly cited positive aspects include the depth of the exhibits, the knowledgeable staff, and the museum’s commitment to representing Native American cultures accurately and respectfully. The museum actively seeks feedback and uses it to continually improve its offerings.

Other Points of Interest

Beyond its core exhibits, the museum provides a range of supplementary resources to support learning and exploration. These include:

  • Changing table(s): For the convenience of families with young children.
  • Wi-Fi: Available throughout the museum for guests to connect.
  • Family-friendly programs: Designed to engage children and foster an appreciation for Native American cultures.
  • Admission fee: Standard admission fees apply.

The museum plays a vital role in promoting understanding and appreciation of Native American cultures, ensuring their stories are shared and celebrated for generations to come. It’s an institution that truly aims to honor and preserve the rich heritage of the diverse indigenous peoples of the Americas.

👍 Reviews of National Museum of the American Indian

National Museum of the American Indian - Washington, District of Columbia
Anna C.
5/5

The National Museum of the American Indian is a hidden gem! I was blown away by the stunning architecture, rich history, and vibrant cultural exhibits. The museum's design itself is a work of art, blending seamlessly into the surrounding landscape. The collections and exhibitions offer a deep dive into the diverse histories and traditions of Native American communities. I spent hours exploring and learning, and the gift shop had some amazing unique items. If you're interested in history, culture, or just want to experience something new, this museum is a must-visit. Be prepared to spend a few hours here - it's easy to lose track of time!

National Museum of the American Indian - Washington, District of Columbia
Dan N.
4/5

Absolutely beautiful building, hardly a flat surface on the entire outside, with a river and waterfalls near the entrance. Inside though, it is a huge museum with a scarcity of exhibits, and about half of them are not historic but very modern pieces, which is all well and good, but a LOT more historical exhibits and items would be a big upgrade. I left feeling like something is wrong here. The gift shop is very nice, with an abundance of modern art work that is very nice.

National Museum of the American Indian - Washington, District of Columbia
I've G. S. T. S.
5/5

I had a great time visiting this museum with my girlfriend. The highlights of this museum are how indigenous people were relocated and killed off, the true story of Pocahontas, and how normal life was ,and still is for them. Incredibly informative. The original artifacts here so beautiful, some dating back to over 800 years ago. The architecture inside and out is beautiful. By the end of the visit be prepared to be incredibly sad after learning the history of the Native American people.

National Museum of the American Indian - Washington, District of Columbia
Jane S.
5/5

The museum is very beautiful, the architecture is magnificent, made in the form of a rock with a waterfall and a river, the architecture is impressive. Inside the museum is no less impressive, very spacious and beautiful, there is a cafe and a restaurant with national delicious food, which I highly recommend trying, which you will not find anywhere else, you can also just have a coffee there. The museum has very beautiful interesting exhibits, a lot of history, a national folk group performs, there was a small concert, they sang and danced, played national instruments. There is a store in the museum, you can buy magnificent products made of beads, silver. And also many other goods as a souvenir of visiting the museum, a very large selection of interesting goods. Very polite service in the museum. The museum is absolutely free. I highly recommend visiting

National Museum of the American Indian - Washington, District of Columbia
Lucy M.
5/5

This museum left me with so many emotions—sad, conflicted and empowered all at once. It doesn’t shy away from the painful truths of American history, but at the same time it highlights the strength, resilience, and beauty of Native cultures.

The exhibits are powerful and eye-opening, and they really make you think about our history in a way that’s both humbling and inspiring. I walked out with a heavy heart, but also a deeper appreciation and respect for Native peoples and their stories.

Highly recommend making this museum part of your D.C. trip—it’s not just informative, it’s impactful.

National Museum of the American Indian - Washington, District of Columbia
Andrew H.
5/5

A must visit in Washington DC for any visitor that cares about our nations history.

It’s not a pretty part of US history and it great that there is a museum dedicated to telling it.

Journey through a number of Treaties and get a fascinating insight into how the Native Americans were displaced against the will and contrary to the spirit and word of many of the signed treaties.

National Museum of the American Indian - Washington, District of Columbia
Emily M.
5/5

The entire museum was very clearly laid out with each section labeled with the floor number and arrows. We only went to the children’s section, imagiNATIONS Activity Center. Perfect way to spend 1-2 hours! Very underrated museum — not crowded at all. There were a lot of cool activities/experiences for kids. The cafe had mostly authentic food to align with the museum, but don’t worry, moms — they still had chicken tenders with fries for our picky kids. Gift shop had a large and interesting selection for both kids and adults. Beautiful building!

National Museum of the American Indian - Washington, District of Columbia
Julian L.
5/5

An absolutely stunning museum. And the best part: it’s free! The building is so large and vast it, in a way, architecturally evokes feelings of the vast and wide-open plains and landscapes that I’ve come to identify with Native American history.

A fantastic collection of historic items and artwork leading all the way up to contemporary works. It doesn’t take too long to get through all the exhibits, but there’s plenty to enjoy and it wasn’t crowded at all when I went (on a Monday around 11am).

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