African American History Museum in Washington DC Tickets and Tours

Among the things to see and do in Washington, a tour exploring African American history is undoubtedly a highlight. The main destination on a tour like this is the National Museum of African American History and Culture. It is part of the Smithsonian Institution’s network of museums and is located on the National Mall in Washington DC.

Following the passing of a federal law, this museum was established in December 2003 and officially opened in 2016 by President Barack Obama, marking a historic moment for the country. Inside the museum, you can view an extensive collection of artefacts relating to African American culture, from the era of slavery to the present day. What are you waiting for? Come and explore it!

The best option

Washington DC African-American History Tour

African-American history tour and exclusive access to the museum

Spend a day with a difference learning about African-American history on a tour that will take you to iconic sites such as the National Museum of African American History and Culture and many more.

From CAD 133 at Hellotickets

Failing to explore African-American history during your visit to Washington means you’ll miss out on an important part of history. With this tour, you won’t miss a single site, as you’ll start with a stop at the United States Navy Memorial and Naval Heritage Center. From there, you’ll visit various sites such as the White House and the Lincoln Memorial.

As well as seeing popular sights, you’ll have the chance to stop at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial and the National Civil War Memorial. Finally, you’ll visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Although entry to this museum is free, you’ll need a pre-booked entry pass. This tour includes the booking so you won’t waste any time at this stage.

I love this plan because your guide will teach you historical details you might otherwise miss out on. What’s more, it’s an affordable option that includes air-conditioned transport to take you from one site to the next. So, in just around 3 hours and for about €75, you’ll have completed a fairly comprehensive educational tour of African American culture.

Recommended if… you’d like to visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture and other historical sites.

You have no excuse not to visit this iconic museum, as admission is free, since it is a Smithsonian museum. However, you must book your ticket in advance. This booking process has been in place since the museum opened, as it is usually very busy.

Tickets are timed entry passes, meaning your ticket is valid only at a specific time of day. If you arrive late, your pass will not be valid and you will not be allowed entry. That’s why it’s best to be punctual. You can also explore the entire museum until closing time, which is approximately 5.30 pm.

On the other hand, I recommend booking your ticket in advance, as there is a limited number of passes available each day. Better to be safe than sorry! Plan your trip to the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington DC well in advance. You can book up to 30 days before your visit.

Only 6 tickets are allowed per person. However, if you’re travelling with a group of more than 10 people, I recommend booking a group ticket. These tickets are issued at 8 am. If you’re planning a same-day visit, provided tickets are available, you’ll be able to view them online from 8.15 am.

Perhaps you’re more traditional and want to get your free pass at the ticket office. However, the only way to do this is by booking your pass online. During quieter periods, you might be able to go to the ticket office, but normally you’ll need to book online.

When you arrive at the entrance, you must show the code you receive after booking your ticket. This will be scanned to check that everything is in order. You can show it on your smartphone or, if you prefer, print your pass before your visit. I recommend you arrive on time, as if the time has passed, you won’t be able to enter.

Children, like all visitors regardless of age, must book their tickets in advance. However, children must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardian. Furthermore, they are not allowed to run or play on the premises.

This museum is a place that can be fascinating for all ages. If you were looking for things to do with children in Washington DC, this could be a good option.

If you’re interested in activities specially designed for children, I recommend checking the museum’s events calendar before your visit. There you can see if there’s anything special where your children can learn history in a fun way.

Absolutely! If you’d like to visit the museum with a specialist guide, I recommend checking the upcoming tours, guided visits and events on the official website. It all depends on when you visit the museum. Bear in mind that visitors usually use a map to find their way around during their visit. This is available in English, Spanish, French and Chinese.

In any case, I recommend a historical tour with access to the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington DC. This is the best option available, as there aren’t many alternatives that include a tour inside this museum.

You have several options for visiting the museum. The easiest is probably to take public transport. The metro stations closest to the museum are Federal Triangle and Smithsonian, at the Mall exit. Once you arrive at either station, you can follow the directions on Google Maps to walk there in a few minutes.

If you want to know more about travelling on the metro in Washington DC, you can visit the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority website.

You also have the option of travelling by bus. If you decide to do so, I recommend using the DC Circulator bus service. The CC National Mall Route bus will drop you off in front of the entrance at 15th Street and Madison Drive. There is also another entrance at 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW. Passes are scanned at either entrance.

The National Museum of African American History and Culture is a fascinating, state-of-the-art building. Inside, you can take a journey through almost every aspect of African American history. Each exhibition explores the art of this culture, slavery, sport, the civil rights movement and much more.

Even just looking at the exterior will surprise you, as it consists of a three-tiered bronze screen. This is the work of Ghanaian architect David Adyaje and also pays homage to the ironwork carried out by African American slaves in the southern United States.

When you enter the museum, you’ll probably be amazed by everything you can find. However, there are certain exhibitions you simply mustn’t miss. One of them is the Musical Crossroads, which traces the history of African-American music from its origins. Here you’ll find the history of musical genres such as jazz and hip-hop.

Another must-see exhibition is Slavery and Freedom. In this section, you’ll find first-person accounts and artefacts that recount what was probably the darkest chapter in human history. Likewise, Defending Freedom and A Changing America are exhibitions that highlight the civil rights struggle, the activism and assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., and the presidencies of Barack Obama. There is even a space dedicated to the Black Lives Matter movement.

I can’t tell you exactly how many hours you’ll need to explore the more than 25,000 square metres of exhibition space inside the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington DC. It all depends on your pace during your visit. The good news is that you can stay inside the museum until it closes.

On the other hand, it’s normal to queue before entering the museum. The length of the queue will depend on the number of visitors and the time of year you visit. If it’s peak season, such as in summer, you might spend up to an hour waiting your turn to enter. Once inside the museum, you’ll sometimes have to wait for a gallery to clear before you can enter.

In any case, I recommend allowing at least an hour to explore the museum. If there are specific exhibitions you’d like to see, I suggest heading straight to them. You can then visit the rest of the exhibitions afterwards. In any case, if you’re with a guide, they’ll help you see the most popular, relevant or eye-catching parts of the museum.

Traveller Tip

If you’re in Washington DC for a limited time, I’d advise you to plan a well-organised itinerary. Museums like the National Museum of African American History and Culture have too many galleries to explore, but you’ll only be able to see them all if you spend just a few minutes in each.

The museum opens its doors to the public at 10 am and closes at 5.30 pm. To book your ticket on the day, you can visit the website from 6 am. Your email with the entry pass will be in your inbox by 8 am at the latest.

Please note that you can only book entry passes until 4 pm, as visitors are not permitted after that time. Also, the exhibitions start closing from 5.15 pm, so it’s best to keep an eye on the time whilst you’re on your tour.

You can visit the museum at any time of year as the only day it closes is 25 December. That’s why you can count this amongst the best museums in Washington to visit.

The National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington DC is one of the best museums you can visit in this city. That’s why I recommend you bear several factors in mind to ensure your visit is amazing:

• Tourist numbers: although it isn’t one of Washington’s most iconic sites and is a relatively new museum, it attracts many tourists. That’s why I recommend you visit between 10 am and 12 pm on any day of the week. Bear in mind that it’s usually very busy at weekends, especially after midday.

• If you have no choice but to visit the museum during peak times, try to arrive at least 1 hour before the time stated on your ticket. Queues are usually very long, and this can hold up the rest of your day in Washington.

• If this is your first time visiting Washington DC, you may not be entirely sure how to use public transport. So the best thing to do is check the metro map and the bus stops. Keep your smartphone handy to check your route on Google Maps.

• I recommend bringing your smartphone so you can take some photos and selfies with your companions. Bear in mind that it is forbidden to take photographs of the artworks, unless otherwise stated.

The shops at the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington DC are operated in partnership with Smithsonian Enterprises. Here you’ll find plenty of gifts and souvenirs that you’re sure to love. Prices range from around €10 to €50.

The main shop is located in Heritage Hall, Level 1, whilst the Pop-up Stores are on Level 3, outside the Community Galleries. The shops open at 10 am and close at 5.30 pm. Please note that the shops are not always open at the same time. Generally, the main shop is the one that operates most consistently.

The museum also has an online shop. Shopping there can be a good option if you don’t want to queue or waste time and would rather continue visiting historical sites in Washington DC.

On any sightseeing tour, you should always make time for a special stop for a meal. I suggest setting aside some time in your day, either before or after your visit to the museum, to enjoy lunch or dinner. If you fancy something light, you can visit The Sweet Home Café, which is open daily from 11 am and closes at 3 pm.

At this café, you’ll find traditional and authentic examples of African American culture and history. You’ll also find contemporary dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. Furthermore, you can get special dishes if you have any allergies or are vegan. You can speak to the manager or staff to find out which options suit you.

If you decide to eat outside the museum, you can choose from various options that you’re sure to love. The first option I recommend is Barmini, a restaurant that many rate as one of the best in Washington. However, it’s about a 10-minute walk from the museum. As well as the dishes, you can order quality alcoholic drinks.

Another option located much closer to the museum is the Round Robin Bar. The price range for food here is from around €15 to €50. You can also choose from a wide variety of dishes, and it’s just a 5-minute walk from the museum.