National Museum of the American Indian
Washington, DC
10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily
Closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 20
Admission is free
About
The National Museum of the American Indian cares for one of the world’s most expansive collections of Native objects, photographs, and media, covering the entire Western Hemisphere from the Arctic Circle to Tierra del Fuego. The museum’s sweeping curvilinear architecture, its indigenous landscaping, and its exhibitions, all designed in collaboration with tribes and communities, combine to give visitors from around the world the sense and spirit of Native America.
Highlights
Lelawi Theater (temporarily closed); Americans; Nation to Nation: Treaties between the United States and American Indian Nations; Return to a Native Place: Algonquian Peoples of the Chesapeake; ImagiNATIONS Activity Center.
Getting Here
We encourage the use of Metrorail and Metrobus.
Metrorail
Metro Station: L’Enfant Plaza (Smithsonian Museums exit); Blue, Green, Orange, Silver, or Yellow line
Nearest Accessible Metro Entrance:
L’Enfant Plaza
SW corner of the Department of Transportation courtyard; D St. SW between 6th and 7th St.
Check Metrorail's Elevator and Escalator Service Status page for service disruptions.
MetroAccess
To provide an address for MetroAccess Paratransit, please use 320 Maryland Ave., SW.
Parking
There is no public parking facility for Smithsonian museums on the National Mall. A limited number of city-operated metered parking spaces are available, including several accessible parking spaces.
View a map of accessible parking spaces.
Reserved parking near the museums can be purchased in advance through ParkWhiz.
Note: ParkWhiz is a third-party vendor (ParkWhiz Privacy Policy).
Dining and Shopping
Dining
Mitsitam Espresso Bar
The museum's Espresso Bar offers a variety of Native-inspired food options such as posole, chili, Hatch green chile corn muffins, wild rice salad, and sandwiches. Pastries and desserts are also available.
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Mitsitam Café
The Mitsitam Native Foods Cafe offers a menu of Native-inspired foods. Under the leadership of executive chef Alexandra “Alex” Strong, stations reflect the bounties of the various regions throughout the Western Hemisphere, from the Four Corners to coastlines and woodlands. “Mitsitam” means “Let’s eat!” in the Native language of the Delaware and Piscataway peoples.
11 a.m. to 4 p.m, except for June 26-July 1, during the Folklife Festival, when hours will be 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Shopping
The Roanoke Museum Store presents Native American artistry from the past and present, illustrating how different artists interpret cultural traditions and art forms. The store features jewelry, textiles, and other works by Native artisans; souvenirs; and children’s books and toys. Selected books, music, and gifts are also available via our online bookstore and the Smithsonian Store.
Accessibility
See Getting Here for information on accessible parking and public transportation.
Accessibility Information and Programs
Disability access service requests: NMAI-GroupReservations@si.edu