Smithsonian Museum of Natural History

As a premier Smithsonian Institution, the museum offers an astounding perspective on the natural world, with collections ranging from rare gems and minerals to diverse insects and botanical wonders. Visitors are invited to marvel at the legendary Hope Diamond and view the incredible preserved remains of an ancient bull.

The World’s Largest Natural History Collection

Spanning 1.5 million square feet, the museum houses a staggering collection of over 126 million specimens. Explore and discover the intricacies of the natural world, feed a real tarantula and witness the living history of various species. From interactive exhibits to tours, educational programs and fascinating demonstrations, the museum is one of the most thrilling experiences in the National Mall.

Visiting the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History with Old Town Trolley Tours

The most efficient and stress-free way to visit the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History is with Old Town Trolley Tours. Our essential hop-on, hop-off service includes a designated stop, Stop 11, located directly near the museum on the National Mall, ensuring immediate access to world-famous exhibits. Old Town Trolley Tours provides seamless, expert-narrated transportation so you can spend less time looking for parking and more time seeing national treasures like the Hope Diamond and the massive elephant, Henry.

Why Use Old Town Trolley Tours for Museum Access?

• Closest Stop: Stop 11 is positioned for minimal walking, placing you adjacent to the museum’s entrance on the north side of the National Mall.
• Flexible Exploration: Enjoy the freedom to hop off, spend hours exploring exhibits like the Hall of Dinosaurs and the Hope Diamond, and hop back on the next available trolley.
• Expert Narration: Our conductors provide fascinating historical context about the surrounding Mall and D.C. landmarks as you ride, enhancing the entire sightseeing experience.
• Avoid Parking Stress: The trolley eliminates the need to find scarce and expensive public parking near the National Mall, saving you time and frustration.

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Visitor Information

• Free Admission: As a Smithsonian institution, general admission to the National Museum of Natural History is completely free, offering accessible, world-class education for every traveler.
• The Hope Diamond: See the legendary 45.52-carat Hope Diamond in the Janet Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology, Gems, and Minerals—a must-see centerpiece of one of the world’s most significant gem collections.
• Deep Time Hall: Explore the massive, re-imagined David H. Koch Hall of Fossils—Deep Time, which showcases millions of years of life on Earth, including extensive dinosaur and prehistoric mammal displays.
• Mammals and Ocean Life: Discover exhibits featuring a vast array of mammals from around the globe and explore the mysteries of the marine world in the immersive Sant Ocean Hall.
• Dedicated Trolley Stop: The Old Town Trolley Tours route includes a dedicated stop near the museum, providing hop-on/hop-off access to the National Mall, the Washington Monument, and the National Museum of American History.

The History of the Museum

Tracing its roots to the founding of the institution, the museum’s collection was originally housed in the Smithsonian Castle. To accommodate a growing number of exhibits, it moved to the Arts and Industries Building (then known as the National Museum Building) in 1881. When the collection eventually outgrew this second home, Congress authorized the construction of the current structure. Opened in 1910, it was the first Neoclassical-style building on the north side of the National Mall, instantly recognizable today by its iconic green dome.

Inside the Museum

Upon entering the rotunda, visitors are greeted by ‘Henry,’ the museum’s iconic 14-foot-tall, 12-ton African elephant, which made its debut in 1959. Be sure to look down as well – a recent renovation unveiled a stunning compass inlaid in the floor, a historic detail that had been concealed for decades.

In addition to the Hope Diamond, the Janet Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology, Gems and Minerals also displays the Star of Asia Sapphire and the Gachala Emerald as well as an extensive collection of meteorites.

The David H. Koch Hall of Human Origins opened on the 100th anniversary of the current building. The exhibits chronicle the primordial record of human life on the planet. The primary exhibit focuses on the aspects that make humans unique. Topics include the size of the brain as well as the ability to walk upright and to use complex verbal and nonverbal communication. The highlight of the hall is an authentic Neanderthal fossil.

The Hall of Dinosaurs and Paleobiology features a collection of 46 complete dinosaur specimens that reconstruct the history and behavior of extinct creatures. The gallery also documents the ancient climates and terrains that served as natural habitats for these massive animals. Highlights include the complete skeletons of a T. rex, a Megacerops, and a Triceratops.

Visitors to the National Museum of Natural History can learn about various creatures that have resided on the planet in galleries dedicated to mammals, insects, and the world’s oceans. The museum has the largest collection of vertebrate specimens that trace the adaptations of mammals to their diverse and changing surroundings. Highlights include the lion and polar bear exhibits. The Orkin Insect Zoo reveals how various types of insects thrive in different environments, such as rainforests, swamp,s and deserts. Children will enjoy watching the live tarantula feedings. The Sant Ocean Hall highlights the biodiverse world that exists beneath the waves. The 1,500-gallon aquarium features a live tropical Pacific coral reef and a giant squid. The Butterfly and Plants pavilion enables visitors to observe the symbiotic relationship between plants and these colorful creatures.

The museum also explores the extensive history of human culture. Exhibits trace the rise of Western civilization from ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Greece, alongside the diverse traditions of Africa and Asia. These displays examine the dynamic relationship between humans and their natural surroundings, illustrating how people both adapt to and shape their environments. A striking example is the mud masons of Mali, creators of the Great Mosque of Djenné, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its spectacular earthen architecture.

The museum’s educational hub, Q?rius, offers teens and preteens the chance to connect with science through specialized school programs and special events. For an unforgettable after-hours experience, the facility hosts Smithsonian Sleepovers for children ages 8 to 14 to spend the night among the exhibits; because these popular overnight adventures sell out quickly, advance booking is essential.

Know Before You Go

Admission to the museum is free, and doors are open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with the exception of Christmas Day. While operating hours are occasionally extended during the summer, public parking near the National Mall remains notoriously scarce year-round. To avoid the hassle of driving, the best way to reach the museum is via the Old Town Trolley, which offers convenient hop-on, hop-off service directly to the building. The museum is busiest on Saturdays, and the peak tourist season is from mid-March through late July.

There are two entrances to the museum. One is located on Constitution Avenue, which is on the north side of the building. The other faces the National Mall on the south side. On busy days, one security line may be shorter than the other one. You will pass through a security checkpoint similar to those at airports before entering the museum. While strollers, cameras, and bottled water are permitted, the museum asks that you do not bring camera stands, objects that can be used as weapons, and aerosol sprays. Service animals are allowed. Visitors are permitted to take still photographs and videos for noncommercial purposes.

Nearby Attractions

Several other popular Smithsonian Institution museums are located on the Mall within a short walking distance of the Museum of Natural History.

The adjacent National Museum of American History accumulates, preserves, and displays a collection of artifacts related to the cultural, political, military, and social heritage of the United States. National treasures on display include the original Star Spangled Banner that inspired Francis Scott Key and Dorothy’s Ruby Slippers from The Wizard of Oz.

The National Gallery of Art is one of the world’s pre-eminent fine art museums. It houses a collection of more than 140,000 works tracing Western art from the Middle Ages until the present day. The paintings, sculptures, and other pieces include works by masters, such as Edgar Degas, John Singleton Copley, and Leonardo de Vinci.

The fifth most-visited museum in the world, the National Air and Space Museum chronicles the history of flight and space exploration. It holds the world’s largest collection of historic aircraft and spaceships as well as related artifacts, including the Wright Brothers Flyer and a moon rock. The Stringfellow steam engine, originally designed to power aircraft, was the first item ever acquired by the Smithsonian Institution.