Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History - Free Federal Natural History Museum on the Mall

Federal natural history museum on the National Mall, part of the Smithsonian Institution. Permanent halls cover dinosaurs, mammals, the Hope Diamond and gems, ocean life, human origins, and an indoor butterfly pavilion.

Programs for Kids

Free educational programming year-round. Programs include:
- Family programs and demonstrations
- School field trips (curriculum-aligned)
- Q?rius Junior children's discovery space (ages 0-10)
- Q?rius hands-on learning center for teens
- Insect Zoo and Butterfly Pavilion encounters

What's Included

• Free general admission
• Q?rius Junior dedicated kids' discovery space
• Insect Zoo and Butterfly Pavilion (timed tickets)
• Spring and summer extended hours (10 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Thu-Sat)

Experience

DC and metro families use the museum as a free year-round indoor destination, accessible without admission fees or advance reservations. The Constitution Avenue location is on the National Mall, reachable from the Smithsonian and Federal Triangle Metro stops.