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    National Geographic Museum

    3.4 (263 reviews)

    National Geographic Museum Museums Photos

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    Bernadette C.

    Have you been to the Beyond King Tut - The Immersive Experience?! Travel into the Valley of the Kings. Enter the tomb of the famous boy king, King Tut. See his treasures and learn of his journey into the afterlife. You can do all this and more at Nat Geo's latest exhibit in Washington, DC. Dates: JUNE 17, 2022 - FEBRUARY 06, 2023 Cost: Regular Tickets: $20; Kids Tickets (5-12): $12; Discount Tickets: $16 Location: Nat Geo Museum, Washington, DC Master story tellers and curators of history, National Geography created a wonderfully immersive experience that almost takes you to Egypt's Land of Pharaohs. If you are seeking an unique and extraordinary few hours of fun, you'll love this day with the Boy King and your family. Travel often, eat and live deliciously.

    Austin G.

    Within the National Geographic HQ is an off-the-beaten path museum. Celebrating the work of National Geographic, the museum rotates photography-centric exhibits showcasing the wonders of the universe. After two years closed due to the pandemic, the museum reopened with safety protocols (mask and social distancing requirements) on February 16, 2022. Here's what you should know: 1) Price: It's one of the few museums in Washington, D.C. that requires a paid ticket, but the prices aren't outrageous. Regular tickets are $15 and includes all exhibits in the museum. For students, military and seniors, it's $12. Children 5-12 are $10 and children under five are free. Reserve tickets online to guarantee entry. 2) Hours: The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 3) Exhibits: They change, but when they reopened, they had two exhibits. The first explores wildlife photography and the photographers behind the photographs. This exhibit is photo heavy, but includes a few interactive parts like an area to have your photo taken and a film with stunning footage of wildlife. The second exhibit showcases Mount Everest and the people who have climbed it. This exhibit is more interactive than the first, but both are worth it. 4) Store: At the end of the museum is a store with photograph-decorated walls and lots of merchandise from backpacks to cloths to books. There's also a kids section with a reading area filled with giant stuffed animals. 5) Location: Located in downtown D.C., the museum is within walking distance to neighborhoods like Dupont Circle and Logan Circle filled with restaurants. When it reopens, The Coffee Bar on 17th Street NW brews a quality cup of coffee. Street parking can often be found along Rhode Island Ave NW near the Canopy Hotel. Although blocks away, visiting Planet Word, a museum about language in a historic school, and the National Geographic Museum is doable in the same day.

    King Tut Exhibit
    Demond S.

    It is hard to live in the DMV and not take advantage of al lnpf the museums in the area. National Geographic Museum is an awesome museum. They are currently featuring a King Tut Emersivve exhibit. You will not find ancient artifacts in this exhibit. You will find lights, video, and sound take you on a guided tour through the life and death of "The Boy King, King Tut." The exhibits are very informative and offer a lot of details not commonly known. The exhibit is fun for all ages and a great way to spend the day. This exhibit you may want to check out before it leaves.

    Alisha B.

    First time at the National Geographic Museum. I went for the King Tut exhibit. Overall the experience was informative but what it lack was real artifacts (compare to Queen of Egypt exhibits that show cases artifacts from pervious reviews) and diving deeper in the linage of King Tut. Also The museum is only one floor which is disappointing.

    Nefertiti
    Monica C.

    + great collection of Egyptian artifacts (temporary exhibit) + a constant stream of people but not oppressively crowded + no line to get in - small compared to other DC museums - $15 fee I came for the Queens of Egypt exhibit, otherwise I would not have paid the $15. With so many other free, amazing museums in DC, it's hard to justify the expense for the size of the museum. They had some interesting gift shop items related to the exhibit plus loads of other NG merch.

    Extremely rare sculpture of Cleopatra!  Excellent exhibit!
    Mark V.

    Really want to give 5 stars, it's tiny size lends itself to 3 stars, but it's choice of exciting exhibits makes it a solid 4 stars! The exhibit that I got to see was the women of ancient Egypt! Honestly I loved it but it was small but beautifully done! I found out that they've had other exhibits there that must travel from museum to museum. When you arrive at the museum you nearly explode with excitement looking at a six story building! But don't get carried away, only the bottom floor is the museum. But it's economically priced and extremely well appointed for size! I had a lot of fun there and really glad I stopped in! They have a small exhibit across the courtyard in a second building which shows the history of the magazine. Magazine covers, small exhibits for different stories, actually really fun and a nice touch. My favorite exhibit by far and unexpectedly, was seeing the world's very first board game, designed over 3000 years ago in Egypt! I happen to love boardgames so this was a treat! It was actually a rather complex game. I was shocked! The game follows your souls journey through the afterworld. I have to admit, chutes and ladders sounds like a lot more fun! Recommended if you're looking for a short stop that has interesting and fun exhibits and good for the whole family!

    Ifeoma I.

    I came here for the district trivia night and participated with a group of friends! Prior to the trivia, I got a chance to briefly view the wall of covers (with many classic copies) and explored the main entrance. The room in which the trivia was held had the cafeteria right next to it, and there was a variety of many tasty options- veggie samosas, chicken wings, tater tots, and a few other dishes. All of what I tried was delicious! There was also a bar section that had some wine and beer selections. District trivia was fun and engaging, as always, and prices were distributed to winners after every round, which made it very engaging and competitive, as the scores were set to zero once a new round begun. The building is well lit, and exhibits cater to individuals of all ages. Looking forward to stopping by again in the future!

    Brittany I.

    Came in with my family of 7 for the Beyond King Tut immersive exhibit. We had a great time. The facility was very clean and staff was nice. We would definitely return in the future and recommend.

    Prices
    John C.

    This is a small museum when compared to most in Washington. $15/adult ticket to get in to the changing displays. When we visited the display was about Jane Goodall and her life with Chimpanzees. Very well done with several immersive areas. 3D theater that you stand in and "walk" through the brush like Jane did. A lot of reading to gain all the information but well worth it. The other half of the exhibit was WOMEN AROUND THE WORLD. Wall of pictures with small synopsis to read. All well done.

    Titanic Simulation
    Maggi R.

    After lunch, we made our way to the National Geographic Museum. How lucky were we to find a metered parking place right in front. We went in and bought our tickets, which included the Titanic Exhibit and The Tomb of Christ Exhibit. We arrived at 2:00 PM, but could not go into the Tomb of Christ Exhibit until 3:30 PM. So, we started with the Titanic Exhibit - The Untold Story. The highlights were discovering the surprising link between a top secret Cold War mission and the 1985 discovery of the sunken Titanic by legendary oceanographer and National Geographic Explorer-at-Large Robert Ballard. We were able to see recreations of the luxurious staterooms that were aboard the ship. In addition to artifacts on generous loan from families of the survivors, the exhibition contains artifacts from the rich collections of the National Archives and 20th Century Fox Archives. We were able to see the sheet music from Wallace Hartley, the bandleader who refused to stop playing, even as the ship sank; and a Titanic deck chair, one of only seven known to exist. We also saw millionaire John Jacob Astor IV's pocket watch and the life jacket worn by his eighteen-year-old wife, Madeleine. Most interesting was seeing the only known set of Titanic boarding documents and tickets; and original footage of the Titanic's maiden voyage. Also interesting was seeing the props and costumes from the 1997 Titanic movie including Rose DeWitt Bukater and Cal Hockley's first-class suite, Jack Dawson's boarding suit, and the iconic Heart of the Ocean necklace. At 3:30, we were in line for the Tomb of Christ Exhibit. I was fortunate to see the show on the National Geographic Channel. For our son and grand-children, this exhibit was especially meaningful since we had just visited the Franciscan Monastery where they have a replica of the Tomb of Christ. They start you off by virtually transporting you to Jerusalem, where you discover the fascinating history of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in an immersive 3-D experience unlike anything you've seen in a museum before. We were able to virtually visit the church and learn about its storied history and enduring mysteries. Built in the fourth century, the tomb of Christ, or the Holy Edicule, has just undergone a historic restoration--a project that captured the attention of the world. In the exhibition, we learned all about the restoration effort, which included a team of experts from the National Technical University in Athens led by Chief Scientific Supervisor, Antonia Moropoulou, who used new technologies, including LIDAR, sonar, laser scanning, and thermal imaging to preserve this important site. It was indeed a fascinating and informative exhibition. We just wished we had more time to see all that the museum had to offer.

    Well, this is ironic.
    Adam D.

    Save your $15. Half of this museum (the "special" exhibit) was not so special. It literally consisted of enlarged Instagram photos. A compilation of photos that received the most likes on Instagram, yes, but Instagram photos nevertheless. Thanks, National Geographic, but I could have seen those on Instagram. The second half consisted of photos from DC photo week. Perhaps a little more exclusive, but I'm not so sure those aren't online as well. The best part of this museum is probably the store full of overpriced books and useless merchandise.

    Rich lady and her kids...survived the titanic and she sued ;-)

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    Page 1 of 7

    Ask the Community - National Geographic Museum

    I will be visiting DC in July and really want to see the Titanic Exhibit, not so sure I am that interested in the Tomb of Christ though, do I need to purchase a ticket to only see the Titanic Exhibit?

    It’s a separate exhibit. Although both are worth your time.

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    Planet Word Museum - Magical library - super cool!

    Planet Word Museum

    4.8(221 reviews)
    0.5 miDowntown

    This museum is so magical!…read more Our group of nine had a blast weaving our way from room to room. The museum is equally fun for kids and adults with topics like language, reading, translation and karaoke to make a few. Everything was so well thought out and interactive. I couldn't get enough of the library room where books come to life with video-like illustrations building off the pages. It felt like we were transported into Belle's massive and dreamy library from Beauty and the Beast complete with a secret hidden room off the side (tucked behind a bookcase door). We had kids ages 2-5 and it was perfect for them. Note that you'll need to park strollers in the basement level. To top it all off, we had a fabulous lunch at Immigrant Food located on the lower level. Oh, how could I forget to mention that the museum is free? Amazing!

    Funny story - I was looking for kid-friendly ideas of things to do in DC and asked ChatGPT for…read moreideas. One of the responses was the Planet Word museum, which I never heard of. I looked it up and decided to try it! They recommend you get timed passes online ahead of time; it's free but they do recommend a donation. This museum is SO COOL! As someone who loves different languages and words I loved everything about this place! My kids loved all of the interactivity. There is a room with an interactive word wall and you can interact and answer and request more info on the history of certain words. For example, I learned that "ketchup" was named after a Chinese sauce even though they are not similar. There is also a magical library room where you can pick a book off the shelf and place it on a book holder and the book is read to you. There are also mirror shadow boxes that come to life if you read the inscription. Finally, the kids loved the karaoke room - you select a song and as you sing along you see the types of parts of speech at play in the song. Great experience, would for sure recommend and go back!

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    Planet Word Museum - Word wall!

    Word wall!

    Planet Word Museum - Lexicon lane

    Lexicon lane

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    Milken Center for the Advancement of the American Dream - Word cloud

    Milken Center for the Advancement of the American Dream

    4.8(29 reviews)
    0.4 miDowntown

    Heart this museum that use to be the Riggs National Bank built in 1899 and is also known as the…read morepresidents bank of which over half of the U.S. presidents use to bank. It's steps from the White House and U.S. Treasury. Heart the interactive museum that celebrates the successes of entrepreneurs and the opportunities, innovation and statements and videos of personal achievements. The museum has photos, original documents from the past history of the bank, and two original bank vaults. The tree of generations greets you as you enter the main floor and is interactive, so you and your family can post instantly your digital pic. I recommend this museum to everyone and you'll feel inspired & motivated after visiting this new museum.

    I visited the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream last weekend with my husband, and it…read morewas interesting. So what is it? It's a new museum that opened in the fall of 2025, just steps from the White House and the U.S. Treasury. It touts itself as an interactive museum which highlights the successes of American capitalism, entrepreneurship, and financial and banking institutions. The museum's namesake is Michael Milken, who partly curated and controls the museum. Located in five historic buildings, rumor has it the museum cost $500 million. Exploring the museum, I was conflicted. I love museums, and I think you should keep an open mind and learn what you can everywhere, from anyone, for your whole life. I value curiosity and critical thinking above many other things. However, this is definitely a museum with a point of view, and it's probably good to know that going in. Michael Milken is an American financier mostly known for his role in the development of the market for high-yield bonds (junk bonds), leading to his reputation as the "Junk Bond King," and his conviction and sentence on felony charges for violating securities laws. He was sentenced to 10 years (he served 2) and fined $600 million. He was pardoned by President Trump in 2020 and is considered to be one of the wealthiest people in the world (with an estimated net worth of $6 billion). None of this is to say you can't enjoy or learn from or even love the Milken Center. I just think it's relevant information to know going in as the museum deals with American financial markets and capitalism. I certainly wouldn't recommend taking your most progressive or democratic socialist friends to this museum. The museum is free to visit, but you do need to make an reservation for a timed entry (I'm not sure why, because they were not busy at all on a Sunday afternoon when we visited). There is an add on experience (the Holodeck Experience) which has an associated cost of $15 per person. We probably spent an hour and a half at the museum. You can certainly see where they spent the alleged $500 million. It's shiny and new and has lots of interactive aspects and exhibits. If you're into historical artifacts, this is not the museum for you. (They did have an iron lung, and since I'd only ever seen one other, that was a pretty interesting artifact to see.) This museum is full of videos and holograms and signs (and some art as well) but light on artifacts for sure. We wandered around the museum, not really sure what the highlights were that we shouldn't miss (we ended up missing the hologram gallery that many other reviews mention). Most of the financial floors of the museum weren't of very much interest to me, although I could see how it would be interesting/educational for kids (for example, there was an interactive quiz where you choose how much a young person with their first job should save, spend on trips, etc., and then you see how well they're doing after a bit of time). The highlights of the museum for me were the building itself and the art. The Basil Kincaid quilts are massive and and jaw dropping where they hang over the Tree of Generations. And two art-related exhibits really caught my attention: "Celebrating 250 Years: A Journey Through America with Robert Freimark" (which showcased abstract prints the artist made, each representing one of the 50 states) and "Visualizing Impact" (an exhibit showcasing art made by young artists in grades 6-12 focus on unsung heroes in history). We also did the Holodeck Experience - the add on experience for $15 per person. From their website: "It's more than just a movie--it's an unforgettable multisensory adventure held in a unique 360-degree megapixel environment. You're invited to embark on a new journey in the Perpetual Story Machine by Moment Factory, a mind-bending fusion of technology and imagination. Dive into stories of perseverance, innovation, determination, and mentorship at the breathtaking Kenneth C. Griffin Holodeck Experience. Are you ready to take the leap?" That's vague, but it's a hard experience to describe. I actually think children might enjoy it more than adults, because we found it a little silly (especially the parts where you have to "help" the Machine before the more movie-like part begins). We were alone at the experience, so it there were two staff members for the two of us. I did learn about three very different and interesting American experiences, but ultimately I found it a bit cheesy. The Milken Center is free, so I encourage anyone with some spare time to check it out for themselves. But it's not the museum for me. Some of the smaller art exhibits caught my eye, but the majority of the museum felt a bit off to me. Maybe I'm just not into these newer "museums" without artifacts. More like immersive experiences with informational signs. I doubt I'll be back, but you might get more out of it or enjoy more than I did. Who knows?

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    Milken Center for the Advancement of the American Dream - So pretty!

    So pretty!

    Milken Center for the Advancement of the American Dream - Holodeck

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    National Gallery of Art - Mother and child

    National Gallery of Art

    4.6(889 reviews)
    1.3 mi

    Step into the National Gallery of Art, and suddenly you're strolling through a palace of culture…read moreright on the National Mall. The gallery opened in 1941 thanks to financier and art lover Andrew W. Mellon, who believed the American people deserved a museum every bit as grand as those in Europe. Built in gleaming marble by architect John Russell Pope, the place feels less like a museum and more like walking through a royal treasury of creativity. One room might greet you with the grace of Raphael, while another lets you stare straight into the swirling brilliance of Vincent van Gogh. And here's the delicious little detail: this world-class collection began with just over a hundred paintings and a few dozen sculptures from Mellon's personal stash ehis gift to the nation. Today the gallery holds well over 150,000 works, spanning centuries of human imagination. It's the kind of place where you wander in for a quick look and suddenly find yourself rubbing elbows with masterpieces that usually live in textbooks. No velvet ropes, no fancy invitation required just walk in and enjoy the riches. Now that's what I call art with a little champagne sparkle.

    Came here after seeing it on tiktok. The East gallery didn't have as much, but I was also able to…read morecheck out the outdoor sculpture garden. I came specifically to see a few pieces (Degas' Little Dancer), but the layout was a little confusing. The best part was the gelato selection in the Cascade Cafe. I bought a small pumpkin gelato for about $7 and the flavor was perfect. The security guards are a little strict with the fact that you cannot exit the museum until you've finished all your food at the cafe first. 2026 #20

    Photos
    National Gallery of Art - "The need for mystery is greater than the need for an answer"
    -Ken Kesey

    "The need for mystery is greater than the need for an answer" -Ken Kesey

    National Gallery of Art - Ices-cream is exquisite. What a pity it isn't illegal.
          --Voltaire

    Ices-cream is exquisite. What a pity it isn't illegal. --Voltaire

    National Gallery of Art - The Gibbs-Coolidge paintings by Gilbert Stuart (first five presidents, three picture here):

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    The Gibbs-Coolidge paintings by Gilbert Stuart (first five presidents, three picture here):

    Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden - Fernand Leger

    Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden

    4.3(547 reviews)
    1.4 mi
    $

    The Hirshhorn offers a distinct contrast to the National Gallery of Art, and its rotating exhibits…read morehelp keep each visit feeling fresh. Some of the outdoor sculptures were visible, though a few pieces were either being relocated or blocked off. There were not many, so it made for a quick walk around the circular exterior. Upon entering, we went through security, which led into the main lobby where there is also a café. The coffee was both expensive and underwhelming, so I would recommend grabbing a drink elsewhere. The museum has three floors, and I found it easiest to start at the top and work your way down. *Laurie Anderson Four Talks: one of my favorite exhibits. The installation was fully immersive, covering the entire room. The writing and drawings across all four walls really brought the concept together. *Adam Pendleton Love Queen: a visually striking exhibit that transitions into a black and white video. While the artwork itself did not resonate with me as much, the video left both me and other visitors in a quiet, reflective state. *Revolutions Art from the Hirshhorn Collection: more traditional in style and subject matter. I did wish there was more context provided for some of the pieces, especially the sculptures, as a few lacked historical explanation. *Basquiat x Banksy: a more modern collection that reflects themes of racial and class divide. The bold colors and strong perspectives made this one of the more engaging sections. *Big Things For Big Rooms: a bit too literal for my taste, as it largely consisted of oversized objects without much added depth. *Mark Bradford Pickett's Charge: an older but well maintained exhibit. The circular layout of the museum complemented the work nicely. The textures and use of color were particularly compelling. The gift shop offered a wide range of items, including pieces inspired by past exhibitions and collaborations. I especially liked the Basquiat and Banksy merchandise, though it was nice to see representation from other collections as well. Overall, this is an easy museum to explore in one visit. I wish I could have seen the updated sculpture garden, but the rotating exhibits alone make it worth coming back.

    This is a pretty cool museum, but they REALLY overhyped the Basquiat x Banksy collaboration. There…read morewas one piece of Banksy art which was a take on a Basquiat piece. The Basquiat collection was also pretty sparse. Mr. Smithsonian should be ashamed. I hope he's looking up and reading this. The museum's upper floors are 2 concentric circles so I'd recommend doing 2 loops around to avoid missing anything. There were displays with videos, lights, paint, and other media. I enjoyed exploring. The sculpture garden was closed when I was there, so I was unable to see anything there. I also don't know what was on the ground floor besides the entrance and the cafe. Seemed like something else should have been there. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ It's worth a visit for sure and I enjoyed my time. But I was drawn in by the false hype.

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    Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden - Henry Moore

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    Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden - Contemporary Photography in China exhibit | "Foam"

    Contemporary Photography in China exhibit | "Foam"

    Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden - Calder's mobile and Jean Miro painting.

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    Calder's mobile and Jean Miro painting.

    Dumbarton Oaks - Cherry blossom tree (and engagement ring!)

    Dumbarton Oaks

    4.5(141 reviews)
    1.6 miGeorgetown

    Most everyone in my office is off today due to the holiday, so I mad a plan to visit this museum…read more I also wanted to see the adjoining garden, but it doesn't open until much later in the afternoon. They have quite a few notable collections that I liked. The Byzantine Collection featured different artwork from the fifteenth cwntury. There were also several large sculptures that originated from the Byzantium empire which is known as Istanbul today. According to their information, the museum is continuously acquiring different works if art from this time period. There were also some pretty cool grave markers dating back to the 11th century. The museum is sort of hidden off of the main avenue in Georgetown so you will probably need to search for it. It is also free and open most days to the general public.

    I purposely visited recently (winter season) because entrance to the gardens is free, otherwise…read moreit's $15. The gardens are interesting even in the cold months. The couple most closely associated with this Georgetown estate, Mildred and Robert Bliss, clearly loved and thought deeply about this parcel of land when they owned it (1920/30's). Their efforts to preserve and share the space with the public are to be commended. It must have been quite something in its heyday. There's a lot of research that's supported here, as well as other activities. The website explains all that. It's a low-key sightseeing spot; quiet, contemplative.

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    Dumbarton Oaks - Wisteria in bloom 4/12/26

    Wisteria in bloom 4/12/26

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    "Child at a window", 1901 by Edouard Vuillard

    National Geographic Museum - museums - Updated May 2026

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