Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum

    4.2 (24 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 4:00 pm

    Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum Museums Photos

    You might also consider

    More like Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum

    Recommended Reviews - Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Daniel R.

    The first federally funded community museum in America, the Anacostia Community Museum is a very quaint and well-designed museum in the Anacostia neighborhood of DC. The museum is far from the Metro stop (about 20 minutes of an uphill walk from the Metro), so driving or ride-sharing is your best bet unless you want to transfer to a bus. The museum is small and not necessarily worth the trip unless you have business in the area. I was able to move through the whole thing in less than an hour. The security staff weren't particularly kind, although that is a common problem in Smithsonians. I'm glad I checked this off my list!

    Alex G.

    If you live in the DMV, you should definitely be making trips here. This is one of the few places that talks about the history of the DMV. Often DC is a Mecca of American History as it is the nation's capital. People often forget about the city itself. Plus it is the only one across the river.

    Josh B.

    I would almost bet that a lot of people overlook this museum since it's in Anacostia but as a visitor, I was pleasantly surprised to learn about the history of this area of Washington DC. I've never read about an area that was first segregated as a mainly Caucasian neighborhood, then desegregated to include people of color, and then resegregated to a mainly African American neighborhood. It was amazing to read about the constant transition over the years and how all the people of color came together to take a stand to stick up for their neighbors and resist gentrification and/or desegregation again. I also had never seen a video of Dr. Martin Luther King before other than the usual videos that are shown in history classes or on TV. It was really really really cool to see him speak to the people that were standing up for change in the Shaw neighborhood. I also was touched by an exhibit they had speaking to the children of the area and asking what gentrification means to them. Kids are really smart and truly do understand the constant struggle to exist and survive all the while trying to make a name for one's self and building the community. It gives me hope for the future of Anacostia. This is a reasonably small museum but it's an important museum for not just people of color in the DC area but culturally for everyone. As with most of the museums in the DC area, it's free.

    One artifact on display as part of the current exhibit,
    Matt D.

    ANACOSTIA NEIGHBORHOOD, SE D.C - Got family in town? Not a Smithsonian experience for them. But looking for a small, interesting museum off the beaten path? Check this out. Friendly staff, free coffee, and an always-changing exhibit - currently it's about the role of women of color in the environmental movement, predominantly in the DMV region. Wife saw one previously about gentrification in DC neighborhoods. I can easily imaging going back in a few months, when the next exhibit's in place.

    John B.

    It falls under the Smithsonian envelope, but the Anacostia Community Museum has a decidedly different vibe than the massive edifices that grace our National Mall. Its focus is purely local, and the District has far more specific history and culture than even most locals might guess, let alone the tourists who know us only for our government buildings and monuments. The feature when I dropped in was an overview of six DC neighborhoods, including one where I once resided, and it was an interesting journey. What did seem Smithsonian about it was the quality of images in the displays. What was different was its activist stance, taking a clear position on a variety of questions related to urban development in the District, questions which anyone who drives through the city are still quite relevant. Notably, it talked a lot about the debate between transit and road development, somewhat ironic in that the museum is not the most accessible place itself, though you can get there with effort. I didn't have occasion to visit any of the events they put on, but I was glad to have finally visited the place and left it actively wondering where the community is headed next.

    Toya J.

    Mardi Gras Family Festival: This museum is great for families and young people of all ages. When me and the fam drove up all we saw was a sea of children with face paint, bedazzled white parasols, and masks. Not to be overwhelmed though, as my sister, a veteran at this venue, and being the controlled and calm adult she is; we entered the museum with A PLAN! 1st thing we did, signed up for Januwa Moja-Nelson's Art of Adornment pictures which was about an hour wait, that gave us time to go straight to arts and crafts. Basically you gotta get in where you can fit in, get some paints, ask the volunteers for a mask, parasol, and/or paper shield. Then there is a huge supply of glitter, paint, and feathers to go to town with. Question: How do you know an experienced mom? They never sit down at these events for fear of "glitter butt". Once you get glitter on your clothes your likely see it for the next month unless you take your pants to the cleaners. Everyone is so nice sharing supplies and watching other people's kids as someone may have to go to the restroom. Cute babies, cute couples, EVERYTHING JUST CUTE! We make our way back to the Art of Adornment booth, only to wait a bit longer, just because this activity is so popular. Other Cool things going on: * storytelling *a parade *balloons shaped into dogs, rattles, etc. And it's all free! We had a great time Saturday and decided to pick up a schedule of events, among the activities coming up: A Quilting Art Workshop, A tribute to the late DC Mayor Marion Barry during his Birthday month (March), and a slew of Women's History activities including Sarah Vaughn tribute with local singers, and a viewing of A Ballerina's Tale (Misty Copeland's story). This place may not be right up the street from me, but it is certainly worth the drive. I was happy to see the Thurgood Marshall Academy students volunteering for this program, they were really nice and very helpful! And those pictures we waited over an hour for? Came out great.... I posted one. Check it out!

    Lauren G.

    This is such a hidden gem in DC! Many tourists and locals flock to DC because of all of the unique--and free--resources, especially the Smithsonian museums. Most of the are located along and in the vicinity of The National Mall. However, this particular one is located in the heart of historic Anacostia. Currently on display is "A Right to the City" exhibit, which explores various parts of DC and celebrates the rich diversity it has to offer. Note: There are free shuttles from Anacostia Metro station to this site. This museum sometimes gets a lower volume of visitors than larger Smithsonian museums, which is a benefit because there's free parking you can take advantage of if needed. When you're shopping around for museums to visit, make sure to keep this in mind. Check the schedule for the many public events that are hosted here on a monthly basis.

    Gayle G.

    This is a community-based museum that combines art exhibits with outreach. The objects on display include textiles, decorative arts, anthropological finds and glassware. As the name suggests, this museum explores and documents the culture, history and experiences of African Americans. The museum also offers educational and community outreach programs Check out the On-line Academy on their website. You can take a virtual tour of some of the artifacts.

    Middle school students inspired by Derek Webster's art.

    See all

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Heather H.
    131
    121
    334

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Alex G.
    103
    584
    1077

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Josh B.
    347
    1174
    9133

    6 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Matt D.
    15
    172
    491

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Toya J.
    1978
    554
    847

    10 years ago

    Helpful 14
    Thanks 0
    Love this 12
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    15 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    20 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Carl N.
    8
    307
    0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of J K.
    7
    131
    88

    13 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mac O.
    660
    1048
    2377

    15 years ago

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 0
    Love this 9
    Oh no 0
    Photo of R C.
    0
    47
    0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Ask the Community - Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum

    Review Highlights - Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum

    y. Last year, their Urban Waterways exhibit was so informativ

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Museums 3,853 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Library of Congress - Well attended Thursday happy hour

    Library of Congress

    4.7(607 reviews)
    2.6 miCapitol Hill

    Library of Congress -- A Living Monument to History…read more Few buildings in Washington, D.C. carry the weight of history as effortlessly as the Library of Congress. It is not merely a repository of books, but a living archive of the American story--one that reveals itself the moment you step inside. For visitors to the nation's capital, this is not optional--it is essential. The current exhibition, The Two Georges: Parallel Lives in an Age of Revolution, is particularly compelling. Through the intertwined narratives of George Washington and King George III, the exhibit captures a world on the brink--an undeclared nation edging toward war, a fragile cause facing overwhelming odds, and ultimately, the improbable path to independence. What makes this exhibition stand out is not just its historical scope, but its perspective. It does not present history as a foregone conclusion, but as a series of uncertain, high-stakes decisions made in real time. That tension--between inevitability and risk--is where the story comes alive. Accessible, visually engaging, and intellectually rewarding, this is an experience that resonates across generations. If you find yourself in Washington, make the time. Some places inform you. This one reminds you why the story matters.

    I have only visited the Library of Congress at a personal level a couple of times. Other visits…read morewere due to events/meetings there. If you are visiting D.C., I cannot stress the importance of a stop here. To this day, it remains the largest library in the world. Pretty impressive. It's also the oldest federal cultural institution. Periodicals, books, etc. available in over 470 languages. More than 178 million pieces of articles from manuscripts, recordings, photos, printed materials, to books and so on. Library acts as a source of research for Members of Congress and handles copyright laws. This building and all its components are an important part of our nation's history.

    Photos
    Library of Congress - 3/21/2019

    3/21/2019

    Library of Congress - Thomas Jefferson's Library

    Thomas Jefferson's Library

    Library of Congress - Library of Congress

    See all

    Library of Congress

    Planet Word Museum - Magical library - super cool!

    Planet Word Museum

    4.8(220 reviews)
    4.2 miDowntown

    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!

    Planet Word is a fun pit stop geared mostly toward children, though adults will still find plenty…read moreto enjoy. The space feels very modern, with clean and well maintained exhibits throughout. I appreciated the free coat rack and lockers available to all visitors. One thing to note is that the stairs are unidirectional, so moving between floors requires walking across the entire level each time. We were advised to start on the third floor and work our way down. The third floor featured a massive globe surrounded by multilingual iPads. Each one offered different languages along with cultural and linguistic context. The video and audio quality stood out as especially clear. There was also an interactive show exploring the history and cultural influences behind everyday words. While museum shows can sometimes feel skippable, this one held attention for the full fifteen minutes with clever use of visuals, lighting, and a dynamic word driven backdrop. On the second floor, the free photobooth stood out as a highlight. Individuals or pairs pose based on randomly assigned words. The photo quality is not the best, but it still makes for a fun and memorable souvenir. There is also a sing along room where groups of children gather to perform songs. I had to laugh when Eminem came on, though I was genuinely impressed by how the lyrics were broken down and analyzed on screen. A small library space is also available, stocked mostly with children's books for casual reading. I also tried the Lexicon Lane experience, which cost forty dollars and is designed for groups of up to four. It is set up similarly to an escape room, but with a stronger focus on wordplay and language based puzzles. Since we were the first group of the day, we had full choice of the cases, while later groups had to pick from what remained. Each case offers a normal or expert level, though both were fairly challenging. Some puzzles rely heavily on familiarity with American idioms and cultural references, which could make them tougher for some players. That said, the staff were very accommodating and offered helpful nudges when groups got stuck. I would especially recommend this for puzzle lovers, as it is a unique add on and actually more affordable than a typical escape room. One of the standout aspects of Planet Word is the staff. They were consistently friendly, approachable, and clearly invested in making the experience enjoyable. Overall, it is a great museum to visit if you are looking to be entertained for an hour or so.

    Photos
    Planet Word Museum - Lexicon lane

    Lexicon lane

    Planet Word Museum - Word wall!

    Word wall!

    Planet Word Museum

    See all

    Museum of Illusions - Washington DC - Abe Lincoln portrait

    Museum of Illusions - Washington DC

    3.5(121 reviews)
    4.0 mi

    My daughter let me know: "Illusions are my favorite!!" So I grabbed some tix to MoI & she was SOOOO…read moreexcited to be going, while on our travel. Understand my dismay when we arrive JUST as a group of about 20-30 adults on a team building exercise, scheduled for the same time as our reserved tickets!!! But the staff (led by Tracy & supported by Cesar) ENSURED my daughter (and even I! lol) had an AMAZING time. Tracy ushered us away from the crowd and guided us through the illusions towards the end, then rotated us to the entrance after the group had cleared. We didn't even realize they were there...(figuratively of course, but real talk!) And that's KEY to these types of museums, especially with children - that they have space to explore without adults rushing them. Tracy and Cesar made sure my daughter had the space she needed to have THE BEST experience of our week in DC. The museum is great! But when coupled with the staff, it becomes a truly reality altering experience!

    We were there today at the Museum of Illusions. We had fun, but we were surprised at how expensive…read morethe tickets were for so few exhibits. To be honest, it felt like there wasn't much breadth to the museum. You move through it quickly, and then you're done. If you're going to charge that kind of price, it doesn't quite match what's inside. Either lower the ticket price by at least $10--or if you want to keep the current price, add more installations. Give people more to actually experience. Think about it in comparison to places like the free Smithsonian museums or even other DC museums like the Spy Museum or Planet Word--you're just not getting the same depth of content for the cost. It's fun. It's clever. But it's thin.

    Photos
    Museum of Illusions - Washington DC - Tiny Momma and huge son

    Tiny Momma and huge son

    Museum of Illusions - Washington DC - Photo illusion

    Photo illusion

    Museum of Illusions - Washington DC

    See all

    Museum of the Bible - Located on the same block as the Federal Center SW metro stop, the museum is conveniently located and just a few blocks from the Mall!

    Museum of the Bible

    4.5(472 reviews)
    2.9 mi

    The best Bible collection in the entire world! I wonder if all visitors appreciate how special this…read morecollection is with so many rare Bibles in an absolutely comprehensive collection. Some highlights include: Wicked Bible (First edition 1611 King James with errored 10 commandment missing the "not": though shall commit adultery); both HE and SHE versions of 1611 King James where verse in Ruth is printed "he" in one version and "she" in another describe who went into town), Jim Elliot Bible (first Bible printed in North America, and was in Native American language. Only 1000 printed and most burned by natives during their revolt against colonists), and a John Wycliffe Bible (first Bible in the English Language, before the printing press so was hand-written)! The collection has entire lineage of Bibles in many languages. Amazingly impressive! We were lucky as they had the Dead Sea Scrolls on exhibit during our visit (extra ticket charge, but well worth it given the rare opportunity). This is a temporary showcase. I have seen them before at another venue but this was even more well done. The Dead Sea Scrolls are biblical text found in 1940s and 1950s that date back 2000 years. The accuracy of Biblical text today was in question until this discovery. Miraculously, our current text matches the text from the time of Jesus. They setup 6 free online meetings throughout the year so people can discuss the scrolls with scholars. Beyond the Bibles, they have many video exhibits that are really well done. The Old and New Testament walk-through video journeys were incredible. We opted for the "All Creation Sings" exhibit which has additional fee. I was not overly excited. The main message is good, highlighting worship is not just about singing but about how we live. However I was really hoping for some good worship music. It ends with a weird interactive experience where you approach the wall and cause color to explode with your body movements, which really didn't feel like a worship experience. People with background in Christianity and the Bible will learn a lot. They also donated good job explaining the Bible for those not super familiar with the text. It is azing how they reach both audiences. They also have many child exhibits and games throughout to keep the little kiddos engaged. Highly recommend a visit when you are in DC. The museum isn't free like the many federal museums but it is not expensive and totally worth it!

    I have been hearing wonderful things about this museum for years now and have finally had the…read moreopportunity to go. I will tell you that my wife and I spent nearly 4 hours here and now sitting back and reflecting, believe we missed one or two exhibits. The amount of history and actual relics within this museum is incredible. Shows the history of the Bible going back to ancient Israel to modern today. I don't know what else to say other than go and don't hesitate to buy the small priced add-on. Go see the Dead Sea scrolls. To have my nose 12 inches away from these artifacts was actually incredible to me.

    Photos
    Museum of the Bible - History of the Bible

    History of the Bible

    Museum of the Bible
    Museum of the Bible - Explore the Bible Now exhibit!

    See all

    Explore the Bible Now exhibit!

    Air And Space Museum Albert Einstein Planetarium - 'Give yourself a gift: the present moment'
     --Marcus Aurelius

    Air And Space Museum Albert Einstein Planetarium

    4.2(48 reviews)
    3.2 mi

    Space... the final frontier.... Whether you're a kid, or just a kid at heart, your mind will wander…read morewith the possibilities of seeing the actual vehicles and relics of historical significance and marvel at the drive of the human spirit to first take flight, then zoom past the curvature of the ocean until you hit new land, and, finally, break the bonds of gravity and stake your claim in the cosmos. I've been so many times, and it's free to go and see these incredible achievements of humanity in real life. You can look at the lunar capsule and imagine the bravery and ingenuity of the millions of people whose guts and brains it took, over thousands of years, to make such an achievement possible. This is the true legacy of humanity and it inspires while posing the question, what is next for mankind....

    We loved coming to the air and space museum. We got the 10 am tickets for when it opened and the…read moreline wrapped around the building. We had a lot of fun here and watched one of the IMAX shows which was about the future of space, it was perfect timing because the astronaut on Artimus II was in it and it was the day they launched. My only wish is that it wasn't so crowded or a way to have less people to be able to enjoy exhibits more and have it be less overwhelming. My kiddo was definitely overwhelmed and overstimulated as were we. We didn't get though everything but all the top floor and some of the first. The cafe doesn't have a ton of food options and the line gets long but it was what we had for lunch.

    Photos
    Air And Space Museum Albert Einstein Planetarium - Solar system area

    Solar system area

    Air And Space Museum Albert Einstein Planetarium - It's taken me all my life to learn what not to play.
   -Dizzy Gillespie

    It's taken me all my life to learn what not to play. -Dizzy Gillespie

    Air And Space Museum Albert Einstein Planetarium

    See all

    Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum - museums - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...