You are invited to follow in the footsteps of Marines: from the yellow footprints that young recruits must fill at boot camp to the boot prints left in the sands of Pacific island beaches during World War II, in the snow of the Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War, and in the red dirt of Hill 881 South in Vietnam.

The Museum, located adjacent to I-95 near Marine Corps Base Quantico, is easily reached from the Washington, D.C. metro area.

General Information:

OPEN 9:00 am-5:00 pm every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas day.

FREE admission and parking.

A map of the Museum is available here.

Wheelchairs are available on request at no cost; no reservations required.

The Museum Store and the Medal of Honor Theater are open.

Tun Tavern is open daily from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Devil Dog Diner is open Monday - Wednesday (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.) with grab-and-go options, and Thursday - Sunday (10 a.m. - 4 p.m.) with a full menu.

Semper Fidelis Memorial Park, located next to the Museum, is open from sunrise to sunset.

The Children's Playground is open.

Service animals are welcome inside the Museum. Pets are allowed on the grounds of the Museum (look for designated relief areas).

Prohibited items include: weapons, pepper spray and mace, food or drinks and sharp objects. See the Security page for more information. Visitors may bring unopened, clear water bottles no larger than 20 oz. ​

Galleries and Spaces:

There is ample space in the galleries to visit safely.

If a gallery or exhibit area is crowded, consider moving on and returning later.

Some interactives have been disabled.

The laser simulated Rifle Range in Making Marines Gallery is open on Saturdays and Sundays.

Please allow a minimum of 3-4 hours to tour the galleries, and additional time to walk through Semper Fidelis Memorial Park. If you are planning a longer visit, Prince William and Stafford counties offer many options for overnight accommodations.

If you have any questions, please contact the Museum at 1-703-432-1775.

Join us as we honor the service, commitment, and sacrifices made by all Marines!

Families with Children

Children may not be left unattended for any period of time. Children must be closely supervised and /or accompanied by a responsible adult at all times. Carrying children on shoulders is prohibited.

Parental Warning for Small Children Visiting the National Museum of the Marine Corps

The mission of the National Museum of the Marine Corps is to preserve and exhibit the material history of the U.S. Marine Corps; honor the commitment, accomplishments, and sacrifices of Marines; support recruitment, training, education, and retention of Marines; and provide the public with a readily accessible platform for the exploration of Marine Corps history.

To meet the goals of this mission, the Museum has made every effort to present the history of the United States Marine Corps in the most objective manner possible – including scenes of combat and combat casualties. This is done purposely to underscore the courage, hardship, and sacrifice made by every Marine on the battlefield. Throughout the Museum, highly realistic cast figures, photographs, and movie footage describe and depict combat actions. Younger visitors may find the graphic nature of these displays disturbing or unsettling. Additionally, several of the exhibit galleries include full immersive, interactive combat environments that may be frightening to very young children. Visitors bringing young children to the National Museum of the Marine Corps are encouraged to speak with a Museum Docent at the Information Desk if they are concerned that the Museum’s exhibits may not be age-appropriate for their children.

Photography Policy

The National Museum of the Marine Corps encourages you to take photographs and video during your visit. Flash photography is NOT allowed in the vicinity of the Iwo Jima flag, and signage is posted accordingly. The Museum reserves the right to prohibit flash photography in other areas as needed to ensure that fragile objects are protected. Using your camera's flash in crowded areas may disturb others. Please respect your fellow Museum visitors.

Photographers using tripods or similar devices should be respectful of others. On busy days, the Museum may restrict use of such devices to ensure visitor safety and the flow of foot traffic throughout the galleries.

Photography for commercial purposes must be approved through the Communications Strategy Section prior to the shoot. The Museum is a federal property under the command of the Marine Corps University, which inherently means in can not appear to endorse any company or individual.

How do I buy a ticket?

Advanced Purchase - Guaranteed Entry

Click here to purchase tickets in advance of your visit!

Upon your arrival to the Center, you will enter the "I Have Tickets" line at the start of your reservation.

Please note during peak periods such as holidays, Spring break and Summer there may be a small wait upon entering the reservation line.

Walk-Up Purchase

Proceed to the Admissions Counter or Kiosk at admissions to purchase tickets for the next available time slot.

Please note, during peak times, we may sell out of walk-up tickets. The only way to guarantee your entry is to purchase your tickets in advance online.

Luxury/High End Shopping - Washington DC’s destination for individuals who appreciate the finest in fashion, dining, and experiences.

CityCenterDC is the ultimate downtown destination for global style and trends, offering the best shopping experience in Washington DC. Our collection boasts some of the most luxurious brands in the world. Explore our retailers and check out the CCDC Journal for upcoming events & stories featuring the most celebrated names in fashion.

Retail:

AKRIS

ALLEN EDMONDS

ARC’TERYX

BOSS

BREITLING

BRIONI

BRUNELLO CUCINELLI

BULGARI

BURBERRY

CH CAROLINA HERRERA

CHANEL

CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN

COREPOWER YOGA

DAVID YURMAN

DIOR

FERRAGAMO

GIORGIO ARMANI

GUCCI

HERMÈS

JO MALONE LONDON

KATE SPADE NEW YORK

LONGCHAMP

LORO PIANA

LOUIS VUITTON

MONCLER

MORGENTHAL FREDERICS

PAUL STUART

SCANLAN THEODORE

SKY VALET SHOES

TIFFANY & CO.

TUMI

VINCE

Dining:

CENTROLINA

DEL FRISCO’S DOUBLE EAGLE STEAK HOUSE

DOLCEZZA

ESTUARY

FIG & OLIVE

FRUITIVE

PICCOLINA

SEVEN REASONS

SUMMIT

TATTE BAKERY & CAFE

Our museum on the National Mall is currently transforming. Eight new galleries are now open, inviting visitors to explore air and space in new ways. We are continuing to work on transforming the building, reimagining more galleries.

The reimagined galleries will open in phases over the next few years. While we continue that work, portions of the building will be closed. The full building is anticipated to be open in 2026. Free timed-entry passes are required.

Plan a visit

One of the most popular museums in the world. Visit our transformed museum on the National Mall.

Reserve Your Free Timed-Entry Passes

Free Timed-Entry Passes for Groups of 10 or More

Hours

10:00 am to 5:30 pm

Open every day except December 25

Contact

202-633-2214

NASM-VisitorServices@si.edu

Location

6th Street and Independence Ave SW

Washington, DC 20560

Please Note: The only public entrance is on Independence Ave

Getting here

Tickets

Free timed-entry passes required. Reserve free timed-entry passes online

An individual can reserve up to six free timed-entry passes for their visit. If you are reserving for a group of 10 or more please visit our group reservations page.

All visitors, regardless of age, must have a pass to enter the Museum.

Passes are released in six-week blocks. See more below for the release schedule. A small number of same-day passes are released online every morning at 8:30 am.

Please Note: Due to ongoing renovations at the Museum, limited passes and no group passes will be available for May 1-22, 2024.

Active National Air and Space Society members receive access to a separate, special members-only link to reserve passes. Not a member? Join today.

As an independent nonprofit organization, the International Spy Museum:

*Delivers hundreds of innovative student workshops and field trips each year, with a special focus on underserved youth.

*Preserves and displays the largest collection of espionage-related artifacts on public view.

*Creates thought-provoking opportunities for all visitors to explore and learn about national security, information literacy, civil liberties, and other issues.

5th FLOOR (Where you will start your visit)

This floor is about how spying is done.

Briefing Center

This is the first gallery of the Museum after you get off the elevator from the lobby. Here you have the option to participate in Undercover Mission and explore our rotating exhibit space.

After you check-in for Undercover Mission, guests proceed to the Briefing Theater to watch a short film. Families with small children can skip this film by asking a SPY Staff member to direct them to the first gallery – Spies and Spymasters.

Spies and Spymasters

This gallery is all about how information (intelligence) is collected by humans. Depending on when you visit, this gallery may be crowded. Don’t miss the following interactives:

Dress for Success: Match Dmitri Bystrolyotov’s (a Russian spy) cover identities and dress him for his various missions.

Lafayette’s Revolutionary Recon: Peer into a British officer’s trunk, then see what you can remember.

Be Walsingham/Be Queen Elizabeth: Stick your face in a cut-out painting and become a “talking portrait.” (Great photo op!)

Walsingham’s Secret Code: Decipher some coded words in a letter from Sir Francis Walsingham.

The back wall of this gallery is filled with various spy gadgets in the Tools of the Trade section. For the animal lover in your group, check out the “Covert Critters” case!

Looking, Listening, Sensing

Check out this gallery to learn how information (intelligence) is collected using technology. Don’t miss the following interactives:

What’s Shakin’ Chinese Drum: Press buttons to guess which level of shaking indicates that the enemy is close.

Problem Solving Under Pressure: Move the pilot higher in the air and see how his outfit changes as the air pressure decreases.

Gadget Lab: Create and test a gadget for your Undercover Mission!

Codes

Here you can learn about code making and breaking, and test your skills at several interactives:

Code Wall: Can you crack various coded messages using a Cardano Grille, Skytale, and a super-sized cipher wheel?

Code Cracker: Decode a secret message for your Undercover Mission!

Analysis

This gallery is about taking collected information and making sense of it! At the entrance to this gallery, kids can

Peek Holes (at entrance to gallery): Kids can look inside the peek holes and tell you what they see! (Hint: They all have to do with predicting the future!)

Mind Games: Pay Attention: Watch the video and see how well you can pay attention—you never know, there might be a surprise or two thrown in there!

Ops Zone: Assess a scene for surveillance threats in your Undercover Mission.

Covert Action

Here guests will learn about secret missions that have occurred in history.

Hang Time: Depending on the child’s height, they can test their physical strength and hang onto a bar as if they are James Bond dangling in the air!

The Trojan Horse Video: Watch this animated short film to learn about the deception operation from ancient Troy.

Can You Spot the Deception? Look into the peek holes in the Genghis Khan mural and see how the Mongols tricked their enemies. (Adult to help with label reading and understanding)

Duct Crawl: How quiet can you be? Crawl through the air duct without being heard!

Disguise Workshop (on landing outside this gallery): Transform your appearance to blend into your Undercover Mission environment!

4th FLOOR

This floor is about why spying is done. (There is less to see for young children on this floor.)

Cyber Infinity Room

While kids won’t understand the content of this video, the colors and shapes that appear on the mirrored walls and floor might intrigue them!

*WARNING: This exhibit has sudden light changes and can cause motion-sickness.

License to Thrill

This gallery showcases pop-culture representations of espionage and intelligence.

Atomic Countdown: Kids will enjoy this fun, physical interactive that requires them to have a steady-hand like the game Operation. Just a heads up, it is located in a room where PG-13 film clips are playing in the background.

Cold War Berlin

In this themed-out gallery, guests will feel as though they have traveled back in time Cold War East Germany.

Sneak into Berlin: Can you get into East Berlin without getting caught on camera?

Checkpoint Charlie: Meet a Stasi guard and his dog. Hint: look for your disguise photo here. (For children afraid of dogs, sneak in and out of Berlin through the cut out in the wall and you’ll be able to avoid direct contact with this screen.)

Trabi-Hide: Can you fit? Try to squeeze into and hide inside an East German Trabant car. Feel what it might have been like to escape this way!

Debriefing Center

Check out at one of the stations to find out the end of your Undercover Mission and your top two skills. At home, you can use the number on the back of your badge to access your full mission profile including your disguise and sneak in photo. Don’t forget to take your badge home!

Where DC Meets

The Wharf reestablished Washington, DC, as a waterfront city and destination. This remarkable, mile-long stretch along the Potomac River comes to life with restaurants, retailers, residences, and businesses—all complemented by monumental views and a vibrant culture.

The Wharf features some truly great restaurants — it will soon be home to a Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen, only his third in the U.S. It has a small handful of interesting one-off shops, some of the best rooftop views in — and of — the city, opportunities to get out on the water, three music venues, and a strollable mile-long promenade. All this has been developed around an open-air fish market said to be the oldest in continuous operation in the U.S.

Our Washington DC Sightseeing Routes

Experience Washington DC's most famous landmarks and attractions with Big Bus Tours. You'll enjoy unique, top-deck views of the capital's best sights, including the White House, Capitol Hill, Jefferson Memorial, Smithsonian Castle, and many more.

Routes:

https://www.bigbustours.com/en/washington-dc/washington-dc-routes-and-tour-maps

Overview

Take a hop-on hop-off Washington DC trolley tour to explore the nation’s capital at your own pace. The route encompasses the city’s top attractions, including the White House, Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and more. Just hop off at any stop when you want to explore, and then hop back on the trolley to continue around the city. You can also upgrade to include Arlington National Cemetery entry. This trolley tour offers one of the easiest ways to get around town Exclusive foreign language tour app available in seven languages Hop on and off at any of the stops as often as you like See top highlights with ease, including the White House Why Travelers Choose This Tour This trolley tour stands out for including a stop at the Lincoln Memorial!

Read more about Washington DC Hop-On Hop-off Trolley Tour with 15 Stops - https://www.viator.com/tours/Washington-DC/Washington-DC-Hop-on-Hop-off-Trolley-Tour/d657-5046WAS_OTT?mcid=56757

List of monuments and other things to visit in DC.

About

The National Museum of African American History and Culture is a place where all Americans can learn about the richness and diversity of the African American experience, what it means to their lives, and how it helped us shape this nation.

Highlights

Harriet Tubman's hymnal; Nat Turner’s bible; A plantation cabin from South Carolina; Guard tower from Angola Prison; Michael Jackson's fedora; and works by prolific artists such as Charles Alston, Elizabeth Catlett, Romare Bearden, and Henry O. Tanner.

10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday–Sunday

12 to 5:30 p.m. Monday*

*10 a.m. on federal holidays

Closed Dec. 25

Free timed-entry passes required

Getting Here

We encourage the use of Metrorail and Metrobus.

Metrorail

Metro Station: Federal Triangle or Smithsonian (Mall exit)

Nearest Accessible Metro Entrance:

Federal Triangle

West side of 12th St., NW, between Pennsylvania and Constitution Ave., NW

Check Metrorail's Elevator and Escalator Service Status page for service disruptions.

MetroAccess

To provide an address for MetroAccess Paratransit, please use 1400 Constitution Ave. NW. However, it is recommended to request drop off on the Madison Drive side of the museum.

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 spa

Also, search the web for lots of sites that list things to do in DC during the winter.

https://washington.org/visit-dc/your-washington-dc-winter-bucket-list

The National Museum of the Marine Corps and Semper Fidelis Memorial Chapel are located in Prince Williams, VA, a suburb of Northern Virginia and recreation, Washington, DC area.

To learn more about lodging, events, parks and recreation, things to do, places to eat, and shopping, please go to the Prince William Visitors webpage at https://www.visitpwc.com/.

Just a note, popular in recent TV series, Quantico is an actual town located in Prince William County, VA about 36 miles outside of Washington, DC.

Quantico is the home of the largest U.S. Marine Corps base, Marine Corps Base Quantico. The base is also the site for other agencies including the FBI Academy and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS).

*Holiday Lights and Fun

Christmas Light Display and Fun at Flat Iron Farm

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nature/maryland/flat-iron-farm-maryland

Calvert Marine Museum -

Christmas Walk and Lighted Boat Parade

https://www.yourcalvert.com/solomons-lighted-boat-parade/

Piney Point Museum Holiday Exhibit. Visit the Piney Point Lighthouse Museum

https://www.stmaryscountymd.gov/recreate/museums/pineypoint/

Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center Holiday Events -

-Lights Show

-Holiday Ornaments and Gift Sale

https://www.annmariegarden.org/annmarie2/calendar

Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Art Center is located in scenic Solomons, Maryland, where the Patuxent River meets the Chesapeake Bay. The sculpture garden features a shady walking path that meanders through the woods past permanent and loaned sculpture, including over thirty works on loan from the Smithsonian Institution and the National Gallery of Art.

https://www.annmariegarden.org/annmarie2/holiday-hours

*Great Places to Eat if You Love Seafood:

Waterside and Waterview -

https://www.calvertcountymd.gov/3317/Waterside-Waterview

St. Marys County - Wineries

https://www.visitstmarysmd.com/eat-drink/wineries-distilleries/

*Museums

Dr. Samuel A. Mudd House Museum

This is the official site of the Dr. Samuel A. Mudd House Museum. Dr. Mudd was the southern Maryland doctor who set the leg of John Wilkes Booth the morning after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. - https://drmudd.org/

Clara Barton National Historic Site

(Built in 1891, this house was the final home of Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross.)

5801 Oxford Road

Glen Echo, MD 20812

United States

https://www.battlefields.org/visit/heritage-sites/clara-barton-national-historic-site

The National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) was founded as the Army Medical Museum at the height of the Civil War in 1862 by Surgeon General William Hammond. Originally a collection center of specimens for research in military medicine and surgery, the museum’s research pinpointed the cause of yellow fever, developed vaccinations for typhoid fever and oversaw other advancements in the field. - https://medicalmuseum.health.mil/

Patuxent River Naval Air Museum -

Great gift shop and lots of great aircraft and simulators

https://www.paxmuseum.com/

22156 Three Notch Rd

Lexington Park, MD 20653

Calvert County Museums List -https://www.calvertcountymd.gov/3284/Museums

US Colored Troops Memorial

https://www.visitstmarysmd.com/directory/united-states-colored-troops-memorial-monument-african-american-heritage-sites/

*Art Galleries

List for Calvert County

https://www.calvertcountymd.gov/3262/Art-Galleries

*Cooking Classes with Great Food Overlooking the Harbor

No Thyme to Cook

14624 Solomons Island Rd S, Solomons, MD 20688

Phone: 443-624-5048 Email No Thyme to Cook

Southern Maryland's home for events. Come. Learn. Eat. Stir up your inner chef with our fun events overlooking Solomons Harbor.

No Thyme to Cook Website

Great Places to Eat if You Love Seafood:

*Waterside and Waterview -

https://www.calvertcountymd.gov/3317/Waterside-Waterview

*St. Marys County - Wineries

https://www.visitstmarysmd.com/eat-drink/wineries-distilleries/

*Museums

Dr. Samuel A. Mudd House Museum

This is the official site of the Dr. Samuel A. Mudd House Museum. Dr. Mudd was the southern Maryland doctor who set the leg of John Wilkes Booth the morning after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. - https://drmudd.org/

Clara Barton National Historic Site

(Built in 1891, this house was the final home of Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross.)

5801 Oxford Road

Glen Echo, MD 20812

United States

https://www.battlefields.org/visit/heritage-sites/clara-barton-national-historic-site

The National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) was founded as the Army Medical Museum at the height of the Civil War in 1862 by Surgeon General William Hammond. Originally a collection center of specimens for research in military medicine and surgery, the museum’s research pinpointed the cause of yellow fever, developed vaccinations for typhoid fever and oversaw other advancements in the field. - https://medicalmuseum.health.mil/

Patuxent River Naval Air Museum -

Great gift shop and lots of great aircraft and simulators

https://www.paxmuseum.com/

22156 Three Notch Rd

Lexington Park, MD 20653

Calvert County Museums List -https://www.calvertcountymd.gov/3284/Museums

US Colored Troops Memorial

https://www.visitstmarysmd.com/directory/united-states-colored-troops-memorial-monument-african-american-heritage-sites/

*Art Galleries

https://www.calvertcountymd.gov/3262/Art-Galleries

*Cooking Classes with Great Food Overlooking the Harbor

No Thyme to Cook

14624 Solomons Island Rd S, Solomons, MD 20688

Phone: 443-624-5048 Email No Thyme to Cook

Southern Maryland's home for events. Come. Learn. Eat. Stir up your inner chef with our fun events overlooking Solomons Harbor.

No Thyme to Cook Website

Great Places to Eat if You Love Seafood:

*Waterside and Waterview -

https://www.calvertcountymd.gov/3317/Waterside-Waterview

*St. Marys County - Wineries

https://www.visitstmarysmd.com/eat-drink/wineries-distilleries/

*Museums

Dr. Samuel A. Mudd House Museum

This is the official site of the Dr. Samuel A. Mudd House Museum. Dr. Mudd was the southern Maryland doctor who set the leg of John Wilkes Booth the morning after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. - https://drmudd.org/

Clara Barton National Historic Site

(Built in 1891, this house was the final home of Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross.)

5801 Oxford Road

Glen Echo, MD 20812

United States

https://www.battlefields.org/visit/heritage-sites/clara-barton-national-historic-site

The National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) was founded as the Army Medical Museum at the height of the Civil War in 1862 by Surgeon General William Hammond. Originally a collection center of specimens for research in military medicine and surgery, the museum’s research pinpointed the cause of yellow fever, developed vaccinations for typhoid fever and oversaw other advancements in the field. - https://medicalmuseum.health.mil/

Patuxent River Naval Air Museum -

Great gift shop and lots of great aircraft and simulators

https://www.paxmuseum.com/

22156 Three Notch Rd

Lexington Park, MD 20653

Calvert County Museums List -https://www.calvertcountymd.gov/3284/Museums

US Colored Troops Memorial

https://www.visitstmarysmd.com/directory/united-states-colored-troops-memorial-monument-african-american-heritage-sites/

*Art Galleries

https://www.calvertcountymd.gov/3262/Art-Galleries

*Cooking Classes with Great Food Overlooking the Harbor

No Thyme to Cook

14624 Solomons Island Rd S, Solomons, MD 20688

Phone: 443-624-5048 Email No Thyme to Cook

Southern Maryland's home for events. Come. Learn. Eat. Stir up your inner chef with our fun events overlooking Solomons Harbor.

No Thyme to Cook Website

Museum of the Bible aims to be among the most technologically advanced and engaging museums in the world. Showcasing rare artifacts spanning 4,000 years of history, the museum offers visitors an immersive and personalized experience with the Bible and its ongoing impact on the world around us.