New Exhibitions
- Butterflies + Plants: Partners in Evolution - In this immersive exhibit visitors can explore a living butterfly house and observe the many ways in which butterflies and other animals have evolved, adapted, and diversified together with their plant partners over tens of millions of years. [Ticket Sales]
Upcoming Exhibitions
- Ocean Views - The ocean is the very essence of life. All life depends on it, we enjoy it, yet we often understand little about this vast, important environment. This dramatic photographic exhibit will give visitors new insights into ocean life and motivate them to celebrate, embrace, and protect this fragile world. Opening in June 2008.
- We’re planning a new exhibit to get the real dirt on soil. The Soils exhibit will showcase the exciting world of living soils right under our feet. Visitors will dig in and explore a hidden world teeming with diverse and fascinating life forms. This exhibit is planned to open in July 2008.
New Online Exhibitions
- Atmosphere: Change is in the Air - An exciting and interactive new virtual exhibition that offers a comprehensive exploration of Earth's atmosphere. Includes Flash interactives, videos, and educational materials.
National Gem and Mineral Collection New Acquisitions
The collection is dynamic and growing, thanks in large part to many generous gifts of specimens and funds. The gems and minerals featured here are some of the more recent additions to the collection.
Natural History Highlights
- CSI for Birds: Scientists Use Forensic Techniques to Improve Airport Safety - Researchers use the museum’s bird collections to identify birds that are involved in birdstrikes. Learn more…
The National Museum of Natural History is dedicated to understanding the natural world and our place in it.
VISITOR INFORMATION:
The museum is located at 10th Street & Constitution Ave. NW, in Washington, D.C. 20560 [MAP]
Admission is free and no tickets are required for entrance to the museum. For information, please call 202-633-1000.
The museum is open every day of the year except December 25.
Regular hours are 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM.
Extended Museum Hours:
On certain dates, the Museum will be open until 7:30 PM to accommodate holiday/spring weekend and summer visitors. For these dates, view the calendar of museum hours.
ACTIVITIES:
- Friday Evening Smithsonian Jazz Café - Friday nights 6:30 to 10 pm
[IMAX] Sea Monsters 3D: A Prehistoric Adventure - weaves a compelling story about an ancient and mysterious ocean world.