Attraction
National Air and Space Museum
The Smithsonian's flagship aviation and space museum on the National Mall, home to the Wright Flyer, the Spirit of St. Louis and the Apollo 11 command…
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
America's national Holocaust memorial and museum, just off the National Mall, with a permanent exhibition told across three floors and a quiet Hall of Remembrance.
At a glance
- Type
- History museum and memorial
- Area
- National Mall, Washington DC, United States
- Opening
- Open daily · 10:00–17:30
- Official site
- ushmm.org
Good to know
- Free entry
- Timed tickets for Permanent Exhibition
- Fully accessible
- Café
Why we recommend it
The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum was dedicated on 22 April 1993 and opened to the public four days later. It stands just off the National Mall, a few minutes from the Washington Monument. The building was designed by James Ingo Freed of Pei Cobb Freed and Partners, and its spaces are deliberately sober in tone.
The Permanent Exhibition is the core of a visit. You start by taking a lift to the top floor, where you are given an identification card telling the story of one person who lived through or died in the Holocaust. The galleries then lead downwards: the fourth floor covers the Nazi rise to power from 1933 to 1939, the third floor deals with the ghettos and the "Final Solution", and the second floor covers liberation, ending with filmed testimony from survivors. The exhibition uses more than 900 artefacts and many film and video displays.
After the exhibition, the hexagonal Hall of Remembrance offers a quiet space with an eternal flame where visitors can light candles. For younger visitors, Daniel's Story tells the experience of a child during the Holocaust in a format designed for families. The museum recommends the Permanent Exhibition for visitors aged 11 and older.
Entry to the museum is free. Free timed-entry tickets are required for the Permanent Exhibition and for the museum's new exhibition "Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away.", so book ahead, particularly in spring and summer when school groups visit. The museum is open from 10am to 5:30pm, and all visitors go through security screening. Groups have several ticket options depending on their size and type, and book through the museum's group reservations page.
Allow at least two to three hours for the Permanent Exhibition and give yourself time afterwards; many people find the visit emotionally demanding. The museum is fully accessible for visitors using wheelchairs and other mobility aids, and its café is open daily for meals to eat in or take away.
Smithsonian Metro station is the closest, a few minutes' walk away. The Washington Monument and the Tidal Basin are both close by, and the National Mall's lawns are a good place to pause before moving on to anything else.
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum FAQs
Is the Holocaust Museum free?
Yes. Entry is free, but free timed-entry tickets are required for the Permanent Exhibition.
What are the opening hours?
The museum is open from 10am to 5:30pm.
What age is the Permanent Exhibition suitable for?
The museum recommends it for visitors aged 11 and older. Daniel's Story is designed for younger visitors.
How long should I allow?
At least two to three hours for the Permanent Exhibition, plus time to reflect afterwards.
Is the museum accessible?
Yes. It is fully accessible to visitors who use wheelchairs and other mobility devices.
Is there a café?
Yes. The café is open daily for eat-in and takeaway meals.
What is the nearest Metro?
Smithsonian station, a short walk away.
Is there security screening?
Yes. All visitors are screened before entry.