Had a great time with 2 toddlers at the museum. Not crowded compared to other Smithsonian’s and the staff were all so nice! Great kid center on 3rd floor for little ones. Kids loved fry bread from cafeteria (yummy but not cheap). Next time hope to see more exhibits but the ones we saw were very interesting.

The museum is filled with beautiful collection depicting the lives of American Indians. Before the arrival of Europeans and what followed after ....It has 4 floors. Best to start from 4th floor and continue walking downstairs. Each floor has elevators too. Gives an in depth information how their lives were and how they lost everything that they called home. Its very informative for children in Jr High. They have creative center for little ones under 10. Touring the entire museum might take 4/5 hrs. There are QR coded exhibits for more information one can listen to on their phones. Entrance is free. Metered parking outside all around the museum. The Cafe is nice. Also there are a few Food trucks outside, but there aren't any trash cans around, so finish eating, trash by the truck and walk around. There is a garden outside with plants bearing fruit, flower that were found in the lives of the early American Indians.

Beautiful, spacious, free museum with lovely American Indian art and history. Weaving by artist DY Begay, exhibit on treaties negotiated with tribes, beadwork. Cafeteria had wonderful native dishes. Great store with books, art and clothing. Not crowded on a weekday.

Excellent experience

What an incredibly powerful, informative and important museum. This museum gives a voice to those who have not been heard and lets their stories be told. Go in with an open mind and take your time throughout the exhibits and reflect on what you thought you knew before visiting and how your viewpoint has changed after. I also suggest trying out their cafeteria. The food is a little pricey but it's great getting to try authentic Native American food.

Beautiful and elegant building: one-of-kind and unique. The artifacts galleries and subjects inside were very interesting: they provide insights on the history, art, and culture of many Indigenous communities in North America. The stories are full of lessons that will inspire your mind and soul. Its just beautiful in and out.

I attended IEEE Big Data 2024 in the area then the conference banquet at the museum. Every artifact of this museum tells a unique story! Covering the detail history of the Native Americans

Very beautiful museum. Great signage for those who needed some context or more info. Cafeteria with a large choice for meals or snacks. No admission charge needed.

Bit disappointing thought there would be more abstracts. Alot of reading info though

This museum is a treasure. It’s a harsh reminder of the past treatment of American Indians, but also an inspiring look at all the amazing art and culture that exist because of them. This museum also has one of the best cafes. And the gift shop is full of lovely pieces inspired and created by Indian artists.

Great informational museum with lots of artifacts and things to see and read. Four floors of exhibits along with a gift shop and snack area. Free to the public. Elevators make it very accessible. I paid parking on the street nearby for $2/hr.

Somewhat disappointing. This museum could have engaged with native history in a more meaningful and comprehensive way. The narrative storytelling of the exhibits were conflicted and lacking. The textile arts, videos, and some artifacts were interesting and those stories were well told. Staff was nice.

Wonderful museum with great exhibits.

The Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian is a beautiful and thought-provoking museum that provides a deep and respectful look at the history, culture, and contributions of Indigenous peoples from across the Americas. The museum’s architecture is stunning, designed to reflect natural landscapes, and the exhibits are richly detailed and immersive. The displays showcase art, artifacts, and stories from various Native nations, offering a powerful perspective on their resilience and heritage. One of the highlights is the interactive exhibits and the museum’s focus on letting Native voices tell their own histories. The Mitsitam Café is also worth visiting, offering a delicious selection of Indigenous-inspired cuisine. A must-visit for anyone interested in history, culture, and learning from the perspectives of Indigenous communities. Highly recommended!

Is this the best Native museum I’ve visited? Probably not, but it’s a good addition to the national capital. The museum itself is large and architecturally beautiful, but it felt a bit underwhelming to us. While the displays are nice, the building feels underutilized, with only about three-quarters of the space being actively used. One of the biggest issues was the lack of a clear theme or layout. At one point, I noticed a Potawatomi exhibit right next to a Lakota one, which felt disorganized. It might be better if exhibits were arranged regionally or thematically to help visitors better understand the connections and distinctions between tribes. Additionally, I think the museum would benefit from showcasing a greater variety of materials from lesser-known tribes, rather than focusing so heavily on larger ones like the Cherokee, Lakota, and Navajo. There’s so much rich history that deserves to be represented. We visited on Thanksgiving Day, and the crowds were minimal, which was nice. It’s also worth noting that there’s no admission fee, which makes it accessible to everyone. It's definitely worth a visit when in DC.

I had the opportunity to visit a captivating museum dedicated to American Indian arts, cultures, tribes, history, and influences. This magnificent four-story building features diverse galleries on each floor, offering a wealth of knowledge and insight. While some areas were unfortunately closed to the public during my visit, the overall experience was truly enriching.