National Building Museum

Museum · Downtown

National Building Museum

Museum · Downtown

4

401 F St NW, Washington, DC 20001

Photos

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National Building Museum by F. Harlan Hambright
National Building Museum by Photo by Vittorio Sciosia/age fotostock
National Building Museum by Kevin Allen
National Building Museum by F. Harlan Hambright
National Building Museum by R.J. Swanson
National Building Museum by Kevin Allen
National Building Museum by R.J. Swanson
National Building Museum by null
National Building Museum by null
National Building Museum by null
National Building Museum by null
National Building Museum by null
National Building Museum by null
National Building Museum by null
National Building Museum by null
National Building Museum by null
National Building Museum by null
National Building Museum by null
National Building Museum by null
National Building Museum by null
National Building Museum by null
National Building Museum by null
National Building Museum by null
National Building Museum by null
National Building Museum by null
National Building Museum by null
National Building Museum by null
National Building Museum by null
National Building Museum by null
National Building Museum by null
National Building Museum by null
National Building Museum by null
National Building Museum by null
National Building Museum by null
National Building Museum by null
National Building Museum by null
National Building Museum by null
National Building Museum by null
National Building Museum by null
National Building Museum by null
National Building Museum by null
National Building Museum by null
National Building Museum by null
National Building Museum by null
National Building Museum by null
National Building Museum by null
National Building Museum by null
National Building Museum by null

Highlights

Housed in a stunning Roman-inspired building, this architecture and design museum offers immersive exhibits and hands-on fun for all ages.  

Featured in Eater
Featured in Conde Nast Traveler

401 F St NW, Washington, DC 20001 Get directions

nbm.org
@nationalbuildingmuseum

Information

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401 F St NW, Washington, DC 20001 Get directions

+1 202 272 2448
nbm.org
@nationalbuildingmuseum

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Last updated

Jul 30, 2025

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@afar

"Formerly known as the Pension Building, this immense Italian Renaissance–style structure is home to more than 200 exhibits showcasing the construction, architecture, and engineering heritage of the U.S. and Washington, D.C . A favorite is the Building Zone, where children can complete interactive construction projects. Make sure to pop by the Great Hall, a favorite Presidential Inaugural Ball site since President Grover Cleveland's inauguration in 1885; the 1,200-foot terra cotta frieze; and the colossal 75-foot-tall columns made of over 70,000 bricks each —they're considered to be the tallest Corinthian columns in the world."

The Best Museums in Washington, D.C.
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@cntraveler

10 Best Museums in D.C., from History to Kid-Focused | Condé Nast Traveler

"In a city flush with stately—and historic—edifices, the National Building Museum, which is dedicated to architecture, engineering, and design, still manages to stand out. Built in the late 19th century as the headquarters of the United States Pension Bureau, the building was modeled after a Roman palace. Past exhibitions have explored a wide range of subjects: the secret U.S. cities that were erected with the development of the atom bomb; the lives of a low-income renters facing eviction; and the architectural innovations—such as tiny houses—that have evolved as America has changed. A new upcoming exhibition examines the U.S.-Mexico border wall through the lens of architecture and design. The best time to visit is in summer, when the Great Hall is transformed into an elaborate, immersive exhibition; say, a “beach” teeming with nearly one million plastic beach balls, a glacial sea of icebergs, or a 60-by-60-foot maze." - Amy McKeever, Adele Chapin

https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-museums-in-washington-dc
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@cntraveler

National Building Museum – Museum Review | Condé Nast Traveler

"Zoom out. What’s this place all about? It's fitting that a museum dedicated to architecture, engineering, and design is housed in one of Washington, D.C. 's most beautiful historic buildings. In 1985, the National Building Museum opened inside the U.S. Pension Bureau, a post-Civil War-era Montgomery C. Meigs-designed building inspired by Roman palaces. The Grand Hall is dominated by incredible Corinthian columns, which the museum says are among the tallest of their kind in the world. The museum recently underwent a renovation, closing in December 2019 to repair and upgrade the building's foundation and add amenities like a new visitor's center. In light of the pandemic, the National Building Museum reopened in April 2021. The permanent collection: How was it? The National Building Museum investigates the past, present, and future of our built environment. That could be through galleries of architectural photography or exhibits delving into low-income renter eviction, displaying collections of decorative architectural objects shaped like animals, or viewing the U.S.-Mexico border wall through the lens of architecture and design. It's an essential visit for design fans and something unique for Washington tourists as well. How were the exhibits? Usually, the National Building Museum puts on a gigantic, social-media friendly installation each summer. Past Summer Block Party exhibits have transformed the Great Hall into a huge life-size maze, a "beach" with an ocean of plastic balls, or an indoor "lawn" with suspended hammocks and a soundtrack of crickets chirping. As for the space and exhibits themselves, it all looks attractive, as one would expect for a museum devoted to design. What did you make of the crowd? The soaring Great Hall has long been a favorite spot for kids to toddle around (especially during inclement weather when you can't play outside). An exhibit for children called "Play Work Build" is also popular, where you'll find so many different kinds of blocks for tower building. (That exhibit is currently timed to limit crowding). The museum also usually draws young professionals for after-hour events like the Summer Block Party. How's the accessibility? Find wheelchair and stroller access to this historic building at the G Street NW entrance. Gift shop: obligatory, inspiring—or skip it? The National Building Museum's gift shop frequently lands on best-of lists, carrying hard-to-find, design-focused items for all ages. Think Frank Lloyd Wright-themed ties, fancy Lego sets, books about brutalist architecture, and quirky jewelry. Is the café worth a stop, or should we just plan on going elsewhere? Before the pandemic, the museum was home to local bakery chain Firehook. For food and drink currently, you can easily walk to restaurant-dense Penn Quarter. Any advice for the time- or attention-challenged? It's even worth just visiting the Grand Hall for a few minutes to take in the grandeur of it all. The rotating exhibit halls themselves are manageable and easy to dip in and out of for those of us who aren't engineers. Don't miss the ongoing exhibit "House & Home," which charts the history of American home ownership: both in terms of architectural design and the objects inside our houses that are part of our everyday lives." - Amy McKeever

https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/washington/national-building-museum
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@eater

Chefs for Equality, D.C.’s Premiere Tasting Event, Returns for Its Tenth Year - Eater DC

"After a years-long pandemic hiatus, Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation and food writer David Hagedorn bring back Chefs for Equality to D.C. with a newly announced list of 150 top local chefs, bakers, and mixologists." - Tierney Plumb

https://dc.eater.com/2020/4/27/21238393/best-pop-ups-dc-restaurants-summer
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James Ely

Google
The little things: You can buy your tickets online in advance of your visit. Street parking is tough as this is the heart of downtown, so look for a parking garage. If you're up for catching the Metro, the museum is right across the street from the Judiciary Square station. There are bathrooms on each level; in the corner on the first floor and in the center on the second floor. If you're looking for Lego as a gift for someone, this is a great place to shop. The gift shop has a lot of inventory from the Architecture series and Botanical Collection. Similar to other museums and government buildings in DC, the building itself is a work of art. The building is open and spacious. The museum is walking distance to other museums such as the National Portrait Gallery, National Law Enforcement Museum, and the National Gallery of Art. The museum is a mix of permanent and short-term exhibits. When I went there were exhibits devoted to Frank Lloyd Wright, an exhibit focused on souvenir buildings from around the world and each of the 50 states, and a Lego exhibit that paid tribute to architecture. The Visible Vault highlighted some of the 500,000 individual artifacts that the museum houses in its collection. There are also a few interactive exhibits that will delight the kids.

jacquelyn rodriguez

Google
It was ok, went for the Park(our) tour but it was a pretty small setup and seemed to be mostly geared towards younger kids. The brick city with all the legos was pretty cool and seeing some of the building stuff throughout history, but it seems like a pretty big building for what it had. We checked the museum off the list and will likely not go back. I think it could probably be combined with another museum. The service/personnel were really nice too.

John Tweel, Jr

Google
So the building itself is stunning. The exhibits inside are kind of meh. And while the tickets aren't that expensive a couple of the exhibits were kind of a letdown. Overall, not a bad experience. One of the more interesting structures in DC and not very well known. I'd go just to look at the interior and take the self-guided tour. The exhibits you can see if you're really into architecture.

Emily Mora

Google
Entry price is fair for kids/adults but you have to pay more for certain exhibits like Parkour. We did wait in line for a few mins behind people who were purchasing tickets even though we purchased online, so it may not be necessary to buy in advance. There are 2 fun exhibits for kids — 3 if you pay the extra for Parkour, which we did not because it seemed that at least part of it was only for older kids. The exhibits for adults I found a bit underwhelming but those who are into architecture will likely be interested. The Brick City (LEGO) exhibit is awesome if you can get past the many loud and excited boys 🤪 Gift shop had a wide variety for kids and adults but I found many things to be pricey. It was pretty busy within the first 2 hours of it being opened but wasn’t as busy around 12-1pm. Perfect location if you’re taking the metro!

Jimmer Wagner

Google
Wow, just wow! What a place! The building itself inside and out is a museum. And the exhibits are just amazing! Saw Brick City, Frank Lloyd Wright exhibit, southern architecture exhibit, home and house, and a couple exhibits with collectibles. I'm not sure which ones are permanent and which are temporary. Only one I know is temporary is Brick City, which is a special Lego exhibit going on through August 2026. They were all quite spectacular, especially the Legos, FLW exhibit, and the collectibles. The Lego exhibit was a bit smaller than expected, but it was still spectacular. They also had an area where kids could play Legos. There were other exhibits that would be fun for younger kids as well. There are so many things to see. Spent a bit less than 3 hours there. Probably could have spent a bit more had time allowed.

Lowell Brown

Google
This is a stunning building and stunningly well-curated museum, which I had never visited before and didn’t expect to like so much. My positive experience is even more amazing because I had a 6-year-old in tow. We spent well over an hour playing with new friends and shaped cushions in the lush semi-permanent exhibit Building Stories (which has an entire little gallery devoted to David Macaulay, btw) and then closed down the place with Legos in Brick City on the second floor. At a time when some museums have security that’s so vigilant it’s difficult to learn anything or enjoy the work, the National Building Museum was delightfully hands-on for kids and hands-off with unnecessary rules.

Mama B

Google
I recommend this for family with small kids! First floor is basically free safe space for kids to play. Museum area is spread over 1st and 2nd floor, with lots of learning materials for future architect and civil engineer. You don’t need to purchase ticket in advance, because with or without tickets, you still get in a line at ticket booth in order to receive a wrist band.

Aarti Gala

Google
Wonderful museum with exhibits for kids and adults. Despite having lived in DC for over a decade, we recently went to the national building museum with our four year-old son. There were great exhibits for everyone in the family, very interactive in a stunning space. The staff was very helpful and friendly.
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Julie M.

Yelp
We very much enjoyed spending a pleasant couple of hours in the National Building Museum. Highly recommended for anyone interested in architecture, design and history of buildings. The great hall in the center of the building is beautiful, with massive Corinthian columns. The entire building is made from more than 15 million bricks, making it one of the largest brick buildings in the world. There was an interesting exhibit on housing, that talked about the Sojourner Truth housing project in Detroit in 1941, and the start of the Bracero agricultural worker program in 1942, and how prevalent housing discrimination based on ethnicity was in those days. Also, there is a dramatic terracotta frieze that wraps around the exterior of the building---you must take a look at this. This distinctive and intricate work depicts scenes from the Civil War, including the movement of infantry, navy, artillery, cavalry and quartermaster units. Highly recommended!
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PJ C.

Yelp
This museum is housed in an awesome space that is used for many big events and parties (like presidential inaugural balls). I thought it used to be free to tour but now it costs about $8/person - you can enter the building and see the space for free. The current displays we came to see had to do with Frank Lloyd Wright in Pennsylvania and the Brutalist Architecture of Washington DC. Both were very interesting. They also had a exhibit on famous buildings made out of Legos -fun! The focus of this museum usually is on architecture, buildings and design which are all of interest to me and why I try to stop on every visit to DC. There are usually 5-6 exhibits. Perhaps not for everyone but one of my favorites.
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Traci N.

Yelp
As I'm writing this review I see a photo that I uploaded of one of my kids several years ago, playing in one of the building rooms. A happy past time! But this review is specifically for the Building Museum's GIFT SHOP, which is remarkable! I want to do all of my holiday shopping there, as well as curating our home, and my own personal bookshelf, and random toys for my kids, and writing/art supplies... I could spend all of my money at this gift shop. I'm commenting on it specifically because I'm sure there are hundreds of reviews for the rest of the building, including the museum as such and as an event space. Visit the museum, and linger for the gift shop!
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Sydney G.

Yelp
This was my first time at the Building museum and I absolutely loved it. The exhibits were all so different and cool and the building itself is a marvel. We had only about an hour to spend before they close (they close at 4 just fyi) so we rushed thru to be able to see everything. I think an hour and a half is probably all you really need to spend here but it's a beautiful building
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Hannah H.

Yelp
The National Building Museum is a great museum to check out! If you're into design and buildings, or just plain curious, this place does not disappoint. I was able to check out their 'Building Stories' exhibit that they're currently running, and it is amazing! I love children's books and authors, so this was such a great way to really explore the world of architecture, engineering, construction, and design that are found in books that we've grown up with! Very kid-friendly and good for all ages - they have wonderful staff and educators here! Metered street parking can be found in the area. +'Building Stories' exhibit +wonderful staff +kid-friendly +metered street parking in the area
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Kaila B.

Yelp
Needed something to get me out of the house on a lazy Sunday. What a nice treat this was! The exhibits were creative and informative, and it wasn't as busy as I expected on a weekend. I spent about an hour there, I imagine it would have been a tiny bit longer if I had gone with friends or children as there was plenty to discuss and activities to do. To be aware of: It was $10.
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Frank W.

Yelp
I like the National Building Museum enough to be a member. My wife and I do not even live in Washington, D.C., but my elderly father does, and I am in town just about every month to check up on him (he still lives by himself). So I expect I'll go at least once per year. I also want to support the institution regardless, in the hope it will continue to develop. I offer utmost praise, with a comment that is less a critique than the expression of an aspiration. There is a reason to visit this space, separate from the exhibits. It is quite well known as a rental venue. If you are in the area or frequent it, and you are on the circuit of dinners, the black tie galas, you no doubt have been hosted in its Great Hall, a national landmark, what once was the Pension Building for veterans. Presidents have used it for inaugural balls, and it has the quality you would wish for on such an occasion, a grandeur that is not affected by post-modernist irony, a straightforward attempt to communicate through scale (among the most sizable Corinthian columns in the world, they claim) that the city and the nation are to be respected, to be held in awe. Even empty, it is impressive. You can stop in without a ticket, just to gaze (the other space nearby, if you like this sort of thing, is the Kogod Courtyard of the National Portrait Gallery, my favorite indoor public space, bar none). A little display, permanently in its own room, tells the story of the Quartermaster General, Montgomery C. Meigs, who designed the edifice. He specified low rise stairs so disabled soldiers could get up and down. Some have derided it over the years, but it has stood the test of time. It is old school, to be sure, but I would pick this style over Neo-Gothic. When this was an office, you must have walked into the splendor, aware that bureaucrats were grinding away on your behalf. As much as in any dystopian vision of the future, the vastness surroundings would have communicated, we are huge, you are tiny. On Labor Day, my wife and I had a date downtown. We went specifically for the Brutalism exhibit. That movement, in my opinion appropriately reviled for the utter failure of its proponents to respect humanity or human beings, rendering the inhabitants of the structures the equivalent of insects, and, for that matter, offering no solace even for ants (given the propensity for unfinished concrete), has been re-appropriated, and, at least in image, literally in photos, rehabilitated, through social media. I am not expressing anything original, for various articles of some expertise and erudition have been published pointing out how attractive these imposing monstrosities are as subjects, empty and foreboding, straight on or at a Dutch angle, as if architecture had achieved its apex by eliminating its users. But compare the Building Museum itself to the best of Brutalism. The Building Museum is, for the apprehension it might inspire, nonetheless welcome in a sense: come in, it says, and witness the workings of the government. It does not declare, this environment is meant to crush you into the dust from whence you came. The galleries are upstairs, where the offices were. We also saw the collection of miniature buildings, tourist souvenirs, which were a delight (I grew up where that giant tire is IRL, by the Detroit airport), and the Lego constructions adjoining a room where kids could play with the building blocks. Everything is quality. I only wish there were increased quantity. More than any other single museum I patronize, I enjoy what I experience -- my wife and I probably visit a dozen museums in any given year, and I wander through, feeling educated but not always reveling in the sights. I leave, as I suppose one should, wanting more. The Building Museum is a bit off the beaten path. I do not wish for it to be overrun. But if you have the least interest in architecture, design, urban planning, etc., this is a good hour to spend. Even if you care not a bit for the subject, I encourage you if you are passing by to stop in and gawk.
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Ziyan C.

Yelp
Beautiful and huge atrium. One of the few museums we had to pay for. In the end it didn't feel worth it as there were only 4 exhibits total, taking up very little space in the entire building. We bought our tickets very last minute for a Thursday afternoon visit. When I'd Googled this museum, I saw very cool photos of a demonstration building in the atrium, but that's no longer there. The lego room was a huge hit with the kids, and pretty cool for us adults to see with models of worldwide locations.
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Kwame S.

Yelp
I have to admit that I left the museum a bit underwhelmed. Honestly, I thought the museum was going to be a tour of iconic buildings from around the world, and how these buildings came to be. I guess this is slightly my fault because I did not do much research prior to visiting the museum, and we kinda randomly picked a museum to visit. During our visit (December 2023), there were five exhibitions for a $10 (adult) entry fee: 1. Brick City, 2. A Better Way Home, 3. Play-Work-Build, 4. House & Home, and 5. Mini Memories. Brick City and Play-Work-Build are very kid-friendly. Brick City is kind of cool because it highlights amazing architectural feats (e.g., Empire State Building, Sydney Harbor, Chichén Itzá, etc.) reconstructed with legos. Play-Work-Build is room full of huge foam blocks where folks can building things. Mini Memories, which was a room of souvenirs representing various states and countries, would be fine if it was not a main exhibit for the museum. I kind of reminds me walking through a grandparent's home full of knick knacks. A Better Way Home and House & Home were a little more adult-friendly. It was nice to take a walk down memories land and see images of American families of various racial and ethnic backgrounds through past 200 (I think) or so years. A Better Way Home has small walk-through replicas of various types of home buildings. It took us (two adults) about 1.5 hours to go through the five exhibits. Since it was a slow Saturday, we even played with the foam blocks for a few minutes. To be frank, we spent more time in the souvenir shop, which was more interesting than a few of the exhibitions. While I did not hate the museum itself, I would have to be very committed to a particular exhibit to visit again. I'm not sure if this is an effect of the pandemic, but I expected the museum to have a few more exhibits focusing on architecture. Again, I guess that's my fault for not researching what was going on at the museum. Oh, I will say that the building of the museum was quite impressive. Shoot, there should have been an exhibit about the building itself. . . they have plenty of room to add that exhibit. ;)
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Allen P.

Yelp
Love this place! It is one of those museums that you think "how can that be interesting " and it turns out that it really is. If nothing else, take the free guided tour. The building's history alone is worth the hour. They have some really cool special exhibits and just the beauty and architecture alone are worth a stop in. The interior courtyard makes for a great spot to sit and read or watch the world go by. We really do adore this place.
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Ade B.

Yelp
The great hall in the National Building Museum is breathtaking. I could sit there by the fountain and relax all day. The rest of the museum was a bit underwhelming. The Home & House museum was interesting, as you see images and items from families and home throughout history. Taking pictures was not allowed, which is extremely annoying in 2024! There is an exhibit of buildings done in Legos that is more fun for kids. Another exhibit had small items representing every state in the country. It doesn't take long to go through the entire museum. The great hall is probably the only part of the museum that will stick with me over the years.
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Gilbert G.

Yelp
If you're a fan of architecture or Civil War history or have young kids and would like to take an indoor break, I would recommend a visit to the National Building Museum in DC. It's just one block east from the Capital One Arena or two blocks east of the National Portrait Gallery. Taking the metro (red line) to Judiciary Square will land you right in front of the museum. This huge building has a brick-facade that is differs in appearance from the concrete Greco-Roman pillared mega-buildings you will see elsewhere in DC. Although there is an admission fee ($10/adults or $7/child), it's worth a rest stop or if you're curious to see the rotating exhibits. I used to visit the NBM often10 years ago (2011-2013) when my teenage sons were little kids. The fountain and grand interior of the building provide an enjoyable respite in the city!
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Victoria V.

Yelp
This location is great for massive events. You are close to a metro stop and it is easy to decorate and make it feel beautiful. It was so nice to attend the children's hospital gala here and see the space so well utilized.
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Katie A.

Yelp
Came here for the Smithsonian Craft Show. Stunning work displayed in a beautiful setting. I love the way the light floods into the Building Museum. And the Craft Show was wonderful. So glad it was not virtual like last year. I love to wander and talk to the vendors about their work.
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Deborah H.

Yelp
I love this unique space - it's amazingly grand and has a great history in DC, the perfect place to delve into the architecture and history of buildings. The entry fee is very reasonable ($10) and it's an awesome place for young children - tons of room to run and roam and several interactive exhibits for them to get really hands-on in. Gift shop is also top-notch. In the room for improvement arena, the exhibits don't change very often, the cafe (an exciting recent addition) has incredibly limited hours and often closes early, and if you don't have young children you may be interrupted by some running and screaming. Definitely put this museum on your list but perhaps with less frequent visits than some others.
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Michelle T.

Yelp
As far as museums go in DC, this was just OK. If you live in DC and you have run the gamut of all the amazing museums that the city has to offer, sure. It's a big museum that's relatively low cost ($10 per person) and a great way to get out of either inclement weather or extreme heat/cold. But if you're a tourist or just visiting for a short time with limited hours to get attractions done, I would not recommend it. There aren't a lot of permanent exhibits and the temporary ones are cool but not the most exciting exhibits that I've seen in a DC museum. I think a kid would be kind of bored here. They are currently running an exhibit on the Border Wall / Immigration and that was really interesting to see. I enjoyed that there are thought provoking questions at the end of the temporary exhibits that ask some hard questions - and it's cool to see other people's responses.
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Christopher L.

Yelp
I've wanted to visit these exhibits for a while since the NBM was used as a staging area for the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler, and I finally took that opportunity, and it wasn't that bad! There were 12(!) exhibits, and it was hit or miss, but the exhibits were extremely varied! $10 per adult. $7 for students. FREE if you are a member! For Summer 2022 here are some of the following exhibits: 1. The Playhouse - 5/5: They transformed the atrium into the Folger Theatre, and are playing A Midsummer's Night Dream, and they have activities around the stage, and backstage tours! Really cool, I want to go back and see the actual play. 2. The Wall - 5/5: Very interesting and evocative exhibit, that's designed to initiate conversations since most visitors are probably "anti-wall". Stories from both sides of the border, and how border communities have evolved over time as policy changes. 3. Gun Violence Memorial Project - 5/5: Somber, poignant, and simple exhibit that has houses with cubbies that are filled with names and belongings of those killed by gun violence. Reminds us that everyone who died had a name, a family, hopes and dreams, and a community that mourns them. 4. What's Already There - 2/5: Seemed incomplete, but an exhibit demonstrating how Brussels is changing the urban landscape with sustainable practices, but the exhibit was not well guided, and I didn't know what I was looking at. 5. M|LAB - 5/5: It's a small exhibit, but super cool. Utilizing audio-visual, the exhibit transports you to different locations and you get to see how sound travels in different locations like the sound windmills make in an open field! 6. Notre-Dame De Paris: The Augmented Exhibition - 4/5: A technological exhibit that explores the construction, destruction, and rebuilding of the Notre-Dame in Paris. I thought a lot of the information wasn't well presented and focused on using AR for the entire exhibit rather than allowing AR to provide a superior experience.
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Donyiel C.

Yelp
My alumni holiday party was held here this past Friday and it was amazing. Go Terps!!! The food and drinks were flowing. It's such a beautiful building. I don't know how far in advance you have to book this place but it's worth it! I can't wait to come back again. I would like to actually visit the museum. It's conveniently located across from Judiciary Square metro station.
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Pam D.

Yelp
Brick City at the National Building Museum in D.C. celebrates architecture with Legos. The exhibit opened in May, but I waited to see it with my niece because she loves Legos. These were impressive. But besides this exhibit and the gift shop, I didn't think there was much else to do there.
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Raegan L.

Yelp
The name sounds funny, almost like it was a mistake or something, but the National Building Museum is pretty neat. It's contents are exactly how it's named- there are tons of exhibits on architecture, building projects around the world and the vision behind them, as well as photography for architecture. I had never been here before (and I've been to DC a few times and hit up lots of museums), and I'm glad I went. I would say overall it was a cool experience- there really is a lot to learn and it's a topical museum that isn't near as popular or talked about. But here's my advice: if you haven't been to DC and still need to see the "big" museums, don't go to this one until you've been to the others. I just don't think it's worth it, plus you do have to pay admission for this one. Honestly, just walking in to see how darn cool the lobby is is plenty. Cuz seriously, it's stunning and mesmerizing and with all due respect was the coolest part of the museum to me. However, if you're like me and have been to the other museums, then give this one a try!
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Temima N.

Yelp
I actually thought this museum was really interesting. We were suppose to go to a different museum but decided on this one instead and I really enjoyed it! There's a lot about housing, urban planning, architecture so it was nice. I also like the lobby area with the fountain. It felt like an indoor park since there was so much space to just sit and relax as well as the calming sound of the fountain.
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Ann A.

Yelp
Overall, decent museum. It costs $10 per adult to enter, or $7 if you are a student. Lots of exhibits -- the ones currently there were pretty interesting!

Mama T.

Yelp
Most exhibits were closed at the time that I visited. You don't need a ticket to explore the building, but you need a ticket to see the exhibits.
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Joshua G.

Yelp
Friends of architecture and fans of material culture rejoice! The National Building Museum is as advertised. From exhibits about wood types to concrete, the museum has plenty of fun. Architectural external and internal features are prevalent everywhere including the facilities!
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Kimberly N.

Yelp
We were pleasantly surprised by the National Building Museum! It was recommended to me by a relative and I am glad we took the time to check it out. It was just me and my husband so we skipped the extra fee to see the Lawn exhibit which was geared toward families with youngish kids. It made me miss my kids at that age as they would have loved running up and down the hill! We enjoyed many of the unusual current exhibits like Hoops (photographer Bill Bamberger's collection of photographs depicting basketball courts from around the world showing how they build communities), House & Home (historic exhibit on what living at home means to different people throughout America), Secret Cities (the architecture and planning of the Manhattan Project), Flickering Treasures (historical look at the world of grand movie theaters in Baltimore), and more! Plus, the building which houses the National Building Museum itself is quite grand and something to see! Completed in 1887, it originally housed the United States Pension Bureau serving Civil War veterans and their families. A frieze depicting scenes from the Civil War encircles the exterior of the building. It also served as location of several inauguration balls and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1985.
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Kimi S.

Yelp
Every year the National Building Museum teams up with local architects and artists to build an over the top installation that you can't just help but Instagram. Last year was The Hive and this year it's Fun House, a monochromatic structure with interactive exhibits that include a foam cave, white paper streamers hanging from the walls, marble mazes, punching bag playground, ping pong, and of course their famous swimming pools (a kiddie version and an adult version!) filled to the brim with white plastic balls. This was my daughter's second year attending their exhibit and it was a lot more fun now that she can walk. At one and a half year of age she was most entranced by the marble mazes and the ball pit swimming pool. She kicked and flailed her arms as she tried to "swim" and she cried when our hour was up. You can book tickets in advance for the summer exhibits and I highly suggest it since covered morning times are hard to come by. For kids you can check out the Building Zone (Timed Entry) and Play Work Build which we all equally enjoyed as well. There were a couple of other interesting exhibits we would have liked to check out but my daughter's impending naptime forced us out. With all the people milling around and swimming in the ball pit, I'd recommend sanitizing as soon as you get home. I can't imagine all the germs floating around in there and we are all feeling a little sickly a few days later. Other than that, enjoy and have fun!
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Keisha L.

Yelp
I love a good exhibit that not only is informative but also forces you to think outside of those things you already know. Once I found out about the Evicted exhibit, I had to check it out. Captivating to say the least. We all know that evictions happen for whatever reason but to see how people are affected, how they take place across the US and even those statics per state was something I was not expecting at all. Informational, gut wrenching, and most of all eye opening are just a few of the words I can use to explain it. The most compelling part were the pictures!!! The stats and statics will leave you scratching your head but the picture will tug at your heart strings, prepared or not. There are other exhibits as well but this was the only one I was interested in at the time. They also have the Fun House exhibit on display that ends with the famous ball pit that people come to just take a picture in since it does make the perfect photo backdrop. Outside of the exhibits, the inside of the building is an attraction all of by itself. From the hallways, to the molding on the walls to the arches that the columns so elegantly outline, you could spend a great deal of time here just admiring the detail alone. Definitely worth any of the oooh's and ahhh's as you discover something new with every step you take.
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Michael L.

Yelp
Museum is open Friday through Sunday 11am-4pm. Tickets can be purchased from website and are $10/$7. Tickets are not required for visiting the Great Hall, Museum Store or the Gun Violence Memorial Project. The outdoor architecture is unique and unusual. The Civil War frieze ribbon lining the building always was captivating on my many walks from Chinatown to Capitol Hill. If you look real hard, there is a recurring pattern which the original architect used as a cost-cutting technique.
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Monxo L.

Yelp
This is among the most amazing museums in DC, a city of world-class museums. Their exhibitions are both pretty educational and courageous. Meaning, you learn, and they also offer "positions" about the topics at hand. The building as such is a gem, there is no other museum this grandiose and humbling. Interestingly, the museum shop is also extremely well curated, and has been voted Americas' best museum shop many times over. Their current show about the border wall is moving, data-rooted, and clear-headed. This place is not to be missed by anyone interested in the built environment.
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Michaela S.

Yelp
Completely and totally underwhelmed with this experience. First, it was touted as a "free" place to take kids for an hour or two. That's not exactly true. You can get into the building for free, but tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for kids. Plus, the kids' play area on the first floor has time slots -- so you can't actually get in until you are given a time. If the time slots are sold out, you basically can't go in there. I'll let you guess how that went over with the four year old... We did manage to get into the second floor kids area, but it's just a room full of foam blocks of various sizes. Sure, it kept him occupied for an hour or so, but that's pretty pricey for an hour. I also got scolded by one of the staff members for carrying an insulated cup of water - told there was no food or drink in the play area. I don't know what it is with people and pregnant women, but they just really want to make it more difficult than it already is apparently. Then later the same staff member was basically telling my kid he was playing with the toys incorrectly. Um, no. You don't get to tell my kid he's "doing it wrong" when it's a creative play area! The couple exhibits we walked through were interesting if you like architecture, but they are far more adult-oriented than child-friendly. I'd say that's really the only reason to go here. When we were there, they were clearly setting up for some kind of event later in the day, so basically everyone didn't care about the actual paying customers who were there at the moment. I'll never go back. There are much better places for kids to kill some time.
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Win S.

Yelp
This is one of my favorite museums in the city. You do have to pay for certain exhibits, but they never fail to impress. It is free to enter the building itself and stand in awe of the architecture and regal columns. If you ever go to evening gala here (which they host many here for the city), you will not be disappointed and leave with stars in your eyes. I love their focus on architecture and leed green building, as well as retrospectives on the big, historic names in the industry (Gehry exhibits, Frank Lloyd Wright, Kevin Roche and more). One of my most memorable visits here was for the Human Maze by the BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group. Amazing! Interactive exhibits at its best!!! The wood used for it itself was stunning. And you would get lost and run around finding yourself figuring out a maze. A year later, they hosted the BEACH ball pit by Snarkitecture with translucent (and supposedly clean?) plastic balls. That exhibit was ultra popular and brought in the masses. This past year, they held the HIVE by Studio Gang. It was an installation of paper tubes in a color (pink/gray) inspired by the Women's March. Fascinating to see. Beyond the large-scale exhibits, they have a great focus on green-friendly buildings and have a ton of educational programming encouraging it. My favorite museum shop in the city has BY FAR AND AWAY is also at the National Building Museum. (spilled my secret for all my gift receivers). Practical gifts, as well as unique, well-designed home goods and coveted books. This design store has everything! (and more affordable than the MoMA store which you would have to go to NY for). So thankful for NBM! And it's right off the Judicial Square metro stop in DC.
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Audrey K.

Yelp
A great spot to kill time on a rainy day! Learned a lot about different building structures and styles. Exhibits were a mix of photographs and installations. The blue building block area is a lot of fun - there was no one else there so we had free reign of the area. Would be a great spot to take kids to play around with different building techniques.
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Bernie P.

Yelp
I am interested in urban planning, housing, and architecture. I've lived in Washington for over twenty years and yet I've never been to the National Building Museum until now. I think the biggest reasons are it's a little bit off the beaten path (right at Judiciary Square Metro..so certainly not in the hinterlands), and you have to pay :-). In a city of first-rate FREE museums, it is hard for me to pay a museum entrance fee, so I went on Museum Day when the entrance fee is free. I know. I'm ridiculous!! The museum is a beautiful example of renaissance revival. The arches and Corinthian columns are really over the top and understandable why this building was used for many inaugural balls. It is a powerful room with great gravity. If you like all things building, as I mentioned above, then yes, you will like the museum. I particularly liked the exhibit "Housing for a Changing America." The exhibit carefully explains changing demographics and needs of the American population. The days of a married man, woman, and 2.5 children are long gone. The exhibit points out ways and really interesting examples of how to cope with these changes. And for all of you who love the idea of flexible housing, they have an awesome exhibit of how to make use of small places. I'm NOT in the tiny house crowd, but I'm a big proponent of making urban center living accessible for more diverse groups. They have a mockup space that show how you can maximize space. The normal entrance fee is $10. Don't be ridiculous like me and wait for the next year's free museum day, if these topics interest you. Just go! Believe me there are plenty of other ways I'm sure you are wasting $10. This will not be a waste.
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Paisley T.

Yelp
I'm not hating on the building museum. It's all good. It's just really devoid of that wow factor you are used to. I mean this is the land of museum mecca and there is too much hype to live up to. The best part of the museum is the gorgeous columns. The architecture is really lovely. I just wish there was more to the actual exhibits We really enjoyed the temporary evicted exhibit. If you have never been on hard times before in your life you need to view this exhibit. It is so simple but it is so well done. Thank goodness someone is creating a conversation starter about the housing crisis in this country.
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Anh L.

Yelp
I only came here for fun house because that was the attraction. It was amazing! I got some really great photos and my friends and I had a lot of fun within the 1 hour time frame. I only wished I came earlier or gone a second time because the exhibit is no longer available. I think it would've been better if they allowed less people in for a shorter time frame instead of packing in so many people in one hour. Other than that, I wouldn't necessarily go to this museum. I wasn't interested in the other things. I tried exploring a bit and I did like the style and architecture of the building itself, but other than that I would definitely pass on this museum the next time I'm in town unless they have another cool attraction here.
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Iulia G.

Yelp
Minutes away from the Verizon Center, the National Building Museum has the exhibit which is the latest DC instagram sensation. I've been seeing pictures of Hive, the museum's latest installation, so I knew I had to visit. This installation is made out of recyclable tubes and reaches 60 feet tall at its highest. It also forms 3 domes, each with tubular instruments to play with as it can be cool to hear all the different sounds. The museum itself has a beautiful great hall with 75 feet tall Corinthian columns. Outside of that, the space isn't really occupied yet they charge a $16 entrance fee. Absolutely ridiculous! Especially with all the free museums that DC has to offer. Save yourself some time and money, and go elsewhere.
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Laur H.

Yelp
I visited the National Building Museum on Museum Day, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed myself. Unfortunately the ball pit exhibit had closed, but even without the allure of social media bait, I enjoyed the three hours I spent walking through the exhibits here. For me, the standout exhibit was Secret Cities, an examination of the planning of and strategy behind the "ghost cities" where the people responsible for developing the atom bomb lived. I haven't really thought about the Manhattan Project since high school history class, and experiencing it primarily through the lens of architecture and urban planning was fascinating. The central atrium is a commanding space, and just as worthy of admiration as the exhibits. Also not to be missed is the gift shop. Although it's one of the few museums in DC that charges for admission, it's entirely worth the price.
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Jennifer S.

Yelp
A hidden gem in the heart of DC. The main hall is free to enter and the exhibits you need to pay a small fee ($7 for students & $10 general admission). We went on a Saturday and it was not packed at all. The columns are mesmerizing and a great photo op. They also have the wooden columns of the Norte Dame Project, which is pretty neat! This is only an exhibit for a certain time though but there's many other things to see. They also have a playroom for kids.
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Mary Kate E.

Yelp
I like it here. The exhibitions are constantly changing. Being that this is not a Smithsonian, you do have to pay an admission fee to enter. No biggie though. They are reasonable. The space in the museum is frequently used for: 1. Galas 2. Event space 3. Large scale exhibitions Often times you will come here and see the main hall is getting good use out of it. I could spend hours at the exhibits they have within the Building Museum, but the fact is a lot of the time, these will get overlooked due to the main room exhibit experience. They're usually interactive - The Hive, the white ball pit, the beach experience, the iceburgs... these are to name just a few. Do not miss out on the main experience! Visit the smaller galleries and take them in. They are worth it. One of my favorites was the exhibit about St. Elizabeth's mental hospital. Very interesting stuff. There is a lot of Instagrammable opportunities. Come check it out and see!
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Roshelle B.

Yelp
The fam and I specifically came for the Fun House exhibition and really enjoyed ourselves. Prior to entering the museum, I would definitely recommend packing your patience as there were A LOT of kids and adults when we came. I can honestly say that the Fun House exhibition as a whole had hands-on activities for both kids and adults along with great areas for some bomb Instagram photos. At times, I found myself having more fun than my kids. Once outside of the actual house, in the backyard, there was a line of people waiting to take pictures inside of I believe 'Playhouse' and directly behind that is the ball pit or "pool". We opted to stay in the 1 foot deep area since I had my 2 young children and the bigger and slightly deeper area was just too crowded (also I was paranoid about losing my phone!). Oh, and don't forget to purchase your tickets online ($16 for adults, $13 for kids ages 3-17). When we arrived there was a sign on the door that tickets for that day were sold out.

Blake A.

Yelp
I work in the construction industry and was so excited for this museum, but I would say it's a disappointment overall. I feel like they rushed through the building education part of the experience and focused all their energy into a border wall exhibit on immigration, it's such a stretch to say that the topic is relevant to buildings and architecture. The worst part is you pay $10 to fund that nonsense exhibit. I really thought this museum was going to be a tour of buildings/engineering feats from around the US and tell the story of how our skylines, or iconic buildings/landmarks were created, but really all they had was some carpet and insulation samples. The building itself is a beauty though and interesting enough to look at, but the place lacked meaningful content and wanted to make a political statement instead.
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Aarti B.

Yelp
One of the most underrated and overlooked museums in DC! I love the fun evening events during the summer on Weds. What better way to tour the exhibits than with a glass of wine and some savory and sweet snacks! If you wait to 7pm, you might be able to get a discount, I got in for free. The Snarkitecture Fun house ball pit exhibit was a blast (very similar to the Beach exhibit in 2015)! It was a challenge to get up from all those airy plastic balls. As it was really slippery and hard to balance, I can't count how many times I fell and watched others topple over as well! The free Evicted exhibit was really eye-opening with compelling visual illustrations. I was surprised to learn that over 2 million Americans particularly African American single mothers get evicted from their homes every year. The solemn videos painted a dismal life for low-income families and the process of eviction. It was interesting from the different sizes of the packaging boxes how some states have disproportionately more evictions than others compared to their population like Georgia, NJ, and North Carolina. Definitely worth checking out! While DC is touted for its Smithsonian museums, the National Building Museum has unique exhibits and less crowded!
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Keiko M.

Yelp
I went there for a cherry blossom family event. Mostly small kids and parents. I know it's not for me... But I have a young artistic spirit! Price: Free. Building: I wish it was a part of my house. Parking lot: Garage?! Metro station is right in front of the building. Location: Close yo downtown and Smithsonian!
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Israel G.

Yelp
Awesome place. I showed up and they had an event for the kids on the first floor. I spent about 2 1/2 touring the museum. I really liked the Timber area, the water fountain, and especially the building block area. I spent a majority of my time in the building block area. This was an interactive area with three different stations for the kids to do some hands on building. There were plenty of blocks to share and it was not overly crowded. I really enjoyed my time here.
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Aaron R.

Yelp
The ever-popular made-for-Instagram museum exhibits are on the rise, and coming to a city near you. Well, one came to D.C., and it's located at the National Building Museum. For the past few summers, the National Building Museum has been making headlines and swarming Instagram with pictures of a giant ball pit. This summer, the ball pit is back on a smaller scale as part of the overall Fun House exhibit (built by New York-based collaborative practice Snarkitecture) with an entire "house" made of Styrofoam and other weird materials. For $16, the Fun House is great to kill an hour and take as many photos you can post on all of your social media sites. There are a LOT of opportunities for pictures, including a cool marble ball structure, ping pong tables, a small basketball court and other things inside the house made of Styrofoam. Keep in mind that the museum does not have a large cap on how many people come into the exhibit, so it will be crowded, and you may have to wait for some of the photo ops. Or you deal with getting a stranger's leg in your picture. Nothing a good filter can't crop out though. The staff will enforce you leaving the Fun House exhibit after an hour, so don't plan on wandering around past your allocated time. You can, however, visit the exhibits on the periphery, many of which are worth doing. You could easily spend an entire afternoon here, making the $16 go pretty far for what amounts to pictures of you, tourists and a bunch of white balls. The museum has a good location right across from the Judiciary Square metro and close to Chinatown. I'd come here in the summer when they have their cool exhibits. Otherwise, you're getting less value for the rest of the museum that is just okay on its own.
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Cheryl W.

Yelp
While general admission to the museum is free, the special exhibits are fee-based and worth the price. The grand hall is expansive and lined with beautiful ornate columns. Each year there is one large interactive exhibit that fills most of the lobby. This year it's Fun House by Snarkitecture (the group that brought us The Beach in 2015). There are about six rooms in the all-white house that lead you to the backyard that has two pools that you can "swim" and play in. The kids love it, but I will admit, it gave me the willies. If you have a little one, you'll love the 2nd floor. There a number of interactive exhibits for kids, and even rooms where they can become little builders. One of my favorite ongoing exhibits is House and Home. In this room you learn about various building materials used in different eras, but my favorite, are the doll houses, models and various household items used over the years (they have an Atari 2400!)
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Rusty R.

Yelp
Went to the National Building Museum as a person who is a professional Planner and has extensive experience in design, planning, city form, etc. Found Evicted, Manhattan Project, and Making Room very informative and interesting. The Fun House was completely underwhelming in my estimation. Super over-crowded, mostly geared toward kids (so, if you have kids, my opinion probably doesn't matter), and I went through the whole thing in 10 minutes.
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Jessica B.

Yelp
I got the chance to visit the National Building Museum for free a few weeks ago when Smithsonian Magazine had their Museum Live event. The museum is literally across the street from the Judiciary Square metro--like you can fall out of the metro and land at the museum, plus the Gallery Place metro is only a few blocks away. I didn't realize how large this place is, I didn't really think it was when I was outside but boy is it huge. I came with a group and we started from the top floor and worked our way down. Before entering any of the exhibits, I noticed the columns appeared to be marble but on closer inspection was painted with a marble design. I think the columns are actually brick. Also, if you crane your neck, you can see what look to be statue heads. They are actually people that were part of the building industry such as a construction worker, banker, architect, engineer, etc. I saw several exhibits but my favorites were: Investigating where we live and House & Home. Investigating where we live gave teens the chance to showcase their view of DC. It was so cool to see images of statues, buildings through the eyes of teenagers. Also, these images are of things that might not typically get the shine they deserve. This exhibit is here until June 2016. The House & Home was fun because you could see household items when they first came out and the reason behind it. They had a Cabbage Patch doll which took me back--talk about nostalgia! This museum is kid-friendly. I saw many parents with their little ones and I think there were birthday parties going on. The admission is normally $10.00 but I think they have discounts if you are a member. I would definitely recommend checking it out the National Building Museum, I had a great time.
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Brittany F.

Yelp
This museum was pretty cool. Same day tickets were plentiful upon opening at 10:00. Admission was around $16. The funhouse and ball pits were definitely the highlight. Our time slot was mid-morning. There were lots of families and children all there to take in the sights and engaging on all the exhibits. A less publicized exhibit, Eviction, was also very good. This exhibit covers the staggering eviction rates and statistics in America. The stories of evicted families can be seen in photos, and on screens, as you travel through the exhibit. It was quite an eye-opener! The museum has a Firehook on-site, where you can grab coffee or a quick bite if you get hungry, as well as a bookstore for books and souvenirs.