National Museum of the American Indian

A great place to visit and experience the rich history and culture of Native American communities. The exhibits are well-curated, informative, and beautifully presented, offering deep insights into traditions, art, and history. The museum is free, making it an excellent stop for anyone interested in learning more about Indigenous heritage. The atmosphere is welcoming, and the artifacts on display are truly fascinating. Definitely worth a visit!

Very nice collection spanning many tribes and time periods. One gallery was closed, and all the Cherokee items were missing. The museum would be better if there were documentaries, more tribes represented, and more artifacts.

Discovering the Rich Heritage of the National Museum of the American Indian in New York!!! 🥰 Nov.2024 Located in the heart of Manhattan, the National Museum of the American Indian in New York is a treasure trove of indigenous cultures, traditions, and histories. As a cultural enthusiast, I was eager to explore this world-class institution, and I was not disappointed. The museum's stunning architecture, designed by Douglas Cardinal, is a work of art in itself, with a beautiful curved design that evokes the natural landscapes of the Americas. The interior spaces are equally impressive, with soaring ceilings, natural light, and beautifully designed exhibits that invite exploration and discovery. The museum's collections are incredibly diverse, with over 800,000 objects representing more than 1,000 indigenous cultures. I spent hours exploring the exhibits, which included everything from ancient artifacts and traditional clothing to contemporary art and interactive media installations. The museum's permanent exhibit, "Infinity of Nations," is a must-see, featuring a stunning array of objects that showcase the diversity and richness of Native American cultures. What impressed me most was the museum's commitment to telling the stories of Native American communities in their own words. The exhibits are designed to be interactive and immersive, with multimedia presentations, hands-on activities, and live performances that bring the history and culture to life. The National Museum of the American Indian in New York is an absolute must-visit destination for anyone interested in learning about the rich and diverse heritage of Native American communities. With its stunning architecture, world-class collections, and immersive exhibits, this museum is an unforgettable experience that will leave you inspired, educated, and eager to learn more. The museum's location in the heart of Manhattan makes it easily accessible by public transportation or on foot. The museum also offers a range of amenities, including a café, a shop, and a theater, making it a great destination for a day out in the city. Overall, the National Museum of the American Indian in New York is a world-class institution that is not to be missed. Whether you're a history buff, a cultural enthusiast, or simply looking for a unique and enriching experience, this museum is a must-visit destination ⭐️🇺🇸

My group and I had a wonderful experience at the museum. The exhibits were beautifully colorful, and the staff was incredibly helpful and polite, making the check-in process smooth. One downside was the steps at the entrance, which made it difficult for one of our members. However, we found an alternative exit and are unsure if it can also be used for entry. I did find that the informational blurbs were placed quite low, requiring frequent bending to read the descriptions in the display cases. Due to time constraints, we only explored the second floor, but the group thoroughly enjoyed themselves. I would love to return to see the entire museum.

The interior is one of the most beautiful buildings I have ever seen in the united states. Entry is free, exhibitions are informative, and the museum shop has a large selection of native made gifts

Nice museum Not huge but good hour of amazing exhibits

A Must-Visit in the Wall Street Area! If you're visiting Wall Street, make sure to stop by the National Museum of the American Indian — it's an experience you won’t regret! This museum is an essential stop for anyone wanting to learn more about the rich history and culture of the Native American people who originally inhabited Manhattan. The museum offers a variety of engaging activities, including games and quizzes that are perfect for children and teenagers. The exhibits are filled with fascinating materials, making it easy for visitors of all ages to learn and enjoy. The staff are incredibly professional, knowledgeable, and helpful, enhancing the overall experience. Don’t miss the museum shop — it’s a treasure trove of unique items and books related to Native American culture and history. Be sure to take a look or ask the friendly assistants for recommendations; they’re always happy to help! On top of that, the museum is housed in a beautiful historic building — the former U.S. Custom House — which adds to the charm of the visit. This place is not just educational, but also eye-opening and enriching. Highly recommend it for families, history buffs, or anyone curious about Manhattan's origins and the stories of its first inhabitants.

A Must-Visit for History and Culture Enthusiasts! My visit to the National Museum of the American Indian was an incredible experience. The museum beautifully showcases the rich history, culture, and contributions of Indigenous peoples, with stunning exhibits and artifacts that bring their stories to life. The atmosphere is both immersive and thought-provoking, making it a must-visit for any one exploring NYC. The staff was friendly and helpful—especially the gift shop staff and docents. I had wonderful conversations with multiple staff members, all of whom were incredibly knowledgeable. I learned so much from them, which made my visit even more memorable. I highly recommend stopping by, whether you're passionate about history or just looking for an engaging and meaningful experience in the city!

After many years living in NY, my first time visiting the Indian American museum. Highly recommended whether a tourist or New Yorker, take a gander, it's free! There's restrooms available as well. Apon entering, there's security check so definitely don't bring any weapons. It's semi spacious museum with north and South indigenous American history. It can be jarring reads and video content but definitely necessary information of American history. Understanding the people that called these continents home for thousands of years. Add this to your Ny itinerary. Family friendly and great for dates. Why not learn complimentary American history while in NY?!

This museum is located a few blocks from the Staten Island ferry building. We happened upon it one year and have been returning whenever in the area. The focus is the American Indian. The gift shop is a good stop on the main floor. There is also a small cafe. The rotunda is amazing as you walk through to see the galleries. Basketry, outfits and lifestyles are some of the things you will see and learn about.

This is a free museum in downtown Manhattan. They have some Native American artifacts, art, photographs. The museum is located in the Alexander Hamilton US Custom House, which is a historic building. This is part of the Smithsonian. They have a gift shop.

Great experience here at the museum. There isn't much to complain about this FREE museum. No advance reservations required. You can enter onto the main first floor or the lower floor and must go through a security checkpoint: a walkthrough metal detector. There are lots of interesting exhibits throughout the museum. The main section covers the native american tribes throughout the north, central and south americas. Lots of great information and exhibits there. There is also another area that covers the native american history throughout New York state specifically...covering Niagara Falls, Manhattan, The Bronx and Long Island. Downstairs has a great interactive exhibit area. Although everyone could appreciate this area, I could see how kids would gravitate toward this area. Lots of interesting and relatable information here. The main rotunda area (along with one of the museum wings) is undergoing some renovations at this time. Huge gift shop with lots of items...clothes, jewelry, food and tons of trinkets. Also a cafe area with beverages and some food items. Easy public transportation...right in front of the Bowling Green (4/5) train station. Parking, as expected, is tough in the area. A bit easier on weekends (particularly on Sundays) where parking restrictions are NOT in effect.

Free and really well laid out. Beautiful to see. Heart wrenching as well to see how oppressed native Americans were throughout all time. Some of the museum is under construction and closed unfortunately. I liked seeing South American natives all the way north to Alaskan and seeing the differences in their attire and cultures. Learning about modern native Americans today especially in New York was also eye opening. Very interactive for kids but really only toward the end.

Wow this museum really made me think in my adult life about Indians in this country what I never really thought about when we read about it in school as kids. It really makes you feel what a crime it was that was done to these people who were native to this country before the white men. Is this a very old sign of white supremacy in this country and dates back hundreds of years? It just makes you really think about it and feel for these proud people. I hope my photos show and give you the feel. I really think everyone should visit this museum and I also know there is another one of these museums in Washington DC so it gives more people on the East Coast a chance to visit either one or both.

MUSEUM. An Institution which was originally established in Upper MANHATTAN in 1922 but opened at its present location in 1994. The Museum is located in the U.S. CUSTOM HOUSE Building which is a National Historic Landmark. Renovations were ongoing when I stopped by here. WORTH VISITING.

I had been passing this Museum on my way to the city for years & finally out of the blue decided to go inside yesterday! I was so glad I did . I will be coming back again with comfortable shoes & time on my hands ! This building is huge & so much to see & learn . I can get lost in there. Only was able to see the second floor, 2 more floors to see in future. And yes it's a free museum & you have to go through security. I think it's a good thing , you just don't know these days ! They are open 364 days , Christmas Day is the only day they closed . If you are near Wall Street, and you love history then this is a must ! I had a remarkable time there . The stuff were very nice & helpful too. Btw it only allowed me to post 10 pics , don't know why ! I had a lot of pictures to post tho. Maybe it's a glitch who knows .

I loved this museum so much I left and planned a field trip for my Culture Club. Not only is it rich with relevant local history but it eye opening with magnificent art instillations. I loved every second of it. My students enjoyed themself because there was an entire interaction section that walked them through this wonderful culture, it kept them very engaged. One of their favorite parts was a short informative video. Please check it out. It will blow your mind like it blew mine. I'm very glad I went for a visit.

Lovely building with gorgeous artifacts from a time before iPhones, when people wasted nothing and used every part of everything without needing the financial incentive of carbon credits. I particularly loved the clothing and accessories--how did people hand-sew human hair like that? The free admission is just cherry, but remember that since this is a Smithsonian museum, you will go through federal government-level security checks. So leave the meth at home.

The National Museum of the Native American is housed in a majestic building at Bowling Green. Formerly the Alexander Hamilton US Customs House this has marble all over which makes the air inside a lot cooler. On Monday, I visited this museum after a long time. When I worked downtown I would visit it very often. Devoted mainly to the Native Americans on the East Coast it was nonetheless fascinating. I particularly liked the native dress and decorative bowls in red. Every room had comfortable benches where a visitor could sit to focus on various pieces. This museum is free every day of the week which for me is a big plus as other museums often charge a lot even for a senior. A cafe is open from Wednesday to Sunday. The museum store had lovely jewelry. While I climbed the long staircase to enter the museum I took an ejection descend to street level. Restrooms are clean and on the ground floor. Everyone who worked here was kind and friendly even the guards as one has to go through security screening.

Beautiful federal government building with this small museum inside. There is no entrance fee so take the time to see the building the store and the exhibition. Definitely worth 45-60 minutes of your day in New York City.

Not only is it amazing as soon as you walk in but the whole exhibit and experience will leave you in awe.....and it's free....Free is me but the interactive boards and the view of the beauty in the craftsmanship of the different Indian Tribes was jaw dropping for me. I went with my sister friend who she comes from the Cherokee Tribe and to see some of the items and clothes they made and wore for ceremonies was so inspiring. I can see the deep feeling of the closeness to her ancestors even saw a piece that was made and how similar it was to a,coster she made by hand for me....see she has her Cherokee bloodline already in her....it is a good tourist attraction buy no kids running around please it is a very peaceful place....and the souvenirs was pleasant and I could waste my whole rent on those items. I will be going again soon

National Museum of the American Indian is a must visit. This museum was founded by George Heye and is one of the world famous museums. There are two locations: one in NY and the other in Washington DC. The museum is free anytime to visitors. There are many beautiful collections/ artifacts to be found here. It is a National Museum. They will check your bags when coming in. The museum has three exhibits on the first floor and one exhibit in the basement. I really enjoyed my visit here.

Have come to New York City seven times in the past seven years, but never came to this museum until now. We've visited the Bank of America first full weekend free museums, and those on the Reciprocal Museum list. This museum is free every day of the year. Came here Monday October 4, 2021, when most other museums are closed. Arrived by subway, with the museum in a grandiose building, formerly a US customs building within 1 block of the subway station. Vast museum of paintings, artifacts, costumes. There were no concerts and no tribal dance presentations due to the coronavirus. Wife was fascinated as she lived 18 years in Santa Fe, NM, a center of American Indian culture, with dozens of museums. Spent about two hours here, before catching the subway to visit the Whitney Museum, another rare museum open on a Monday. The objects in this exhibition were largely collected by George Gustave Heye. Heye began collecting American Indian artifacts in Arizona 1897. His lifetime collection of 800,000 pieces was from throughout America, before his death in 1957. The collection was transferred over to the Smithsonian in 1989, becoming part of the NMAI. 800,000 items was the mother of all estate sales, and is still be catalogued 30+ years later. And you thought you had a lot of stuff in your last move!

I did enjoy this museum. They have many wonderful artifacts to show you what Native American life was like. Many clothing items over 100 years old. A few poignant stories, like the story of Ishi, a Yaha Indian, possibly the last of his tribe, who chose to live in a human zoo rather than return to civilization or the wilderness. Beautiful artwork. I give it four stars because first of all, should we have these artifacts? I appreciate them, but were these acquired appropriately and are the respective tribes ok with them being in the Smithsonian? I would appreciate transparency on this. Also, while it touches on it at some parts of colonialism, overall it glosses over the crimes committed against Native Americans. And tells nothing (that I could find) about boarding schools, reservations, and how they still fight oppression today. There are also some artifacts and exhibits on Central American/South American Indians like the Mayans. Some beautiful carved wooden figures. Since this branch is in New York, there is a section on native Americans in New York. There is also an exhibit on Native American Art, which I enjoyed. It had a lot of contemporary and pop art pieces that really changed my perception of Native Americans. I always picture them as so solemn and proud. Some of these pieces were colorful and silly, and I loved that. Architecture is gorgeous. Admission is free, so through its really only one floor, it's worth a stop if you're in the area.

Enjoy the impressive architecture and then move on. The museum curation is woeful. Don't waste your time.

This place was fantastic! Holy shit! I've waited years to come here. The hours are challenging for office workers (M-F, 9 to 5) but worth it if you can take a self-care day! The native new yorker exhibit was from 2019 and incredibly informative, engaging, fun, and important to know for us non-indigenous new yorkers. Loved the 1940-60s pop art by a famous native american painter. The gift shop is gorgeous and the museum is small but clean and gorgeous architecture. This is a real gem and a history all Americans benefit from... best of all, it's free!

Truth be told, this is less about the installations and more about the building. It's beautiful! Staff was really friendly, bathrooms were clean, and a water-cooler was very welcome. It's a great spot for a respite in the midst of a sensory-overloaded city. Actual exhibits, reading area, and building architecture were also lovely. If you're looking for a free, cool, quiet spot with restrooms and water, look no further. Thanks, National Museum of the Native American!

Lovely museum that every American should go to! It's free, quick, and educational for all ages. I took my sweet time reading everything, and I was done in a little over an hour. The first floor has a room that showcases indigenous people's medicine, inventions, canoes, numbers, ropes, foods, family units, and more. Everything is translated into Spanish. A very friendly woman (from El Salvador, so she could converse with Hispanic visitors as well) named Yvette was happy to teach and answer questions. The second floor has one room that has displays of clothing, art, pipes, kayaks, rugs, masks, pottery, headdresses, jewelry, boxes, shelter, instruments, and cookware. The second room had paintings and drawings that depicted their culture and traditions. It was really colorful and informative. I do wish they had some bits of history, because I would've loved to learn more about the tribes. The gift shop was beautiful as well! They carried plenty of toys, books, decor, and jewelry. There was also a map on the second floor that explains all the state names and it was fascinating. For example, Texas means "friend," Utah means "high up/in the mountaintops," Wyoming means "large Meadows," Nebraska means "flat or spreading water," Mississippi means "big river," Kentucky means "land of tomorrow," Michigan means "great lake," Minnesota means "cloudy water," Dakota means "allies," Arizona means "little spring place," Arkansas means "downstream people," Oklahoma means "red people," Missouri means "those with dugout canoes," Wisconsin means "grassy place," Illinois means "the people/men," Iowa means "beautiful land/sleepy land," Massachusetts means "large hill place," and Ohio means "beautiful." This museum was very Ohio! I'm taking off one star, because one of their security guards was a huge creep and literally followed me out to the street to hit on me and try to get my number. That left a bad taste in my mouth. Rude and disrespectful! Besides that, fun way to spend an hour in the area and very much worth a visit.

Nice little collection in an interesting old building. Key to the experience- ifs free.

Beautiful exhibits, beautiful architecture. Went in on Friday around 1:30, there was no wait and a very short line for security. It started getting a little busier at around 2 PM when the guided tour started. Their central dome has benches in case you want to sit down.

Free museum right around where the Wall Street Bull is and just in front of the park where you board for the Statue of Liberty cruise. Very cool looking building and unique looking. As far as the items inside the museum it left a lot to be desired. But it free and gave us a place indoors to relax a little bit so we enjoyed that.

A museum in New York and it's free! It doesn't have the prestige of the art museums, but this is a nice place. Many people are interested in native cultures. Here you can find out about many Native Americans. Some of the cheapest entertainment you can get. It is the largest museum in the United States dedicated Native Americans. It has tons of artifacts. The building itself has history. It used to be the US Customs Building. This is where immigrants came before the building opened on Ellis Island. It's now a museum and completely free admission. This is owned by the Smithsonian, whose museums all are free. It's not as big as other museums in the city. There's really just two floors to look around on, and the rest is limited for the public. If you're interested in native peoples, you will enjoy visiting here. It's free so you're getting a good deal. The museum also has a gift shop where you can buy handcrafted items.

My favorite museum! It's free admission too! The displays are beautiful. They have great exhibits. The current fashion exhibit has so much wonderful talent in the world of Indian Fashion. There were many pieces I wish I could own! I love the moccasins! There are three or four large rooms of clothing and accessories on display. Beautiful designs. The museum has the subway right at the front door. It's located close to food spots and Battery Park. A lot of history in the neighborhood. The building is a great piece of work. The ceilings and rooms are great for taking pictures. There are Federal Offices located in the building and the New York branch of the National Archives. Lots of computers if you want to do some research. They also have a nice display of historical documents. All of the employees and security guards are very nice. I love Native American Indians. I love to go visit the museum as often as I am able. Everyone should go at least once. Very educational experience.

A little national museum for Native Americans that we stopped and pretty quickly while we were in New York we walked around saw some of the sites and scenery and paintings and sculptures and it's neat to see if that's what you're into

A really wonderful museum because you learn so much about the amazing indigenous peoples of NY and also of this great nation. It's an eye opening visit. Just don't come with any scooters, strollers or big handbags like diaper bags. You will be barred from entry regardless what they say on their website.

Before this museum inhabited the old US Customs House, this massive and foreboding grey building sat empty for a long time. The four sculptures on the exterior --representing America, Asia, Europe, and Africa--by Daniel Chester French, add to the intimidating presence of this behemoth. This huge collection previously resided in upper Manhattan. Unfortunately, only a small portion is on display and the items compete for attention with the building's history. Indeed, I've visited enough times over the years to regularly see visitors snap photos of the interior then depart. That's too bad because long-term exhibitions are very well presented and you'll see items here that no other museum in New York City -- well, the northeast, really -- can match. This museum is free and I've never seen crowds. When I lived in Manhattan, I often visited the museum just to experience some rare solitude. For locals, that should be enough incentive.

Small, yet thorough, with a substantial variety/array of geographic areas covered. Recommend the audio tour which was well done; it focused on the NYS exhibit.

I've passed this museum hundreds of time coming and going to my jobs headquarters and finally decided to go in visit. It's a beautiful building from the outside and a popular hangout spot for tourists especially since there are so many tourists' attractions nearby. When I entered you had to go through metal detectors and they had armed security at the doors. The inside is huge but there's only two floors for exhibits. The main floor was vast with different rooms of historical info on Native Americans. I mostly enjoyed the beautiful clothing and different pieces of body gears they wore to celebrate different cultural events. The lower level was a huge room with a projector showing different native dances. They had a huge circle where you could join the festivities. Around the circle was an amazing display of beautiful native costumes. If you haven't been to this museum, you're missing out on an educational and eye opening cultural experience. #exploringmyownbackyard.

First great thing about this museum was free, being part of the Smithsonian institution. The exhibits were very well arranged, with explanations matching the quality of museum standard. A side exhibit of current sound and visual pieces was interesting and unusual. It was very interesting artifacts and good historical overview of Native American culture. The outside and interior architecture is amazing. Also don't miss the shop which has really interesting decoration.

When thinking about the history of America, when do you start recording? 1776, when colonists declared independence from Great Britain? 1504, when Americo Vespucci discovered that the country was not actually India? 1492, when Columbus famously sailed the ocean blue? No matter what date you set as the the start of America, it always overlooks the original inhabitants of the country - the Native Americans (or Indians, as the museum somewhat confusingly calls them). Surrounding the Alexander Hamilton Customs House, the museum paints a robust and eye-opening picture of the American Indian. One of the first things you realize when coming into the museum is that your concept of "Indian" is way too narrow - it was not just tan people with feathers in the original 13 colonies, but rather a diverse array across both North and South America. Boasting original tribal artifacts from hundreds of different tribes and time periods, the National Museum of the American Indian provides a rich history and a story that often does not get to be told. Most importantly - its a Smithsonian museum, so admission is free!!

Pre-COVID: A free Smithsonian Museum in a grand historic building, I was expecting to be wowed but as others have mentioned, left feeling like I would have benefited from a tour guide. A friend and I came in on an early afternoon and were lucky enough to have a woman guide us through the back room of level 1 with a focus on masks. Inuit and Mayan tribes are represented in addition to those associated with what are now the 50 states, as well as tribes from places like Argentina. The exhibit broadened what I think of when I think of "Indian", covering any people who would be considered indigenous to a place. I wish I had asked about the naming of the museum itself. I Googled when I got home to find American Indian is currently just as acceptable as Native American. I also wish we had just stuck with our first guide, but we returned back to the front of the museum to join another tour on the history of the building and this was painfully boring. I love history, I love architecture, but we didn't move. We stood in two spots, and the man speaking was very dry in his delivery. It was a customs building servicing the port in the early 1900's, originally built to be George Washington's home but that never happened. Instead it has lots of nautical imagery like sea shells and Poseidon. There are grand columns, murals of seafaring nations at work on the waves, 13 coats of paint to give the walls the texture of leather, a rotunda with a large oval dome letting in lots of light, light fixtures made of wood, and marble from Italy, Alaska, Georgia, Tennessee, and more. It's a truly magnificent building, but if there is a self guided tour with these details I'd take advantage of it. Despite the buildings grand scale the museum is small. Unfortunately the history of the building tour was longer and we didn't have time to get to the downstairs portion. I got to see the South gallery which showed the Infinity of Nations exhibit, decorative and practical objects across Native cultures and time periods. It was visually gorgeous but definitely better with a guide. The photography gallery was showing the colorful and bold work of a Native comic book illustrator. In the East Gallery were visual art pieces spanning the last 80 years from various Native artists. Around the rotunda were a some displays reviewing a more historical narrative - I have to admit this was what I was mainly hoping to find and just didn't. There was some coverage of Native people's serving in the military but the presentation was very brief and not visually engaging. Maybe they cover this in the West Gallery, but we ran out of time. We did take a peak into the third floor and gift shop. The third floor houses the National Archives for any federal or court records for NY, NJ, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. Hop on a computer and start digging into family history, but much of these resources can also be found online. The gift shop is beautiful and has something for everyone's price range. I love the content here. Native history is more than a history of extermination and aging artifacts, the representation of both modern and historical art and objects side by side was engaging. The broken treaties, notable individuals, individual tribal cultures and their histories - maybe there's a reason those things aren't presented here. Maybe it's too broad of a subject to be held under one roof, maybe what I'm looking for disappeared when the people did, but I'd still like to see something more historically in-depth.

Absolutely lovely musuem. Its great place for everyone. The downstairs area is hands on and great for kids and adults. The staff are very informative and kind. If you have any questions, ask away. The upstairs portion offers more history on indigenous people from the North Pole to Patagonia. The upstairs part is also beautiful. I can't believe I haven't visited sooner. It's a Smithsonian so it feels like you're in D.C. Traveling to the museum is easy. It's in front the Bowling Green subway line and close to Battery Park. Another amazing part about this museum is that it's free!

Give yourself 1 to 3 hours to enjoy this beautifully displayed museum of all native American Indians from every region. Located next to bowling green on far lower Manhattan the museum is easily accessible from mass transit. I loved the exhibits and was pleasantly surprised by the regional breadth and the multimedia art, video, sound exhibits. Not that big but very well presented. Open every day and always free.

What a wonderful place. While we were walking around, absorbing new information and a kind docent approached us and filled us with more intriguing information. I really enjoyed the current exhibits, the light and layout of the museum.

A hidden treasure of a museum free to the public. Featuring historical artifacts, music, dance and film, traditions and cultural exhibitions. Also modern and classic art on display great place to to stroll through. Not a planned stop but a pleasant surprise when walking by outside and it started to really pour and rain, I am totally glad we walked in.

The museum will be closed temporarily as of tomorrow, due to the coronavirus situation.

Wonderful The displays were severely limited, but that is to be expected in the midst of a pandemic. What was not in short supply, however, was the awesomeness of the staff.  They were so helpful, so friendly, and just downright nice that what could have been a disappointingly short visit was made special thanks to them.

Got to visit the National Museum of the American Indian on a Thursday afternoon. A beautiful museum with extremely interesting exhibits, but a bit disappointing as it seems like it could have so much more. Quality: The National Museum of the American Indian is a wonderful place to learn more about Native cultures across North and South America. Although the exhibits are relatively small, there are still plenty of interesting artifacts to check out. We were lucky enough to have a tour guide, which made a significant difference in how we experienced the museum. I recommend trying to find a guide who can share more information than you will find on the simple placards. Quantity: Don't be deceived by the large building, the actual museum is quite small. Value: It is a Smithsonian museum, so it is free to visit. Ambiance: The National Museum of the American Indian is located in a large building in the Financial District of Manhattan. The building itself is steeped with history as it used to function as a custom office for the Port of New York. On the main floor they have several different areas dedicated to the museum. They have one room for the year-round exhibit, then side rooms for constantly changing artwork displays and cultural information. Crowd: A small crowd visiting the museum. It is not very large, so people move through relatively quickly. Service: Excessive security to enter the building, but it is shared by government offices. Parking: Difficult to find parking in this tourist area.

what a great place it's a huge building lots of marble nice paintings on the ceiling people were friendly will give you a tour but you have to get checked your metal detectors like an airport in the middle the tactor you know so you don't bring anything you're not supposed to bring in there. There's an exhibit on fashion of Native Americans and Central American objects including pots from Honduras and also Apache and other tribes in the infinity of nations exhibit I really recommend you see it

As a collector of Native American art and sculptures I was fascinated to finally have a chance to visit this museum a few days ago. Not only is it easily accessible right across the street from the bowling green subway stop, it is also FREE every day. You can't go wrong when you can explore one of the city's museums for free in a historic building that is fully air conditioned and secure. As others have pointed out it is a smaller branch of the Smithsonian Museum in D.C. It is also more centered on tribal art and artifacts. I don't think it is fair at all to compare the NYC branch to the D.C. branch as that is their main facility. We also had no problems with the security and staff here as all we encountered were decent folk. Sure, going through a metal detector and screening took a few minutes, but big deal, as that is the world we live in today. I'd rather know we are safe. Personally, I loved the selection of art to view. They were showing an exhibition on Preston Singletary's glass art which was beautiful. When you enter the museum there are two rooms to view. One is small with some artifacts and a tee-pee which is more for the kids to enjoy. Another features an impressive selection of dolls from tribes all around the world. From the simplest forms to intricate detailed dolls with amazing bead work. The second level is where you can pick up a map and museum information, and view the other rooms. The glass art exhibit is up here and it was impressive that someone can do that kind of work with molten glass all in an Indian vein. The rooms here are centered off a rotunda that is majestic and breathtaking. There are no artifacts to view here, but look up to see some amazing art and architecture. The other large room features all types of tribal artifacts, costumes, pottery, art, hunting and fishing pieces, and many other relics hundred and thousands of years old. There is so much to see and read about in this room be sure to give yourself enough time. Even though this museum is not big they do close at 5PM, so be sure to allot at least a few hours to explore. I did notice that as this covers more of the tribal art there is no mention of the negative aspects of how the tribes were treated by the U.S. which is a shame as it is part of our history as bad as it is. Even so, this is a nice but small representation of tribal art. Also, every once in a while they have performances in the downstairs showroom where the dolls were. Try to plan a visit when you can view a concert or some tribal dance presentation. Events are listed on their website. Clean bathrooms and a free locker/coat room are on the second floor. Did not seem too crowded either so it made it easier to view everything. It's a very easy museum to get to and explore as it's not that big, and hey, it's free!

This museum is located right next to the 4/5 Bowling Green stop. From the outside, the building looks very impressive. However, the art collection inside is relatively small actually. It mostly consists of clothes and artifacts. Admission is free though. By "American", this place does not just mean the US. Their collection represents the natives of all of the Americas (Amazon, Andes, Eskimos, etc.).

Super small museum with a lot of information. I wasn't super interested in the material but it was pretty well thought-out and there were quite a few artifacts. There was a room with clothing for different types of dance as well; I thought that was super cool and unique! We spent about an hour here, and it's nice that it's free!

Located within the historic Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House in Lower Manhattan, this admission-free museum includes both permanent and temporary exhibitions--as well as a range of public programs. Through music and dance performances, films, and symposia, the diversity of the Native people of the Americas is explored and celebrated. We entered the museum via a large set of steps near the intersection of Broadway and Bowling Green. Keep in mind, security measures at this Smithsonian building include metal detectors, wands and baggage x-ray. Amenities include air-conditioning, rest-rooms and water coolers; a big plus for summer tourists. The museum features traditional American Indian clothing, pottery and other artifacts, along with video and written narration. An interesting exhibit featured Native American fashion designers, whose creations have been worn by both runway models and by former first lady Betty Ford. Another expansive exhibit highlights the beauty of interpretive dance, and it's significance to agrarian cultures. This museum was not originally on our itinerary, but you may want to consider adding it to your's...it is a free, fascinating showcase of an important part of our history.

Masks are still required. This is joke! It's 2022! And the 2023 is around the corner. Cut off this claptrap

Fabulous such a treasure to have this beautiful museum. It makes a lovely day to enjoy the National Museum of the the American natives. Beautiful artifacts.

Visiting this building is two experiences, both mind blowing. First there's its history as the Hamilton Custom House, built in 1902 and designed to thoroughly intimidate anybody who thought they could just bring their goods into New York without bowing down and paying respect. The open spaces, bronze work, murals and Beaux Arts marble arches make an eloquent statement of power even today, when the only Federal function left is a bankruptcy court. Do spend time in the rotunda tracing the history of the building and the customs operation; walk the halls, study the murals and descend the magnificent spiral staircase. Then, come back to the second floor and enter the native American museum. There are three entrances but there is a seamless experience once you're inside; you will not escape till you are done and thoroughly awed. A Wall Street nabob who escaped the fray spent decades collecting hundreds of thousands of superb pieces and the main exhibit is a rotation of that collection. There are also fascinating temporary exhibits; during my visit there was a collection of "ledger art" which is tribal native Americans of the late 1800s telling their stories on accounting ledger paper because that was the only medium available, and contemporary artists who have revived the tradition to startling effect. Seeing the delicate art of a vanquished people, inside a monument to mercantilism, a quarter mile from the 9/11 memorial, will inevitably stir up reflections along the lines of Hamlet contemplating Yorick's skull and wondering about the meaning of it all. Let it happen. The experience is priceless and, by the way, it's also free.

Visited this museum just as they were opening. We were one of the first people. It was a Saturday morning and don't think many tourists are around during this time since it's so cold. Anyway, it's a federal museum so you gotta go through some TSA type of shit to get in. The museum itself is pretty digestible. The floor plan is fool proof so you're not going to be like, "wait, did we go through this room?" Just go through the first entrance to the right and you'll end with contemporary interpretations of the cultural history. I highly suggest bringing children. Really brings out the truth of what Americans did to claim territory. School doesn't teach you that. Not when I was learning at least. Be sure to read into it and go in with an open mind.