National Museum of the American Indian

Since have been to the popular museums during our past visits to Washington DC we decided to explore new places during this visit. The National Museum of the American Indian as well as the Postal museum turned out to be pleasant surprises. We spent about 3 hours here and would have loved to spend some more time here. There are wonderful exhibits on the various treaties, describing the land, the negotiators involved, how it panned out and the aftermath. Do not miss the short films. What impressed me most was the art on display on the third floor and the information about the artists.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The National Museum of the American IndianClick to open side panel for more information is a true hidden gem in Washington, D.C.! I was absolutely blown away by the stunning architecture, the rich sense of history, and the vibrant cultural exhibits. Highlights of the visit: Magnificent Architecture: The building itself is a work of art. It is designed in the form of a rock, blending seamlessly with its surroundings, and features impressive elements like a waterfall and a river. Detailed Exhibits: The displays are outstanding. I was particularly fascinated by the incredible detail in the traditional clothing—you can see that each piece was carefully handmade over many hours, carrying deep meaning and tradition. Clear Layout: The museum is very well-organized and easy to navigate. Each section is clearly labeled with floor numbers and arrows, making for a smooth experience. This visit gave me a much deeper appreciation for Native cultures. It is a beautiful and educational stop that I highly recommend to anyone visiting the National Mall!

I went for the first time, and I was overcome with so many emotions. It is a beautiful building with a wonderful pathway, water feature, and monument that allows for quiet reflection on everything you saw inside. Inside the galleries, I saw beautiful artwork and so many breathtaking artifacts. History is not always beautiful and “perfect,” and the galleries help many learn the true history of our nation and Native Americans. I was truly moved by my visit.

Everything about this museum is wonderful. The museum itself is a work of art, the grounds around the museum tell a story. And all of that before you’ve even walked in the door and been wowed by the central atrium. The staff here was really friendly and helpful. I recommend talking to someone first to help you navigate the building and get the most out of it. The area that explores treaties and the relationship between native people and colonist and outsiders, was to me the highlight of the museum. There is amazing art and artifacts throughout and on each floor. I thought the area that explored Indian iconography in American advertisements and commercials was interesting, but I think overwhelmed and perhaps distracted from some of the other parts of the museum.

Our favorite museum in DC. We learned so much more here than the other Smithsonian of Native Americans in NY including about termination. Beautiful mix of contemporary art and historical artifacts. The gift shop has beautiful jewelry and the food court is delicious. We got trout, corn cakes, bread pudding etc be sure to visit the kids play room if you have kids. You might need to reserve some time for the kids play area once you get there.

First time here 2nd for my husband who went with the kids when it first opened. A beautiful museum i stayed in there for hours looking around. We started by going up to the 4th floor and just working our way down. I'd definitely come back maybe watch 1 of the shows.

Absolutely beautiful building, hardly a flat surface on the entire outside, with a river and waterfalls near the entrance. Inside though, it is a huge museum with a scarcity of exhibits, and about half of them are not historic but very modern pieces, which is all well and good, but a LOT more historical exhibits and items would be a big upgrade. I left feeling like something is wrong here. The gift shop is very nice, with an abundance of modern art work that is very nice.

First time in this museum in winter 2025. The first floor has a nice open space and cafe (with one of the booth sold native American food which draw crowd with long line during lunch hours), and the main exhibit are on 4th and 3rd floor galleries, 2nd floor has a big space of giftshop.

We've visited this museum and really love it. On our first visit we did not realize it would be dedicated to all the Native cultures of the Americas. We thought it would be North American-centric and it is not. At first there are a little disappointment on my part, but I soon realized how the different cultures featured are all related and should be represented here. It's easy to spend an entire day here and learn. As with all the Smithsonian's, this museum has high quality exhibits that are thoughtfully presented. The restaurant features native foods from the Americas and the lunch we had was great. Turkey with wild rice and cranberry was delicious!! Being a Smithsonian. admission is free. This museum is a true national treasure in my opinion!!'

First off my thanks to multiple tribes, and the Smithsonian folks. Well done. This was a group effort, and things are improving. My last visit was slightly disappointing. This one much better. That's because they've added exhibits. One of my favorites is the Navajo Code Talkers, or the influence Native Americans have had on a lot in the USA. It is a place of yes sadness to a degree, but those who do the same, will lead to further pain. Always be open minded, empathetic, and reasonable. They've definitely added more Native American arts. Some of these paintings are fascinating. Also kudos on the various artifacts. Native Americans of the past and present, have delivered significant gains in mathematics and science. This is now a place to visit. Friendly docents who are knowledgeable help. By all means stop here. It is a good place to spend several hours at.

The museum's design was beautiful with its curved exterior and stood out from the surrounding buildings. The inside also was quite nice with the stairs circling upwards around the central courtyard and the ceiling rising above in layers of circles. I walked through almost all of the exhibits where the common theme was to provide an American Indian perspective versus the United States on a wide range of topics about treaties, families, wars and more. There was one large room dedicated to cultural appropriation and all the examples where American Indian images, tribes, etc were used on household items, sports team names, weapons, etc. Unfortunately this museum did not seem to attract many visitors the day of my visit. While informative, I found the exhibits to be not as engaging as the other DC museums visited on this trip.

Very beautiful building with so much room for kiddos to run around freel. Not a ton of exhibits but a nice relaxing stop for a DC day

The museum opened in 2004. This was the first national museum in U.S. dedicated exclusively to Native Americans. The symbolic five-story, 250,000-square-foot, curvilinear building is clad in a golden-colored Kasota limestone designed to evoke natural rock formations shaped by wind & water over thousands of years. The museum is set in a 4.25 acres site & is surrounded by simulated wetlands. The museum's architect & project designer is Blackfoot; its design architects are Cherokee & Choctaw. The museum's east-facing entrance, prism window & 120-foot high space was designed for contemporary Native performances and are direct results of extensive consultations with Native peoples. The museum offers year round exhibitions, film and video screenings, school group programs, public programs & living culture presentations. The National Native American Veterans Memorial honors American Indian, Alaska Native, & Native Hawaiian veterans who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces during every American conflict since the American Revolution. The Warriors Circle of Honor Memorial was designed by Pratt, a Cheyenne & Arapaho artist. It was unveiled with a virtual event on Veterans Day 2020, with a dedication ceremony postponed due to the pandemic. A ceremony was held in 2022, and included a procession of more than 1,500 Native veterans from more than 120 Native nations. The memorial comprises a vertical steel circle standing on a stone drum, surrounded by benches and engravings of the logos of the military branches. Four stainless steel lances are incorporated around the benches where veterans, family members, tribal leaders & visitors can tie cloths for prayers and healing. The National Museum of the American Indian houses the world's most expansive collections of Native objects, photographs, & media, covering the entire Western Hemisphere from Arctic Circle to Tierra del Fuego. The museum's sweeping architecture, its indigenous landscaping, and its exhibitions, all designed in collaboration with tribes & communities, combine to give visitors from around the world the sense and spirit of Native America. The Mitsitam Native Foods Cafe has 5 stations serving regional foods from Northern Woodlands, South America, the Northwest Coast, Meso-America, & the Great Plains. The museum has published a Mitisam Cafe Cookbook. The Roanoke Museum Store is filled Native American art from the past & present, illustrating how different artists interpret cultural traditions and art forms. The store features colorful jewelry, textiles, and other works by Native artisans; souvenirs; and children's books and toys.

I will say the architecture of this building from the inside out is absolutely amazing and designed to reflect the American Indian heritage, their natural plans, and everything about them. We enjoyed a show in the lobby by a native American doing his singing and dancing, and it was, so good that everybody in the lobby stopped to watch on all three levels of the building looking at the history of the treaties that were made with the Native Americans throughout history was extremely informative and also sad knowing how badly the Indians were treated. Definitely a stop in DC. I would not miss packed full of history on how the American land la came to be, and how the Native Americans were treated by the white men.

It's a beautiful museum. But as an Apache, I thought there would be more of our culture and traditions.

*Review for the Cafeteria* OVERALL: cafeteria is a hidden gem with great specials and delicious food FOOD: there are 4-5 sections in a food hall style cafeteria. The section offer indigenous inspired food from different regions. They also offer regular American food like burgers, fries, and chicken tenders for those who have no idea what they're doing. The prices are top notch. I got a loaded chicken tostada and an agua fresca for $13. And they don't charge more for extra toppings. The chicken was well seasoned but I think they cater towards the tourists and balance the seasonings. I felt like it was missing an umph but it was still good. The green sauce was the kicker. So amazing! They also have a dessert section!! VENUE: ample seating but the best is the 2 seaters by the window overlooking the waterfall outside

First of all, I must say that the architecture and overall design of the interior and exterior of the building is absolutely amazing. This includes the waterfall, curving stream, rustic outdoor garden, and the National Native American Veterans Memorial. The curves of the Kasota limestone are similar to what we see in rocks, mountains, and beaches. All shaped by a body of water, or by the element of wind. It's a very natural looking form. As you enter, there is a circular atrium where they host daily events with tribal stories and songs. You don't even need to be in the atrium to see or hear it. Just hang out in one of the overlooks. The acoustics carry well throughout the museum. It's probably best to start your exploration on the 4th floor and work your way down. There were a couple of galleries that were closed. I remember it being a much larger collection. So much so, that we felt overwhelmed with so much information. Not this time. It was my husband's first visit, and he was a little disappointed. I totally understood why. It just didn't feel complete, and maybe because that big gallery on level 3 was closed. We did see displays pertaining to the Trail of Tears (Cherokee), The Long Walk (Navajo), and even the Bison Genocide (tribes in the Great Plains). The Unbound and Nation to Nation exhibits had artifacts such as cultural winter counts and history of the treaties between the US and Native American peoples. There was also modern day arts & crafts in the windowed galleries of every overlook. The Americans exhibit that shows how Native American images are deeply rooted into American society somehow brings everything back to the present. Some were demeaning images, but many show power & strength. You'll see so many familiar images. Some of which have been removed from advertisements over the years such as Land O'Lakes Butter. I didn't even realize the logo had changed. I had to look at the package in my refrigerator to confirm it. I must still see that image subconsciously in my mind. Strange, but true. This museum's collection represents about 1,200 Indigenous cultures from the Americas, but you'd never know it. Maybe it includes the collection at their location in New York. All I can say is that I've been reading more about Colonialism, and the way it still affects Native Americans today. Maybe that is the objective. To motivate people to search for the true meaning.

The exhibits could use a bit more explanation and context but overall it's a beautiful building and an interesting thing to see. I think more exhibits will likely be needed to flesh out the experience. I would like to see more information about individual tribes and their histories before and after European contact. I don't know the vibe this museum is aiming for but it seems very focused on the American part of American Indian - which I get, this being a Smithsonian after all. However, I'd like to see a little more context and historical information. The entry hall is truly beautiful and the whole place has a great design and feeling to it. The outside is also quite striking and unique. The location is convenient, right next to Air and Space.

This is a fun museum, especially with kids, but I think it's missing something special that would push it up to being five stars. I've been here a few times, most recently after my son did a Native American unit in school. There's a bunch of cool stuff to see here from totem poles, to lots of mask and artifacts, to exhibits of modern native art, to exhibits on Native American roles in American culture, to Native American history. It also seems to want to position itself as a national community center for Native Americans. All of this leaves it somewhat scattered and without a clear focus to keep any given visitor engaged for more than an hour or so. There's also a kids area, which has some activities and hands-on things like weaving and kayak balancing, but not enough to really make a it a kids' destination. I remember the food court in the basement being really interesting with food from four different regions of Native American cuisine, but it was closed on the most recent visit and really what we got was slightly above-average nachos and chili. Good, but not the Smithsonian's best.

This museum was along the way from the Air and Space to the Capitol. I'm glad we stopped by took some time to appreciate everything there. I enjoyed all the visuals and an appreciation for the culture. You don't need to reserve a ticket to enter. Again, it's free. A nice museum to check out.

I enjoyed my 2023 Thanksgiving Day visit to this Smithsonian museum, which is located near the Air and Space Museum on Independence Avenue. First, the building exterior with sandstone and trees is lovely. Would recommend taking a moment to walk around the exterior before going in. Once you pass security, you'll be inside a "beehive" atrium that has a vague resemblance to the Guggenheim Museum in New York. Would recommend taking an elevator to the 4th floor at the start of your visit, then work your way down. The historical display of treaties on the 4th floor was interesting, but depressing. A recurring theme was negotiated treaties that were ignored by those who coveted land. The 1830 Indian Removal Act was the logical culmination of this greed - signed by populist President Andrew Jackson. One thing that would help visitors is a permanent exhibit that describes the major tribes of North America. I know there are probably hundreds, but it would have provided useful context - perhaps showing the original lands held by these tribes - and where they are now. The Eiteljorg Museum of Native American Art and Culture in Indianapolis, IN does a superb job at focusing on Midwestern tribes and could be a model for the NAMI (despite the more limited space in DC to display items). The 3rd floor provides a mix of cultural images of Native Americans used in advertising and by sports teams. It's helpful for thinking critically about these images. Don't forget to stop by the gift shop on the 2nd floor.

This museum is beautiful and very try cozy. My association rented this out for an event and I truly enjoyed going around and viewing the exhibits.

Great museum! On display today was Nation to Nation: Treaties between the United States and American Indian Nations. I would highly recommend starting with this exhibit on the fourth floor! It added so much context and history that is so often missed in US history textbooks. Such sad realities of our nations beginnings. We then went to the 'Americans' exhibit, which showed how Native Americans have been portrayed in popular media from floor to ceiling. Really interesting commentary on that, and on the cultural significance of Pocahontas, Little Big Horn, and the Trail of Tears. The only thing I would have changed would be having more of an 'overview' of the major tribes, and their way of life. There seemed to be many empty exhibit halls, and it would have been nice to have more space dedicated to simply the Native Americans and their culture. Great place though with a beautiful building and an honest reflection!

Excellent place to visit! The museum is well laid out with many artifacts. The building is almost circular with easy to climb steps and an elevator. They had flags from each tribe on various floors. The best was their art room. What shocked us was the food. The museum itself is impressive but who would ever think the food would be five stars? The Bison chili was a myriad of flavors, absolutely delicious. The pork tostadas were also very good. It was as if they were made from scratch. (I think they may have been). Five stars for the museum but please, don't forget to try the food. It was wonderful and a huge thank for not serving basic French fries and chicken fingers.

Great museum. And they have a restaurant inside with coffee and native american food. I recommend the Bison Burger, because that is what I got today. It is amazing. Delicious. Ask the wonderful ladies that are preparing them what to put on it. I expect you won't be disappointed- I'm not. The plantain chips are a packaged like potato chips - but are so much better. I topped the meal off with a latte from the other side of the wall. When this place is open in season, it can't be beat. Be prepared. Like any food in the national mall area - it's not cheap. It is worth the expense. I go here every chance I get. YUMMY!

Back in DC for the first time since February 2020 and resumed my goal of visiting one museum I've never been to before on each visit. I really liked that they had descriptions of the various exhibits and representative objects of the exhibits right at the entrance. It really helped me plan my visit and helped make sure I didn't miss anything I really wanted to see, There was a good mix of exhibits that thoroughly covered the history of how horribly Native Americans have been treated over the centuries, with exhibits about culture and some melding of a traditional story with a more contemporary art form (The Raven and the Box of Daylight- told through glass sculpture). There is a huge exhibit room just filled floor to ceiling with ads, brands, etc that have made use of images and names of Native Americans in very stereotypical ways of course. There was also a great exhibit about how Indian Casino revenue is used within the community and how legal advocacy efforts by native communities have helped reclaim at least some small areas in which rights and property had been taken away. There is also a really well done exhibit on Native American veterans. There are some exhibits that are very reading-heavy (e.g exhibit on treaties). and so if you're visiting with young children, they might lose interest fast, so plan accordingly. It looks like they have some interactive exhibits that might be more kid friendly, but they still seem closed. As with all museums in DC, be ready for bag inspection, metal detectors, etc. They do let you bring in water, and even have water bottle fillers. The restaurant looks good, but is only open until 4, so plan accordingly there too if you want to try it. The grounds are actually quite nice too and feature a Memorial to Native American Veterans as well as a wide range of plants and outdoor sculptures. I'll wander around more another time when it's not a blazing hot July afternoon!

While this museum may not be as flashy as some of the other extraordinary museums on the National Mall, you should ABSOLUTELY add this one to your itinerary when you next visit DC. The curators do a phenomenal job of laying out compelling and beautifully told stories of some of the darkest chapters in American history. The exhibits are very engaging and in some cases even immersive. The creation myths on the fourth floor along with The Raven exhibit are particularly gorgeous. The exhibit which busts popular myths was also expertly done. Thematically this is a difficult museum to curate and maintain, I'd imagine! The museum is incredibly nuanced and has activities for all levels. There is even a playroom for kids, which is a great touch!

I really enjoyed this visit - I only did the top floor, the overview of main tribes and their worldviews. I thought it was a great lens through which to view the cultural artifacts on display, and I really enjoyed understanding the different frameworks through which native Americans process human existence. The architecture is beautiful, and we paused several times to rest and just take it all in. Very pleasant afternoon and I will be back.

Enjoyed this museum quite a bit, as combined history with paintings and photographs of the American Indians, primarily in the 19th century. Statues of Indians in the Revolutionary War. Paintings of the opening of the West shown by a guardian angel, the sinking of a steamboat carrying displaced American Indians, colorful mural of Custer's last stand, Indians wearing full feather headdresses in model T type vehicles at the Capital at the turn of the 20th century, train poster of lady tourist in 1920s outfit meeting Indian selling vases. Not too fond of the displays on Indian stereotypes and American Indians used in advertising through the ages, including the Kansas City Chiefs, the tomahawk cruise missile, and the Apache attack helicopter. It took me only one look at Mitsitam restaurant selling $16.50 bison tacos (one taco) with hatch chili, to get out of Dodge.

Amazing museum. History of many different native tribes and how the world and the US has treated them over the years. Amazing artifacts and cultural lessons on many native tribes all over North America. The space is beautiful and the art is one of a kind. There is so much to see you could spend days here. When I go back to DC I plan to spend a whole day.

I've visited this historic museum on two separate occasions. Most recently on "Thanksgiving." I really wanted to experience some culture, learn something new and reflect upon the contributions of Native Americans. What really made my heart feel warm and fuzzy was the sheer number of people also there on Thanksgiving and the diversity of the people there. There is a lot of information to take in. Grateful to have this museum so close to home.

Man, I really wish I could have spent more time looking around this museum. We came when there was only 30 minutes til closing, but we used it for all it was worth. Honestly, we got to legitimately look at a 1/3 of a floor. So we missed a ton. Even from the beginning, before walking inside, the architecture of the American Indian museum is so impressive. I've taken classes that discuss the importance of architectural design- how a building looks from the exterior can really make or break their popularity/ interest to outsiders. But this building is stunning, and I don't think any passerby could deny that. I think it perfectly represents the type of museum it is- stony, earthy and natural looking with wavy lips, it's almost like it was created from the heart of an American Indian, reminiscent of pueblo homes. It's executed flawlessly. Then you go inside, and the lobby is so grandeur, with dozens of tribe flags hung up along the back end and several floors to discover more on. We went up to the 4th floor and quick perused the "Our Universes" exhibit. It was so awesome, and I only just wish we had had more time. This is definitely one worth coming back to and also prioritizing into your museum schedule!

I was excited to see this newer museum in DC; mainly since it did not exist when I lived here many years ago. But I have to admit I was disappointed. I had expected a comprehensive coverage of the tribes across North America, perhaps organized by region. But the scope was much more spotty than that, featuring a partial snapshot of just some tribes. I saw nothing of the Zuni, The Hopi, the Mandan, The Crow, The Ohlone, The Apache, The Navaho, The Iroquois, The Huron, The Blackfeet...the list goes on and on. I also saw zero information on the latest theories of migration from Asia, or of the more ancient Indian cultures, such as the Anasazi. The first exhibit I visited was by far the best: "Our Universes: Traditional Knowledge Shapes Our World," where visitors were allowed to dive into the world-views of twelve different tribes across north and south America. The individual areas were curated by the tribes themselves; and it was fascinating to see both the similarities and differences. Clothing, tools, and ornamental items were also featured, labeled, and explained. Cool stuff. The remaining sections of the museum were much less interesting. One was an enormous exhibit on how Indians have been featured in American advertising and pop culture. (Seriously? Who cares?). Another was on the myth of Pocahantas and how it has evolved over time (semi-interesting). Another exhibit featured illuminated glass sculptures from a famous Tingit Indian artist - Certainly beautiful, but a very focused, modern take on only ONE form of Indian art. I skipped the huge exhibit on the history of US Gov't treaties with Indians, mostly because I didn't feel like getting depressed. (News flash: The Indians got screwed.) So I left scratching my head and wanting more. But I won't post a negative review. Like all Smithsonian museums, the entry was free, and the museum was attractive, clean, and well-staffed.

Having had lived in New Mexico for a few years, I was excited to visit this museum. There were parts that were well done and parts I wish had been omitted or done differently. I really enjoy artifacts so the different artifacts scattered throughout the museum behind glass was the highlight for me. There were cradle boards and pottery as well as dress and an eagle feather headdress that was beautiful. I felt like the artifacts came from a variety of tribes which I think was important to show the diversity of crafts and tribes of Native Americans. There was a large display of games, though this included groups outside of the USA such as Mexico and Central America. I wish it focused on those who inhabited the present-day America primarily as there is so much history. Overall there werent as many artifacts as I had hoped, and not as many tribes were represented as I had hoped. There was a display of Native Americans within the armed forces and different wars. I thought this was impactful, especially the pictures of the Navajo code talkers. The area about Indian references in American culture was not my favorite. Certainly the native American influence in product labels and names is prevalent, I think it missed the mark. I enjoyed the treaties area and that they showcase one treaty between the USA and the Native Americans every 6 months I believe. The treaty belts are beautiful. Learning about the treaties and the policies in America that forced people to migrate and killing of the bison is horrible but important for visitors to learn about. I thought the area to sit with peaceful music would be nice if the museum was quiet. The day I went there was a group of rowdy kindergarteners so I didnt get the effect. This museum is probably middle to low ranking for being kid friendly (as of today Dec 2022). The play area was closed and many of the areas having reading and less things to look at. I had a fry bread and Indian taco at the Mitsitam cafe. I liked the fry bread but the Indian taco wasn't close to what I'm familiar with from the Navajo reservation in NM. Perhaps it is a loose association or representing a different cuisine. Certainly I was happy to visit this museum and learned a bit more about history and peoples but would have liked to see more artifacts and history of specific tribes and less about native people outside of North America.

The National Museum of American Indians was not on my list of museums to see but since they had time slots and openings during the covid time I decided hey why not. I have never been to this museum before but when I walked into it I thought the building itself was very beautiful. With a high spiral staircase towards each level, it was pretty cool. The information about different tribes all across America was interesting but I also remember it from high school. I'm glad they do have it though since many people around the world probably do not know any of this! It makes you kind of surprised at how the American government treated American Indians and how they try to make things right in current times. As with life mistakes happen and should be known that at least people are trying to work things out. Overall if you don't know much about American Indians this is an awesome place to learn and understand why things have happened and what is happening currently.

Very interesting museum and great lunch stop. Most exhibits on the 3rd and 4th floors. The scenes of native life were very well done. Outside of building is made to look like sandstone

My husband and I were hanging out in downtown DC for the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, which unfortunately ended early due to weather; so we decided to visit this museum since it was one we had not visited yet. I was really taken in by the waterfall display as we approached the building entrance. Looking back, I should have taken a photo or video of it as we entered because it was raining hard when we left a few hours later. Next time. The museum is easy to enter, the staff are friendly and helpful. We looked at the exhibits on every floor, walking our way to the top via the large stairwell overlooking the first floor atrium. There are also elevators. The exhibits ranged from modern art work to historical items. The experience is as immersive as I have come to expect from the Smithsonian Institute. Very well thought out flow to the exhibits. I was very moved by some of the exhibits and definitely left more educated. My husband and I had great conversations on our way home about this aspect of US history and I look forward to learning more about how I can do my part to strengthen the voice of Native Americans. The museum store on the second floor has a lot of great products to choose from as well. I appreciated the inclusion of native artist merchandise. Thank you again for a great experience!

With extra time, my friends and I were intent on checking out some more of the Smithsonian's while we were still in the area. We landed upon this place en route to a few others. There was a ton of information to take in especially as there were little rooms for subsections of information. With two levels worth, it is expected for those to start from top and then work down based on the timeline. Would come again to spend the day and read more into the presentations and items on display.

What a tribute to native culture. This museum was so informative and educational while still being beautiful. I enjoyed seeing the traditions of each tribe. I found it interesting how different they are and what their different belief systems were. The gift shop was wonderful and filled with Native made items. The outside is eye catching and draws in many I'm sure. By far my favorite museum in DC.

I learned so much from this Museum! My daughter has been researching and working with some tribal Communities within her internship with NOAA! She had this one the list of priorities to attend! Lots to see for sure. Need several to absorb all the pieces of historical facts many may not be aware of! Good way to stay out out of the heat as well!

I love this museum. I think it might be one of my favorites. I love that there appears to be great care taken to represent ALL of the native peoples of the Americas as well as a few abroad, not just the North Americas. This is especially helpful since all indigenous peoples have had to endure struggles through history that have been both detrimental to their population counts as well as their overall idea of what native culture is. I also like the design of the inside and outside of the building. I instantly think of water and the flow of water while navigating the museum. The whole museum feels connected to nature in some way shape or form. Be sure to look up and down and side to side because there are small touches that many people overlook that have a meaning within the native peoples. Look inside the elevators and take care to note how the benches are designed. Everything has little touches that evoke the native cultures. I also like hanging out in the room that has depictions of natives in the advertisement. It's interesting to watch how people react to stereotypical characterizations and derogatory language in association with the native peoples. I did feel a bit conflicted at the usage of the term "Indian" in both the name of the museum but also within certain exhibitions and videos. I'm so used to using "First Nations" or "Indigenous Peoples". This museum makes you confront terms like "indian" and "savage" that do not accurately describe the native peoples. The museum is a great space though to engage in those uncomfortable conversations so that we all can gain a better understanding. It's a great place to grab a bite to eat from the on-site peacecafe and sit outside by the waterfall to gain a bit of piece. There are a lot of great aujthentic items for purchase in the gift shop as well. authentic

As someone who doesn't often visit museums, I was excited to explore the museum. The experience did not disappoint. I found myself completely absorbed in the exhibits, and even shed a tear or two. I highly recommend the Museum of the American Indian to anyone who is looking for a meaningful and memorable museum experience. The museum has so much to offer and I am grateful for the opportunity to have visited. Thank you to the staff for their hard work and dedication in bringing such an important part of history to life.

This is a really nice museum in a beautiful building with a unique layout. I recommend checking it out when visiting DC. My main reason for this review is the food court. It was highly recommended to me by someone who had lived in DC years ago. Unfortunately it was nothing like they described and maybe it has to do with covid. I would absolutely not recommend eating here. I was really excited to try some new cuisines but they did not have multiple stations with regional Native dishes like advertised. They had a couple Native food items and the rest were things like chicken fingers and burgers. The dish I got consisted of fry bread with chili but I had to dig through all the iceberg lettuce to find any meat or beans and what I could find was very bland. For two entrees and drinks our total was $60 which was a shock for subpar cafeteria food. It appeared half of the cafeteria was shut down, so once again, maybe this has to do with covid. I would highly recommend going to this museum but do not plan to eat here.

Beautifully stunning museum, but I am widely perplexed that in 2023 this is still called the American Indian Museum and not Native or Indigenous museum...once the name and exhibit summaries are updated this will be a 5 star museum. There is a kid's corner, cafe, shop, and 4 floors of wonder.

Beautiful museum and so happy I got a chance to visit! You really need a minimum of 2 hours to appreciate all it has to offer. There are multiple floors with an elevator option. The ground are equally beautiful. Staff were friendly overall - but when it's approaching closing time, word of advice is to not meander. Just a great place to explore and it's free.

The NMAI is actually one of my most favorites out of the Smithsonian museums - their exhibitions and collections are wonderful, and their PDs and resources that they have available for educators are fantastic. The staff here are super informative and welcoming, and the grounds are beautiful. A great treat for field trips or for personal leisure. Limited metered parking around the area, but your best bet is to park in the nearby parking garages. +great resources for educators +limited metered parking

This is the last museum I decided to stop in at while in DC on my most recent trip. It really rounded it out for me. You know how they say, save the best for last. To note, there was construction going on around this museum, so be careful to be aware of your surroundings and to follow the signs for entry. It was a week full of new discovery for me while in DC and each museum brought me more knowledge than I had prior to my visit. I learned new things about areas in life I had no idea about. This museum brought that home for American Indians for me. Growing up you only know what is put in front of you. You only really got the half truth about things. Come here and have your eyes opened. The biggest thing I appreciated about this museum was that it did not just focus on the American Indians that inhabited what became the United States, but it focused on all areas of the people. It also gave you insight into how they were stereotyped in so many ways. One of the best things to experience in here is to be able to hear and view some of the tribal songs. It overtakes the whole place and it's mesmerizing. Here's a tip, when you start the museum, go all the way to the top and work your way down, that way when a song starts, the higher up, the better the experience you will have with it. I swear everyone made their way to look down and watch, like everyone stopped. Totally a cool experience.

This museum building is beautiful and well thought out. Great walk through of the history of Native American. Don't miss it.

Review for ImagiNations: As one of the Smithsonian museums with a dedicated children's area, I took my 13 month old son here to check it out. We spent less than an hour and I was disappointed generally in the experience. Two of the activities were closed (the igloo and the house) and my son isn't able to do some of the interactive activities. We essentially went in the teepee, spent a few minutes in the rundown crawlers corner, and attempted to color in the art room, but lasted only a few minutes before my son started to try to eat the colored pencils. We breezed through the exhibits on the same floor. It's A LOT of reading and my son wasn't having it,but he did settle down to stare at some colorful artwork. From what I was able to see, I'm not sure I'd return, except for the fact it is free and less crowded than the other Smithsonian museums. I definitely would not subject young children to it as there are very few interactive exhibits like the other nearby museums. If you have an hour to burn or want to digest your meal from the Mitsitam Cafe (on the first floor) by all means, take a peek, but if you have limited time I wouldn't go out if your way to visit.

This museum was a real disappointment for us. We have been to the Royal BC Museum in Victoria on Vancouver Island and that museum has a wonderful Native American section that includes many examples of native clothing, baskets, teepees, canoes, totem poles, panoramic displays of villages, etc. The Smithsonian experience, on the other hand, was primarily just reading a book on the subject of Native American misery - exhibit after exhibit of nothing but pictures and pages to read. If I wanted to read a book on the subject, I would go to the library, instead of flying all the way across the country to do it. One large room was devoted to advertising slogans that referenced Native Americans in some way or another. Blek! The gift shop was the only saving grace. As far as I'm concerned, I wish we'd skipped it and made better use of our time elsewhere.

How stunning is the architecture of the National Museum of the American Indian?! I was actually at the museum for the Smithsonian's Mother Tongue Film Festival, which highlights pictures that explore the power of language in our daily lives. Night Raiders is just one of many films showcased over the weekend. I love events that celebrate cultural diversity, and the museum was beautiful.

If you want a white washed version of indigenous people, this museum is for you. However, if you don't want a euro-centric museum that romanticizes treaties, perpetuates stereotypes, or has numerous inaccurate and TRIGGERING exhibits, then please do not go to this museum. As a BIPOC and a proud Klamath tribal member, this museum left me traumatized. It needs to be brought into 2022 and most exhibits should be shut down entirely.

This museum did it right. Left you thinking about how to think differently and how to challenged your mindset on how we prevent genocide in the future. Well laid out, nice level of visuals. Would like more interaction but it overall was a great experience.

This was one of just two museums that was open today. The outside of the building is beautiful and reflects the Indian culture. The contents of the building is not up to Smithsonian level. Unless you are really interstate in Indian culture, it is not worth the visit.

We been to almost all the Smithsonian Museums on the Mall except this one. We've been meaning to come here for years so we finally made it. This is the first national Museum in the country dedicated only to Native Indians. It has four levels of history, artifacts, exhibits, film, video screening and more. They have a cafeteria on the first level and a gift shop on the second level. They also have a Children's play area. The building itself is beautiful and unique it is designed to look like natural rock formations. I encourage you to visit this very informative place.

Educational and with lots to look at! The building architecture and surrounding landscape were gorgeous as well. Plus the museum cafe had a great selection of native foods, so while I don't normally go to museum cafes, I made an enthusiastic exception for this one!

I travel museum few days ago Museum is good But Food court is very expensive, pricey I buy food with pricey and small portion than it be If anyone related to this section, please fix the price soon...