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United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

A powerful, carefully told history that most visitors find hard going and unforgettable. Free timed-entry tickets are required for the Permanent Exhibition, which is recommended for ages 11 and up. From January 2027 it closes while a new one is built (due 2029), so check what's on.

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Open
Every day 10 AM–5:30 PM. Closed Yom Kippur and December 25.
Price
Free; free timed-entry tickets are required for the Permanent Exhibition
Time needed
2–3 hours
Best time
A weekday, with tickets booked ahead. From January 2027 the Permanent Exhibition closes while a new one is built (due 2029).
Address
100 Raoul Wallenberg Pl SW, Washington, DC 20024Google MapsApple Maps
Getting there
Smithsonian Metro (Blue, Orange, Silver), then a 5-minute walk. The entrance is on Raoul Wallenberg Place.
Accessibility
Fully accessible, with elevators between floors.
On site
A café; bags are screened at the entrance.

Why go

The Permanent Exhibition tells the history of the Holocaust over three floors, starting with an identification card for a real person whose fate you learn at the end. It's carefully made, deeply affecting and best seen without rushing. The Hall of Remembrance is a quiet space for reflection afterward.

Tips

  • The Permanent Exhibition is recommended for ages 11 and up; Daniel's Story, on the ground floor, is made for younger visitors.
  • Allow two to three hours, and leave time afterward before going on to something else.

Nearby

Washington Monument6 min walk · Must-seeNational Museum of African American History and Culture8 min walk · Must-seeTidal Basin: Jefferson, MLK and FDR memorials11 min walkNational Museum of Natural History13 min walk · Must-see

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