Visit the National Geographic Exploration Museum this summer

Experience the natural world like you’ve never seen it before at the National Geographic Museum of Exploration. Look through the lens of National Geographic’s best photographers and writers at this new museum and immersive experience opening on June 26.

Key takeaways

• The bigger picture: The National Geographic Museum of Exploration is a great showcase of natural science and human daring.

• The details: The museum’s grand opening is June 26.

• The more you know: The museum mixes science, history and art, so plan in advance to find the exhibit your family will love most.

Why kids will love it

The Museum of Exploration offers a glimpse into some of the farthest reaches of our planet. At the museum, you and your family will have a chance to see things glimpsed only by the world’s most daring explorers. At the “Rolex Explorers” exhibit, kids can follow the journeys of famous explorers from the inception of their journeys to the final destinations.

To truly immerse yourself in the greatest natural landscapes of our planet, visit the outdoor courtyard, which brings to life six interactive ecosystems through life-sized animal statues and wildlife prints. In this area, kids can touch, listen and play in incredible landscapes while learning about the beauty of biodiversity. These ecosystems are modeled on the six global environments: tropical and temperate forests, oceans, deserts, polar regions and grasslands.

Environmentally inclined kids can also stop by the “Animals of Earth” Photo Ark, which houses striking portraits of some of the Earth’s most magnificent and endangered species.

For history-minded students or nostalgic adults, stop by “The Archives” to learn about National Geographic’s history of exploration and storytelling, look at the “In Focus” showcase of celebrated photographs, or swing by the Magazine Gallery, which contains artifacts dating back to 1888.

Planning your visit

• Location: 1600 M St. NW, Washington, DC
• Hours: 9 a.m.-8 p.m. daily

The National Geographic Museum of Exploration opened on June 26 and features special interactive activities. Adult tickets cost $30, youth tickets $23 and are free for children 4 and under. 

Discounted tickets are available for families enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the Women, Infants and Children program as part of the Museums for All program.

Exhibits at the museum are wheelchair-accessible and offer closed captioning, assistive listening devices and ASL interpretation. Braille signage and screen-reader compatible visual descriptions are also available. Sensory bags are available to borrow at the main lobby desk to assist with stimulation or dampening. There is also a quiet space available for sensory-sensitive visitors, as well as spaces for nursing.

The museum is accessible via the Red, Blue, Orange and Silver Metro lines as well as the D60 and D6X bus routes. There is no onsite parking available, so public transport or ridesharing might be your best travel options.

Make a day of it

Coffee Bar

Get energized for your visit by stopping at the Coffee Bar, featuring artisan drinks and baked goods. 

• Location: 1200 17th St. NW, Washington, DC

Swing 365 Golf

In this indoor golf course, experienced golfers and young beginners can try their hand at the sport for a virtual simulation. Visiting Swing 365 after the National Geographic Museum is a great way to combine education and activity. 

• Location: 1101 16th St. NW, Washington, DC

Dauphine

With a brunch menu for the whole family, Dauphine is a unique dining experience only a block from the museum. Consider stopping by on a Sunday to take in live jazz music while you eat. 

• Location: 1100 15th St. NW, Washington, DC

Grazzie Nona

Enjoy classic Italian dishes after your trip at Grazzie Nona. Stop by for lunch, dinner or brunch. 

• Location: 1100 15th St. NW, Washington, DC

The Mall

After learning about the far reaches of the world, learn about history closer to home by taking in the monuments of the National Mall less than a mile from the museum. 

• Location: Between Independence Avenue and Constitution Avenue

Stevie Rosenfeld