National Building Museum
Washington museum of architecture, engineering and construction in a historic building. The Great Hall is free, exhibitions are ticketed, and free docent tours run when guides are available.
Ways to visit
Great Hall and Museum Shop Open
- What you see
- Exhibitsnbm.org, 2026-11-05
- How
- Walk innbm.org, 2026-11-05
- When
- MonTueWedThuFriSatSunThursday to Monday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thanksgiving and Christmas.Closed: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thanksgiving, Christmasnbm.org, 2026-11-05
- Booking
- Not required · same day possible · on siteNo ticket needed for the Great Hall.nbm.org, 2026-11-05
- Cost
- FreeVisits to the Great Hall and the Museum Shop are always free.nbm.org, 2026-11-05
- Requirements
- None stated.
Exhibitions (ticketed) Open
The Brick City exhibition is closed from October 22 and due to reopen November 27, 2026 while it is refreshed. A temporary LEGO activity, Building Together, runs in the City Action Hall to November 20.
- What you see
- Exhibitsnbm.org, 2026-11-05
- How
- Walk in, Timed ticketnbm.org, 2026-11-05
- When
- MonTueWedThuFriSatSunThursday to Monday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thanksgiving and Christmas.Closed: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thanksgiving, Christmasnbm.org, 2026-11-05
- Booking
- Not required · same day possible · online or on siteAdvance tickets are suggested, not required; walk-up tickets are sold at the Visitor Center.Book ↗nbm.org, 2026-11-05
- Cost
- PaidAdult: $10 · Youth and seniors: $7Exhibition tickets: $10 adult, $7 youth and seniors. The page does not give the youth age range.nbm.org, 2026-11-05
- Requirements
- None stated.
Historic building tours (docent-led) Open
- What you see
- Inside tournbm.org, 2026-11-05
- How
- Scheduled tour · about 60 minutesnbm.org, 2026-11-05
- When
- Tours run when docents are available; call ahead to confirm the day's tour times. Each lasts 45 to 60 minutes.nbm.org, 2026-11-05
- Booking
- Not statedCall the museum ahead to confirm tour times; no phone number is given on the visit page.nbm.org, 2026-11-05
- Cost
- FreeTours are free to join.nbm.org, 2026-11-05
- Requirements
- None stated.
About
The National Building Museum shows how buildings, bridges and cities are designed and made, in a former pension office with a vast Great Hall. The Great Hall and shop are free at any time the museum is open. Exhibitions need a ticket, bought at the Visitor Center on the day or in advance. Docent-led historic building tours, 45 to 60 minutes, go behind the usual routes and are free.
Getting there
401 F Street NW, Washington, DC, 20001
Across the street from the Judiciary Square (Red Line) station's F Street NW entrance, or two blocks east of Gallery Place-Chinatown.
The pin marks the site itself, not necessarily the entrance (38.89750, -77.01806). Apple Maps directions go to the street address instead. Show on our map · Google Maps · Apple Maps
Last checked 2026-11-05. Sources are listed below.
Sources
- nbm.org/visit/ · official page · read 2026-11-05For: name; street address; Great Hall and Museum Shop: open or closed; Great Hall and Museum Shop: what you see; Great Hall and Museum Shop: kind of visit; Great Hall and Museum Shop: days and hours; Great Hall and Museum Shop: booking; Great Hall and Museum Shop: cost; Great Hall and Museum Shop: requirements; Exhibitions (ticketed): open or closed; Exhibitions (ticketed): what you see; Exhibitions (ticketed): kind of visit; Exhibitions (ticketed): days and hours; Exhibitions (ticketed): booking; Exhibitions (ticketed): cost; Exhibitions (ticketed): requirements; Historic building tours (docent-led): open or closed; Historic building tours (docent-led): what you see; Historic building tours (docent-led): kind of visit; Historic building tours (docent-led): days and hours; Historic building tours (docent-led): booking; Historic building tours (docent-led): cost; Historic building tours (docent-led): requirements
- wikidata.org/wiki/Special:EntityData/Q6240… · Wikidata · read 2026-11-05For: location
Out of date or wrong? Write to hello@industrytours.net.