National Postal Museum
National Postal Museum
National Postal Museum
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Cleveland Park
How to get there
- Union Station • 2 min walk
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Attractions
878 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- montanapescadoAlbuquerque, New Mexico1,574 contributionsWay above expectationsWhat's more boring than history? The post office! So this must be the most boring museum of all, right? Not so fast. This was a surprisingly interested museum with a good variety of displays. It is well laid out and continually engaging. It may not be the most essential from a historical or cultural perspective, but I believe still highly recommended.Visited February 2024Traveled with friendsWritten March 3, 2024
- Patrice AGrosse Pointe Park, Michigan120 contributionsA Hidden GemWho new stamps could be so fun! Stamps reflect history. They identify important people, places, and events through the course of time. This museum was fabulous. The basement had great models too for the littles to see postal trains, trucks, and other mailboxes. If you have a young one, stop by the desk to get a scavenger hunt form which will keep them engaged during the visit. Pick up some stamps, and even design your own. Something for everyone. The baseball special exhibit was excellent!Visited March 2024Traveled with familyWritten March 30, 2024
- Grace R4 contributionsBEST MUSEUM EVER! 📦🇺🇸🦅💵This is one of the best museums I have been to in a while. The first impression I had of this place was “OHHHH! This is going to be so boring 🥱” Then I started going through the stamp gallery and I was like “This isn’t my thing” I am not an avid stamp collector, but I had an absolute ball on the lower floor. One exhibition started ima dark forest and showed how mail delivery devolved over time. In this exhibition there was a carriage, in which you are allowed to climb into. There were many vehicles in which are used for transportation of mail carry. The current special exhibition is a cop one on how they find bad stuff in mail packages and parcels and a baseball one too! 📦 They had many interactive activities. My favorite activity was a scavenger hunt throughout the museum. The prize was a Mr Zip temporary tattoo and a Stamptastic temporary tattoo. I highly recommend this museum and would go every time I visit DC. Also don’t forget to get your 6 free stamps in the stamp gallery!!!!! Below I have inserted a photo of Mr. Zip!Visited March 2024Traveled with familyWritten March 30, 2024
- Alireza123Tehran, Iran1,404 contributionsSpend half an hour and enjoy a Smithsonian museumIt is small and attractive museum.close to union station.free and very suitable for kids . My wife and I also enjoy our half an hour visit. It is worth to arrange to visit it. They offer you to choose 6 stamps free for yourself which is nice.Visited March 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten April 5, 2024
- USASUNZurich, Switzerland261 contributionsVery nice and informative museumWe were thrilled by this museum in this beautiful building. The exhibition was very informative, extensive and varied, beautifully done. In addition to the entire history of the postal service in the USA from the beginnings to the current tracking of dangerous mail, there was also a lot to see about postal stamps. You could even take some home for your own collection. The story of the postal dog Owney particularly touched us. It's nice that the brave dog has found a last place here. The museum staff are very friendly and helpful. Lots of families come here too. A somewhat different and highly recommended museum in Washington DC.Visited April 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten April 17, 2024
- lmr125 contributionsWorth a stop. Kid friendly.Located across the street from Union Station, this was a good place to spend time between hotel checkout and train schedule. Union Station has a baggage storage area where you can leave your suitcase (for a fee). I think kids would enjoy this. And, if you’re into baseball, there’s exhibits about that, which was unexpected. Helpful note: there’s a phone charging kiosk near the escalator to the basement exhibits.Visited April 2024Traveled soloWritten April 23, 2024
- Josh BLafayette, Indiana483 contributionsLess crowded Smithsonian, gorgeous buildingThis is an enjoyable museum with much smaller crowds than the Smithsonians on the Mall. The stamp exhibits are interesting and well done, and the special exhibit about baseball was fun (but seemed a little thin). The Daniel Burnham structure is beautiful.Visited May 2024Traveled on businessWritten June 10, 2024
- Shelley W1 contributionAn Unexpectedly Interesting MuseumI had a few hours to wait for my travel back home via Union Station in DC and decided to walk across the street to the museum. The information desk representative provided specific information on how to locate some of the most unique and interesting exhibits. I began my museum experience without the docent lead tour. Then I joined a docent led tour that returned to some of the same spaces that I had visited on my own. The tour expanded into a wealth of new information that I had not discovered on my own. I had to end the tour early, however would like to return in the future to see and hear what I missed. It was well worth the time to learn about stamps as something more than what we may take for granted in everyday life.Visited February 2025Traveled soloWritten February 6, 2025
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,163 reviews
Excellent
743
Very good
350
Average
62
Poor
5
Terrible
3
Bernard W
Dallas, TX1,946 contributions
Aug 2022
We enjoyed a wonderful hour-long tour presented by docent Harvey Kramer. He captivated us with his wide-ranging knowledge as he shared aspects of this very large museum. The museum encompasses two floors with fascinating exhibits including the newest special exhibit featuring baseball (yes, in a postal museum). Mr. Kramer highlighted items as diverse as the Inverted Jenny stamp and its story, Amelia Earhart’s customized flight suit (yes, in the postal museum), special stamps from countries around the world, mail trucks, planes, and trains, and even a sled used for mail delivery in Alaska. We highly recommend going to this free museum and strongly suggest taking the free tour.
Written August 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lalocadr19
Falls Church, VA6,691 contributions
Jan 2024 • Family
This museum is amazing for stamp collectors or anyone looking for information on stamp. This place has plenty for kids to entertain themselves. Stamp area, stamp history, riding the in place carriage, riding in place truck. Playing and sorting the mail. The best is free of charge. The museum does take 1 or 2 hours depending on your history interest.
Written January 22, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susan M
Washington DC, DC31 contributions
Jun 2022
I've lived in DC on and off for nearly 40 years, and never went to the Postal Museum until this week, I'm ashamed to say. I just loved it. It's fascinating to see not just the stamps, but the history of mail delivery in the US, from pony express to rail and flights (especially loved the tale of Owney, the mascot for rail delivery mail). The exhibit on postal inspectors was interesting too. We saw a temporary exhibit (there for 18 more months) on baseball - not just stamps and such, but the Negro Leagues, great stuff on Roberto Clemente.
I'd highly recommend this museum - also, since it's not on the Mall, you're not going too be standing in line behind some junior high school tour group.
I'd highly recommend this museum - also, since it's not on the Mall, you're not going too be standing in line behind some junior high school tour group.
Written June 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susan - we're so glad you were able to come visit us! We really appreciate the 5 stars and your lovely review.
Written June 17, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Howie
Virginia828 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
So many times running in and out of Union Station, I promised myself that "the next time" I'd leave time to go into the postal museum. Finally did! As with many, in my youth I collected stamps and had the great fortune as a child to have had a mailman who would take time out of his day to let me walk down the block with him while he delivered mail. Even to this day, I write physical letters and am grateful to those who answer them. Part of the joy in all of that is the miniature works of art that one can enjoy on the envelope. I was a bit surprised, though, when I walked into the USPS Museum: the lobby speaks of the great post offices of old rather than the suburban sub-stations I see most often today. Some of the exhibits were moving (a post box damaged on 9/11), and some were curious (Owney to postal dog.) I grew a bit weary, though, seeing so much on a grand scale. I prefer the miniature, even though postal workers every day are out in the larger world getting mail and packages around the country and the globe. My favorite part was where one could buy stamps: the worker behind the counter was humble in her demeanor, and the choice of current commemoratives included some that were no longer available at my local post office.
Written October 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David H
Falls Church, VA56 contributions
Dec 2023 • Solo
I’m not a stamp collector but I did really enjoy spending a few hours at the museum and plan to return as I did not see everything. Exhibits are very well done, engaging, and interesting. The building is pretty cool inside. I’ve lived in the area for 27 years but until recently was not aware of this museum. I did notice on the National Mall the wayfinding signs do have the museum on them but since it is up near Union Station I just never noticed.
Written December 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Passport53
Oxford, AL156 contributions
Mar 2023
For some reason, our two children LOVED this place. It was one of their favorite museums. They have various displays that are interactive where you can deliver mail, throw boxes into bags etc. I recommend going! Also, it's the Postal Museum so it wasn't as crowded as some of the other museums we visited.
Written April 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Creeping_Death_LA
Los Angeles, CA4,535 contributions
May 2023
This is one of those hidden gems that many people don't know about. If you love stamps, postcards, and anything to do with mail then you should not miss going to this museum. Entrance is free but you do have to go through security to enter. There are many displays showing the beginning of mail delivery throughout the decades.
Written May 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rene R
Palmetto, FL596 contributions
Jun 2022 • Family
On our recent trip to DC we visited the National Postal Museum for an incredible experience .
This should be among your top places to visit if you have young children. There were so many hands on things for them to do, the staff was absolutely friendly and engaged. This museum is for people of all ages but will be especially meaningful if you work for the Postal Service in any capacity. So many artifacts showing the progression of mail delivery in the United States from its very beginning to today. Special opportunities to pick out your own postcard and mail right from the museum as well as trying your hand at stamp collecting. This is a place you could easily spend all day at. My grandson had so much fun visiting the railway car used for mail delivery in the past as well as being able to climb into the cab of a delivery semi truck. Incredible finds such as the mail planes used in the earliest of days and Amelia Earhart’s flight suit. Fun and educational without a doubt.
As an added bonus, the Capitol is less than two blocks away from the museum. After spending the morning at the Postal Museum we spent the afternoon visiting the Capitol . As luck would have it just last week the Capitol is open again for public tours, just remember to go online and reserve in advance.
This should be among your top places to visit if you have young children. There were so many hands on things for them to do, the staff was absolutely friendly and engaged. This museum is for people of all ages but will be especially meaningful if you work for the Postal Service in any capacity. So many artifacts showing the progression of mail delivery in the United States from its very beginning to today. Special opportunities to pick out your own postcard and mail right from the museum as well as trying your hand at stamp collecting. This is a place you could easily spend all day at. My grandson had so much fun visiting the railway car used for mail delivery in the past as well as being able to climb into the cab of a delivery semi truck. Incredible finds such as the mail planes used in the earliest of days and Amelia Earhart’s flight suit. Fun and educational without a doubt.
As an added bonus, the Capitol is less than two blocks away from the museum. After spending the morning at the Postal Museum we spent the afternoon visiting the Capitol . As luck would have it just last week the Capitol is open again for public tours, just remember to go online and reserve in advance.
Written June 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rene - what a kind review! Thank you for sharing your photos of all the fun things to do here at the museum.
Written June 17, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
MGQ
Buffalo, NY551 contributions
Oct 2021
If you're interested in the history of mail delivery, then this is the place to go. It is a beautiful building and has some interesting exhibits but you can go through the museum in less than an hour. The lower floor has mail exhibits and the history of the mail delivery. The mail train was very interesting.The upper floor is all stamps. Could be interesting...could be boring...you chose.
Written November 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for taking the time to leave a review!
Written March 11, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Chris D
Athens, GA44 contributions
Apr 2022
Postal history? Not interesting, right? WRONG! This turned out to be one of, if not the most underrated and under-visited museums in the city. Exhibits for stamps, baseball, the history of how mail is processed, and various ways of delivering the mail. It truly was informative and interesting.
One of the best parts of the museum was that they have 2 charging stations with lockers for each phone. These are free for use. Punch in a code that you make, plug the phone into the cable, then stroll around the museum. Come back and punch the code in and retrieve your phone. It was a lifesaver after walking around the city all day and taking photos.
Very good job on this facility!
One of the best parts of the museum was that they have 2 charging stations with lockers for each phone. These are free for use. Punch in a code that you make, plug the phone into the cable, then stroll around the museum. Come back and punch the code in and retrieve your phone. It was a lifesaver after walking around the city all day and taking photos.
Very good job on this facility!
Written May 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris - we love that you found so many things to enjoy, including our charging stations! We appreciate the lovely comments.
Written June 17, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
DROP-IN TOURS
Introductory tours of the Museum are offered to walk-in visitors at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. (based on docent availability). These tours meet at the Museum’s information desk and last approximately 45 minutes. Please check the museum calendar to confirm dates and times.
SELF-GUIDED TOURS
Self-guided groups may visit the Museum any date or time. Brochures, including a map of the Museum galleries, and information about highlights of the Museum's exhibitions, are available in a kiosk at the bottom of the escalators at the entrance to the Museum.
Written November 1, 2017
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