National Museum of the United States Navy
National Museum of the United States Navy
National Museum of the United States Navy
4.5
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Welcome to the National Museum of the United States Navy located in the historic Washington Navy Yard in Washington, DC. Housed in one of the historic buildings of the former Naval Gun Factory, the museum was established in 1961 and opened to visitors in 1963. As the flagship museum of 10 naval museums, the NMUSN represents the entire history of the United States Navy. Inspiring the honor, courage, and commitment of the Navy and the public, our collection includes over 5,000 artifacts and works of art spanning more than 240 years. The museum is located within an active military facility. A valid ID is required. Go to our “Plan Your Visit” page to learn more about base access. www.history.navy.mil/nmusn
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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
136 reviews
Excellent
84
Very good
30
Average
9
Poor
6
Terrible
7
harryatkck
Kansas City, KS983 contributions
May 2022
This is located in the Washington Navy Yard & you need to meet the ID requirements to enter the yard in order to see the museum. The museum consists of 2 buildings & a small park that has cannons & other large items. The exhibits inside each building were detailed & did an excellent job of telling the history of the Navy from the founding of our country to present day. I especially liked the items outside. Two of my favorites were a WW I naval railroad gun & a propeller blade from the USS Maine. There is no admission fee. You just have to contend with DC traffic to get here.
Written June 1, 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.
Gundoctor 913A
Lexington, SC859 contributions
Jul 2024 • Solo
I’m glad I took the time to come see the original NMUSN, but if you don’t make it, you won’t be missing much. The museum is currently in the process of closing due to the construction of a brand new facility. The new museum isn’t supposed to be completed until 2030, but it will be MUCH larger and not located on the Washington Naval Yard. Despite not having much on display, what was on display was cool. Lots of artifacts and memorabilia from the Revolutionary War, the Barbary Wars, the Civil War, WWI and WWII. This is where the famous chunk of Yamato Armor is located that has a big hole through it. The museum was cool, but I am looking forward to visiting the new Museum once it is finished.
I strolled through this museum in about an hour. Admission is free and parking is free and abundant. It is located on the Washington Naval Yard, so access to civilians is restricted unless you use the provided tour guide. Details are on their website.
I strolled through this museum in about an hour. Admission is free and parking is free and abundant. It is located on the Washington Naval Yard, so access to civilians is restricted unless you use the provided tour guide. Details are on their website.
Written November 21, 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.
Mike B
Alabama14 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
Worth the effort to get into the Navy Yard if you are not an active or retired member of the armed forces. So interesting and was told that the museum will shut down in the next few months for a period of time due to pending loss of buildings as a result of base realignment, so go now. Can’t stress enough what a gem this museum is.
Written October 20, 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.
xlr8or
Cleveland, TN141 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
We were able visit this museum with relatives and had a wonderful time. It truly has U.S. Navy historical items from the very beginning. A special treat was that we were able to see the Alvin and the Trieste deep submersibles. Wish it were larger.
Written January 3, 2020
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.
sskroll
Orlando, FL1,113 contributions
Apr 2022
Took us a little while to find out that it is on the Navy Yard. We have military ID so just had to show that at the gate and the gate gave us directions. No cost and well worth the visit. Lots to see in 2 different buildings. We took about 3 hours to see everything. There is also a gift shop. There are also exhibits outside and a nice picnic area.
Written April 22, 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.
Sailorsgirl
Springfield, MO5,920 contributions
On our June trip to Washington, DC, since my husband is retired Navy, we decided to visit the Navy Yard. The Yard is the Navy's oldest shore establishment. It began as a ship building center, then became an ordnance plant, and currently serves as the ceremonial and administrative center for the United States Navy. The Navy Yard is also home to the Chief of Naval Operations, as well as the Naval Historical Center.
Our main reason for visiting was to see the Navy Museum. This museum covers the inception of the US Navy to the present. The exhibits begin with Old Ironsides and progress through the wars fought on the seas, through WWI and WWI up to the present day. Our grandson especially liked crawling up onto the ship gun nest seats and rotating the guns. At one point he almost took out a large glass display case! There is also a small gift shop and restrooms at the Museum.
There's lots to see, so plan to spend at least half a day at the Navy Yard. You can grab some lunch at the Food Court, then take a tour of the ship docked down by the parking area. This is a Military Complex, but the General Public is welcome to visit. You can park your car only on weekends at the Navy Yard. Pedestrians may come in Monday to Friday, and can only use the 6th and M Street SE gate on weekends. Parking at the yard is difficult to find, so get there early in the day.
For more information about the Navy Yard, it's history and when you can visit, check out the website at: www.history.navy.mil/about/navy_yard.html.
Our main reason for visiting was to see the Navy Museum. This museum covers the inception of the US Navy to the present. The exhibits begin with Old Ironsides and progress through the wars fought on the seas, through WWI and WWI up to the present day. Our grandson especially liked crawling up onto the ship gun nest seats and rotating the guns. At one point he almost took out a large glass display case! There is also a small gift shop and restrooms at the Museum.
There's lots to see, so plan to spend at least half a day at the Navy Yard. You can grab some lunch at the Food Court, then take a tour of the ship docked down by the parking area. This is a Military Complex, but the General Public is welcome to visit. You can park your car only on weekends at the Navy Yard. Pedestrians may come in Monday to Friday, and can only use the 6th and M Street SE gate on weekends. Parking at the yard is difficult to find, so get there early in the day.
For more information about the Navy Yard, it's history and when you can visit, check out the website at: www.history.navy.mil/about/navy_yard.html.
Written August 11, 2010
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.
etweeden
London, UK749 contributions
Jul 2015 • Family
This is one of about a dozen Naval Museums spread across the country, and it is definitely one of the BEST. BUT the problem is access. Open 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday. It is on an active Naval Base (Washington Navy Yard) and access is governed by Department of Defense security regulations. Consult their website for more information. Essentially, here is what you have to go through. First, civilians will enter through the Navy Yard Gate at 11th and O,Streets. This is a lengthy walk from the Navy Yard Metro Station. Either take the Navy Yard Circulator Bus from Union Station, or better yet, drive over and park in one of the nearby parking areas close to 11th and O Streets. Make your way to that gate, and go to the Visitor Office on the right. Everyone 18 or over will need government issued Photo ID (Driver's license, passport), and you will also need to complete a Visitor Access Form. Once this Form is complete, there will be a short wait of 10-20 minutes, and after that you will be escorted to the Museum. The museum itself is comprised of two buildings. The first has exhibits and original,artifacts on subs, the Revolutionary War, Forgotten Wars of the Nineteenth Century, the Civil,War, Polar Exploration, the World Wars and Korea. In a separate building there is a massive display centred on naval activities in the Cold War. There are also specialty displays, and I was fortunate enough to see the ship that my Boot Camp Company Commander (EMC-SS Kuczkowski, God Bless him!!) was stationed on -'the Bathyscaph USS Trieste. There is a Subway nearby on the base, and of course they have a museum shop. Enjoy!
Written October 6, 2015
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.
Arlington86
Arlington, Texas, United States1 contribution
Oct 2014 • Solo
The Museum is Excellent; you could spend two days here and not see it all. To get here you can take the Silver Metro Line and get off at Eastern Market Station, walk across the street and get on Metro Bus 92 that runs every 12 minutes. Wait for the bus in front of the Starbucks, (a DC Fire Station is across the Street), it seems pretty safe.
Ask the driver to let you off at 11th & O St SE, Washington, District of Columbia. (also ask the driver where to get back on). Pull it up on Google Maps, Earth View & Street View so you know what the stop looks like. Otherwise, on the Metro Bus, if no one is waiting at the bus stop, the bus does not stop unless you PUSH the stop button, by the middle door, BEFORE you approach your stop. (After you PASS the Navy Yard, it is about a mile over the long bridge, before he will stop to let you walk back).
You will be at the visitor entrance. Walk 100 ft to the visitor center. You will need a state/government picture id, and sign a release for a voluntary background investigation. If you don't volunteer to provide the information, you will not be permitted to enter.
Be prepared to wait for your escort. He/she is a govt. employee and they may not be in any hurry. You may have to wait until it stops raining, etc. There is a Duncan Donut Shop on the base, however you are not permitted to go there (or anywhere else, but the two museums, and the USS Barry when it reopens in late 2015). From the visitor center, your escort will guide you to complete the last 300 ft to the museums.
When you are ready to leave, DO NOT follow the escorts suggestion to "take the short walk out toward the USS Barry and follow the river back to Nationals Baseball Stadium, pass the nice restaurants and get back on the Metro at the Navy Yard Station." In reality, this will be a 1 1/2 mile walk (in the rain for me) by yourself along a desolate river front, there are NO restaurants. However, you will walk past the sewage treatment plant. The last block is along partly closed Half Street, passing through a construction site. Without help you will not find the Metro Station in a million years.
The Museum is Great, avoid my mistakes and you will have a great time!
Visited October 2014
Ask the driver to let you off at 11th & O St SE, Washington, District of Columbia. (also ask the driver where to get back on). Pull it up on Google Maps, Earth View & Street View so you know what the stop looks like. Otherwise, on the Metro Bus, if no one is waiting at the bus stop, the bus does not stop unless you PUSH the stop button, by the middle door, BEFORE you approach your stop. (After you PASS the Navy Yard, it is about a mile over the long bridge, before he will stop to let you walk back).
You will be at the visitor entrance. Walk 100 ft to the visitor center. You will need a state/government picture id, and sign a release for a voluntary background investigation. If you don't volunteer to provide the information, you will not be permitted to enter.
Be prepared to wait for your escort. He/she is a govt. employee and they may not be in any hurry. You may have to wait until it stops raining, etc. There is a Duncan Donut Shop on the base, however you are not permitted to go there (or anywhere else, but the two museums, and the USS Barry when it reopens in late 2015). From the visitor center, your escort will guide you to complete the last 300 ft to the museums.
When you are ready to leave, DO NOT follow the escorts suggestion to "take the short walk out toward the USS Barry and follow the river back to Nationals Baseball Stadium, pass the nice restaurants and get back on the Metro at the Navy Yard Station." In reality, this will be a 1 1/2 mile walk (in the rain for me) by yourself along a desolate river front, there are NO restaurants. However, you will walk past the sewage treatment plant. The last block is along partly closed Half Street, passing through a construction site. Without help you will not find the Metro Station in a million years.
The Museum is Great, avoid my mistakes and you will have a great time!
Visited October 2014
Written October 20, 2014
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.
Saskheat
Saskatoon, Canada1,553 contributions
Jul 2014 • Family
If you are a military or naval aficionado, then look no further. The National Museum of the US Navy is located on the Washington Navy Ship yard. It’s a Military base so civilians must enter thru the main gate and get a pass, which is if you are arriving via the Metro (Subway) is on the complete opposite (kitty corner) side from the metro. The base is about 1.5 miles from the nearest metro stop (about 20-25 min walk). Don’t try to walk to the main gate along the water front, as the gate will be closed to the public by the Display ship Barry and you will have to back track a significant amount to make your way to a street to get around the base. There are several gates closer to the metro, but entrance thru alternate gates is only permitted to active military. Guests must be signed in at the admin office near the guard house at the main gate and must be escorted to the Museum in the middle of the base. There is no charge for admittance. The gift shop closes 1 hr BEFORE the museum does so get your souvenir 1st if you visit at the end of the day. There are no services other than restrooms, so bring a drink if you require one.
The USS BARRY is a decommissioned Destroyer that is docked near the Museum and is ordinarily open to the public to tour. It was closed without notice for a private function on the day we visited.
The Museum is a true National Treasure. The displays encompass the entirety of the US Navy’s history and are thoughtfully prepared and masterfully executed. If you are a true military history buff, be prepared to spend a minimum of 4 hours. If you have a passing interest you can get thru it in 1.5 hrs. The artifacts are Smithsonian calibre and are a rare find anywhere. There are lots of decent photo ops and they will actually allow you to mount some of the larger guns to take pictures.
There are several large and unusual military artifacts in the courtyard in front of the Museum that are worth checking out like the rail car mounted artillery.
Once your visit is finished, you can exit thru any gate on the base and don’t have to go back to the main gate.
Don’t Miss this one if you are a military fan and are in the DC area, you wont be disappointed.
If you find something in here useful, please click helpful below. Godspeed and thanks for reading.
The USS BARRY is a decommissioned Destroyer that is docked near the Museum and is ordinarily open to the public to tour. It was closed without notice for a private function on the day we visited.
The Museum is a true National Treasure. The displays encompass the entirety of the US Navy’s history and are thoughtfully prepared and masterfully executed. If you are a true military history buff, be prepared to spend a minimum of 4 hours. If you have a passing interest you can get thru it in 1.5 hrs. The artifacts are Smithsonian calibre and are a rare find anywhere. There are lots of decent photo ops and they will actually allow you to mount some of the larger guns to take pictures.
There are several large and unusual military artifacts in the courtyard in front of the Museum that are worth checking out like the rail car mounted artillery.
Once your visit is finished, you can exit thru any gate on the base and don’t have to go back to the main gate.
Don’t Miss this one if you are a military fan and are in the DC area, you wont be disappointed.
If you find something in here useful, please click helpful below. Godspeed and thanks for reading.
Written September 28, 2014
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.
richmondatty
Short Pump, Virginia25 contributions
The United States Navy Museum is an under-appreciated museum in the museum capital of the country. If the Navy Museum were in any smaller city, and I define smaller city by any metro area of fewer than two-million, such as Richmond, this little museum would be among the top attractions advertised in tour guides.
This is a great place to take squirmy younger kids. The museum allows you to touch anything that is not behind glass, up high, or behind a rope. Most of the big displays are touchable. Younger kids may climb onto anti-aircraft guns, cannons, touch the mast of the USS Constitution, etc. It is incredible that anyone may just climb into the Trieste's diving sphere and feel how claustrophobic that little ball is. Have fun trying to climb out.
The grounds also has the USS Barry, a decommissioned destroyer anchored at the dock, available for self-guided tours. You may walk all over the ship and climb into an old crewman's berth, just to feel how little personal space the crew had. The smell of old diesel is strong, though.
In addition, the museum has anchors and cannons from different ships and battles, a huge 16" rail gun from WW1, all just seemingly forgotten in corners or outside. Other cities would tout a museum with many of these famous objects, but this museum had fewer than 100 visitors, perhaps, one Saturday this summer. Of course, if you have only one trip to Washington/Baltimore, why would you go to such a "small" museum when you could go to the very overcrowded (but worth it) Smithsonian museums?
The Navy Museum is free, although they request a $3.00 donation in a box as you leave. However, the museum placed the box out of the way, so as not to shame those who do not want to pay. The Navy Museum is within the Washington Naval Yard, so every adult must show a legal identification to enter the grounds.
This is a great place to take squirmy younger kids. The museum allows you to touch anything that is not behind glass, up high, or behind a rope. Most of the big displays are touchable. Younger kids may climb onto anti-aircraft guns, cannons, touch the mast of the USS Constitution, etc. It is incredible that anyone may just climb into the Trieste's diving sphere and feel how claustrophobic that little ball is. Have fun trying to climb out.
The grounds also has the USS Barry, a decommissioned destroyer anchored at the dock, available for self-guided tours. You may walk all over the ship and climb into an old crewman's berth, just to feel how little personal space the crew had. The smell of old diesel is strong, though.
In addition, the museum has anchors and cannons from different ships and battles, a huge 16" rail gun from WW1, all just seemingly forgotten in corners or outside. Other cities would tout a museum with many of these famous objects, but this museum had fewer than 100 visitors, perhaps, one Saturday this summer. Of course, if you have only one trip to Washington/Baltimore, why would you go to such a "small" museum when you could go to the very overcrowded (but worth it) Smithsonian museums?
The Navy Museum is free, although they request a $3.00 donation in a box as you leave. However, the museum placed the box out of the way, so as not to shame those who do not want to pay. The Navy Museum is within the Washington Naval Yard, so every adult must show a legal identification to enter the grounds.
Written August 31, 2010
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.
Do I need to fill out a form to enter the Museum or just bring a valid I.D.? I am just a civilian. Can I see the other parts of the base? Thanks!
Written May 18, 2017
You have to check in at the Main Gate, fill out a form, then you are allowed entry. You can walk around the base (parts are restricted access). Enjoy.
Written May 18, 2017
Is there anywhere for disabled people to park who can't walk long distances?
Written November 14, 2015
USNavyMuseum
Washington DC, District of Columbia
Cynthia,
There are handicap spots in the lot across the street from the Museum. Like most parking facilities, however, the spots are first come, first serve. Please contact the Museum at 202-433-4882.
for more information and arrangements.
Written November 16, 2015
I will have a rental car. Is there anywhere to park it on the museum grounds?
Written September 28, 2015
Yes, and you will be directed to the parking spaces. There are officers everywhere to help you along the way.
Written September 28, 2015
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