national archives dc tour

Visiting the National Archives Building & Museum in Washington, DC

This historic museum near dc's national mall is where you can see america’s founding documents..

The Rotunda of the National Archives Building in Washington, DC, have opened for viewing of the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights with limited capacity from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. Reserve timed entry tickets on Recreation.gov. The reopening of the Rotunda and its continued operation will be contingent on local public health metrics remaining below targets for safe reopening.

What and where is the National Archives Building & Museum?

The National Archives & Records Administration Building and Museum is located on Constitution Avenue NW, between 7th and 9th Streets, just north of the National Mall . The building houses both a museum and the National Archives and Records Administration, which is responsible for federal records deemed to be of historical importance.

National Archives & Records Administration

The National Archives Building is home to more than three billion records in total, including the three most important documents in American history: the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. These can be viewed in the building’s Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom.

The museum is open every day of the year except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Its hours are 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., seven days a week. Admission is always free.

The easiest way to reach the National Archives is via Metrorail  or the DC Circulator . The closest Metro stop is Archives – Navy Memorial – Penn Quarter on the Green and Yellow lines. The DC Circulator’s National Mall route will take you near the building, making it easy to continue your exploration of the National Mall afterwards. The facility is handicap accessible.

What’s inside the National Archives?

The National Archives features distinct areas that all serve a different purpose in illuminating American history through vital documents.

The aforementioned Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom enjoys the most attention, and for good reason. The semicircular room contains the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The exhibition surrounding the charters highlights the composition and continuing significance of each document.

The David M. Rubenstein Gallery is home to Records of Rights , which features numerous Archives documents and a 17-foot touch screen to summarize American debate around essential issues such as citizenship, voting rights, equal opportunity, free speech and more. The highlight of the gallery is one of four surviving originals of the 1297 Magna Carta.

The Public Vaults take you deeper into the Archives’ records. At any given time, more than 1,000 documents are on display, indicating the incredible breadth of American democracy. Each vault is themed based on words from the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution, which is only fitting. The exhibit has also added an interactive element to take you even closer to the country’s history.

Beyond its myriad exhibits and historical documents, the National Archives Museum also features the William G. McGowan Theater , a 290-seat venue that often hosts documentary films and forum discussions. You can also educate and entertain the next generation in the Boeing Learning Center , which offers hands-on activities relating to Archive materials. Last but not least, the National Archives Store is a great spot to pick up American memorabilia and souvenirs to take home with you.

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The National Archives in Washington, DC

Please Note: Due to a power outage, the National Archives at Washington, DC, will be closed on Monday, July 8. We're sorry for the inconvenience.

• U.S. Congress
• U.S. Supreme Court
• Federal District Courts in the District of Columbia
• Select Federal Agencies

We also house pre-World War I military service records for:

• U.S. Army and Confederate veterans
• Pre-1940 vessel and station log books for the U.S. Navy

Hours and Location

700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20408-0001

Toll-free: 1-866-272-6272

Email: [email protected]

Research Room Hours

The research room at the National Archives in Washington, DC, is open Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Research appointments are highly encouraged, but you may also conduct research as a walk-in. Please visit the  A1 Textual Event Page  to make an appointment. You may email  [email protected]  for advance consultation and appointment questions.

Please see these  frequently asked questions  for further information about conducting in-person research at the National Archives.

Museum and Rotunda Hours

Please see the National Archives Museum  website  for the latest information.

Genealogy & Historical Research

Find links to finding aids, military records, online research tools, ordering information, and much more.     

Frequently Requested

Civil War Records

Land Records

American Indian Records

Vessel and Station Log Books

Plan Your Visit

Find directions to our building, review our research room policies, and learn what to expect when you arrive.

Visit the Museum

The Rotunda of the National Archives Building displays the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence.

Online Research Tools and Databases

Volunteer and Internship Opportunities

Educator Resources

National Archives

We're open daily from 10:00am-5:30pm , with last admission 30 minutes prior to closing.

The National Archives Museum is home to the Charters of Freedom, including the original Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. The museum is situated in the heart of the National Mall in Washington, D.C., surrounded by dozens of memorials, museums and historic areas. Visit our website for more information about the National Archives Museum .

Current Hours

Daily: 10am-5:30pm

Closed: Thanksgiving Day and December 25.

Want to skip the public line? Timed entry tickets are available for entry times from 10:15am to 4:30pm . 

What is Currently on Display

The Rotunda and following galleries of the National Archives Building in Washington, DC, are open for viewing of the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and Bill of Rights ; the Lawrence F. O'Brien Gallery, featuring Power & Light: Russell Lee's Coal Survey ; and the David M. Rubenstein Gallery, featuring Records of Rights . 

Museum Store

A selection of retail items are available for purchase upon exiting the Museum. Retail items may also be purchased by visiting the National Archives Store .

Museum Cafe

The Charters Cafe is open Monday-Friday, between 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Need to Know

Visitors agree to abide by the guidelines on the National Archives Museum's website and by all instructions posted in the museum or provided by staff during the visit. 

• Bags and backpacks . Only one bag is allowed per person; bags cannot be larger than 17 × 26 inches (43 × 66 centimeters) in size. 
• Food, chewing gum, and beverages are prohibited in the theater and exhibition areas.
• Pets and therapy animals are prohibited in the Museum. Service animals are allowed and must be under the control of their handlers at all times. 

Non-flash photography is encouraged in all public areas of the National Archives Museum unless otherwise posted. Flash, other supplemental lighting, selfie sticks, monopods, or similar equipment are not permitted. We encourage you to share your photographs online and tag us @USNatArchives.

A limited number of wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis. To use them during your visit, please notify Security staff upon arrival after going through the metal detector.

Booking Windows

Tickets are primarily released 90 days in advance at 10AM EST.

Changes and Cancellations

Purchasing Tickets

Entry to the National Archives is free. If you choose to reserve a self-guided timed ticket, a non-refundable $1.00 advance reservation convenience fee will be charged for each ticket. Changes are allowed on a ticket order at no additional charge. If you cancel, reservation fees are non-refundable. 

• Self-Guided timed ticket entry reservations are available for those who wish to avoid the public line. 
• Guided Tours are not currently available. 
• Education and school groups should visit the Museum Education website for the latest information regarding tours and classroom programs.

Personal and other information collected through recreation.gov will be shared with NARA's support partner, the National Archives Foundation, in order to conduct outreach and enhance the visitor experience. If you do not want your personal and other information shared with the Foundation, please email [email protected] .  

Cancellations

There are NO REFUNDS on any ticket orders. When the Archives is unexpectedly closed due to special events, national security concerns, or for other reasons, it will NOT be able to refund any money. In the event of a cancellation, attempts will be made to inform you of the closure and re-book your tickets to another date, or visitors may choose to modify their reservation on their own before the scheduled time, provided tickets are available at the new date and time.

Ticketed Entry Procedures

Please arrive no more than 10 minutes before the scheduled time on your ticket. While we will do our best to honor the scheduled time on your ticket, entry to the National Archives museum will be subject to building capacity. Late arrivals cannot be guaranteed entry into the museum.

• Once inside, National Archives Security will verify your Timed Entry Tickets. 
• Please have your ticket(s) or confirmation email available (on your phone or printed) for entry. 

All visitors will pass through airport-type security and metal detectors. Visitors, as well as their belongings, are subject to inspection. There are no lockers or coat check stations available. 

Contact Information

Mailing address.

700 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE NW Washington DC 20408

Phone Number

EMAIL: [email protected]

Available Tours and Tickets

• Self-Guided Timed Entry

Photo Gallery

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Group Tours

The National Archives Museum in Washington, DC, is home to many of our government’s most cherished records including the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. Exploring two interactive permanent exhibitions spaces, a rotating gallery, learning center, and a state-of-the-art theater, visitors are treated to an incredible sampling of paper and parchment records, maps, photographs, patent drawings, films, sound recordings, and artifacts from the billions of records safeguarded by the National Archives.

The National Archives Foundation is happy to offer a variety of options for exploring the Museum. From special entry for smaller groups to customizable private tours and events, our membership packages are the perfect way to create a truly memorable experience.

For more information, contact:

Tours Ken Dunn [email protected] 202.357.5264

Special Events Caneil McDonald Caneil.McDonald@ archivesfoundation.org 202.357.7746

• Featured Document
• Virtual Programs
• Emancipation Proclamation & General Order No. 3
• Getting to the National Archives in Washington, DC

National Archives Foundation 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20408-0001 202-357-5946

• Archives.gov

© 2024 National Archives Foundation

The National Archives Museum depicts our astounding national mosaic and tells the stories of the American journey.

Calendar of events.

May 16 Thursday

May 18 Saturday

May 22 Wednesday

May 23 Thursday

July 8 Monday

July 9 Tuesday

July 10 Wednesday

July 11 Thursday

July 12 Friday

More Events

• See the Complete Calendar of Events at Archives.gov.