Visit the National Archives Experience

Daily Visits

The National Archives Experience is open every day except Thanksgiving and December 25 (see Museum Hours for operating schedule). Reservations are not required for individuals or groups wishing to enter the National Archives Experience through the general public entrance. The general public entrance is located at the corner of Constitution Avenue and 9th Street.

Reserved Visits

Self-Guided Visits
Reservations for a self-guided visit are recommended for individuals or groups wishing to enter the National Archives Experience at a specific time and tour the museum on their own. Individuals and families as well as student, youth, adult or senior citizen groups are welcomed throughout the year.

Hours Available for Self-Guided Visit Reservations

Spring and Summer
(March 15-Labor Day)
Monday through Friday
10:15 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Fall and Winter
(Day after Labor Day-March 14)
Monday through Friday
10:15 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

(Closed Thanksgiving Day and December 25)

Reservation requests for self-guided visits must be submitted at least 6 weeks prior to the date of the visit. We will accept reservations for 2010 beginning October 2009.

We highly encourage groups to avoid the months of March, April, and May, Thanksgiving weekend and the week between Christmas and New Year's Day since these times are the busiest in the Museum. We suggest scheduling your visit between June and February if possible.

To make a reservation for a self-guided visit, please send an email to the Tour Coordinator at visitorservices@nara.gov. A date and time for your visit will be scheduled and a confirmation letter will be sent back; the confirmation letter must be presented upon entry. All reserved groups enter at the corner of Constitution Avenue and 7th Street through the Special Events entrance. Please note that visitors with reservations for self-guided visits will not participate in a guided tour. For guided tour reservations see below.

Individuals and groups without a reservation must enter through the general public entrance at the corner of Constitution Avenue and 9th Street.

Armed Forces
Please note as a special tribute to our Armed Forces, service personnel in uniform and their guests may enter through the Special Events entrance on the corner of Constitution Avenue and 7th Street.

Foundation for the National Archives
Members of the Foundation for the National Archives and their guests may enter through the Special Events entrance at the corner of Constitution Avenue and 7th Street by showing their membership card.

National Archives Staff, Volunteers and Contractors
National Archives Staff, Volunteers, Contractors and their guests may enter through the Special Events entrance at the corner of Constitution Avenue and 7th street by showing their official National Archives I.D.

Guided Tour Reservations

Reservations are required for individuals or groups up to 20 wishing to take a one-hour guided tour of the National Archives Experience.

Guided Tour Times
Monday through Friday: 9:45 a.m.

To Make Guided Tour Reservations
Guided tour reservations must be made in advance by contacting the Tour Office. Submission of requests at least 6 weeks prior to the date of the visit is recommended. We will accept reservations for 2010 beginning October 2009. Please call the Tour Office at 202-357-5450 to schedule a date and time for your visit.

Guided tour confirmation materials will be mailed to the visitor's home address and must be presented upon entry. All visitors with guided tour reservations should enter through the Special Events entrance on the corner of Constitution Avenue and 7th Street. Visitors with reservations who are unable to arrive at the scheduled time, should telephone the Tour Office at 202-357-5450.

Individuals and groups without a reservation must enter through the general public entrance at the corner of Constitution Avenue and 9th Street.

Visiting Guidelines

• Plan on spending at least 90 minutes viewing an 11-minute introductory film in the McGowan Theater and visiting three exhibit galleries - the Lawrence F. O’Brien changing exhibit gallery, The Public Vaults permanent exhibit gallery, and the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom - home of the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights.
• In addition, you’ll want to save time to visit the Archives Shop. Open daily – 10 am to closing.
• The Charters Café will re-open on Monday, August 3, 2009, and will be open Monday through Friday from 10am-4pm.
• Please note that it can take up to 1 hour or more to enter the building during the months of March, April and May, Thanksgiving weekend, the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day and other times when there is heavy visitor traffic. We encourage you to come prepared for inclement weather while waiting outdoors.
• All visitors are encouraged to begin their visit by viewing the introductory film in the McGowan Theater.
• Leave backpacks, large bags, and metal jewelry behind in order to expedite the security check.
• Flash photography and videography with additional lighting or for commercial purposes, food, chewing gum, and beverages are prohibited in the theater and exhibit areas.
• All group members must enter the Museum at the group’s scheduled arrival time. The Museum is not responsible for reuniting late arrivals with their groups.
• Students and Youth groups are required to break into groups of 10, with one chaperone assigned per group.
• Student and Youth chaperones must stay with their assigned group of 10 throughout the Museum complex.
• Unchaperoned or misbehaved Students or Youth who cause or risk damage to the Museum or disturb other visitors will be escorted out of the Museum and the group may not be allowed admission in the future.
• The National Archives Experience is compliant with the American Disabilities Act (ADA) and is therefore accessible to all persons.
• A limited number of manual wheelchairs are available for visitors on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Museum Hours