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National Museum of African Art

Closest Metro Stops:
Smithsonian Visit Washington DC
L�Enfant Plaza Tour Tour
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museum Admission: Free

washington dc Phone: (202) 633-4600

washington dc Website: africa.si.edu

washington dc Email: [email protected]

washington dc Address: 950 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20560

The National Museum of African Art is located near two metro stations: Smithsonian Station and L’Enfant Plaza Station. See the map and directions shown below to find suggested routes to the museum.

From Smithsonian Metro Station
Approximately 0.2 miles, 3 min walk
Washington DC Art gallery Smithsonian Station has two exits. Leave through the "12th St & Independence Ave" Exit.
Head east on Independence Ave SW toward 12 St SW.

From L’Enfant Plaza Metro Station
Approximately 0.4 miles, 7 min walk
Washington DC Art gallery The station has three exits. Leave the station through the "Maryland Avenue/Smithsonian Museums" exit (at 7th St & Maryland Ave).
Head west on Maryland Ave SW toward 7th St SW
Turn right onto 7th St SW.
Washington DC Art gallery Turn left onto Independence Ave SW.

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The Museum

As one of nineteen museums under the wing of the Smithsonian Institution, the National Museum of African Art is a little gem dedicated to African Arts. The museum provides a mix of paintings, artifacts, relics, and masks on each floor. Each piece is accompanied by a lengthy description, so you can understand the significance of the piece and what it was used for. If you think Africa is a monolith, and everything and everybody is the same, the museum will show you that's definitely not true. You'll see that the masks used in Benin are nothing like the ones used by the Yoruba peoples in Nigeria. It's an awesome history lesson. You'll be able to look at and appreciate African art for what it is: a totally harmless and beautiful expression of the various diverse cultures on the continent.

Hours of Operation

Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. but is closed on December 25.

Parking

The museum does not have parking. Parking is available by meter on the surrounding streets and in local paid parking garages. There are nine bus drop-off-only spaces on Maryland Avenue accessible from 3rd Street.

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National Museum of African Art

Recommended Attractions

The Museum

Hours of Operation

Parking

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