United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Museum

Address: 100 Raoul Wallenberg Pl SW, Washington, DC 20024, USA

Website: https://www.ushmm.org/

Hours: Hours and timed‑entry schedules vary; check website for current hours and reservation requirements

Admission: Permanent exhibition admission is free; timed‑entry passes are required (special exhibitions may have fees)

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is the U.S. federal memorial to the Holocaust, located near the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and opened to the public in 1993. It documents the history of the Holocaust through artifacts, film and testimony.

The museum’s core permanent exhibition traces the events of the Holocaust using artifacts, photographs, documents and survivor testimony across a multi-level exhibition space. The building also contains rotating temporary exhibits, a library and the Hall of Remembrance for reflection.

Congress created the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum as a national institution; the museum’s building and permanent exhibitions opened in 1993 and have since expanded research, education and outreach programs. It serves as a memorial and a center for Holocaust studies and remembrance.

Situated just off the National Mall in downtown Washington, D.C., the museum is within walking distance of other national museums and memorials and is easily reached by public transit.

• Entry and visit time: Security screening is required for entry to the permanent exhibition; allow time for the process and for the multi-level core exhibition which typically takes a few hours to view fully.

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., a short walk from the Smithsonian Institution. The closest Metro station is Smithsonian (Orange, Blue and Silver lines), about a 5-10 minute walk to the museum. Many downtown bus routes and tourist shuttles also stop along the Mall; vehicle access is via Independence Avenue SW and nearby streets, but on‑site parking is very limited so public transit is strongly recommended.

If driving from I-395 or other parts of the city, follow signs for the National Mall/Smithsonian museums and use nearby paid parking garages; allow extra time for Mall security and pedestrian traffic.

• Reserve the free timed‑entry tickets for the permanent exhibition in advance on the museum's website to avoid long lines - tickets are required for most visits and can sell out for peak times.
• Plan to arrive at opening or late afternoon on weekdays for quieter, more reflective time in the galleries; the permanent exhibition is long, so allow at least 2-3 hours.
• Download or pick up the museum's multimedia guide and check the schedule for short ranger talks and film presentations - these help put the main exhibition in context and are easily missed if you rush.