National Museum of the American Indian, Washington DC

November 2023

When talking about the museums of DC, everyone has their favorites: the Natural History Museum, the Air & Space Museum, the International Spy Museum. I love them all for different reasons.

The National Museum of the American Indian is my favorite museum building. There’s hardly a straight line to be seen; everything is built from swooping natural curves that relieve the eyes from all the straight, rigid marble and brick of the rest of the National Mall. In the summer, a river of water flows down a winding channel next to the building’s entrance.

Inside, the Museum itself continues to defy traditional expectations. When you enter, you’re greeted with a vast open space, centered on a round gathering space for tours and talks. Behind that sits a cafe, and you can see the various floors of the museum beyond that. But there are no exhibits to be seen. Indeed, there are no exhibits on the first floor, and relatively few on the second (which contains the gift shop).

You have to explore, wander, and push yourself a little to learn more, as several fantastic exhibits lie behind the elevators and stairs. You’ll learn about the many Native American tribes that have lived in America over the centuries, what makes them similar, and what makes them different. You’ll see what traditional tribes wore and used every day, and the art they made for special occasions. You’ll see how that continues on to this day; the Native Americans have never left us. Indeed, there’s a wonderful exhibit showcasing Native Americans in pop culture, from logos to advertising to movies.

The rest of the museums on the Mall can exhaust the tourist. This museum refreshes me every time I go.

Fees: Free

Conditions: 67 Fahrenheit and clear; unseasonably warm