The National Postal Museum is a Smithsonian Institution museum located in the historic City Post Office Building in Washington DC, situated next to Union Station. This guide provides factual details on opening hours, ticket prices, transport, accessibility, and practical visitor requirements to assist with trip planning.
Note: This guide was updated in March 2026 to reflect current security entry protocols and the latest exhibition schedule in the William H. Gross Stamp Gallery.
Quick facts for your visit
| Category | Details |
| Opening hours | Daily: 10:00 to 17:30. Closed 25 December. |
| Ticket prices | Free admission. |
| Address | 2 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, D.C. 20002. |
| Nearest transport | Union Station (Metro Red Line, Amtrak, MARC, VRE). |
| Typical visit time | 1 to 2 hours. |
National Postal Museum opening hours
The National Postal Museum is open daily from 10:00 to 17:30. The museum operates every day of the year except for 25 December, when all Smithsonian facilities in Washington, D.C., are closed to the public.
Visitors should allow at least 15 minutes for security screening upon entry.
National Postal Museum ticket prices
Admission to the National Postal Museum is free of charge. Visitors do not require a ticket or a timed-entry pass for general admission to the permanent galleries or special exhibitions.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in March 2026.
5 Washington DC experiences worth booking
- 🏛️ Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the US Capitol Building, with the Library of Congress or Supreme Court included.
- 🏡 Combine George Washington’s Mount Vernon with Old Town Alexandria on a history-packed day tour.
- 🕊️ Take a guided walking tour of Arlington National Cemetery, including the Changing of the Guard.
- 🚲 Visit the monuments and memorials of the National Mall on a bike tour that gets you closer than the bus routes.
- 🍽️ Go on a tasting tour of Georgetown’s top foodie highlights.
How to get to the National Postal Museum
The museum is located at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and First Street NE, directly adjacent to Union Station. The most direct public transport option is the Washington Metro Red Line, exiting at the Union Station stop.
Regional rail services, including Amtrak, MARC, and VRE, also terminate at Union Station, making the museum accessible from Maryland and Virginia. Several local bus routes, including the DC Circulator (National Mall route), stop within one block of the entrance.
Parking at the National Postal Museum
There is no dedicated visitor parking at the National Postal Museum. The nearest parking facility is the Union Station Parking Garage, which is located at 50 Massachusetts Ave NE. This is a multi-level paid facility that operates 24 hours a day.
Alternative parking can be found at commercial garages in the NoMa and Capitol Hill neighbourhoods. Limited metered street parking is available on surrounding streets, but time limits are strictly enforced by District authorities.
How long to spend at the National Postal Museum
A typical visit to the museum galleries takes between 60 and 90 minutes. This timeframe allows visitors to view the primary postal transport exhibits on the lower level and the stamp galleries on the main level.
Visitors with a specific interest in philately or postal history may require two hours or more to examine the specialised collections. The museum is generally less crowded than the Smithsonian museums located directly on the National Mall.
Accessibility at the National Postal Museum
The National Postal Museum is fully accessible to wheelchair users and visitors with limited mobility. The primary accessible entrance is located on First Street NE, which provides level access to the building.
Elevators serve all public levels of the museum, and accessible restrooms are available on both floors. Manual wheelchairs are available for loan at the security desk on a first-come, first-served basis.
What to see at the National Postal Museum
The Moving the Mail exhibit features full-scale postal transport vehicles, including a 1911 Wiseman-Cooke aeroplane, a 1930s mail truck, and a restored railway mail car. These displays explain the evolution of mail delivery across North America.
The William H. Gross Stamp Gallery is the largest gallery in the world dedicated to philately. it contains thousands of rare stamps, including the “Inverted Jenny” and the British Guiana 1c Magenta, displayed in pull-out frames.
Postmen on the Move explores the history of the Pony Express and the use of stagecoaches for mail delivery in the 19th century. This section includes interactive displays regarding the routes used to connect the eastern and western United States.
The Systems at Work gallery demonstrates the technical process of modern mail sorting. It includes interactive stations where visitors can attempt to sort mail manually and compare their speed to automated machinery.
Practical visitor tips
| Aspect | Tip |
| Timing | Visit on weekday mornings to avoid school groups that frequently arrive mid-morning. |
| Crowds | This museum is typically quieter than the Air and Space Museum, providing a more relaxed environment. |
| Layout | Start on the lower level for large-scale vehicles, then move to the street level for stamp galleries. |
| Entry Process | All visitors must pass through a metal detector and have bags screened by security. |
| Logistics | There is no café on-site; visitors typically use the food court at Union Station next door. |
Frequently asked questions about the National Postal Museum
| Query | Answer |
| Is the National Postal Museum suitable for children? | Yes, it features interactive stations, a historic stagecoach to sit in, and stamp-collecting activities. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for the National Postal Museum? | No, the museum does not use a timed-entry or advance booking system. |
| Is the National Postal Museum open on Sundays? | Yes, it is open daily from 10:00 to 17:30, including Sundays. |
| Are bags allowed at the National Postal Museum? | Small bags are allowed but must undergo security screening; there are no locker facilities. |
Things to do near the National Postal Museum
- United States Capitol: The seat of the US Congress, located a 10-minute walk south of the museum.
- International Spy Museum: A paid museum featuring espionage artefacts, located approximately 1.5 miles away.
- Museum of the Bible: A paid attraction focusing on the history of the Bible, situated near the National Mall.
- Union Station: A historic transport hub featuring a wide range of retail shops and dining options.
More Washington DC travel
Other Washington DC travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Discovering Abraham Lincoln’s private life at Lincoln’s Cottage.
- The most impressive memorials on the National Mall – including the Dr Martin Luther King Jr Memorial and Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
- The best of the DC Smithsonian Museums – including the National Museum of the American Indian.
- Learning where Washington DC’s power lies on a Pennsylvania Avenue walking tour.
- The uncomfortable slavery legacy of Mount Vernon.
