The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is the nation’s official memorial to the Holocaust, located on the National Mall in Washington DC. This guide provides essential information on timed-entry passes, opening hours, transport, and accessibility to assist with planning a visit to this federal institution.
Note: This guide was updated in March 2026 to reflect the current timed-entry ticket release schedule, with passes for the peak spring season now available through the official online portal.
Quick facts for your visit
| Category | Details |
| Opening hours | Daily: 10:00 to 17:30 (Last entry to Permanent Exhibition 16:30). |
| Ticket prices | Free (Permanent Exhibition requires a $1 transaction fee per ticket). |
| Address | 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place, SW, Washington, DC 20024. |
| Nearest transport | Smithsonian Metro Station (Orange, Blue, and Silver lines). |
| Typical visit time | 3 to 4 hours. |
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum opening hours
The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is open daily from 10:00 to 17:30, with all exhibitions and the museum shop closing at 17:20. The museum is closed only on Yom Kippur and Christmas Day (25 December).
The last entry into the Permanent Exhibition is at 16:30.
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United States Holocaust Memorial Museum ticket prices
Admission to the museum is free, but timed-entry passes are required for the Permanent Exhibition from March through August. These passes must be reserved online and are subject to a $1.00 transaction fee per ticket. Passes are not required to enter the museum building, special exhibitions, or the “Remember the Children: Daniel’s Story” exhibit.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in March 2026.
How to get to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
The museum is located just south of Independence Avenue, between 14th Street and Raoul Wallenberg Place. The most convenient public transport option is the Washington Metro, with the Smithsonian Station (Orange, Blue, and Silver lines) located one block east of the museum.
Visitors can also use the DC Circulator bus (National Mall route), which stops frequently at nearby landmarks. For those arriving from outside the city, Union Station provides connections to Amtrak, MARC, and VRE trains, with a short Metro transfer to the museum area.
Parking at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
There is no public parking facility on-site at the museum. Limited metered street parking is available on Independence Avenue but is often restricted during rush hours.
The most reliable options are nearby commercial parking garages, such as the Reagan Building Parking Garage or the L’Enfant Plaza Parking Garage. There are also approximately ten designated handicap-accessible parking spaces managed by the National Park Service along Independence Avenue west of 14th Street.
How long to spend at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
A visit to the Permanent Exhibition typically takes between 90 minutes and three hours. Because the exhibition is a self-guided, chronological narrative spanning three floors, visitors should allow ample time to move through the galleries at a steady pace.
Total visit time, including special exhibitions and the Hall of Remembrance, usually ranges from three to four hours. Due to the nature of the content, many visitors find they require additional time for reflection between sections.
Accessibility at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
The museum is fully accessible to visitors who use mobility assistive devices, with elevators and ramps serving all floors. Accessible restrooms are located on every floor of the Permanent Exhibition and on the lower level.
Manual wheelchairs are available for loan free of charge at the Coat Check on the main floor on a first-come, first-served basis. For visitors arriving by car, a drop-off point is located on the 14th Street side of the building for easier entrance access.
What to see at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
The Holocaust (Permanent Exhibition) is a chronological narrative that spans three floors: The Nazi Assault (1933–1939), The Final Solution (1940–1945), and The Last Chapter. It utilizes artifacts, film footage, and eyewitness testimonies to document the history of the Holocaust.
Remember the Children: Daniel’s Story is an exhibition designed for families and children aged eight and older. It tells the story of one child’s experience during the Holocaust in a way that is age-appropriate and interactive.
The Hall of Remembrance is the museum’s national memorial to the victims of the Holocaust. It is a hexagonal space where visitors can light candles and reflect in a quiet environment that features an eternal flame.
Special Exhibitions on the lower level and second floor frequently focus on topics such as the history of propaganda, Americans’ responses to the Holocaust, and contemporary genocide prevention efforts.
Practical visitor tips
| Aspect | Tip |
| Timing | Same-day tickets are released online daily at 07:00 ET for those who missed advance bookings. |
| Crowds | Weekday afternoons after 14:00 are generally quieter than weekend mornings. |
| Layout | The Permanent Exhibition begins on the fourth floor and moves downward via elevators. |
| Entry process | All visitors must pass through security screening; allow 15–20 minutes for this process. |
| Logistics | Bottled water is allowed but must be carried in your hand and potentially sampled at security. |
Frequently asked questions about the US Holocaust Memorial Museum
| Query | Answer |
| Is the US Holocaust Memorial Museum suitable for children? | The Permanent Exhibition is recommended for ages 11+; younger children should visit Daniel’s Story. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for the US Holocaust Memorial Museum? | Yes, timed-entry passes for the Permanent Exhibition are highly recommended as they often sell out. |
| Is the US Holocaust Memorial Museum open on Sundays? | Yes, the museum is open daily from 10:00 to 17:30, including Sundays. |
| Are bags allowed at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum? | Small bags are allowed; oversized items like suitcases must be checked at the Coat Check. |
Things to do near the US Holocaust Memorial Museum
- International Spy Museum: A paid museum focused on the history and tradecraft of espionage, located a 10-minute walk away.
- Museum of the Bible: A paid attraction exploring the history and impact of the Bible, situated nearby on 4th Street SW.
- National Museum of African American History and Culture: A free museum that requires timed-entry passes, located on the National Mall.
- Washington Monument: A nearby landmark requiring timed tickets for the elevator ascent to the observation deck.
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.
- What to expect at the National Postal Museum.
