The Museum of the Bible is a museum located at 400 4th Street SW, Washington DC, covering the history, narrative, and global impact of the Bible through six floors of exhibitions, immersive experiences, and rare artefacts. This guide covers opening hours, admission, transport, parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
Updated May 2026. Three significant changes are not yet reflected in most existing guides. First, 50% off general admission is now available every day from 3:00pm for walk-up visitors — cutting the adult price from $34.99 to approximately $17.50. Second, three guided tours are now free with admission (they previously had a separate charge). Third, the “Explore! A Virtual Reality Tour of the Holy Land” experience is currently unavailable due to technical issues. Book your tickets through Viator to confirm your entry in advance.
Quick facts: Museum of the Bible, Washington DC
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 400 4th Street SW, Washington, DC 20024 |
| Hours (Mon–Sat) | 9:00am–5:00pm |
| Hours (Sunday) | 10:00am–5:00pm |
| Closed | Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day; Christmas Eve closes at 4pm; Easter opens at noon |
| Adult admission (18–64) | $34.99 |
| 50% discount (from 3pm daily) | ~$17.50 adults; walk-up only |
| Floor 1 / Grand Hall | Free — no ticket needed |
| Youth (5–17) | $24.99 |
| Child (0–4) | Free |
| Nearest Metro | Federal Center SW (Blue, Orange, Silver lines) |
Why visit the Museum of the Bible?
- 📜 The Dead Sea Scrolls — in person: The museum’s current premium exhibition brings fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls — the oldest known biblical manuscripts, discovered between 1947 and 1956 — to Washington DC. A separate ticket is required, but this is a genuinely rare opportunity to view these documents in person.
- 🏛️ The Megiddo Mosaic — free on Floor 1: The oldest known archaeological evidence of Christian worship — a Roman-era mosaic floor featuring an inscription dedicating it to “God Jesus Christ” — is on display on Floor 1 through 31 December 2026. No admission ticket is needed to see it.
- 🎭 Six floors of immersive experiences: From the Hebrew Bible Experience and a recreated first-century Galilean village to a New Testament Theatre and the global Impact of the Bible gallery, the museum goes well beyond a conventional display of artefacts into fully staged, THEA Award-winning environments.
- 🧭 Three free guided tours included: The Museum Highlights Tour, Christian Faith Tour, and World of Jesus of Nazareth Tour are now all free with admission. Reserve your place at the ticketing counter on arrival.
- ⏰ 50% off every day from 3pm: Walk-up admission after 3pm is half price — around $17.50 per adult. A practical option for afternoon visitors who want to explore a floor or two before closing at 5pm.
Museum of the Bible opening hours
The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00am to 5:00pm and Sunday from 10:00am to 5:00pm.
Closed: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Christmas Eve closes at 4:00pm. Easter Sunday opens at noon.
Hours are subject to seasonal change. Check the official site or call (866) 430-6682 before visiting on public holidays.
Museum of the Bible ticket prices
Tickets are available at the museum or online in advance.
| Visitor | Price |
|---|---|
| Non-member adult (18–64) | $34.99 |
| Non-member senior (65+) | $29.99 (walk-up with ID) |
| Military, first responders, students | $29.99 (walk-up with ID) |
| Non-member youth (5–17) | $24.99 |
| Child (0–4) | Free |
| Members | Free |
50% off from 3pm daily: Every day from 3:00pm, walk-up general admission is 50% off — cutting the adult price to approximately $17.50. This is available at the door only; advance online tickets are not discounted. This is a new, ongoing offer not yet reflected in most guides.
Floor 1 and the Grand Hall are free to all visitors with no ticket required. The Mezzanine Café (Milk + Honey) and museum store are also accessible without a ticket.
Ward 6 DC residents: Free admission for up to four people per visit. Bring a government-issued ID and proof of address to the ticketing desk. In-person only.
Second-day ticket: A discounted return visit is available within 10 days of your original ticket purchase. Present your ticket at the admissions counter or call Customer Service.
Membership credit: Your admission ticket price can be applied towards a membership on the day of your visit. Speak to a guest relations associate at the ticketing counter.
Premium Experiences (sold separately, not included in general admission):
- Dead Sea Scrolls: The Exhibition
- All Creation Sings
- Washington Revelations (free for members)
Guided tours — now free: Three tours are currently free for all visitors with museum admission. Reserve your spot at the ticketing counter on arrival, first-come, first-served:
- Museum of the Bible Highlights Tour
- Christian Faith Tour from Inspire
- World of Jesus of Nazareth Tour
Note: The “Explore! A Virtual Reality Tour of the Holy Land” experience is currently unavailable due to technical issues. Viator listings and some third-party sites still advertise this as an available add-on; it is not currently operational.
Book your Museum of the Bible admission through Viator to secure your entry.
Ticket prices were confirmed from the official plan-your-visit page and last updated in May 2026.
How to get to the Museum of the Bible
The museum is at 400 4th Street SW, three blocks from the US Capitol in the South-West DC government district.
By Metro (strongly recommended): The Federal Center SW station on the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines is steps from the museum. From the Capitol South station (also Blue, Orange, Silver) it is a short walk along 4th Street SW.
By bus: Multiple WMATA bus routes serve the South-West corridor. Check wmata.com for current routes.
On foot: The museum is approximately a 10-minute walk from the National Mall and a 15-minute walk from Union Station.
By car: Driving to the museum is not recommended. Parking in the South-West DC government district is extremely limited; Metro is significantly faster and less expensive.
Why book the Washington, D.C. Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour?
- 🏛️ Over 15 Strategic Stops: Explore the nation’s capital at your own pace with a route that covers all the essentials, including the White House, the U.S. Capitol, and the Smithsonian museums.
- 🎤 Expert Live Narration: Skip the pre-recorded tracks and enjoy colorful, live commentary from professional guides who share the history, politics, and hidden secrets of D.C.
- 🎖️ Arlington National Cemetery Shuttle: Benefit from a seamless connection to the Arlington National Cemetery tour, making it easy to pay respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and JFK’s gravesite.
- 📸 Prime Memorial Access: Get dropped off directly near the Lincoln, FDR, and Martin Luther King Jr. Memorials, saving you miles of walking between the sprawling sites of the National Mall.
- 🕒 1 or 2-Day Flexibility: Choose a pass that fits your schedule, allowing you to linger at your favorite exhibits and simply catch the next trolley when you’re ready to move on.
Parking at the Museum of the Bible
There is no on-site parking. The museum recommends three nearby garages:
| Garage | Address | Hours | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colonial #177 | 321 Virginia Ave SW | Mon–Fri 6am–9pm; Sat–Sun 9am–6pm | $13/hr; $24 max; $11 evenings |
| Colonial #256 | 500 C St. SW | 24 hours | $12/hr; $26 max; $19 weekends |
| SP+ Patriots Plaza | 395 E St. SW | Mon–Fri 6am–6pm | $21 per 2 hours |
Metro is the far more practical option for most visitors.
How long to spend at the Museum of the Bible
Allow three to five hours for a thorough visit across all six floors. The museum’s own branding suggests three hours; visitors who add a free guided tour, attend premium experiences, and spend time in the dining and shopping areas routinely find five hours passes quickly. A discounted second-day ticket (within 10 days) is available if you run out of time.
Accessibility at the Museum of the Bible
The Museum of the Bible is fully wheelchair accessible. All areas and surfaces are accessible. Strollers are permitted, and service animals are welcome. Baby changing facilities are on floors B1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. A mother’s breastfeeding room is on Floor 1 near the main restrooms.
Inside the Museum of the Bible: what to see
Floor 1 — Grand Hall (free, no ticket required): The 40-foot bronze entrance doors open into a cavernous lobby with a rotating digital display on the ceiling. The Megiddo Mosaic — the oldest known site of Christian worship, through December 31, 2026 — is here. The Milk + Honey Café (Mezzanine level) and the museum store are also accessible without a ticket.
Floor 3 — Impact of the Bible: Covers the Bible’s influence on global culture — film, music, literature, fashion, and government — alongside the history of the Bible in America from the earliest settlers through the 21st century.
Floor 4 — Stories of the Bible: The most immersive floor. The Hebrew Bible Experience uses a multi-sensory environment to walk visitors through the Hebrew scriptures. The World of Jesus of Nazareth is a recreation of a first-century Galilean village with costumed figures, period artefacts, and atmospheric sound design. The New Testament Theater dramatises the spread of early Christianity.
Floor 5 — History of the Bible: Covers the development of the biblical text from handwritten scrolls to mobile devices — cuneiform tablets, early codices, Gutenberg Bible pages, and modern translations.
Floor 6 — Premium exhibitions: Currently housing Dead Sea Scrolls: The Exhibition (separate ticket required). Check the official site for the current exhibition schedule.
Washington Revelations is an aerial film experience over Washington DC linking biblical themes to the city’s architecture and monuments. It is included for members; a separate premium ticket is required for non-members.
Practical visitor tips for the Museum of the Bible
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| The 50% after-3pm offer is walk-up only | It cannot be pre-purchased online. If you arrive after 3pm, go directly to the admissions counter and pay the discounted rate there. |
| Reserve free tours on arrival | The three free guided tours — Highlights, Christian Faith, and World of Jesus — are reserved at the ticketing counter on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early and check availability when you buy your ticket. |
| The VR experience is unavailable | “Explore! A Virtual Reality Tour of the Holy Land” is currently offline due to technical issues. Do not budget time or money for it on your current visit. |
| Premium experiences are paid add-ons | The Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition, Washington Revelations, and All Creation Sings are not included in general admission. Select and pay for these when booking tickets, or at the counter. |
| Metro is significantly faster than driving | Federal Center SW station is steps away. DC government-district parking is expensive and limited; the Metro eliminates both problems. |
Frequently asked questions about the Museum of the Bible
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the Museum of the Bible free? | Not entirely. General admission is $34.99 for adults. Floor 1 (Grand Hall, Megiddo Mosaic, café, store) is free with no ticket. Walk-up admission from 3pm daily is 50% off (~$17.50 adults). Members enter free. |
| Is the Museum of the Bible open on Sundays? | Yes, from 10:00am to 5:00pm. Monday–Saturday opens at 9:00am. |
| Are the Dead Sea Scrolls at the Museum of the Bible? | Yes, currently. The Dead Sea Scrolls: The Exhibition is a separately ticketed premium experience. Check the official site for availability dates, as the exhibition was not announced as a permanent installation. |
| Do you need to book in advance? | Not required for general admission. Online booking through Viator confirms your entry. The 50% afternoon discount is available walk-up only and cannot be pre-purchased. |
| Is the VR experience available? | No. The “Explore! A Virtual Reality Tour of the Holy Land” is currently unavailable due to technical issues. Check the official site before visiting for any update on this. |
Things to do near the Museum of the Bible
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (100 Raoul Wallenberg Place SW, ~5 minutes’ walk, free general admission) is one of the most significant history museums in the United States, directly adjacent to the National Mall.
National Air and Space Museum (Independence Ave at 6th St SW, ~10 minutes’ walk, free general admission) is the most visited museum in the world, with historic aircraft and spacecraft from the Wright Flyer to the Apollo 11 command module.
National Museum of American History (14th St & Constitution Ave NW, ~15 minutes’ walk, free general admission) is the Smithsonian’s collection of American cultural, scientific, and political history, including the Star-Spangled Banner.
The United States Capitol (East Capitol Street, ~3 blocks north-east) offers free guided tours of the building and access to the Capitol Visitor Center. Book timed entry passes through your member of Congress or at the official Capitol website.
National Archives (700 Pennsylvania Ave NW, ~10 minutes’ walk, timed entry required) houses the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights in permanent display.
What to visit tomorrow: history and heritage museums within two hours
National Cathedral (Massachusetts & Wisconsin Avenues NW, Washington DC, ~6 miles, free to explore; ticketed for tower tours) is the sixth-largest cathedral in the world and a centre of national religious life. The Washington National Cathedral holds memorials, services of state, and an extraordinary stained glass collection.
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (Michigan Ave & 4th St NE, Washington DC, ~4 miles, free) is the largest Catholic church in North America, with mosaic-covered interiors and dozens of chapels representing the global Catholic community.
Library of Congress (1st Street SE, Washington DC, ~0.5 miles, free) is the world’s largest library and one of the most architecturally spectacular buildings in America, with the Thomas Jefferson Building’s Great Hall and rotating exhibitions on American history and culture.
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (10th Street & Constitution Ave NW, ~15 minutes’ walk, free) houses the Hope Diamond, a dinosaur hall, and extensive collections on human origins — a strong complement to the Museum of the Bible’s exploration of ancient civilisations.
Mount Vernon (Fairfax County, Virginia, ~16 miles south, ~30 minutes, ticketed) is the estate and tomb of George Washington on the Potomac River, with a house museum, farm, and distillery — one of the most visited historic sites in the United States.
More Washington DC travel
Other Washington DC travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- What to see and do on a visit to Dumbarton Oaks and Rock Creek Park, Washington DC.
- Plan your visit to Washington DC’s quirkiest sight – the National Capital Columns.
- National Mall bus tour vs bike tour: What’s the best way to see Washington DC’s monuments and memorials?
- Getting to Washington DC: The best stops on the Chicago to Washington DC drive.
- Road trips from Washington DC: What to see on the Washington DC to Pittsburgh drive.
