Visit the Museum

Groups of 10 or more are eligible for discounted pricing for live events. For pricing and more information contact us at groupsales@ngs.org or 202-807-3232.

The National Geographic Museum offers interactive and exciting exploration for groups of all ages. In addition to exclusive industry rates, travel professionals receive a number of other benefits:

• Early and late access when available and with advance notice
• Expedited entry, bypassing ticket purchasing lines
• Complimentary admission for tour leaders and motorcoach drivers
• Advance notice of upcoming exhibitions and special offers
• No group processing fees

The National Geographic Museum is a member of  the American Bus Association (ABA), the National Tour Association (NTA), and the Student and Youth Travel Association (SYTA).

Reservations must be made at least 14 days before date of visit. One paid chaperone for every 10 students is required.

Chaperone - $12.50 each (one chaperone for every 10 students is required)
Students - $9.00 each (K-12 students outside D.C. Metro Area, and under graduate and graduate students)

Students on school-sponsored trips from Washington, D.C., and the following counties and cities in Virginia and Maryland qualify for free admission:

Maryland
Anne Arundel County
Calvert County
Charles County
Frederick County
Howard County
Montgomery County
Prince George’s County
St. Mary’s County

Virginia
Arlington County
Fairfax County
​Fauquier County
Loudoun County
Prince William County
Stafford County
City of Alexandria
City of Fairfax
City of Falls Church
City of Manassas
City of Manassas Park

Please call two weeks prior to your visit for sign language interpretation, captioning, or hearing assistance devices.

The ramp to access the museum is located on M Street just east of 17th Street.

A limited number of complimentary wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

National Geographic headquarters is located at 17th and M Streets, NW. The museum and store entrance is at 1145 17th Street; the Grosvenor Auditorium entrance is at 1600 M Street NW.

Bus Parking

We do not have dedicated bus parking. However, you are welcome to pull in front of our main entrance located at 1145 17th Street NW just south of M Street to unload and load your bus.

The District Department of Transportation has a wonderful website that can help guide you through your trip to the museum, including parking. Learn more on their website at http://ddot.dc.gov/service/tour-bus-parking; they can also be reached by phone at 202.671.0682. There is paid parking directly across the street for personal vehicles and the closest dedicated bus parking is on the southbound side of 15th Street between E Street NW and Constitution Avenue NW.

By MetroRail

National Geographic is located a few blocks from the Farragut North Metro Station on the Metro’s Red Line. From the L Street Metro exit, head east on L Street toward 17th Street. Make a left on 17th Street. The museum will be on the right. Alternatively, take the Blue, Orange, or Silver Line to Farragut West. Make a right out of the metro, turn left on 17th Street, and walk two blocks. The museum will be on the right. Visit the Metro website for more station information.

By MetroBus

A dozen MetroBus routes have stops located within a 1/4 mile of National Geographic. Additional routes have stops located within a 1/2 mile. To find the route closest to you, visit the Metro website.

By DC Circulator

The DC Circulator has one stop within walking distance of National Geographic. The Georgetown-Union Station route has a stop on K Street and Connecticut Avenue. From there, walk east on K Street and turn left on 17th Street. Walk one and a half more blocks and the museum will be on the right. For more information, visit www.dccirculator.com.

Driving Directions

No refunds will be made for cancellations made fewer than 14 days prior to your visit date. Reservations canceled more than 14 days in advance of your visit date are refundable in full. Please notify the Group Sales Office at 202-807-3232 of any changes to your reservation as soon as possible. Should you need to reschedule your visit or make changes to the number of tickets in your reservation, we will do our best to accommodate your needs.

National Geographic does not generally close due to weather conditions. Call 202-857-7700 to inquire whether the facility is open or closed. If the recording does not mention a closing, National Geographic is open. When the facility is open, tickets are nonrefundable. If the facility closes due to inclement weather, group reservations may be rescheduled by contacting the Group Sales Office. Individual ticket holders will be offered alternate viewing hours, which will be posted to National Geographic’s website and phone line as soon as possible.

The National Geographic Society has a café and cafeteria located in our M Street building. Our café is open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and the cafeteria from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Both are closed Saturdays and Sundays.

This space cannot be reserved or booked and may close for private events without notice. Groups larger than 50 are not permitted to use this space and groups should not plan to use this space. 

If groups bring their own lunch, they may eat in our courtyard, but not in the cafeteria.

Call 202-807-3232 or email groupsales@ngs.org.