Planning a trip to Washington?

Foursquare can help you find the best places to go to.

Category icon

National Museum of the American Indian

History Museum
Southwest Washington, Washington
Save
Share
8.1/10
1,232
ratings
  • Stars
  • Tips
    JB S.
    "Best museum food I have ever eaten."(4 Tips)
    CJ T.
    "Delicious Native American foods"(3 Tips)
    Silvia
    "Don't miss lunch at Mitsitam inside the cafe!"(3 Tips)
    Khürt W.
    "Mitsitsam Cafe is one of the best places to dine near the museums."(25 Tips)
Tips and Reviews icon172 Tips and reviews
Filter:
  • café
  • architecture
  • food courts
  • mitsitam
  • museums
User icon
Log in to leave a tip here.

Sort:
  • Popular
  • Recent
  • Al C.
    Al CarrollJuly 27, 2015
    Great art museum, heavily censored history museum. No mention of genocide, not much of warfare. There's a long ugly history of how the Smithsonian treats American Indians. Good food but overpriced.
    Upvoted 1 day ago
  • HISTORY
    HISTORYJuly 5, 2012
    Opened in 2004, this museum is devoted to the history and culture of Native people in the Western Hemisphere.
  • Richard R.
    Richard RevillaSeptember 7, 2014
    The cafe great. Museum very disappointing. Of all the great things to learn and art of our native North Americans this museum misses. Building is beautiful.
    Upvoted Dec 30, 2023
  • Andrew C.heart icon on user image
    Andrew CNovember 21, 2018
    Exhibits are very generic, yet helpful to learn and very visually appealing + the huge "American" exhibit is really cool and eye-opening... glad the whole museum mostly focuses on positive aspects!!!!
  • josef j.
    josef jonDecember 23, 2016
    Beautiful architecture and design but unfortunately many of the collections are apolitical, avoiding themes of resistance, or showing the modern context of American Indian struggles ✊🏽✊🏾✊🏼
    Upvoted Dec 31, 2023
  • Hannah L.heart icon on user image
    Hannah LuddySeptember 4, 2016
    The exhibits are very informative. I loved the Kay WalkingStick exhibit and plan to return for other artists as they are displayed. Definitely try the different Native American foods at the café!
  • J B.heart icon on user image
    J BohdelDecember 21, 2014
    Food, as others have said, is amazing. Kids' room is great, but was better when the docents stayed in different areas instead of roaming. Lots of information, prepared for different levels.
  • Andrew S.heart icon on user image
    Andrew SmithSeptember 27, 2015
    The best exhibition is right on the top floor. Exploring Native American culture and traditions, not to be missed but they need to do more with what is a massive building
  • Miguel d.heart icon on user image
    Miguel de LeonMay 19, 2015
    The layout of their exhibits are great, really powerful. Interactivity is low (not all the wonderful for kids) but the content more than makes up for it
  • Estefania H.heart icon on user image
    Estefania HDecember 23, 2016
    Loved the exhibition and the building as well. Great content and not so big that you get overwhelmed.
  • Joan E.heart icon on user image
    Joan EisenstodtNovember 28, 2013
    Been here 5+ times
    Beautiful, emotional building and land. Lovely and yummy food court. Happy to see number of ppl carrying out food for their Thanksgivukkahs -- er, Thanksgivings.
  • Eugene S.heart icon on user image
    Eugene SSeptember 3, 2014
    Order the tasting plate. Salmon. Bison. Collard greens. Wild rice. Winning
  • Hillary H.heart icon on user image
    Hillary HartleyAugust 9, 2014
    The cafe in here is amazing. Try something different every time. But always get the fry bread! :)
  • Kethrellan P.heart icon on user image
    Kethrellan PetersonMarch 22, 2016
    Great café and gift shop, as well as an interesting collection of exhibits on American Indian culture and history. I could spend hours here!
  • Christie P.heart icon on user image
    Christie PrinceSeptember 16, 2021
    Besides the wonderful exhibits the architecture of the building is refreshing and the water feature outside is relaxing and beautiful.
  • Craig H.
    Craig HutchinsonAugust 9, 2013
    popped in for lunch so didn't see much of the Museum, lunch selection was varied and different, Bison burger etc and was pretty good quality. Would recommend as a lunch venue
  • Easy Figure I.heart icon on user image
    Easy Figure InternationalSeptember 26, 2013
    World Trade Center memorial sculpture made from debris found at Ground Zero by iron worker Darryl Pronovost, 2001. Other artifacts of 9/11 are here. Honored to see them preserved!
  • Wouter B.heart icon on user image
    Wouter BlokFebruary 17, 2017
    The 4th floor paints a very honest picture of this horrific time in American history. Astonishing how even today the treaties are being violated by the American president himself. He should visit.
  • Dani
    DaniApril 1, 2013
    Take older children. Like through 4th grade. They will be more interested bc by 5th grade they will have learned a lot about what they are reading. There is a lot of reading.
  • Lee G.
    Lee GrigsbyNovember 1, 2014
    This has to be the best cafeteria out of all the museums! Everything is good - the salmon, bison burger, tres leche... try it all!
  • loran j.heart icon on user image
    loran jonakMay 16, 2015
    This is a good museum overall. Nice architecture and very informative. Also not usually crowded, which is nice for visitors like us.
  • Bikabout
    BikaboutJanuary 27, 2017
    An architectural masterpiece, the museum has the best "food court" offering Western Hemisphere cuisine from 5 Native American regions. Travel guide - www.bikabout.com/washington-dc
  • Kat C.heart icon on user image
    Kat CameronAugust 8, 2014
    The menu is filled with a variety of amazing foods, which makes up for its pricey-ness. Great place to have lunch for sure!
  • Puck P.
    Puck PeijnenburgOctober 19, 2014
    Great place to have a lunch at the mall. Way better than the Mac in the air and space museum next door!!
  • Lauren W.
    Lauren WJuly 2, 2013
    Been here 5+ times
    Much has been said about the cafeteria here. The toasted pecan and coconut drink from the espresso bar is a delight:)
  • Aaron S.heart icon on user image
    Aaron SmithMay 13, 2015
    Cool building. Great food. Expensive though.
  • Carter
    CarterJune 21, 2012
    Best museum food EVER! And definitely the best place to grab food on the national mall.
  • Aga A.
    Aga ArtkaSeptember 18, 2012
    Mitsitam Cafe is sooo good! Five different native American food stations. Try something you have never had before. Live a little!
  • Lorraine-Lori J.
    Small but nice museum. The Mitsitam Cafe is PHENOMENAL!!!!!!
  • Dasha U.
    Dasha UlybinaFebruary 28, 2014
    Distinctive curvilinear forms, fascinating art work and fabulous architecture!
  • Rafael E.
    Rafael EstradaSeptember 1, 2014
    Five region sampler a must!!!
  • Michelin Travel & Lifestyle
    After learning about America’s indigenous cultures, you can get a taste of some native dishes in the cafeteria. – Green Guide Editor
  • Doug W.heart icon on user image
    Doug WMarch 2, 2017
    Pretty fascinating place. We were here for a private event which made it even better without many other visitors.
  • Samurai D.
    Samurai DogApril 2, 2011
    The food is excellent. Lots of choices and good quality. We ate at 11:30 on a Saturday with no wait. When we were leaving the line was down the hall.
  • Camille W.heart icon on user image
    Camille WrightMarch 7, 2015
    The café is the best in town. Just go there for food sometimes. Love!
  • Jen S.heart icon on user image
    Jen SSeptember 21, 2018
    Stop by the gift shop on the second floor. Lots of unique items.
  • Libby G.
    Libby GAugust 15, 2013
    Amazing museum, wonderful kids exhibition on upper floor and the restaurant is a MUST!
  • Stirling S.heart icon on user image
    Stirling ScottDecember 21, 2014
    The cafe is pretty great, expensive though. Not a very interactive museum but definitely interesting if you like art and history.
  • Camille W.heart icon on user image
    Camille WrightMarch 7, 2015
    An underrated museum. Really gorgeous and interesting. A must visit.
  • Katie W.heart icon on user image
    Katie WillardAugust 30, 2013
    This museum is great. There are a lot of cool alcoves and places to sit down.
  • Alex D.heart icon on user image
    Alex DobyanDecember 1, 2014
    The food is probably the best on the Mall. Especially for fans of game meat.
  • Ty J.
    Ty JacobsJuly 6, 2012
    Don't plan on eating at 5:00, even though the museum is open until 5:30 the cafe takes away all its food AND the employees begin yelling "Close the gate! Gotta stop these people comin in!"
  • Lenny G.heart icon on user image
    Lenny GalloJuly 13, 2019
    Nice cultural artifacts, but a bit censored in their history.
  • Shannon A.
    Shannon AMarch 10, 2012
    Hidden gem in the Smithsonian lineup! Beautiful exhibits without the crowds of the more "popular" musuems.
  • Silvia
    SilviaJanuary 16, 2010
    Don't miss lunch at Mitsitam inside the cafe! Features native foods from the americas, organized by region. Today's must have - Chicken tamale with peanut sauce, paired with Mexican Hot Chocolate. Read more
  • Hayley C.
    Hayley ChurchNovember 12, 2012
    Museum artifacts not great, food in the cafe is the best part! Try the buffalo sandwich!
  • Will
    WillOctober 26, 2010
    Couldn't have been more satisfied with the food!!!!! We were a group of 5, including 1 vegetarian. We ate more at lunch that day than any lunch we could ever remember!!! (the food was that good!)
  • Alev
    AlevJuly 20, 2013
    One of the best museum in mall area. Beware that it takes lots of time to see all.
  • Majoros K.heart icon on user image
    Majoros KrisztaDecember 26, 2019
    well detailed and fascinating exhibition, highly recommended!
  • Carl A.heart icon on user image
    Carl AndersonApril 29, 2013
    Do not leave without visiting the cafeteria. They have an AWESOME selection of Native American cuisine.
Photos1,657 Photos

Related Searches

  • national museum of the american indian washington •
  • national museum of the american indian washington photos •
  • national museum of the american indian washington location •
  • national museum of the american indian washington address •
  • national museum of the american indian washington •
  • american indian washington •
  • american indian museum washington •
  • museum of the american indian washington •
  • national american indian museum washington •
  • national museum of the american indian washington •
  • national museum of the american indian smithsonian washington •
  • national museum of the american indian - smithsonian washington •
  • native american history museum washington •
  • native american museum washington •
  • simthsonian native american museum washington •
  • national museum of the american indian southwest washington washington

Foursquare © 2024  Lovingly made in NYC, CHI, SEA & LA