It’s a somber period, one that bears memorializing. The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, which opened just off the National Mall in 1993, is America’s leading center for the study and documentation of the Holocaust — the genocide and persecution of more than six million Jews, Gypsies, Poles, political dissidents, and other minority groups by Nazi Germany in the 1930s and 40s.
The three-floor permanent exhibition tells the history of the Holocaust through artifacts, films, photographs and eyewitness testimonies. Visitors can view a railcar that transported Holocaust victims to a German concentration camp imposed on occupied Poland, and the personal effects of those who perished, including shoes, identification cards, and suitcases.
Because touring the museum can be a wrenching experience, the museum recommends the permanent exhibition for visitors 11 years and older. A separate exhibition on the museum’s first floor, Remember the Children: Daniel’s Story, tells the history of the Holocaust through the eyes of a young boy living in Nazi Germany. It is recommended for visitors 8 and older.
A Hall of Remembrance on the second floor holds an eternal flame; it serves as a national memorial to victims of the Holocaust.
For more information visit www.ushmm.org
Travel InformationHolocaust Memorial Museum Hours: Open daily 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Closed on Yom Kippur and Christmas Day. Admission: Free, but passes are required to visit the permanent exhibition from March through August. Passes are issued for a specific time during the day and can be obtained at the museum on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of your visit. Be warned: in spring and summer, museum-issued passes are often gone by about 10:00 a.m. No passes are necessary to enter the museum building or to visit special exhibitions. You can also purchase passes in advance for a small fee here. Parking: There is no accessible parking near the museum; visitors are advised to take Metro or a taxi. Metrorail: Orange and Blue Line for Smithsonian; exit on Independence Ave. |
Nearby Attractions
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Washington Monument
National Mall
Suggested Tours
Old Town Trolley Tours
Many years ago we visited the Washington Holocaust Museum – and inside the Main Entrance – Was a Wall with the names of the Righteous Gentiles engraved. My Mother’s and Sisters names were engraved.
Alexandra Dochmacka & Nina Janowska – Pinsk.
We didn’t have the opportunity to return – is this wall still there – on Search Engines such as Google you will find our story Sofia Dochmacka-Bain – Thank you.
Sofia Bain Chateauguay, Quebec Canada
I’m visiting the first week of June and the calendar for advanced tickets says that that week is sold out. Does this mean the only way I can hope to get in to the museum is if I am in line before 10am to get one of the tickets they pass out in the morning?
Unfortunately, that seems to be the case. According to the Museum’s web site: “If the date you are interested in is sold out, please return to the ‘Plan A Visit’ page to learn about same day pass procedures. “
If you open at 10am and passes are gone by then what time should I arrive to obtain a pass?
The museum’s web page says the following:
Extremetix, Inc., offers Museum passes in advance for $1.00 (US) each. These are the same timed passes that the Museum distributes in person each day. If you purchase passes online, please remember to print them and bring them with you to the Museum.
We will be in Washington from Sept 7th – 14th/13. We read that passes are not required for this museum then. Is this true?
The Holocaust Memorial Museum states:
“September through February: Passes are not required to enter the Permanent Exhibition during these months. ”
So, I think you will be fine. It is generally less crowded this time of year, so it is a good time to visit.
Hello
We are french and we are going to visit the Holocaust Museum in Washington on April 30th. We come just for this visit and we want to be sure we can visit it. Is there an exeption for getting this passes?
Thanks a lot
Please visit the Holocaust Museum page on planning a visit, here:
http://www.ushmm.org/visit/.
You will find all of the information you need about entry passes, including a way to buy them in advance online.