Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington, Washington, D.C.
Museum with a major rail exhibit
The Smithsonian National Museum of American History tells the story of how trains, roads and the people who used them changed the United States, most of all in America on the Move, a transportation exhibition built around 18 multimedia dioramas.
- America on the Move exhibition
- 18 multimedia dioramas
- Road and rail, 1876 to 1999
- Opened in 1964 as History and Technology
- Online version of the exhibition
Smithsonian National Museum of American History at a glance
- Hours
- Check the museum's website for current hours
- Admission
- Check the museum's website for current entry details
- Best for
- Families and rail fans interested in transportation history
Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.
Look inside the book
Taking the kids to Smithsonian National Museum of American History? Bring Rally along.
In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Washington.
Rally Takes the Train
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Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.
From a technology hall to a story about how America moved
Transportation has been part of this museum since the start. When it opened in 1964 as the Museum of History and Technology, it installed galleries on road and rail transportation and civil engineering. Those early displays were mostly about the machines themselves, with objects picked for their technical interest.
America on the Move replaced those galleries with a broader story. The exhibition follows transportation from 1876 to 1999 and asks what it did to the country: how it helped turn a mostly rural nation into a major economic power, tied distant regions together, delivered goods to ordinary households, and opened a degree of social and economic mobility that the museum describes as unlike any other nation's. Curators also share behind-the-scenes stories about how objects were collected and prepared for display, a nice reminder of the people who do that work. Hours, entry details and the current state of the galleries are best confirmed on the museum's website before a trip.
Eighteen scenes of American travel
America on the Move is organized as 18 multimedia dioramas. Each one rebuilds a specific time and place with real artifacts, images and sound, so you walk from one moment in American travel to the next, from the years before 1876 up to 2000. Road and rail sit side by side, and one section, On the Interstate, carries the story into the highway age. The museum also runs an online version of the exhibition that visits communities coping with new transportation networks, from changing cities and growing suburbs to farms and factories drawn into national and international trade.
Don’t miss
- America on the MoveThe museum's major transportation exhibition, covering how road and rail shaped American life from 1876 to 1999.
- The 18 multimedia dioramasEach diorama re-creates a specific time and place with artifacts, images and sound, which makes the history easy for kids to picture.
- On the InterstateThis section of America on the Move brings the transportation story into the era of the interstate highway.
- America on the Move: Explore OnlineA web version of the exhibition, handy for previewing with kids before the visit or revisiting afterward.
Dioramas that make history easy to picture
The dioramas combine objects, pictures and sound, which gives younger visitors something to look at and listen to in each scene rather than long labels to read. The online version of America on the Move is a good way to preview the exhibition at home, and the Smithsonian's Trains at Smithsonian Station feature pairs train art with Train Tracks, a transcontinental railroad playlist from Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, for the car ride in. The museum does not detail stroller or accessibility arrangements for this gallery here; check its website before you go.
Plan your visit: tips for Smithsonian National Museum of American History
- Preview America on the Move online before you go so kids know what to look for.
- Confirm hours and entry details on the museum's website the week of your visit.
- Bring a playlist: the Smithsonian's Train Tracks railroad playlist suits the trip in.
Curators behind the exhibition
The museum is part of the Smithsonian, and its curators and staff researched, collected and prepared the objects in America on the Move, sharing some of that behind-the-scenes work on the exhibition's web pages. The museum's website is the place to look for ways to support it, including membership and giving.
More rail history around the capital
Washington has more train history to see after the dioramas, and our guide to train museums in Washington, D.C. lists what is close by. For a wider road trip, browse the full train museum directory.
Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive
Each diorama in America on the Move is like a window into one moment of American travel, with real objects and sounds to bring it alive. That idea makes me think of Rally pressed against the arched train window, looking out at the ocean and saying hello to a white bird. My kids are learning to read, and pictures with sound and story help them most. You can print a Rally page from our coloring pages for the ride home.
Free for train families
Print the Rally coloring pages before you go
Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.
Get the free coloring pages
A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)More for train families
- Train museums in Washington, D.C.: every museum by town, with a map
- Train museums in every state: search by town or near you
- Every Amtrak route with kids
Work or volunteer at Smithsonian National Museum of American History?
We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.
Sources
Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.
National Museum of American History: 20 visitor questions
What are the Smithsonian National Museum of American History hours?
The museum posts its current daily hours on its website, americanhistory.si.edu, and that is the place to check before you go, since hours can change for holidays and special events. Plan to arrive with enough time for America on the Move, the transportation exhibition with 18 dioramas, which is the main draw for train fans.
What are the National Museum of American History opening hours on holidays?
Holiday opening hours are not listed here, so check americanhistory.si.edu for any closures or changes before a holiday visit. Museums on busy travel weekends can change their schedules, and confirming the day before saves a wasted trip, especially if you are traveling in from out of town with kids.
Do you need tickets for the Smithsonian National Museum of American History?
The museum's website is the place to confirm whether timed entry or tickets are needed on your date. Entry arrangements at busy Washington museums can change by season or for special exhibitions, so look it up the week of your visit and book anything required in advance.
Is the Smithsonian National Museum of American History free?
Check americanhistory.si.edu for current admission details before you go. The website lists what is required to enter and whether any special exhibitions or programs carry a separate charge. America on the Move, the road and rail exhibition, is part of the museum's long-running exhibition lineup.
Where is the Smithsonian National Museum of American History?
The museum is in Washington, D.C., and its website, americanhistory.si.edu, gives the street address, entrances and directions. Many visitors look it up by its Constitution Avenue Northwest location; confirm the exact entrance on the website, since entrances in use can change during construction or events.
Which entrance should I use at the National Museum of American History?
The museum lists its open entrances on its website, and that is the best way to choose one, because entrances in use can change. If you are coming mainly for America on the Move, ask staff at the entrance for directions to the transportation exhibition once you are inside.
Is there parking at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History?
The museum does not list its own parking details here, so check americanhistory.si.edu for parking and public transit advice. Downtown Washington parking can be limited and expensive, and many families find it easier to arrive by transit. Look up nearby garages before you leave home.
Is there a map of the National Museum of American History?
The museum offers maps and floor information through its website, americanhistory.si.edu. Looking at the map before you arrive helps you find America on the Move quickly, which matters when you have young train fans who want to head straight for the transportation exhibition.
How long does it take to see the National Museum of American History?
It depends on how much you want to see. America on the Move alone has 18 multimedia dioramas, each with artifacts, images and sound, so give train fans real time there. The museum has many other exhibitions, and a full building visit takes much longer than one gallery.
What is America on the Move at the Smithsonian?
America on the Move is the National Museum of American History's major transportation exhibition. It looks at how travel from 1876 to 1999 helped turn a mostly rural nation into an economic power, tied regions together, brought consumer goods to households and widened social and economic mobility. Trains, roads and highways all feature.
What train exhibits are at the National Museum of American History?
Rail transportation is a core part of America on the Move, which covers road and rail travel together through 18 multimedia dioramas from before 1876 to 2000. Each diorama re-creates a specific time and place. The museum's website lists the objects and sections on display, so check it if you have a particular train in mind.
What exhibits are at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History?
For train and transportation fans, the main exhibit is America on the Move, with its 18 dioramas and its On the Interstate section on the highway era. The museum has many other exhibitions on American history, and its website keeps the current list, including anything temporarily closed or newly opened.
When did the National Museum of American History open?
The museum opened in 1964 under the name Museum of History and Technology. At that time it installed galleries on road and rail transportation and civil engineering, chosen mostly for their technical interest. America on the Move later replaced those galleries with a broader story about how transportation changed American lives.
Can kids enjoy America on the Move?
Yes. The dioramas mix real objects with pictures and sound, so children can look and listen in each scene instead of reading long labels. Previewing the exhibition online at home helps kids know what to look for, and the Smithsonian's Train Tracks playlist is a fun add-on for the drive in.
Can you see America on the Move online?
Yes. America on the Move: Explore Online lets you visit communities that wrestled with new transportation networks, see cities change and suburbs grow, and follow farms and factories into regional, national and international economies. It is a good way to prepare kids before a visit or to keep exploring afterward.
Are there photos and reviews of the National Museum of American History?
The museum shares images of its exhibitions on its website, including behind-the-scenes stories about collecting and preparing objects for America on the Move. For visitor reviews, travel and map sites carry many write-ups. Reviews are most useful for timing tips, while the website is best for current hours and entry rules.
Who is the director of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History?
The museum lists its current director and leadership on its own website, which is the most reliable place to confirm who holds the role today. Leadership details can change, so check americanhistory.si.edu if you need the name for a school project, letter or event.
What are the National Museum of Natural History hours?
The National Museum of Natural History is a separate Smithsonian museum from the National Museum of American History, with its own schedule. Check si.edu for its current hours and busy times. If you are planning a day of both, confirm each museum's hours separately before you set your schedule.
Do you need tickets for the National Museum of African American History and Culture?
The National Museum of African American History and Culture is a different Smithsonian museum with its own entry rules, and its tickets are not covered by a visit to American History. Check si.edu for current timed pass or ticket requirements for that museum before you plan both on one day.
How many Smithsonian museums are on the National Mall?
Several Smithsonian museums sit on and around the National Mall, and the Smithsonian's main website, si.edu, lists every museum with its location and hours. Use it to plan which ones to pair with America on the Move at the National Museum of American History, and to check what is open on your date.
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