U.S. Navy Museum

736 Sicard St SE, Washington, DC 20374, USA

Address:	736 Sicard St SE, Washington, DC 20374, USA
Phone:	+1 202-433-2651
Site:	history.navy.mil
Rating:	4.2
Working:	9AM–5PM 9AM–5PM 9AM–5PM 9AM–5PM 9AM–5PM 10AM–5PM 10AM–5PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 11

Chris Robinson

We visited a few days ago and had a wonderful time! The Navy heritage and history command that operates this is a very small command compared to many with, I am sure, a budget to match. In spite of this I think they are doing a great job even though some of the outside exhibits are looking a little overgrown. People just need to understand that these buildings are on an active Navy base and it will require the understandable processes to access as with any other military installation, just as it should. All you need to do is a little research of your own prior to going. The visitor entrance is at the 11th and O street gate, you will need to go inside the gate and check in at the visitor center on the right, all personnel who are 18 years or older will need to have a valid government (state or federal) photo ID to gain access. Once this process is complete, an escort from the command will escort you in to the buildings. There is limited parking available (this is Washington DC after all), I would recommend taking the Metro Green line or the Metro Circulator bus. The ship does have limited days that it is open for viewing as others have noted, again, just plan ahead as we did. There were multiple interactive areas that our younger kids thoroughly enjoyed, being able to touch actual revolutionary war guns and the Trieste was just amazing! A hidden gem among so many other well known museums in DC, we can highly recommend a visit here for anyone who has an interest in the Navy or an "Old Salt" Sailor like me who just wanted to show the kids some of the things their old man used to do!

A Private User

I remembered the Navy yard very fondly from when my dad used to take us there as kids. He volunteered at the Museum, and I sorta grew up there in the summer. But I rated this as "hated" because I tried to take my family there, and after an hour of walking and searching for a way in, and being denied entry, we gave up. The directions on the website stated we could take the metro and then walk into the Navy Yard via the gate at M and 6th street. They failed to mention that is more than 6 long city blocks. Try that with a 5-year old. Once there, we were denied entry. The 18-year guard told us that without a federal ID, we would have to walk to the visitors center at 11th and O streets . . . which is another mile, and on the opposite side of the museum than the metro. Oh, and it doesnt help that you cannot park in the Navy Yard, period. While we were being denied entry, we noticed all the federal employees leaving for the day - it was 3pm, after all. Quitting time I suppose. Just another example that the Federal government screws up everything it touches. Our tax dollars at their finest. Angry and really disapointed. I guess Ill have to remember the Navy museum as it is in my mind from 30 years ago, because Ill never try to go again.

Peter Metcalfe

This is an excellent museum and is well worth the effort of the walk from the Navy Yard Metro Station and persevering with the security process. I visited on the afternoon of 4 October.As a UK national my drivers licence was essential but was enough to do the business and the form filling wasnt too bad. The only difficult bit (well not really)was figuring out my weight in pounds instead of stones and pounds. I was the only visitor (apart from one lady and her small child)at the time and it was a real plus after the teeming hoards of the Washington tourist areas.The museum staff couldnt have been more helpful (and the guy who took my picture next to the IJN Yamato shells)especially the lady running the souvenir shop and even more especially the young lady who gave me a personal tour of the post WW2 building - and saw me safely to the Metro station afterwards.The quality of the exhibits is excellent and a credit to the US Navy and the museum staff. Ditch the rest (apart from Arlington and the National archives) and go and see this.

William Kessel

Walked to base from Navy Base-Ballpark Metro stop. 85° day. We get to the gate at M St near 6th St SE. Were told (nicely, although he *was* carrying an M-16) we would have to walk all the way down M St to 11th St, then down to the O St gate, where we have to go into the office for "proper documentation" to visit the Museum. Fifteen minutes later, we arrive at the O St gate. There were about 30 people ahead of us, some civilian, some military, all looking for different clearances, and all waiting around, looking bored, as if theyd been there for hours. There are *two* people (civilians) working with typewriters and paper forms. We were rudely told itd be close to an hour before we could be seen, then it would take 30-45 minutes to get clearance. We ended up calling an Uber and going to the Newseum instead. The Marine Museum in Triangle was a *much* better experience! If the Navy has any brains, that new museum will be much closer to the Mall and much easier to visit than in the middle of a highly-restricted base.

Robert Springer

This past Pearl Harbor Day (Dec. 7) I paid a visit to the National Museum of the US Navy at the Navy Shipyard in Washington DC. Built in 1799, the Shipyard is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and as a National Historic Landmark, and it is the oldest shore establishment in the US Navy. Being an active military installation, home to the Chief of Naval Operations and several other commands. You will need your identification and will have to pass a security screening to visit the museum. By DC standards it is a small but very interesting museum.

Jack Ferguson

Access to the "National" Naval Museum should be embarrassment to the Navy. Not only is the museum extremely difficult to reach - but the display ship, USS Barry (the ship on which I served) is only open a few days each week for about three months per year. Very poor PR effort by the Navy in Washington DC.

Janell Herring

This place is a hidden treasure! And its free! You can spend hours here. It is child friendly. ..hands on and things to climb on! You have to check it the submarine section with real periscopes and "DIVE" alarm. Small gift shop with lots of Navy and ship stuff.

Andrew Carlson

As a Navy veteran I want to love this place but it isnt not what it should be. I am happy they are building a new one but it will likely never stand up to the Museum of the Marine Corps, which is completely worth the drive from anywhere that has roads to get there.

Richard Grant Smith

NOTE: This museum is not open to the general public. Admission requires a Military ID or arrangements made well in advance of visit. Do not make trip to museum without researching the requirements first.

Jooma1572

Great Museums. Beginning of the Navy up to WWII in one building, Modern age in the other. Great models of lots of different ships and planes. Loved the informative displays and the staff was very friendly.

Larry Burke

Hard to get into if you dont have a military id, and its showing its age in places, but its a really great museum. And the difficulty of getting in means youll pretty much have the place to yourself.