A NEW HOME FOR BLACK HISTORY ON THE MALL

A dream for more than 100 years, the National Museum of African American History and Culture promises to become an instant favorite when it opens this Saturday, September 24, 2016. A setting fit to tell the tale of African-American history and achievement, this uplifting, bronze-clad space represents the past, present and future of the African-American experience.

President Obama will cut the ribbon of the 400,000-square-foot museum, the 19th of the Smithsonian Institution's. Freedom Sounds, a three-day music and community festival, will take place over the opening weekend.

The Museum is located at 1400 Constitution Ave. NW, between Madison Ave. and Constitution Ave. and 14th St. and 15th St. NW. There are two entrances to the Museum: one on Madison Ave. and another on Constitution Ave. Be a part of this historic event as the latest museum to grace the Mall opens its doors to the public!

 

TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS

 

METRORAIL

Smithsonian or Federal Triangle stations

DC CIRCULATOR 

The DC Circulator will offer a special, modified service on its National Mall route between 7am and 2pm to accommodate attendees.

Due to road closures on Jefferson Dr. SW and Madison Dr. NW, the route will be modified to provide more direct service along Independence Ave. SW. The stop closest to the festivities will be on 12th St. SW and Independence Ave. SW (directly across the Smithsonian Metro exit). View maps of the modified service routes here.

Saturday, September 24 | 7am to 2pm

  • Union Station (on E St. NE at Columbus Circle)
  • Independence Ave. at 4th St. SW
  • Independence Ave. at 6th St. SW
  • Independence Ave. at 12th St. SW
Saturday, September 24 | 2pm to 8pm & Sunday, September 25 | 9 am to 8pm (Museum Loop)
  • Union Station (on E St. NE at Columbus Circle)
  • Madison Drive at 4th St. NW
  • Madison Drive at 7th St. NW
  • Madison Drive at 12th St. NW
  • Jefferson Drive at 12th St. SW
  • Jefferson Drive at 7th St. SW
  • 3rd St. NW near Madison Drive NW


The National Mall route will service only the Museum Loop after 2pm on Saturday and all day Sunday due to road closures. Regular service will resume on Monday, September 26, 2016, with the exception of the on-going closure of stop 5.

The DC Circulator will maintain its convenient 10-minute frequency and $1 fare with additional discounts for seniors and District students during the event. For more information on this and other service updates, follow DC Circulator on Twitter and Facebook.

 

CAPITAL BIKESHARE 

Capital Bikeshare is offering Corral Service on Saturday, September 24 from 8am-1pm at the 10th St. & Constitution Ave. Station.

Corral Service will offer guaranteed open docks for those attending the festivities by having staff on hand to remove bikes when the station docks are full. This service is included with your membership, to make your experience more convenient and enjoyable.

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Due to the security perimeter, the following stations are closed on September 24:

  • Jefferson Dr. & 14th St. SW
  • Smithsonian / Jefferson Dr. & 12th St. SW

Riders are encouraged to use other nearby stations or the Corral Service location and, as always, check Spotcycle before you ride this weekend.

 

ROAD CLOSURES

The following road closures in downtown D.C. will begin as early as 7pm Friday, September 23 and continue through 10pm Sunday, September 25:

  • 15th St. NW between Constitution Ave. NW and Maine Ave. SW
  • Madison Dr. NW between 7th St. NW and 15th St. NW
  • Jefferson Dr. SW from 7th St. SW and 15th St. SW
  • 14th St. will close from Pennsylvania Ave. NW to Independence Ave. SW (Access to the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center will be via 13½ St. NW)

WEEKEND CLOSURES OF CONSTITUTION AVE, NW

All day Saturday between 12th St. and 18th St., in both directions

  • Eastbound traffic will be diverted to northbound 18th St. NW
  • Westbound traffic will be diverted to northbound 12th St. NW (12th St. tunnel remains open.)
  • Southbound traffic on 17th St. NW will be diverted to westbound Constitution Ave. NW

6am to 10pm Sunday from 14th St. to 18th St., in both directions

A full list of road closures and parking restrictions is available for viewing.

 

SECURITY CHECKPOINTS

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PARKING

Car and bus parking will not be permitted near the museum; however, several online services feature off-street parking availability and reservations. We recommend Parking Panda, SpotHero and ParkWhiz as the top helpful apps. Learn more about D.C. parking here.

 



For more event information and up-to-the-minute updates, visit the National Museum of African American History & Culture.