The National Archives Museum Reviews

Get a reservation-so worth it. By far, our favorite D.C. memory. You are seeing the real, original documents that our country was founded on. Gives you the chills. So impactful what our founding fathers went through in creating the original language/formulating laws etc. Please go, if it is not on your list, you have to make it a priority, you won't be sorry!!!

Absolutely INCREDIBLE to stand in front of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Worth any line you may stand in to see it. There is much else to see and learn inside. If you are in town on the 4th of July, there is a wonderful reading of the Declaration in the morning on the steps of the National Archives. I highly recommend it. No visit to DC is complete without a trip to National Archives.

Obviously, National Archives is a must visit when you are in DC. One thing i would like to mention is even when advanced reservation is no longer required, i strongly suggest you book your time in advanced. This will save you time in line for security check, especially during holiday weekend when line us super long.
I was 30 min early and was able to go in right away, bypassing those people in line.
It only coat $1, which is very worth it in my opinion.

Standing in front of and viewing the Original Documents from the Birth of our Country and Heritage is completely breath taking.

You have to stand in line to go in with a group to look at the famous documents but then some people stand orderly waiting to move along the documents and others go the opposite direction or just push in. There was no order at all. It you were tall you might be able to see but if you're not.....not good. The rooms did not seem very well organized. We were disappointed. The security people were really crabby and rude too when you come into the building.

Our visit was greatly enhanced by a superb docent. He was a volunteer, but went out of his way to be sure we appreciated and understood what we were seeing. A well run and impressive museum.

Must See in DC!!! We decided to come to the Archives Museum on our last day in DC and what a way to end our trip. It was AMAZING to see the original documents and to see what the National Archives deems as worthy of preserving. They do a great job of preserving our history. It's surreal and astonishing to think what is all stored in the National Archives. Documents from Space endeavors and Armandzo Wilder's deed for his land when all you had to do was build a house and the land was yours. We are watching Little House on the Prairie with our kids so this was super cool to see. Well done to the National Archives and giving us a sample of what you have on record. Well worth a visit!!!

Pretty cool that you can view the Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights and the Constitution all under one roof. Also got to see the Magna Carta while we were there in a special exhibit. The museum was on the smaller side but did a great job with what it contained. Security line was a bit long when we went. Most of the museum highlights can be covered in less than two hours.

The large marble structure with its columns is reminiscent of a Greek temple. The archives keep important historical government records and have been since 1775. There are large paintings on the walls in the rotunda. Among other things, there is glass “The Magna Carta” and various original documents.

Opening hours: Monday - Friday 10:00 - 17:30

this is definitely a must do for first time visitors! very cool to see the Declaration of Independence, bill of rights, constitution, and Magna Carta in person. The staff here is very friendly and the layout of the museum is great. my only slight complaints are that the exhibits are kinda boring, and the online ticket reservation system is a pain

Seeing the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Magna Carta is a history buffs dream. Simply amazing. The entire experience was great...easy ticketing and the staff was so nice.

There was a family in line ahead of me waiting to enter the Rotunda at the Archives. The father turned to his two young children and said, "of all the buildings we'll visit here in Washington, of all the rooms we'll enter, none are more important than this room. The documents in this room tell us what it means to be an American."

I have to admit I got some chills. I'm not sure I appreciated that room and the documents in it when I was a teenager. But, I was moved as I looked at them, felt the spirit of those who wrote them. It was an amazing experience.

By the way DO NOT take your phone out in most parts of the building, as the guards get worked up. AND, DO NOT say "I'm going to do it. I'm going to steal The Declaration of Independence!" ;)

This is a must-see for history lovers! It’s crowded and kind of unorganized in terms of crowd management but it moves quickly and you get to see everything. Don’t miss it!

Seeing the Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, and the US Constitution was a definite must for our trip. The museum was clean and even without times entry tickets, the wait was minimal.

I visited the Archives to do family research. I did not go to the museum. The staff were effusively helpful. You do have to prepare for your visit. You need to go online and make a reservation. There are a few administrative tasks to do before you go. They are outlined on their website. I found a lot of great information using the military pension files and other data. I'll be back!

For me, this may have been my favorite DC experience. Not only were the DOI and Constitution memorable, but the Magna Carta was also present. I'd suggest going at a time that isn't as busy, simply because the "viewing" space is limited, and I would have hated to have felt rushed or cramped while viewing.

Impressive to see THE ACTUAL documents along with so much more. If you appreciate history, it's amazing to be INCHES from THE REAL documents we've all heard so much about!

The museum here is not extensive, but it really doesn't need to be. You come here for the biggies.... the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. A quick stop, but a real must for most American citizens. Be sure to see it once in your lifetime, but you probably won't need to go back.

This was the museum I was least looking forward to visiting in Washington as I thought it’d be very dry but I was really pleasantly surprised.

It has some excellent original documents like the Magna Carta and Declaration of Independence etc which are brilliant to see. It also has lots of great information about civil rights and the interactive displays were informative without being dull. The current exhibition about woman’s fight for the vote was excellent too.

There are no photos allowed and this is strictly enforced, especially around the Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights etc which are heavily guarded.

The movie, National Treasure, is exceptional but this museum is the treasure! And after you see the documents the gallery is awesome! Super clean restroom and gift shop but don't even take your phone out - absolutely not!

The only saving grace was this was free entry, had we paid I would be furious!

Anyway arrived on time for our pre-booked slot, emptied my pockets at the security check placing my wallet, phone, coat and my vape in the security trays and walked through the metal detector.

I was immediately told by security I could not take my vape beyond security, “no problem were would like me to leave it” I asked this question thinking they had encountered this before and had an area in security to place items like this so you could retrieve on exit.

“You need to take it off the premises outside sir, we are not able to store them on site”

So I had to go outside and hide my vape at the side of the road and hope it was still there when I got out, regardless I whipped through the place not seeing much so I could get out again… fortunately it was still there!

No other place in DC enforced such a policy… be warned fellow Vapor’s

Simply amazing! You will get to see the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights. There is also the emancipation procolmation. I would get a reserved time at the start of the day. I think you can make a reservation online. Get there right when they open.

It is great museum and there are some interesting exhibitions including: D-Day, American history, American sports ,etc. The highlight of the visit is the Rotunda in which you will be able to see the USA deceleration of Independence, the USA constitution and the civil rights deceleration.

This is 100% worth it, I wouldn’t have missed it. Having the opportunity to see the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights is amazing.

Good place to take teenagers. Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights are in big hall. Security is rude and very unorganized. If there is a waiting line, you would think that visitors who file through in an organized fashion. Not the case as security guards are too busy being on high horse and barking at waiting visitors. Was disappointed about that. Good to see but most likely not come back.

Whilst holidaying in USA we decided to have a look at the museum. This place does get busy with school trips so time it well or you could face a long wait.

Traveling with our family (2 adults / 2 children under 12) late July. Our 11 year old found everything incredibly interesting but our 8 year old was a bit bored. Incredible place. We took the docent tour which we got online for less than $2 per person. It was SOOOO worth it. We were taken in before the crowds arrived so we had a knowledgable explanation of the Declaration of Independence, The Constitution and The Bill of Rights - not to mention that we could take as much time as we wanted and were able to ask questions. The explanations for everything - including the tapestry paintings above was absolutely amazing!!! The docent was lively and gave us so much detailed historic information. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit!

Had an extra hour on a Friday afternoon and felt a need to see our nation's most important documents and was moved once again. Logistically they have it all down. Afterwards went to visit some of the exhibits which were wonderful. Highly recommend.

Super cool to see our Nation's most important documents!! Even though you can't take pictures just enjoy taking it all in!!

This building is fitting for the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. There is a lot to see in this building but those pieces are important for all to see. Very well organized exhibits.

We've been before, but wanted to go again as it wasn't as crowded as during summer for example, so we could spend time reading over every detail. Such amazing history and thoughts that went into these! Our son wanted to go again as he's much older now and taking relevant classes in college on American Democracy.

So glad that with latest technology, these critical founding documents can be even more preserved. No photos allowed.

I have seen he replica's now i have seen the real Constitution of the US., the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of rights
They are faded and hard to read but they are real
Absolutely breathtaking.

The visit to the site is quite short, in fact you basically resume to see the constitution, the declaration of civil rights and the declaration of independence.

Unlike many comments I read taking photos of these documents are encouraged but without flash. But it's hard and in reality you can read little when you see the photo.

Go to the store to see items related to presidents and the movie "National Treasure" and other items for sale by theme.

It was incredibly humbling to see so many of this country's amazing surviving documents. We were surprised though that we couldn't actually read the Declaration of Independence anymore, it's so faded. But just being in the same room, within literal inches, was thrilling enough for us.

Being able to see the original foundation documents for America was surreal! Hopefully, we as a Country are moving closer to the sentiment behind them!

This is beautifully maintained and its really something to see the original constitution and bill of rights! Must go for history fans!

Any visit to Washington DC must include a visit to the National Archives. It is as impressive as ever even though teeming with school grips. So in the line early and straight to the second floor before them

It was a real treat to see the Magna Carta which appeared a lot clearer than the Declaration of Independence even though signed 550 years earlier

It was nice to see in the gift shop they acknowledge The National Treasure connection with the book and the baseball cap, not to mention copies of the Declaration of Independence

The archives were on our list of things we really wanted to see while in DC. While we did get to see the documents the experience was not one of the fav. moments of our trip. We were instructed "no flash pictures, there are no lines, just go where you want to"...yeah right. Majority of people were making a line and moving along the documents. My husband and one child took the words of the security guard and went right up to the documents. A lady started yelling at them to get back in line, and stop budging. We stood in the slow moving line but plenty of people did in fact just push through to the enclosed documents. It was a chaotic mess and my kids got very frustrated. When we finally did get up there, it was really hard to see the faded papers. Daughter got yelled at by another security guard when she tried to take a picture and apparently touched the frame. He yelled at her - no touching. hands off the frame. I saw another person lean on the frame to get a look inside the glass and they didnt get a warning.... Needs to be better organized.

There is a lot to see here. Many original important artifacts are here. Some are very difficult to read, but still nice to see.

We purchased "time entry tickets" and avoided the line of 300 people, highly recommended. The main document room with the Declaration of Independence is bucket list experience. USA

Great museum and our tour guide, Bess was the Best! We took our two teens and got in 15 minutes before anyone else did with Bess and got a great look at all the historical documents. When we done looking she told us the history behind the documents and we toured several other parts of the museum with her. I recommend going and getting a guided tour! We avoided a massive crowd. Thanks Bess!

So cool - during our visit we saw Mo Rocca (CBS Sunday Morning fame) and David Rubenstein ( a hugely generous donor here and a few other Smithsonian museums). Loads of amazing original documents. Recommend making multiple visits, the details can overload and since there is no admission charge it's nice to come back often.

The National Archives Museum is a beautiful building that has beautiful exhibits and displays our Founding documents, Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights (in glass cases). The David M. Rubenstein Gallery houses the permanent exhibit of the Records of Rights. They include the original copy of the Magna Carta (in a glass display case), and a timeline of the evolution of civil liberties and rights. This gallery is worth visiting as are the exhibits. You will also love the gift shop too.

We went here over Labor Day weekend as an educational trip for my daughter to teach he something more about our history that she cant experience from a book or in class. The quality of the exhibits and the building itself are incredible!

Very glad we went and would go anytime in am in D.C.

My favorite experience in DC. Timed entry tickets are required. Where the most important historical documents of the United States are held. Photos are not allowed however worth each cent.

The USA really does do museums well when the focus is on the information and the message. There has been real intelligent thought gone into deciding what is to be on show here and how it will be displayed.

The entrance points you to a document which is not an American one at all - a 1297 copy of the English Magna Carta. This has been widely acknowledged to the forerunner of subsequent charters about individual rights and the duty of those in power to uphold those rights.

The museum then goes on to display key documents charting the course of the progress of equality legislation, but doing so by recognising how so many people have been let down by legislation not properly reflecting the principles outlined in those fine documents produced by the USA’s founding fathers. Yes, it’s great to actually see these historical documents, but it is more important that there is recognition that there is still so much work to be done before the vision in those documents becomes a reality.

After a failed attempt last year to get in through the crowds, this time we had great timing! Mid-week, morning visit. No line, inside or outside! We were able to see the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence at a leisurely pace and absorb the enormity of their importance. Too bad no pictures are allowed... I could understand no photos of the poor fading founding documents, but elsewhere it would have been nice to come home with something to help remember our time there. The cafeteria is small but we had a pretty good deli style lunch. The gift shop is big and everyone buys scrolls with the documents printed on them!

The National Archives is one of the must see sites in Washington DC. Located inside is the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, Emancipation Proclamation, and an original version of the Magna Carta. Inside the Rotunda where a lot of these documents are located, there are no lines to see each document. Visitors are allowed to walk directly up to each document and take pics without flash.

FYI, there is a long line to get in. But if you make reservations in advance….. it’s timed and very inexpensive, you get to bypass that long line. This is especially helpful if it’s hot/humid outside.

The main attraction here is the founding documents displayed in the Rotunda--the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Don't miss the temporary exhibits in the Lawrence O'Brien Gallery. The current exhibit is devoted to the struggle for women's suffrage as we get ready to celebrate the centenary of the 19th Amendment.

From THE original documents to the special exhibits and education, The National Archives was absolutely my favorite in DC history. This is absolutely for all ages and one visit isn’t enough. Take your time browsing through as photos are not permitted.

Great history and amazing to see the original documents. Some cool artifacts from founding fathers as well (Washington’s journal).

What a trip! Constitution, Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights were awesome! Was so thankful to be able to see our founding documents!

If you are in Washington DC than you need to take the time to come here and see the orginal documents that founded America.
They are a must see however as others will also think so be prepared for a wait to view the documents themselves.
The rest of the Archives goes faster.
All together I'd say depending on the line you will need between a hour & a half to two hours to see everything.
Photography is not allowed.

We really only wanted to see the original documents. So we headed directly to the Rotunda. It's pretty amazing that the documents still exist and are on display.

We were lucky to have a reservation and not have to wait in line. But once we were inside we became part of a group and were told when we could go into the area with Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. They were interesting to see but it's a lot of hassle for two documents.

It wouldn't have been worth waiting in the 200 person line to get in (imo), but the tour skip-the-line pass was great and seeing historical documents was fascinating just because, but man are they serious about photography and videography in there. That and you can hardly read the documents you go to see but that's not shocking. It was the end of a long day. It was crowded so we didn't stay for long to see anything else. Also, people need to listen to instruction when going to look at the docs. It would have made things quicker and less crowded! But it's cool just to say you've seen the constitution, bill of rights and declaration of independence.

You will be able to see a few of the oldest documents in the history of our nation. Please be careful about fixing your clothing or watch near any of the displays. The "security" staff frowns upon that. This is a great place to visit, so much to learn.

There was only one thing I wanted to see here being a Brit and that was the Magna Carta. The queue to get in wasn't too bad and I initially went up to the Rotunda where the queue to get in there was long. The actual Rotunda and the paintings in it looked beautiful as is the outside of the building itself.

When I found the Magna Carta it was good to see the explanations they had given about it which were short and to the point.

I was short for time as I had a lunch appointment so I quickly looked at the Vaults where it appeared they had some good items being exhibited. I returned after lunch but unfortunately the queues to get back in were long so I decided to leave it for another day.

This is a free place to enter but choose your times as there were a lot of school trips there when I went.

We did this the day we left. Boy are we glad we did! I only wish I had more time. This is where the original copies of our most treasured documents are kept. We got to see the Magna Carta (1215), which was much more legible and darker than the Declaration of Independence (1776). We could barely make out the "John Hancock" signature. The guard gives you directions before you go in tells you to "view" them but not to stand there & try to read them. You couldn't if you tried as it's dark and most are very faded. My next favorite thing here was the exhibit of a selection of letters written to presidents over the years on display. The best one was a letter written from 3 teenage girls begging the president not to give Elvis the military haircut. She claimed that if they cut off his sideburns she would literally die! LOL I wish I'd had more time here to go through more of the exhibit rooms.

At the entrance there is a nice museum that illustrates the archives and their collections. The main room instead holds the most important documents of American history: the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Bill of Rights.

I'll be honest: I went there only to see the original, founding documents. There really is a Declaration of Independence, and it's a good thing that they made copies because it's almost impossible to read now. Same with the Constitution. It was kept too close to the sunlight and has faded terribly, No disappointment, however, because these are the papers upon which this experiment in democracy was founded. I am appropriately inspired. While there, you can see each of the Amendments to the Constitution in relatively better shape, and the Magna Carta, whereby King John guaranteed certain individual rights to his subjects to keep England from collapsing into civil war. It's written in the smallest letters known to mankind and is in great shape, by the way. The rest of the archives could consume you for days or you can buzz through in an hour, as I did. It's the filing cabinet of the nation all right.

This place is definitely one to visit while in DC. It’s amazing to see original documents and read up about the Declaration of Independence. You are not allowed to take pictures but well worth it

Impressive building and documents. We had really looked forward to viewing the Declaration and Constitution. However, we barely got to see them. They no longer move people through a line. Instead, they release about 50-75 people into the viewing area at a time and tell people to look, not read and no photographs allowed. It is basically mob rule. It was very hard to make our way in to see a document at all. I liked it much better when they had us move in a line past the documents. At least you knew for sure you would have a turn. Very disappointing. We had gotten a ticketed time, which gave us no privilege whatsoever. We were still just dumped in the coral with everyone else. So don't waste your time with advanced tickets.

Our guide Terry was full of knowledge. We went in a separate entrance before the normal crowd went in. Terry took us directly to the key areas of the archives and shared a lot of interesting stories and facts about the different artifacts. This is a small group tour, but the other folks never showed, so we had Terry all to ourselves. We have been to the archives a few times before, this tour was worth the cost. I highly recommend doing the tour if you want to learn a little more about the artifacts in the Archives.

Visited on a Monday afternoon. Times it perfectly and sailed through security with no line ahead of us. Unfortunately, lots of lookey Lou’s in the display hall who were taking an inordinate amount of time to review all of the exhibits. Pretty cool to see our founding documents. There are other exhibits below the main display hall which were also very interesting. Large gift shop onsite.

Stood in line for some time to get inside, then stood in another line to enter the "Rotunda" where the "big" documents are kept: Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights. It meant a lot to me to see these documents, so it was all worth the wait. Definitely a bucket list item if you love America.

Amazing documents and a beautiful building. But the current method to view the documents is chaotic and annoying. The guards let in a large group of people into the rotunda at a time. People started to que to the left to view the displays as circling towards the right. But the guards broke up the lines and insisted everyone just clump around the documents and fight for a view as best as you can. So, we got a quick glance over 10 people's shoulders and those of us in my group who had seen them before didn't even try to fight the crowd and just stood off to the side and waited. It certainly wasn't worth the trouble of a visit since we couldn't see the items that were the only reason we were there at all. Also--we were there at the end of the day and there was not a line to get in. But it was still too crowded to see.

This is worth the visit to see the original Bill of Rights, Constitution and Declaration of Independence! Over 200 years old and highly guarded, so many people looking to view these precious documents. No photos are allowed and we learned it’s because in the past it was allowed but flash photography was destroying them and making the letters fade. Long lines and the museum is huge and so much to see. This is a historians dream to walk through this place. Information galore and almost overwhelming bc you are seeing so much history in one location. Worth going and spending time!

Even though the museum is under renovation this is a must see. The Constitution, The Declaration of Independence, & The Bill of Rights! So powerful to see them in person. Make sure to make a free reservation online prior to going—then you hardly have to wait & can get right in!!!

Worthwhile to see the important documents but also a sampling of all the other amazing materials they have in the collection.

We re-visited this archive and were surprised -- no line out front and no line around the interior of the rotunda.
Awe inspiring to see the Declaration of Independence, and the other artifacts of the founding of our nation and government. This is a MUST-See for any American interested in our history.

Babylon Tours, specifically Richard, was beyond knowledgeable. He is a must for touring anything DC!

We did not have time to see too many museums, so this one was our choice. It did not disappoint! The artifacts were incredible. The guard staff helped visitors see and recognize the signatures on the historical documents which kept the flow of people moving. The gift shop staff were helpful without hesitation and made good suggestions. We were pleased with the whole experience and our choice to see the United States National Archives!

Well worth the time to visit. The Records of Rights exhibit is informative and thought provoking. A necessary exhibit to celebrate, critically examine, and reflect on the United States quest to form a more perfect union.

Seeing the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights in the rotunda is a check it off the list activity. Great to say you saw them but a little underwhelming. The interpretative material in the wings provides insightful context but can cover only so much in a few plaques.

Absolute must see in DC. We did not have a reservation/timed entry and were able to get right in after going through security. Many interesting documents to see, but the highlight for us was definitely our Constitution. Just amazing to see!!

A must see - houses the Constitution, Declaration of Indpendence and gives you a real feel for American history.

The National Archives Museum is most known for displaying the three Charters of Freedom. Even though much of the ink is faded (especially on the Declaration of Independence) it was awesome to see these immensely historical documents. There are also great exhibits about the role of the National Archives and sports in American life.

It's important to know that there is no photography allowed in the entire museum. I visited on Independence Day in the late afternoon, and had no trouble getting in without a reservation. There weren't too many people inside, but it was a little crowded around the Charters in the Rotunda. This is really must-see if you're visiting DC!

As a former solider, it was an honor to finally get to see the documents that I pledged to defend. Most of them were very hard to read, but nonetheless were impressive.

I hate to criticize anything but my wife was in a wheelchair and other patrons were inconsiderate and rude moving in front of her to get their better view. I think if there were some guide ropes in place perhaps people would hold their place in line and move in a more orderly fashion, giving everyone the chance they deserve to view these historical documents.

This one is a must see in DC ... well preserved documents of the founders.

No photography allowed.

Visit the shop downstairs to get replicas of the documents.

Enjoy.

We weren't sure what to expect from this one but it was very informative with some excellent exhibits. It won us over immediately with one of four copies of the Magna Carta at the entrance and a wonderfully informative interactive social history of the US.

There is currently a very good exhibit relating to women's suffrage and of course most people will be visiting to see the Bills of Rights and the Declaration of Independence etc which are also worthwhile.

The gift shop is full of the kind of tat you love so check that out too.

Besides the sheer majesty of "the Big 3" - the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, the National Archives is packed with things to see. You do need to wind your way through a somewhat confusing route of pathways. The documents and other items, such as video and audio, are very interactive and you can craft your experience to your personal interests. My husband, who had never been to the archives and is not a big museum fan, found the archives to be very interesting. One can learn a lot of our country's story by exploring the Archives. One of my favorite places in DC.

The National Archives museum is a must museum when you are in Washington D.C.
It is home to the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights. You can see these three important documents in Rotunda.
We had to book a time slot ticket in advance. And you are not allowed to take photos inside.

I love going through the archives! Seeing the original documents that were signed by our founding fathers is surreal. Reading the history and seeing it right before your eyes is amazing!

Can’t believe it took me this long to visit the Archives. So many interesting pieces of our country’s past. The Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Magna Carta are just the tip of the iceberg of history and information. So many wonderful and informative exhibits; even saw the homestead claim form from Almonzo Wilder’s home and farm.
There are no photographs inside the building, but you can download pictures from the site. Be sure to get you ticket in advance, it’s only $1 but required to get access.

The building is imposing and magnificent externally, with a park full of very well-kept works of art in front. Inside there are often exhibitions that can be freely visited as well as the building itself which however can only be accessed with a reservation (reservation to be made well in advance, free if you exclude the $1 reservation per ticket). You can see, among other things, the original “Bill of Rights” and the American Constitution, as well as a copy of the original “Magna Carta”.

Don't take in more than 1-2 places per day or you will wear out. Food trucks on the Capitol are aren't bad for food or price. Archives and Smithsonian are a must.

I wasn't sure what to expect, but this was a cool place to visit. To see the actual documents under all the protection and with armed guards was just surreal. I knew that would be the case, but it was very awesome to actually see for myself.

The Originals of everything we saw. The 15 stars and 15 stripes of the star-spangled banner that flew over Ft McHenry. The declaration, the constitution and the bill of rights. a 1290 CE copy of the magna carta. A history buff's delight

This was our most favorite spot to tour in Washington DC. Where else could you see the original Constitution, Articles of Confederation and Declaration of Independence. Awesome!

When it comes to learning about the American history, it's certainly significant to grab the opportunity to see the Declaration of Independence, along with the other exhibits of the museum.

The documents are all very worn out, with the ink not preserving well. Nonetheless, it was interesting seeing some of the nation’s foundational documents and seeing the art built into the building.

One of several museums in the same area and of course mainly known for housing the Constitution, Bill of Rights and Declaration of Independence.

Not to be missed- there is so much in this museum! Admission is free. The stars are the original founding documents of the USA - Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights. There is also a 1297 Magna Carta (one of only four known).

While in town last weekend, we went to the Archives first thing last Saturday. We were there early (before they opened) and we still had quite the wait. Be prepared for a long wait as there is only one security checkpoint to get in.

But while in - it was really great to walk around and see all the old archives.

I wish the room that the three great American documents looked more like the scene in National Treasure than resting them in a hollow room, that's not much bigger than a closet--when there are so many EF and World Strides high school tours. The material that is presented around the documents is fairly basic, nothing really thought provoking. It's nice to think that our forefathers touched and even penned the papers, but with that exception, the entire visit was actually a let down. Truly, the best part was simply watching a few fantastic parents educating their young ones about Thomas, George, and Ben and seeing their kids faces smile as they asked a few questions. That was great. But, for my family that's a bit older, this was simply one of those activities that people say "you should do, once in a life time," but there was little that was gained from it.

I suppose it is an emblematic place for any American because the three founding documents of the country, such as the declaration of independence, the constitution and the bill of rights, are preserved there. For the outsider, however, such documents, without detracting from their historical interest, do not generate the necessary fervor to endure long queues, waits, pushes, etc. that must be experienced to pass like sheep in front of them and have less than a second to contemplate them before the flood of people expel from before them. On the other hand, the place is so dark, to preserve the documents, that they cannot be seen in conditions either. I found the frescoes in the room where they are preserved more interesting.

Personally I was much more struck that at the entrance there were the founding acts of NATO, to which no one paid the slightest attention, or that at the exit there was an English manuscript of the s. XIII.

In short, a place of worship for the nation to foster the patriotic spirit, which should be irrelevant to the foreign visitor.

We only had about 2.5 hours at the Archives, and we were sorry that we spent so much time standing in line to see the Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, and Constitution. Although these are obviously important documents in our country’s history, the lines were excruciating. Once we got done and started going through exhibits, we realized that there was an incredible depth and breadth of subjects that are archived here. My advice, if there is a line at the Monument Room, is to visit the other exhibits instead. You could easily spend six hours here!

Interesting to see the declaration of independence and other documents. Interesting also to know how the American flag came about.

The ink is so faded that the documents are almost unreadable but seeing the J and the H in John Hancock's signature on the Declaration of Independence made going for the Fourth of July worth it!

Well laid out with many enjoyable, educational and interactive displays. The building itself is quite impressive. A must on a visit to DC!

Great that the Declaration of Independence, the constitution and the bill of rights is all in one place. I don’t know much about them and it was no so easy to find out about them. Would have benefitted from self audio tour

We really appreciated seeing the original documents from the establishment of our nation. It was worth the wait. It is very special to see the originals.

The National Archives holds the Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights and US Constitution in one rather darkened room to protect the documents from fading - apparently one A Lincoln had them displayed in front of windows for 30 years so they have faded somewhat already. The guards do not take kindly to any light so don't even put your mobile phone on or they'll almost literally jump on you.
There is a queue to get in as numbers in the room with the documents are limited and the expected airport style security though the guards range from very jolly and friendly to downright miserable.
It's very interesting to be so close to these historical documents. There is also an exhibition about the archives and what they do etc.

Wow! To see these documents. If you love this time period in history, you have to see these. We did not book a time slot (they were booked weeks out), but, if you are pre-planning, get online and book a time. We were lucky (kind of). We were walking around and were just going to take our chances and check on the line that did not have pre-booked times (to the left of the booked times line). The first time, there was about 15 people. Line moves fast, don't let it discourage you. We get in (you have to go through security, it's pretty fast) and go to the Rotunda, where the documents are. They say there is no line, but there kind of is. We started to the left, all the documents lead up to the Declaration of Independence, and Constitution. To see their writing, and editing, it's amazing. But, there was a fire drill, and we had to evacuate. Went a second time, line was longer, but still fast. It's amazing! We did see on another day a line wrapped around the corner. Just make time to go by it a few times. It is SO worth it. We did see the other exhibits, I would do those last.

Home of the Declaration of Independence, and our Constitution, this is a DC stop not to be missed. Plan to get here first thing to make sure you get in. Crowds accumulate.

To see the actual original Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution is an awesome experience. They are well guarded and no photographs are allowed but the sights of them will say in my mind for a very long time. The historical displays depicting the founding fathers are well done. The Archives also has exhibits on our history with newspaper, film, and audio recordings of times and events. You could soend a day just exploring this fabulous museum.

This museum has a great display of the Declaration of Independence, Magna Carta, Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution. It is neat to see the actual pages that changed history.

I have been to the Archives before to view the Declaration of Independence and Constitution before but went to see the Suffrage exhibit and it was fantastic. We then viewed other parts of the Museum. Wished we had more time but definitely will return. There is so much to see and so well done.

It was really cool to see the original Declaration of Independence and Constitution, but there was a lot of confusion. The staff kept telling us there was no line to see the documents, but it was obvious people were lining up to be able to see them up close. Then they stopped controlling the number of people who could go in the area to see those documents and it got really chaotic. It just seemed like it could have been better organized.

The National Archives Museum is great and I highly recommend it. Some of the most famous historical archives it has include a copy of the Magna Carta, U.S. censuses, the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. You can’t miss this museum in DC.

it was great to see the documents if you are willing to deal with organized chaos and have patience. the only thing that ruined my visit was the snobby crabby rude old man who was there to "assist" with questions from the public. he asks if you have any questions but then proceeds to make you feel like a complete idiot, even though your question is totally reasonable. I think I am a fairly informed and reasonable person however, like most Americans, I don't know every single minute detail surrounding the Declaration of Independence. This guy will definitely let you know it! Once he started "explaining" and I sensed a tone, I immediately disengaged and just said "ok...that's interesting". he followed up with "it's not interesting, it's the truth" !! totally unecessary and off putting. I wish I could say that this is just a one off, but in DC I found this kind of attitude very common for the monument workers. This one here at the Archives however, was in a league of his own.

Paid a quick visit to the Archives museum a couple of hours before it closed and found this to be a great time as there was no queue and we walked straight in. There are a couple of cool exhibits but of course the main attraction is viewing the Declaration of Independence and making all the appropriate National Treasure jokes along the way. That aside it’s the Declaration and a crucial part of America’s history so I can highly recommend taking the time to see it.

A required stop every time I visit DC. The most obvious reason being that the Archives house original copies of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. These are located in the rotunda on the second floor. Additionally, there are also several rotating exhibits located in the first floor galleries.

The one major complaint about the Archives is that chaos and disorder reign supreme, especially when the rotunda is crowded. There is little to no organization or management of crowds. The guards tell people that they can either take in all of the exhibits from left to right, or that they can go straight up to the three founding documents if they wish. This causes a major backup and delay for those who are attempting to take in the entire exhibit because those who are only there for the founding documents continually file in to the area for them. It would be more efficient to just have everyone pass through the entire exhibit and keep the line moving in a consistent manner.

Having read other reviews about the poor attitudes and service from the security personnel, I have to say that during our visit, they were very polite and accommodating. I am hoping that whatever issues may have existed with their engagement of the public have been resolved.

Tight security as you would expect. It's definitely worth a visit but when it's busy it is hard to see what you want to see for as long as you'd like to spend looking.

We only seen this from the outside as it was closed due to the Labor Day Holiday, but still an incredible building with huge towering pillars. Opposite is the very touching tribute, The US Navy Memorial

Please read the numerous articles about the censorship of an image(s) related to the last Women’s March.

My organization had our Board Dinner in the Rotunda of the Archives. The staff was welcoming and attentive to our needs. The facility is beautiful and has a great way of putting you in touch with the history of our country. We had a beautifully memorable night, and I would recommend it for other organizations. Most importantly, the staff there really cares, and makes the experience.

Massive amounts of information on our country. Loved seeing the declaration of Independence! We didn't have a timed pass but got in right away.

What a cool museum. Aside from the obvious stars of the Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights and the Constitution (and Magna Carta), there are tons of other cool historical documents, letters and things to learn. I wouldn’t necessarily say great for little kids as it was “boring” but we loved it.

Yes, you will see the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. What surprised me was to see one of the original copies of the Magna Carta! Take time to explore the other public rooms and hallways in this magnificent building. Look at the murals on the ceiling and walls, too!

Even though I am from Canada, I still felt excited about getting to see the original copy of the US Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and the US Constitution. What was also great was that it is free to visit the archives. A definite must see in Washington.

Free and easy. No line at the time we went. Security and museum staff were excellent early Wednesday afternoon 2/26/25. It was a teeny bit darker than I thought it would be. Take selfies pointing away from the documents so that God forbid if your camera flashes accidentally it flashes in the other direction away from the docs. They're already quite faded. Also they had an original Magna Carta. Unreal.

Like a lot of visitors, we had a quick visit to see the Declaration of Independence. i was disappointed to not take a photo but 100% understand why you cannot. It is very busy and it can be hard to see the papers. there is a good/controlled queue into the area.

The original Declaration of Independence is here, of course, and it is interesting, if faded. They say there's nothing on the back but this "Original Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776." But that's what they told Benjamin Gates, too, so who knows?

In addition, there is the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and many other original and interesting documents on display. Arrange a tour through your congressman or senator -- you get solid history and a much more satisfying visit.

This is the place for all historical records. Make sure to visit the original Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights and US Constitution in the Rotunda.

I only visited the National Archives Museum to view the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and the Constitution and was not disappointed by how profound of a moment it was to see them in the same room. The only downside to the visit was the photography isn't allowed.

This was a very efficient visit. We arrived right at opening. We didn't have reservations but didn't have to wait very long.

We went straight to the documents. Be advised the documents are in the center of the room, with information on either side. This may be helpful since there's usually a large crowd waiting to see the documents and not so many on the sides.

There are many other rooms in the building with historical artifacts. We were glad to see this attraction since it's at the heart of what happens in the city.

We loved seeing the actual documents that were used to shape our infant government. Although faded, they were impressive

- You will feel a little “National Treasuresque” in here
- About 30 minutes before closing, they close some areas early. So be sure to arrive about 1-2 hours prior to ensure you can view the documents.
- There is a mural in the Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence, Constitution room that matches a painting downstairs when you first walk in, after security.
- Will you be pushing your way or “cutting” in front of people to view the documents... yes
- No photography inside
- Documents are faded and lighting is dim because the items are ancient, weren’t treated well in the beginning and need to be preserved.
- The Staff near the documents weren’t the friendliest and weren’t keen on answering questions. Even to Americans, not just foreigners.

If you're seeing the DC sights on a time constraint, you can be in and out of this museum quickly. Go immediately to the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom on the second floor. The Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights are in the center of the arc, where the guards are standing. It's not a queue. you can go straight to the center and look at the historical documents right away. If you're in a hurry, that's all you need to see. The museum does have an especially nice gift shop, for what it's worth.

We were sitting around admiring the Limescooters when we saw the line get shortened at the National Archives and decided to check it out. Keep at least two hours to listen to the tapes and read the wall mounted detailed pics etc. Well worth it. They do not allow photographs but we saw plenty of American School children on tour taking photos and at times when noticed by the security staff, putting them away. Rotunda takes 15-30m to go around. They take in about 30 people at a time.

By far my favorite place we visited in our two days in DC. Seeing the incredibly important and historic documents was amazing! Reading The back stories brought such enrichment to the experience. My only regret was having limited time.

Great american history. Thursday was a very empty day so we had plenty of time to see and read everything. The Declaration of Independence, constitution and bill of rights were very impressive. To know they were written by our founding fathers and are so preserved was very moving. It was fascinating to see all the public information that is stored there. So much history. Would be great if we honored these ideals today.

Toured the National Archives Museum in DC. Informative museum. Lots of information. Tastefully done. No photography at all in the museum. Saw The Declaration of Independence, Magna Carta, Bill of Rights and The Constitution. Amazing!

This place provides both adults and children to see the great historical documents of our nation. Lines moved fairly quickly, but early in the day is definitely better.

Absolutely chilling experience to get to see the Declaration and other documents in person. Fantastic to see them. After reading the security comment from another reviewer, I will say that we had a fantastic experience compared to the other museums we visited. We were one of the first groups of the day, so I don’t know if that made a difference, but all the employees were very pleasant.

After seeing "National Treasure" many years ago I thought this would be more of a wow, but no. There are inspiring words on faded paper in faded ink. Who is to say how early these copies were. Wished I had skipped this.

It is neat to see important documents from our country's history, but security staff in the main area are rude and incompetent. They want you to form lines but don't explain in words how you should stand. They are horrible at giving directions and get angry when you don't follow their hopeless direction.

We got to view the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights and learn all about how those documents were created. Good thing before Project 2025 takes over, because who knows? They may forever disappear.

I will give my review first and then the tips. We really enjoyed the main documents in the rotunda room. Much of what there was to see was not that appealing to me. I would say it would be worth coming here even if you just wanted to see the constitution, bill of rights and Declaration of Independence. First tip is to pre buy your ticket at recreation.gov. It has a very small fee and is absolutely worth it. When you come to the entrance outside there are 2 lines. Find the sign that says pre purchased. This is where pre buying really helps. Plus, the ticket is a timed entry. We stood in one line and soon realized we got to stand in a significantly shorter line. My second tip is to head right upstairs and into the rotunda room. The 3 documents you want to see are straight ahead. We stood in a line to the left thinking that was what you need to do. It’s not. The stuff to the left and right are copies of the 3 documents with some additional info. If you don’t want to read that, head straight ahead. The guards even encourage you not to stand in line. A heads up as well, no pictures throughout your tours. There are guards standing on either side and it would be pretty tough to try and sneak one. If you just want to see the main 3, this could be done in 20 minutes. We visited in October.

What a cool place to visit! (Even if you have not seen the movie “National Treasure.”) We went mainly to see the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights, but we went through all the rest of the exhibits as well. Hint – you can avoid the entrance lines if you are a Veteran by going around to the “Events” entrance door and showing them your ID…it gets you right in!

I did not have this on my "must do" list while visiting DC, but thoroughly enjoyed this museum. I learned a lot too. The museum displays documents and tells the stories of important times in our history- independence from the ties of England, equal rights for women, military details from D-day and documents on the abolition of slavery to name a few. There are letters, political papers, logs and journals as well as interactive exhibits and video presentations. Information is provided on their methods for document preservation as well. The area where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution are kept is elegant and awe inspiring with sweeping ceilings, marble floors and artwork which really creates a sense of reverence. We went on a day when there was no line, but you can reserve a spot in advance for a convenience fee of $1 per ticket. There are tours once a day at 9 AM I believe, but need to be reserved in advance and fill quickly.

Ok I get it. The original constitution, bill of rights and Declaration of Independence are big deals and need to be preserved. But the second you walk in the room you’re presumed guilty of something. Don’t dare even show your phone or face a scolding. Some poor kid had a full size camera and the lens cap fell off. This female guard who must have been having a bad day was all over him. Mind you, he was some distance away from the documents. He argued mildly but quickly was told he would be tossed if it happened again. I think he was foreign so welcome to America kid.

Then they constantly yell for people not to form a line. What? The exhibits are in ..... A LINE. For goodness sakes, redesign the room, use some ropes, give people an assigned number.

The rudest employees (security) guards in the whole town. They need to lose some ego.

However, it is a must do and seeing those documents is emotional. Just be prepared and tread lightly.

Grateful for the opportunity to see the original documents, as well as other information and a special exhibit with the Magna Carta. It was quite crowded and we waited in line for about 20 minutes before we were let in to the viewing area. They say to move around and not start from one side and move around to the other, but that is ridiculous. Of course you want to start on one side and move around to the other. Unfortunately, there are people crowding around you because they are following the suggestion to go see everything out of order. I definitely felt rushed and could have spent a lot more time reading and absorbing the information than I did (approx 20 minutes). Sadly, you can't take pictures.

We almost missed this.. Thank the heavens above we did not.

We were here 20 or so years ago. And we just assumed it was going to be the same. WOW were we wrong. Yes the treasures like the Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence, Constitution and all the fragile delicate pieces of written history are there intact and beautiful But... It was worth every second to stand in line to return to this beautiful place. Seeing these precious documents is a reminder of how truly lucky we are to live or even visit the US.

We went late in the morning just before lunch. Probably not the best time to go but it worked for our schedule. We stood in line maybe 10 minutes it seemed longer but again it was worth it. The employee volunteer out front told funny jokes and gave us tips on navigating the inside. It is not necessary to go left to write around the rotunda. It is fine to hop around or go right to left. Finding a spot and reading and learning can be done in any pattern.

We love seeing Russell Lee's Photography surveying the coal industry. Quite moving. A few times I wanted to cry seeing the struggles many of our nations poor had to endure. Reading about the statistics is moving and makes us all realize how truly thankful we are to live today. We also saw the road to Revolution which was great. We did not have time enough time to see the President Resigns. We had to rush as we had a time ticket for another venue in DC. But, what we did see was so cool and we hope to go back again soon.

This museum is easily located directly across the street from the Archive Metro Station although you will have to circle the building to enter the museum with your timed entry advance reservation (due to COVID) which is available on-line. Cost for the reservation is $1 per person. When you leave the Metro you will see the museum directly across the street. Walk to your right to the traffic light, cross the street and continue down the right side of the museum building. At the next corner, turn left and you will see the entrance and a security who will verify your timed entry reservation. The first document you will see upon entering is one of only four originals of the English Magna Carta, signed in 1297, that laid the foundation for democracy and the British government. Next you will explore most of this nation's premier founding documents: the Declaration of Independence (1776), The Bill of Rights (1789), the Constitution (1787), the Articles of Confederation (1777) and the Louisiana Purchase Agreement. In the same Rotunda is the Faulkner Murals which depict the Founding fathers with the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Note: Photography is not allowed in the building. During our visit there were also exhibits on American Women and the Vote, and Immigration throughout American history. The complete tour of the Archives will take about 2 hours (of which only 10-15 minutes can be devoted to the founding documents as they try to keep the crowd moving in order to foster viewing) .

Of course the Constitution, Bill of Rights and Declaration of Independence are a must see but unfortunately they have all faded to the point of hardly being readable. The very dim lights makes matters worse. An original copy of the Magna Carta from 1215 is also on display, however very legible - assuming you can read old English. Other displays are disappointing. Rather than displaying a large number of objects, the museum chose to display just a few with each one telling a story. My preference is to view all that is available and make my own determination as to which are important to me and my interest. If you are not into history, these displays are probably all you would want.

I know it is an important place for Americans, but visitors should really reconsider entering this place.

This place is frequented by school tours and large groups. When a large group is getting in, all individual visitors need to wait until the group is settled, reserved or non-reserved alike. Unnecessary waiting time is the norm. Staff is very lethargic and cares nothing.

The building is nice, though.

Washington DC is a fabulous city with many interesting choices. Is this the one? Well, not for me. Neither would I recommend it to others.

Really enjoyed going around and looking at the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution as well as the Bill of Rights. The room was really nice, it’s a shame you can’t take pictures, however, I understand why you can’t.

Worth the visit to see many original documents including the Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, the Constitution and the Magna Carta.

The National Archives Museum has the most historical documents anywhere! It does not take real long to go through but one should definitely visit this place. Many visitors tend to miss this place but I would advise all to The National Archives Museum.

We were running out of time and had to choose one last stop. My granddaughter wanted to see the key documents housed at the archives. The crowd was big but not overwhelming. She was impressed to see the actual documents she has read some much about. It would be nice to have a bit more time. Also to protect the documents the room is dark.

This is another one of my favorite spots in DC to visit. It is simply amazing to see the Dec of Ind and the Constitution. It will take an hour or so to go through.

Do NOT go when school is out. The noise from a few hundred kids is hard to handle. Plenty of good exhibits and a few things I never knew. It took us around 2-3 hours to see everything. The documents are is pretty dark, so trying to move up to see the doc's was not easy with the crowds and I didn't want to be like a few others that acted like they wanted to read the entire document. Most amazing was the large sign that said NO CAMERA/PHOTO allowed. Even the guard gave his talk about it and even defined what camera and photo meant. He finished and before he could take his next breath was an idiot with a Phone recording on SnapChat. That dope got called out in front of everyone. Most likely the better moment of the tour - Getting to see a self entitled brain dead moron that rules don't apply to.

This was near the top of my list as I absolutely love US revolutionary history. To actually be able to see the documents that our founding fathers wrote was a privilege. The guard in the main area had an amazing sense of humor. Make sure to look around at the other exhibits. There is more to see than just the declaration and constitution.

Go ahead, get your tickets early at Recreation.gov and spend some time here. If for nothing else but see The Constitution, The Bill of Rights and The Declaration of Independence. No photos allowed but you'll learn a lot.

Wish they would make lines in the Rotunda. As it stands you are free to move freely between the Founding Documents which leads to some chaos.

Although overlooked, the Magna Carta is truly a special document and laid the foundation for our Constitution.

Highly recommend a visit here if only just one time.

Free and open to the public. Or go online for $1 per per for a timed entry pass. The line to get in is easily 20+ minutes every time I go so pay the couple of dollars and head to the front.

You can’t photograph the documents but I included one from the gift shop.

There was confusion from other people we talked to that day, but the Declaration and Constitution are located here. Sadly you cannot take pictures in the building. The documents are worth the visit and the architecture is beautiful.

We had some extra time in between activities and decided to go to the National Archives to see the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights in person. The line wasn't very long and we were able to see everything within an hour. We did not see the rest of the Archives, though. Just those documents. The documents are cool to see, but very old and hard to even read because the ink is fading. Still cool to see in person, though!

Wow, this was one of the places high on my list. Was I disappointed. Luckily I made a reservation for a time slot because it was really hot and the line for people without a reservation was long. I was so looking forward to seeing the actual Constitution. I was very disappointed to find that there was absolutely no organization, line or anything in the room that held the Constitution. It was a free for all with people jostling to get a view then staying there so long they could have read it 5 times over. The security guard on duty was literally telling people there is no line so just go and try to see it. I've seen the crown jewels, Book of Kells and other high tourist items and they all had an orderly line or way to see the objects so you can actually take them in. You would think in Washington DC they would make it a little easier to get a sense of the history and impact this document had on our country's formation. Unfortunately, you'd be wrong.

Four highlights included the Constitution, Bills of Rights, Declaration of Independence and Magna Carta. Very disappointed no photography allowed even without flash.

Unfortunate part of June was school field trips and not enough chaperones to mindfully monitor rude children. Security did not want lines to look at documents but students didn’t listen and were triggered as adults walked in-between cases to view documents. Unfortunately, the kids did take away from the experience and I felt rushed and distracted. They need more security or rules for schools when visiting.

I did enjoy the historical displays like women’s suffrage, D-Day, etc. you would walk through everything in about an hour, but I’d suggest at least two to read parts that interest you. This was the one place I had no photos from other than the outside which is disappointing.

I have been to DC many times and had never thought about coming to the National Archives Museum, but while we were on tour on a hop on and hop off bus, the tour guide highly recommended that we must see this Museum and it should not be missed by any DC visitors. So we made a trip there and the tour guide was right. We saw the actual Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution as well as many other historical documents via interactive displays So glad we made a stop there.

A must do when in DC... to finally see in person Constitution, Declaration, and Bill of Rights

DC is slowly opening up... MUST make an online reservation and buy a $1 ticket per person. My friend and I went on a Wednesday at 12:00 to avoid weekend crowds. After going through security, proceed to the Rotunda. There weren't very many people, so it was nice to stop and really look and take your time. It took us a little over an hour

The night before we went to The National Archives, we watched National Treasure so we could get the kids a little more excited. We were unable to secure advance tickets, but the day-of line wasn't so bad. I just really wanted my kids to see these important documents in person.

This was one of the highlights of our recent DC vacation. I didn't have the opportunity to visit here on my previous DC trip so I was very excited to go here and view the original founding documents of our nation. Here you can see the ORIGINAL Declaration of Independence (it is faded but you can still make out some of the words and you can definitely make out John Hancock's signature), Constitution and Bill of Rights. I was very thankful that a security guard announced to everyone that there wasn't a line and you could feel free to move around to view the documents, otherwise it might have taken a lot longer. They do not allow photography inside at all and while I understand why, that was a bit of a disappointment. The museum is not large and while you could spend several hours here, 1-2 hours is plenty.

I love this place, so much information, so much culture, and history. Impressive!!! The gift shop is really good too.

A must see for anyone who loves American history! To be able to actually see the original documents that founded our nation is incredible. Be aware that no photography is allowed. When you see the documents you will understand why.

I visited the National Archives in August 2021. I bought my timed-entry ticket online and they let me go in a little earlier. I passed through very strict security. I took an elevator to The Vault under The Rotunda and viewed the original documents of the Declaration of Independence, the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The original documents are faded but I could still see John Hancock's signature on the Declaration of Independence. Besides the original documents, there were exhibits and additional information such as how each document made its way to the National Archives. The gift and book shop is very nice. It was not too crowded so I was able to take my time and view the documents at my own pace. Photography is not allowed in the National Archives.

The US National Archives offers an impressive and well-organized collection of historic records, documents, and exhibits.

This museum display the original most important documents for the funding of the USA. They are kept in a rotunda space were you can walk around and witness the documents, no photos allowed. There are two big paintings that display the persons involved in the signing an creation of these documents. It is crowded. There is no line so you can stand behind any display until you can move in front a read the information. There is much more to admire as you walk around the other areas. You can hear recording or read documents of very important historic moments of the USA. Walk around and explore the different areas. They have a souvenir shop. Plan a minimum of 2 hrs. We visited early afternoon and there were no lines.

We had a great experience at the museum. Seeing the founding documents in person was a highlight but there is a ton of material and you could easily spend hours going through each exhibit.

I could, however, see that peak season crowds could make this a less enjoyable visit. In December we were able to go right in with no lines and see the key documents with no wait at all.

This building houses the signed Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights and US Constitution. The documents are worn and difficult to read but they are presented well. The viewing area is large and it is a must see on your tour. My recommendation though is to go on recreation.gov and reserve your tour time for $1 per ticket. Yes, it is free to enter but to me this stop is not a lengthy one and should not be stuck in a queue waiting to enter for an hour+.
The government recreation website allows you the opportunity to reserve your entrance time and you then enter the Archives via a "fast pass" entrance line. Well worth the dollar per ticket in my opinion for you to plan your day around this stop.
Also must see the Magna Carta before leaving as one of the few copies of this document in the world is housed here as well.

Well designed and laid out exhibition which includes race and social class contexts. Participatory options include voting on what types of issues are important to you and using an avatar to explore the progress and lack of progress in the past 100 years.

Rude Guards! Avoid this place at all cost! These security guards need to be re-educated. Tourists are not prisoners of the museum. Security guards are often loud and condescending. The obese female African American security guard standing at the entrance of the Rightfully Hers exhibition between 3 pm to 4 pm on July 19, 2019 was very rude. With a extremely high and loud voice, this security guard shouted at a foreigner. The foreigner has done nothing wrong. This security guard should learn manners and should check eyesight. The other male African American security guard standing in front of the rotunda between 3 pm to 4 pm on July 19, 2019 was rude as well. Again, loud voice, shouting at tourists like they are prisoners of the museum. The security personnel needs to be re-educated.

Wonderful place to visit when in Washington- learnt so much about the history of the US. Wonderful experience and definitely one of the top 5 things we did when visiting Washington.

For the first time in many years there was no line to get into the Archives. I walked right in at 10:30am. The security people were the nicest I’ve encountered in DC. I don’t think I’ve ever had a more enjoyable and memorable experience as I took my time in the Rotunda.

Very exciting for a person who enjoys limited edition, exclusive, important items and documents. The Magna Carta, Bill of Rights, Constitution, and Declaration of Independence were definitely the highlights. The room where you view the latter 3 items was a cluster, allowing people to cut the line who didn’t want to read about the facts and history of them prior seemed to make the wait longer.

Absolutely loved all the historic exhibits and the flow of each room was great! You will definitely need plenty of time to read all the material on display so not very kid friendly. The only disappointment we had was attempting to look at the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and Bill of Rights, as it was a free for all in the room and people were cutting in front of each other, with no identified queue to assist with viewing. I wish they would establish a queue that people could either wait to see each item, or skip ahead to see a specific area (but still be within a queue) to prevent people from forming lines in all directions.

The National Archives Museum is the home of the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights. They are housed in very secure rooms with lots of security. Within the rest of the building are many displays explaining all about what the documents are about as well as about the history of various bills and amendments the unions government have initiated. Bookings can be made but not necessary. Very impressive and worth a few hours of your time as a visitor.

We got the online speed pass which helped immensely usurping the long lines otherwise. Museum is very small. The coal survey gallery was very informative. We actually liked that better than the three American documents on display due to the overcrowding. There is a huge gift shop on site and the theater was closed the day we visited.

Very cool to see the original Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. They also have the Magna Carta on display on the ground floor exhibition. There is not so much at this museum compared to the other museums in DC so it will be a shorter visit, but definitely worth visiting nonetheless.

Imagine being in the presence of America's most important documents!! Beautifully presented and preserved.

come in, wait on a line and see 3 of the most important documents in the world. If you are a researcher, this place would be a treasure trove, but most is off limits.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I went to visit the National Archives. Little did I know that the Declaration if Independence, Bill of Rights and Constitution we’re housed here. I assumed they were at the capitol building, silly me. This was a beautiful museum that had a lot to offer along with the three founding documents of our country. I would recommend this to everyone.

On 4th of July, it took hours to get inside (of course). But, it was an awesome experience to watch the main important documents in the Rotunda.Worth the long waiting time.

Go for the documents, stay for everything in between. The Archives actually do so much more than house the Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights and Constitution. It was really cool to learn about everything else that gets done here. Plus I got an awesome Benjamin Franklin mug for my daily cup of coffee!

We enjoyed seeing the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, & Bill of Rights. The docents were very helpful and the crowds were well managed. The suffragette display was fantastic also!

I enjoyed this museum but it was so crowded the day we went that it made it hard to see all the documents without a long wait.

The exhibits in the museum were interesting and informative but the founding documents were the main attraction. As others noted, it was sad to see how faded the documents are but it was still exciting to see the actual paper signed by the founding fathers.

The line was quite long but moved steadily. Timed entry holders, military, and tour groups were allowed entry via a separate line. The cafeteria closed early but vending machines are available. Be sure not to lean on, or touch, the cases that hold the founding documents, there are guards watching who will correct you. No photographs are allowed.

We visited the National Archives Museum on 7/5/19. It was crowded because of the 4th of July holiday, but it was worth the wait. Very informative and interesting.

I think our experience at the National Archives is different than most. We went on the afternoon of the big Army parade through DC. I had planned our visit to DC without realizing the big parade was the same week. I almost canceled this visit because I thought the area would be a madhouse and packed. The opposite was true. The parts of the city that weren't part of the parade were empty. We had timed tickets to the Archives for 4:00, but we finished our previous activity early and just walked over to see what the standby line looked like to try to get in early. We walked right in. No line and no waiting! It was amazing. We could view the documents in the rotunda with only about 10 other people. The security guard there said it was unheard of not to wait in the standby line on a Saturday in the summer. It was so lovely to take our time and get a good look at all the documents and not feel rushed.
The documents themselves are amazing to see, and the museum is really well done. Even if there is a crowd, it doesn't take a lot of time to see everything.

I have been to the National Archives several times and was very excited to bring my children for the first time. Although I use TripAdvisor often for advice, this is the first time I have ever posted a review. After inspecting the original constitution, my son asked me what happens to the documents at night. Ignorant as to the fact, I told my son that we would ask the officer standing next to the document. I proceeded to, very kindly, ask officer G. Banks what happens to the documents at nights and whether they actually descend several stories as I have seen in the movies. She snapped at me and said “I am an officer”. I turned to my son and nicely said “She doesn’t know either” thinking that is the reason she answered that way. Officer G Banks immediately and unnecessarily created a scene and completely embarrassed me and my family, saying “don’t you dare say I don’t know, I told you I’m an officer and I won’t answer your question.” She continued on her rant attempting to ridicule my family for no apparent reason. We immediately walked away from the exhibit and missed out on viewing other important documents. This particular officer does not belong in a family friendly exhibit and unfortunately completely ruined our experience. I am upset that I didn’t get the name of several other officers who were fantastic with my children, but thankfully it’s always the few that ruin the experience.

I've never seen so many 'security guards' who have a bad attitude - first thing in the morning. I might understand by later in the day but geez! One 'officer' threatened to take my daughter's phone when she clicked on it to check the time. Came running towards her yelling "turn that thing off or I'm going to take it from you!" Yet other people were talking on their phones with no warning. Whatever. Once you get beyond the attitudes, the items on display are absolutely amazing. The conservation efforts of the archivists is sure to make these documents available for generations to come! They are the true heroes of these documents.

We had a very meh experience. Waited in line outside to get through security but probably only 15-20 minutes so not too bad. Our problem was in the rotunda trying to view the Constitution and DOI. We were willing to wait our turn to see the documents but were constantly told by security to not form lines…everyone in the rotunda wants to see the documents, so why can’t we wait in line to see them? It makes no sense. We glanced at documents behind some others but we couldn’t see well and it wasn’t what we were hoping for. Overall the museum is nice but we won’t plan on returning.

Since the National Archives have historical records from all of the Presidents, they have so much information to show regarding specific historical events. They have photos and all kinds of items that tell the story of events that have shaped our country. The displays were well done. Surprisingly, this was on of my favorites of the Smithsonians.

I visited the National Archives in August 2024. The experience is better now because photos are permitted (no flash). The original of the Declaration of Independence is very faint but you can see the signatures including John Hancock. The originals of the US Constitution can be viewed in four glass cases. The museum is contained in a Rotunda. There is a very nice gift shop. Always a good experience to visit here and even better now that photos are permitted.

We visited the National Archives during our trip to Washington DC with time-entry passes. While it was meaningful to see the foundational documents of the United States in person, the experience did not quite land with the kids.

The building itself felt a bit plain compared to the other grand museums and monuments we had visited. We talked about the importance of the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and Bill of Rights, but for the girls, it felt a bit anti-climactic. They did enjoy looking for signatures and typos on the documents, but their interest faded quickly.

Looking back, we probably should have done a guided tour or had a more interactive way to bring the history to life. It was still a valuable stop for context and history, but not one that stood out as a favorite for our family.

It is always so amazing and meaningful to view the original founding documents of our nation. We enjoyed being able to view a larger portion of the Constitution than is normally displayed during a special exhibition.

Magna Carta, Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, The Constitution - in their original documents. Founding testatement to the great nation.
Certainly, worth a pious visit and understanding the perspective of the fore fathers.
And there are actual Phone Logs in original voices of Presidents on the criris moments in history, and how they handled it all.

For fans of American history this is an unmissable place because it is possible to admire the original Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. If you've seen National Archives with Nicholas Cage, you're good to go. Obviously (as in the film) everything is highly armored but calm and orderly during the visit. You enter from the back of the building (therefore the parallel of Pennsylvania Avenue), a free reservation is required. The only flaw is that you can't take photos.

It is cool to see old copies of our important national documents and that’s all there is to it. The constitution, declaration, and bill of rights are in the second floor rotunda so go straight there. The text is not legible. Barely noticeable in places. An over 700 years old copy of the Magna Carta is first thing when you get through security on ground floor and is surprisingly good condition for its age. The rest of the exhibits have some interesting preserved documents but nothing compared to the big three in the rotunda. For tourists with a tight schedule, I would skip the Archives or only go if you see a short line. You can reserve a time for $1. The staff give very explicit instructions. They are nice but not to be trifled with. Don’t take your phone out and sneak a picture. Just don’t. It’s a jerk move. Not sure this is a museum kids will appreciate as much as the Smithsonians. An hour is more than enough time if you want to see everything. If line is short then hustle through to rotunda, check out the big three, and be out the door in 20 minutes.

This is a must-see as they have some of the most important documents in our country's history (Declaration, Constitution), and they have many other things to see too. It is free, and it is an easy visit with a short or long period of time here depending on your interests.

We went here in February when the crowds are small and it was still very hard to get to see anything. There really were no direction any where, and the staff weren't very friendly. You are not allowed to take any pictures at all, that may seems obviously but then you can take pictures in all the other museums in town. They keep telling you that you can't stand in line to see the displays but they don't do anything to move people ahead so you have to try to move in to see the display and then people get mad and think you are jumping the line. They should do like they do in England with the crown jewels they have narrow line and keep it moving so every one can get a change to see the displays. Also there really aren't anyone to answer any questions.Its interesting but with all the security you have to go through to get in I'm not sure if I would go again.

See the original documents even though they are faded and even though the glass is thick...we have them and we we mean to keep them.

Here you can see the original Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights. Some people were looking at these like they were in line to see them but there is no line. Once you get in the building you can walk up to what ever you want as long as you are nice and courteous. The guard told us there is no line. He also told me not to hold my bottle of water over the Constitution. Oops. The cap was on tight so no water got spilled.

I first visited as a teen while on a school trip. And every time I'm in DC, I make another journey here.

In addition to the famous historical documents on display, there are changing exhibits as well; I caught the Elvis and Nixon retrospective awhile back.

This time, photographer Russel Lee's photos of the changing coal mining industry was especially thought provoking. He documented it all, from one end of the spectrum to the other. As climate continues to change, the conclusion here was that the industry must evolve as well. Will it? That remains to be seen.

As of 10/2021 not everything is open, but the parts that were accessible were really interesting. The staff especially in the rotunda where they have the Constitution, Declaration, and Bill of Rights were so friendly and eager to share their knowledge. Was in and out in about an hour with the timed entry pass. The gift shop is decent too.

Many people go to the archives to see the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights and then leave. They miss so much. The true value of an archive visit is to spend a few hours in the public vault. Here the displays illustrate the various types of material that are archived and the reasons for doing so. All of the displays are illustrated with documents or replicas of documents that are in the archives. To me it was a bittersweet experience to see the heights that we have achieved as a nation and then to contrast it with what is going on today.

What a great experience my family and I had on Father’s Day when my two daughters and I took my husband/dad to see the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. It was so amazing due to Officer Walton offering to give us a free guided tour. He wasn’t looking for tips. Just something Officer Walton enjoys doing while jumping away to stop a visitor for whatever reason and then returning to the group. Our group grew as we all enjoyed the wealth of information he shared. So, when you visit and viewing the Declaration of Independence to ask for Officer Walton! 😊

We got there early, before the building opened. A line was already forming about 20 minutes in advance, but it's well worth it to get inside immediately upon opening. When we finally got inside (we were probably the 40th people in line), it seemed like we had the entire place to ourselves - plenty of time to look at the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and Bill of Rights. By the time we left, it was starting to get full.

This should be added to every DC visitor's list. To see the country's most important documents is a wonderful experience.

Get there early unless you don’t mind standing in line for security which can take awhile especially if you show up later in the day. This museum has the original docs to the Declaration of Independence, The US Constitution and The Bill of Rights. Staff is friendly. There is a very nice gift shop. Bathrooms are available. Photography is encouraged, just no flash! Highly recommend!

This place should be a must stop for everyone. The historical documents, are a must. It was also brilliant to see another copy of the Magna Carta (my second after seeing the other in Lincoln Cathedral). The staff are very friendly, knowledgeable and informative.

I took a stroll to this place on the last morning of the holiday. It's situated on Pennsylvania Avenue opposite the FBI building. It's the home of the national archives and there are original copies of the constitution documents and a Magna Carta from 1297. When I arrived I was walking through security when the light went off. Must have been something in my wallet, but the security guard was very abrupt in stopping me in my tracks while I had to stand there spread eagled hoping everything was OK. After a heart stopping moment he let me through.

There are signs everywhere saying no photo's whatsoever. I went upstairs and walked round at a leisurely pace. There's loads of information about the history fo the founding fathers, the fight for civil rights and equality and other stuff from the archives including the Cuban Crisis, Watergate, the fight for Equality etc. After walking round here I walked over to the Rotunda where the original documents of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights are kept. they are kept in temperature controlled cabinets with a dim light, although they are still legible. There was a slight queue to observe them, although we are talking about the origins of American democracy here, so it's not surprising that every American wants to see them and admire their magnificence.

After that I moved downstairs to the Rubinstein Gallery where an original copy of the Magna Carta from 1297 is kept. There were other documents on view again relating to the fight for justice and equality in the country. I also stoped for lunch in the cafe in the basement. While waiting for my food I got chatting to the guy at the till and noticed he is blind. We had a great little chat about diversity and acceptance. I could have taken to him for ages, but then realised I was holding others up who wanted to pay for their meals.

I was here all day and and just before I left I visited the gift shop and made a couple of purchases. Overall, opinion - one of the best museums in the city. Anyone visiting the city should drop in and see for themselves.

I only had a brief amount of time to visit this great institution so I focused mainly on seeing the Declaration of Independence, The Constitution, and The Bill of Rights, all located in the Rotunda. There were a lot of people visiting, mainly student groups. Upon entering you line up and the line is supposed to move around the semi-circle so people can see each display case. It did not work well as many of the students would congregate chatting and that made it harder for people to file around. I'm not sure why the security guards didn't tell them if they'd finished looking, to go back out into the foyer of the rotunda to wait for the rest of their class to finish. There were several guards there but they didn't say a word. This caused the line to back up. So if you think you can just run in and out to see those three main items, think again.

Very low key. American citizens should view their founding documents. Glad we went. Highly recommended. Children will be very bored. Leave them home.

A lot of history here aside from the main documents (Constitution, Declaration, Bill of Rights). Really interesting to be able to see these hand written documents from our nation's history. I love the fact they have a voice recording of Teddy Roosevelt. Too many people crowded in to see the Declaration and what not though.

The exhibits were really interesting in the Magna Carta room and the artefacts on display are worth seeing. The Declaration of Independence is so faded it’s almost impossible to read due to the way it was kept previously. The staff are very knowledgable so ask questions if you have any.

Be aware that photography is not allowed anywhere on site, but you are allowed to take cameras and phones inside. Impressive building from the outside too.

Very interesting exhibits of all media types! A great window into the history of USA.
Allow at least 2 hours (preferably more!) to enjoy.

There are a lot of displays to get to what is the focus of the museum - the Bill of Rights, the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. Impossible to read, but to admire these original documents that have meant so much is what the building is dedicated to.

Worth our time to witness how the treasured documents are stored and how the archives work. My favorite was to see the Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence and learn about the preservation.
We are a grown family with adult children we all thoroughly enjoyed our time there.

This was an unplanned stop on my DC tour. I ended up here thinking I was going somewhere else, but I was really glad I came. There are some amazing documents here that you can see personally. Take some time to appreciate the documents that made our country possible!

Visit the home of our country’s most famous and important documents. The answers to so many questions are in the Archives!

My visits are over 3 or 4 years but each time I remain awed by the opportunities too enjoy history and all for free.

We went in July, on a hot, humid summer day. We had on-line reservations for admittance, but were late by a couple of hours, which didn't matter. We were let in, and it was crowded. You will see the originals of very special documents pertaining to the history and foundation of the United States. The documents are not brightly lit (as light deteriorates them) and generally, are very difficult to read. If you must read them, you must do them elsewhere (online, for example), as not only are they impossible to read right there, the time you have at each document is really quite limited due to the number of people there. What you will see is faded writing on delicate yellowing paper. It was interesting to see these historic documents, but as they (security guards) say, you are here to look at and view the documents, not to read them..... Once in a lifetime visit for this location is probably adequate.

This was my sons favorite visit, he loves American history so of course he was very impressed to see the actual Declaration of Independence. It is a great building with so much history!

This was well worth a visit and it did not take too long. Beware that there is a que to stand in to view the 3 documents and only about 20 people are allowed in at a time. We still found it very crowded to actually see each area since they were arranged around the perimeter of the room and most people started at one end and circled the displays. Although the museum workers said not to go in a line, it was very difficult to break the crowd and there were many children leaning on the exhibits so we could not see. There was no photography allowed and once you left the rotunda area, you could not reenter without getting back in the long line.

If you are visiting Ford's Theatre, be sure to stop by the Archives on your way back. No reservation is needed (at least during the off season). It's a quick visit to see our 3 founding documents - Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights. The Magna Carta was also on display. They have a great gift shop as well.

One of the most interesting places in Washington, plenty to see and do the staff was very helpful and answered any questions.

I've been to DC many times but never stopped at the Archives. I was on a short trip with my 10 year old daughter and we wanted to see the Founding documents.

First the free line was very slow and very long. Jumped online and you can reserve a time for $1.00 (yes one dollar!) per person. PAY THE DOLLAR. I was able to reserve immediatley so we walked right in and I bet it save me 45 minutes of my life.

We immediately went to the Rotunda to see the documents. Security informed us there is no line and you can move feely between the documents. There is plenty of information to read about them but we really just wanted to see the actual documents. Lines kind of do form out of courtesy to guests that have been waiting. Security was quite rude by the Constitution telling people not to form lines in front of the Declaration and to keep moving. Well if your next stop is the Constitution, common courtesy says you kind of wait in line for the others that have been waiting. Actual lines in teh Rotundra seem to make much more sense especially for younger kids that may easily get 'pushed' aside.

We were able to view all 3 documents in under 30 minutes total. Don't even think about taking a photo or having your phone out anywhere inside the Archives.

We visited the National Archives in September, and the main tourist season was over. I mention this, as a suggestion, as you will enjoy Washington D.C. and it's glory so much more if you don't have to fight the crowds of Summer! This is one of the very few reviews I have EVER posted in which I have not included photos. The National Archives Museum is home to the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights. These sensitive documents are protected, not only by armed security, but buy light sensitive glass and therefore, photos are not allowed. Just looking at these amazing documents took our breath away, and we heard the same comment from other tourists as they were leaving. DON'T miss this museum!

This is the sort of place you could spend hours In if you like searching through old documents. For those who have a less academic outlook just seeing the actual Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights and the original constitution makes this visit well worth while. To be up close to documents that have shaped history is a fascinating experience and well worth a visit

It was amazing to see and read these important historical documents. I also enjoyed reading about how and when we got our freedoms- women's rights, civil rights. The only issue was alot of high school teens milling around and most had no interest at all, they were on their phones or other devices.

We queued on the off chance of seeing the Declaration of Independence, as we didn't have skip the line tickets.
Actually, the queue was far shorter and quicker than I expected it to be and no one walked past us with tickets!
We tagged on to a 'private tour' to find out where to go and joined the line to see the documents. Although we were told we could see them in any order, in fact 99% of people were going round each display cabinet in a clockwise direction. It was very crowded & we couldn't really get close enough to read anything - we just kind of got pushed along with the crowds.
Something ticked off my to see list while in Washington but didn't really gain anything from being there.

Go see the original Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.... founding documents that we should hold as national treasures. If you pay attention, though, it seems the other exhibits were presented in such a way to influence readers towards certain agenda's. Very little was said about the Native American's, but much was displayed about African American injustices. There was a section about eugenics - with NO mention of Margaret Sanger (a primary promoter of eugenics)... but then later she was honored for her fight for "women's reproductive rights". Much coverage was given to the Equal Rights Amendment and mostly in a light of trying to promote it. (Can't help but think it is because it has resurfaced again lately.... despite the devastating effects it would have on families and actual women's rights). It was an interesting place, but if you read between the lines, bias and agenda do seem to be present.

I love archives. I expected this to be the highlight of the trip. I was disappointed. Even though we booked our tickets ahead of time, we had to line up like those walking in.

After we passed through security, there was little signage so we spent a lot of time in the room at ground level looking for the USA constituting documents.

We finally figured out it was in the basement. As we got there, it was so dark (to preserve them), so full of the people the cut the line to take pictures, or to take then 'over' you when you were reading, it was not fun. I wish security, although present, was more active. I did not enjoy the moment.

Mainly a must for the original Declaration of Independence and Constitution of the USA in the Rotunda. Also Bill of Rights of high interest especially for all Commonwealth visitors. There are additional interesting exhibitions in the Museum if you have more time.

Security check as always, no pictures allowed. The entrance is on the left side of the building (Mall facing side of the Building). Don't go up the stairs, waste of time.

We visited as a family of 5 (three young children). We had timed tickets for 10:15am and the security guard let us enter a bit early. The metal detector is very sensitive: I have a hip replacement and this is the only one I set off in all of DC. Just a friendly warning to my fellow hippies! All the staff members were super friendly and engaging with the kids. We loved getting to see the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, it was very moving. A couple of other exhibits were open that we had thought were closed due to Covid so that was a pleasant surprise. This is a must-see museum in DC!

This is amazing. But there are pros and cons.

Pros:
•Has the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the deed to the staute of liberty.
•It's great.
•It's free.

Cons:
•It's tiny, only has 2 open exhibits, (The rights exhibit and the Declaration of independence exhibit)
•It under construction (2 exhibits are closed)
•Seeing the Declaration of independence is like a buffet line.

The Most Important Documents Ever penned by the hand of man reside in the National Archives.

Admission is FREE.

There is no other stop along the National Mall area more important. In fact, this is so important, I NEVER go to the National Maii without going inside. Without these documents, there is no freedom, no liberty, or America.

Sometimes the line is long and sometimes there is no line - either way, wait as long as it takes and go inside.

Go Enjoy.

Unexpectedly got to see the Emancipation Proclamation and Juneteenth documents! Long lines, but moved very efficiently and quickly. We got tickets in advance. A guard noticed my dad’s navy vet hat and let us skip the line! The staff and volunteers were all very helpful and knowledgeable.

My son wanted to see the constitution. Just that. We got it no problem, found it at the rotunda, got to gaze at it as much as we wanted, enjoyed the gift shop, and left. Staff really polite. Great super quick visit with my curious 10 year old. Thanks!

Another cool place that doesn’t take lots of time to visit. Every American should go see the founding documents of this country.

Seeing the original founding documents for the United States up close is like looking straight into history! There are tickets that can be reserved in advance or you can stand in line. Sometimes the line is wrapped around the building on the outside before entering security, so it’s best to arrive at opening or just before closing. Archives tours can also be arranged by request through congressional offices.

Where else can you see so much history all in one room? There is the Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights and the US Constitution all in one room. Unfortunately you are not allowed to take pictures which makes sense. This is definitely a must-see for anyone near the National Mall area.

Fabulous place to see our National Documents. Very educational. The kids loved seeing the Declaration of Independence, the Us Constitution etc. Would highly recommend this tour.

Stay out of the gift shop. Self checkout and $.50 for a little plastic bag. Documents should have been on display on both sides. Very slow and poorly designed. They want lines. Didn't pay for bags at the capital gift shop.

We had advance tickets but did not need them because there was no line. They limit the number of people who see the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights so that everyone can see it without being super crowded. We also visited the exhibit about the women's right to vote and the public vaults. There was a lot more to see in this building than I thought! Be aware that there is no photography allowed in the building at all.

Having learnt more about the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution to see them was amazing! There was some history on each.
We also went to the public vaults with some fascinating original records like recordings from the Oval Office and a telegram from Lincoln.
A really enjoyable visit.

Declaration of Independece, The Consititution and the Bill of Rights are housed and displayed in this wonderful Museum. Reservations are required. Free but small booking fee. Sorry no photos. But to see our founding documents in person is amazing

Security is extremely tight here for obvious reasons. This has dramatically changed since I last visited 25 years ago when the world was a bit different. The documents are unbelievable to see including signatures of the founding fathers. The lighting, however is dim to protect the documents which have faded even when compared to when I last saw them in the 1990s.

This is one of my favorite Smithsonian museums to go to in DC. The national archives is not often that crowded, and you can see the constitution, the declaration, and the Bill of Rights in the main rotunda. The other exhibits aren’t as good, but a half an hour at the national archives is always enough to be inspired by our founding documents.

Tour with Bess was amazing! Highly recommend. She knows her stuff and was a gracious guide. Very happy with the tour and highly recommend.

You get to see all the important documents that helped found our country. It’s very quiet and makes for an atmosphere that presents the documents.

Must see if you are in Washington DC. Although the Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights (aka The First 10 Amendments) are very faded and barely legible, it's inspiring to see actual copies of these documents. The copy of the Constitution is actually in good shape considering its age, and it's awesome to see the signatures (some of them legible and very beautifully written) of a number of the United States' Founding Fathers. It was not very crowded when we went, and it took only an hour to see everything.

Part of it is under renovation right now, but it's worth it to see the Constitution and Bill of Rights, and the Margna Carta. You need a timed ticket to get in, but they were flexible with letting us in early since there wasn't a line.

Be sure to grab tickets to see the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights! Our visit was made extra extra special by the Special Police Officers who guard these treasures! Security is tight, so expect screening and know there are no photos or videos allowed. Officer R. Williams heard our family discussing how excited we were to be there- and went out of his way to show us all the mistakes and interesting facts within the documents- he made it so fun and even more exciting to be with these documents. My son went from seeing it as a museum to seeing it as a living piece of our everyday lives- he even asked if we could say the Pledge of Allegiance in front of it. And he insisted we come back the next day too! The rest of the museum is also very interesting! Dont miss this! I see a few negative reviews here on TripAdvisor, please remember the officers are truly there to ensure the safety of the irreplaceable priceless documents- they have a serious and important task. But asking respectful questions will get you a wealth of information and an experience you won’t ever forget! Thank you to the entire Archives staff- but especially Officer Williams! You will be forever our favorite part of our trip!

The national archives building houses, amongst other things, the declaration of independence, the constitution, and the bill of rights ( all original), and one of the surviving copies of magna carta. If you are someone who is interested in original documents that are important in America's history, you cannot miss this

I was a bit concerned that the Archives would just be * the key documents from US history (Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence etc) but I was so wrong (NB * I know these are seminal documents so I don’t mean the “just” in offensive way. I was just worried it wouldn’t take very long to visit the museum).
Actually there is so much to see here and the way the museum is laid out is absolutely fascinating. I happily spent 2.5 hours here exploring the exhibits and the actual Rotunda, containing the Bill, Declaration etc was worth the visit alone. I would absolutely recommend this museum as a must see in Washington.

One thing Americans get right is memorials and museums, and this attraction is right as rain. Not a large museum its significance, however, is unparalleled by any in the land. You know why you came: the only originals of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, working copies of the Bill of Rights, written amendments to all of these documents that form the USA’s foundation. Hugely impressive to us Canadians, this has to be instructive for all Americans. A special bonus for lawyers, as well, is the Rubinstein Gallery of Rights, featuring one of only 4 extant copies of the Magna Carta, the 13th century document establishing the rule of law. The interactive display beside is very instructive as well. And BTW, the cafeteria here is better than the one in the Natural History Museum. No advance tickets needed.

We visited the Archives our last day in DC last week and it did not disappoint. Timed entry tickets are required. We breezed through security and got to see many important documents such as the Bill of Rights, Constitution, Declaration of Independence, Magna Carta and Emancipation Proclamation. Seeing some of the historic documents here was amazing and I highly recommend the Archives to anyone! The only complaint is they do not allow any photography inside of the building.

We loved the National Archives! The staff here arrived amazing and informative. We visited on July 4th when they have their annual reading of the declaration of independnece in period costumes! They also had a great keynote speaker and band, which all ended just as the parade was starting down Constitution Avenue.

We were in D.C. for a long weekend and knew that the National Archives was one of the places we should try to see at the slowest possible time, so we opted for first thing on a Monday morning. We were able to walk right in with no lines and found everyone pleasant. Yes, the guards asked you not to lean on the display cases, but that's their jobs!! There was a bit of disorder when trying to view the documents as there was no line, you just kinda waited your turn, so I can see how this would not be fun on a busy weekend. The documents are surprisingly faded, but the display and presentation are done very well. Downstairs they have a copy of the 1927 Magna Carta signed and sealed by King John which is in amazing shape.

Guards are the most awful, rude people. Totally ruined the experience. Can’t wait to leave this city of rudeness.

Documents are well-presented and preserved, but staff is very rude. One of the section entrances did not have a "no photography" sign posted, so I thought that we could take photos without flash of the exhibits (not of any documents, just the exhibits). A guard stopped me and scolded me for taking photos, and when I apologized and explained that the section entrance was missing the "no photography" sign, she said that "there are signs all over the place" and that I was not allowed to use my phone at all in the entire building -- not even to make a phone call -- like, AT ALL, which is unfortunate because I had accidentally separated from my husband for a bit and had to call him to find him. Anyway, I deleted the photos per her request. I would upload a photo to this review, but photos were not allowed, LOL.

I also tried to view the UFO archive exhibit, but it was broken (but there is no sign stating as such -- it simply didn't work).

It's great to see the actual documents that you've spent years reading about. On the 1st floor is 1/4 original Magna Cartas. In the 2nd floor Rotunda are the Constitution, Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. Try to avoid long tourist lines!!

Such an incredible treasure. It is free, but I recommend pre-ordering tickets and getting there first thing in the morning. The rotunda (where the Declaration, Bill of Rights and Constitution are displayed) gets crowded, so hit it first.

Right now the Public Vaults are being remodeled, but there are two exhibits. One is on coal mining communities and the other on rights. It was fabulous to see the actual Civil Rights Act as well as a rare Magna Carta. The displays are excellent, thought-provoking and kind of exciting.

This is the worst managed museum in Washington DC. It feels like a TSA shakedown as soon as you enter the building... you get in a line and get screened by the most unwelcoming group you'll meet in the District of Columbia...

There are many other reviews of this museum who politely say the staff is not very friendly or helpful. Let's call it like it is - This museum is a perfect example of why this incompetent management team and staff should be outsourced to private enterprise who could hire people who treat visitors with respect and courtesy.

If your time is limited, there are many other really good museums in DC to visit where you will leave and say, "wow, I learned a lot, appreciated what I saw and had fun while doing it"... The National Archives Museum is NOT that place

Once you get through the abrasive TSA screening process you will be herded through until they get you out.. no one is willing to engage in a conversation to answer questions or share some potentially interesting US history with you and no one will even make you feel welcome to be there ... the management and most staff at this museum should be replaced immediately...

They do not allow pictures because it may allow others to see just horrible the museum is managed and even if it is free you will wish you had the time you wasted with these people back... At least with TSA you get to get on an airplane and go somewhere new or different... this is like having TSA at your home... you just can't get rid of them quick enough.

Not particularly friendly or polite security team start the visit off on a bad note. Visiting the rotunda (which is sadly quite devoid of visitors); there is no Magna Carta copy and overzealous security who seem to pounce if you even have a cell phone out of your pocket. I get that flashes damage historic documents but not even being able to take a photo with your flash off seems a bit too much. A shame: used to be a great place to visit. Overpriced gift shop.

Reserve an admission time on line if you can - only $1 fee per ticket and we skipped past a line that wrapped around the building to enter.

We should have scheduled more time there. We went without a ticket and waited maybe 10 minutes. Went through security and went directly to view documents. We visited one exhibit but ran out of time. We did not get to see the Magna Carta
My granddaughter is 10 and liked seeing the documents.

The three most important founding documents are located in this one space; you have to visit and see them. The timed-entry tickets will suffice, as they limit the number of visitors in the rotunda at one time. It will still be crowded, but you will get your turn up close and personal with each document. Reminder: it is a "viewing" not a "reading." If you try to stand there and read the entire document they will ask you to move along. Be kind to the other guests; view, soak it in, look for those signatures and great lines/passages, then move to the next. The morning guided tour is the best was to get the most of this site.

We stumble upon the Archives museum around 1pm and it was completely empty. We heard from our tour guide it gets busy in the morning but we just walked in. Great experience seeing the documents up close. The guards are very knowledgeable and helpful as well. No photos allowed inside.

This was a good stop. The lines where not very long. Mural in the hall was beautiful. My family really enjoyed the history surrounding the documents.

A must go when you're in Washington. The Rotunda contains the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The Magna Carta can also be seen. There is also very nice and knowledgeable staff who tell at ease about the objects.

Admission is free

Of course, in the rotunda, you have the must-see original founding documents (Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights), but there is so much more to the museum... much of which drives home the importance of the Archives themselves. In a world where its getting increasing more difficult to tell fact from fiction, where people have their own 'versions' of history, documents that keep the record straight are increasingly important.

The "birth certificates" of our nation (Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights) are what drew us here and they are impressive (albeit difficult to read as they have faded to the point where you can barely read anything on them any longer), but the other documents in the museum are fascinating.

This is a must-see for anyone interested in U.S. history. We did not have reservations, and we only waited in line 10 minutes. It is well known that you can see the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, and an ancient copy of the Magna Carta. This museum offers so much more about how are freedoms have been established. You can see archival footage, amendments, census records, patents, and the museum is not too shy to avoid controversial documents. I truly enjoyed this.

Absolutely a must see in Washington! You can get timed tickets which is good for crowded times or just go in general admission line. Don’t miss the Magna Carta on lower level. Beautiful handwriting and medallion. If you know more details of history it is fun recognizing signers names, other than most familiar ones, on the documents.

This is a must do while in DC. The main draw is the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. The staff in the rotunda where these documents are on display are so engaging. Yes, they have to prevent people from taking photos, but they're so much more than camera police. The guard we interacted with told us so many facts we didn't know, engaged the three kids (12, 12, and 8) in conversation, and challenged us to find some things we could've easily overlooked. Kudos to him!

Be sure to visit the whole museum, as the other displays provide citizens with so much information about our history, our hard won rights, and how the Archives compiles all the documents it has on display and in storage. There is a nice gift shop on site.

As of our visit, you'll need a timed ticket for entry. While the steps out front and the 37 foot door are impressive, that's not how you enter. You have to go around the left side of the building to enter. Masks were required while we were there.

A cool visit to see the original documentation, I was surprised at how faded they were though. Once you enter the main room displaying the documents, there’s no queuing system, so be prepared to slot yourself in to get a look.
Note, there’s no photography permitted in the building.

We went to visit two of our grandsons in Ocean City, Maryland, in the summer of 2024 where they were working as lifeguards.
We took the opportunity to see Washington again with a tour of the city on Big Bus multi-stop buses.

On the course we were able to admire outside the building of the National Archives of the United States. The building is beautiful and ancient Greek style with large columns in its facade. It was erected in the 1930s.
We can visit its interior, which unfortunately we could not do.

It is here that the main documents related to the nation such as the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights etc. are kept and protected.
In addition to these, there is a wealth of documents and objects that have marked the nation's history.
There are regular exhibitions for this purpose.

I must say that the guards at the entrance to the National Archives are horrible. They have bad attitudes and were constantly yelling at people. As tourists, they should realize that people may not have been here before (like us), and we don't know all of their rules and regulations. We happened to attend on a rainy day and people had umbrellas. Visitors were constantly yelled at and kept outside until umbrellas were secured in a plastic bag. We get it, wet marble floors = possible slips, but their rude nature was downright nasty. Also, one of the members in our party had to spit out her gum. Not a big deal, but there were no signs. The guards yelled at her and pointed to the trash can. RUDE is the only word I would use to describe the entry guards. There are ways to enforce rules without demeaning the guests.

Inside, the guards were incredibly polite and helpful. The guard who helped get people lined-up to see the Bill of Rights and Declaration of Independence was very funny and entertaining. Kudos to him for acting like he actually enjoyed being around people (unlike the entry guards!). Another guard floating around was very helpful when I asked about where to find copies of ship manifests. Again, courteous and professional. Entry guards should take note.

Be prepared for crowds, groups of students, and plenty of kiddos when you visit. No photos are allowed inside, which is understandable considering the delicate nature of the documents.

Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. So much history, so much to learn. Highly recommend the place if you have any interest in US history.

Seeing the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights was incredible! It is amazing how these documents still exist after 200+ years!

Very interesting museum with the highlight being the Declaration of Independence. Seeing the Magna Carta was also a treat. Definitely worth a visit.

A must see. Full of history with lots to see. The security is everywhere to prevent photography but they were also great at answering questions. We spoke to one employee, Ricardo Williams. He has an amazing personality and was such a pleasure to speak with.

First, let's clear something up: this a high-security location. The contents are fragile and unique. Be prepared for your bags & personal attire to go through a screening process. While the guards were not "friendly" that's not their job. Leaning on the glass cases, letting children climb up in the display etc just isn't tolerated & these people are there to prevent such mistakes.
Yes, it's too crowded & it's hard to read the documents. But, these are the real deal. Just to be able to lay you eyes on them is a blessing. For the details of the content, buy one of the many books in the "shop". Regardless, everyone who visits Washington DC should go through the hassle to see the objects therein.

My wife and I love history and have enjoyed exploring the important sites of American history in D.C. The National Archives were on the list for a while and we got to visit here this past May and we loved it. Tickets are free and you can either reserve them ahead of time or you can wait in a walk-up line. We did the walk-in as we were hopping from site to site and we didn't have to wait long on Memorial Day weekend. The room that houses the documents is large and is shaped in a half-circle and you can view the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and The Bill of Rights and there are separate rooms for other historical documents including a copy of the Magna Carta and the German surrender documents for WWII. Seeing these documents was an amazing experience and something that everyone should do when they're in D.C.!

This is ideal for the historical buff but the weird thing is that the most important pieces are the most disappointing. In my opinion it’s nobody’s fault but age has simply made the three documents too damaged. If it’s important to say you have seen the Constitution, Bill or Rights and Declaration of Independence then you won’t be disappointed. They are kept in specially made glass cases (and there is a very interesting exhibit showing the process behind the design).

For me personally the other exhibits were much more interesting. Basically documents from throughout US history written by Jo Public and politicians showing the most important moments in all sorts areas. Just to name a few, Segregation, Japanese camps during the 2nd World War, plans for various buildings, women’s rights, personal freedoms etc etc. I could have spent hours more.

There is also an excellent souvenir shop with all sorts of goodies.

Tickets are required with timed entry. It is possible to pick them up on the day at the door but I strongly recommend booking on-line in advance (particularly if you have a large group)

If you’re visiting DC for the first time, make this your first stop. It holds the literal most sacred document in our nation. You have to! It’s another place that no matter how many times I’ve been, I always look forward to going back and I learn something new every time!

The skip the line pass isn’t necessary. You can enjoy it for free!!

Above all, it is about going to see the founding texts of the USA: declaration of independence constitution bill of rights. Be careful, lots of people overhear schoolchildren. If too much tail left Falling because the texts are not well highlighted for obvious reasons of conservation. No reservation needed.

It was very cool to see the Declaration of Independence but beyond that room I didn’t really understand their no photography policy, but I did respect it. The public archives are very interesting. It’s like walking through a life-size history book.

You have to go through security check to enter the National Archives. The museum entrance is to the left of the lower steps around the corner. Here is where you can view the original Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, the Constitution, and the Magna Carter. There are countless displays of other US historical documents. The are multiple exhibits about equality and freedom to ponder. Be ready for noisy student groups doing their civics class visits. No photos or videos permitted.

I've been to DC several times but had never visited the Archives Museum. Glad I did on my recent trip. It was amazing to see these treasured documents. I had no bad experiences with the guards as others have reported. It is pretty disorganized when it comes to viewing the documents though. Also, the room is dark and makes it really hard to view these historical founding documents.

The highlight of this museum is located at the top of the rotonda room. Beautiful room and very interesting to look at these constitutions of the USA. However, it is super crowded in the room so it is really urgent when viewing the pieces, this is a shame. There is nothing else to see in this museum. At the bottom there is an exhibition about the origins of the constitution and a souvenir shop.

We popped in to see the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence. Awesome! We visited mid week in May. We had to queue to get in, but it wasn't too busy.

We arrive at the museum, eager to view the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Bill of Rights. GO through security, mobbed. You go to the 2ND floor and there is no organization of the crowd. People were pushing their way into the various spots throughout the line. It would be a good idea if you move the ropes inside thr roo. and have people entet from one direction...left to right...or limit the amount of people allowed in.WHEN U FINALLY PUSH YOURSELF IN TO VIEW THE DECLARATION THE ROOM IS SO DARK, THE GLASS DIRTY AND YOU CAN'T READ IT BECAUSE IT IS COMPLETELY FADED.

There was a security line when I visited in 2013, and no the employees were not real friendly, but didn’t bother me. Any American interested in our history will want to take the time to see the founding documents. There could be a time that they deteriorate to the point that they have to be totally enclosed in darkness or a different sort of case, then you will wish you had seen them if that unfortunate day comes. Suck it up and go!

Favorite museum in DC. Magna Carta, Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence. Totally worth it, the wait is not bad at all, the guards keep it moving. No Pictures!!!