National Museum of the American Indian
National Museum of the American Indian
National Museum of the American Indian
4
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
The New York branch of the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of the American Indian serves as an exhibition and education facility in New York City. Exhibitions and public programs explore the diversity of the Native peoples of the Americas and the strength and continuity of their cultures from the earliest times to the present. Public programs present Native people from North, Central, and South America. Program participants share first-person accounts of their heritage and experiences. The museum is located on the first two floors of the historic Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House in lower Manhattan. The museum is open seven days a week. Admission is free.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Downtown Manhattan (Downtown)
How to get there
- Whitehall St – South Ferry • 1 min walk
- Bowling Green • 2 min walk
Reach out directly
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Restaurants
7,566 within 5 kms
Attractions
2,727 within 10 kms
See what travellers are saying
- FarwriterLondon, United Kingdom169 contributionsVery interestingInteresting museum housed in the former US Custom House. The museum shop is in what was the cashier's office and has beautiful ornate grilles and doors weaving through it. Beautiful domed ceiling in the main hall, painted with scenes of significant ships from America's history. One of the galleries was closed when I visited but there is still plenty to see and entry is free, which is unusual! One gallery looks at general American Indian history and another gallery displays various artistic and cultural artefacts from indigenous groups throughout the American continent. So much to take in and absorb, and it was not an area I knew anything about before visiting so it was definitely worth a visit.Visited February 2024Travelled soloWritten 22 February 2024
- abroadwithashleyMinneapolis, Minnesota1,734 contributionsGreat for Local ContextSignificantly smaller than the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington DC, but we're still glad we visited this NY museum as well. Since tickets are free, it's a great deal in the city. Our favorite piece was in the rotating exhibit on level one (we didn't see anyone else down there, so make sure not to miss it!). Level two had a lot of representation of tribes throughout the Americas, but at a very surface level. They did a great job, however, of digging into the NY tribes.Visited March 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 27 March 2024
- J9jannyBuffalo, New York7 contributionsGreat Smithsonian museum!This is a fantastic place! The building alone ( former Customs House) is an architectural treasure. We spent much more than an hour here- perhaps others that spent less time missed some of the galleries? It has a fantastic collection of artifacts from indigenous people. It also tells the stories of the Native American Iron Workers that built much of NYC. There is an interactive room downstairs all about Native American foods, and products influenced by indigenous people. We loved this museum- it is part of the treasured Smithsonian Museums in our country. Be sure to check out the amazing architecture and paintings in the rotunda. Outstanding on all levels.Visited May 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 26 May 2024
- Lori MCalifornia2,060 contributionsworth a look if you are in the area or interested in the topicthe building (completed in 1907) is absolutely gorgeous! I wish I would have read about it prior to visiting. the exhibits were beautifully displayed with just enough information so as to not be overwhelming. we didn't read everything and I think we might have even missed so things but we enjoyed our time here. Since it is free it's certainly worth a pop in if you're in the area.Visited October 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 17 October 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
817 reviews
Excellent
352
Very good
316
Average
105
Poor
32
Terrible
12
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Jemlnlx
Bronx, NY5,717 contributions
Jan 2024 • Solo
Great experience here at the museum.
There isn't much to complain about this FREE museum. No advance reservations required.
You can enter onto the main first floor or the lower floor and must go through a security checkpoint: a walkthrough metal detector.
There are lots of interesting exhibits throughout the museum. The main section covers the native american tribes throughout the north, central and south americas. Lots of great information and exhibits there.
There is also another area that covers the native american history throughout New York state specifically...covering Niagara Falls, Manhattan, The Bronx and Long Island.
Downstairs has a great interactive exhibit area. Although everyone could appreciate this area, I could see how kids would gravitate toward this area. Lots of interesting and relatable information here.
The main rotunda area (along with one of the museum wings) is undergoing some renovations at this time.
Huge gift shop with lots of items...clothes, jewelry, food and tons of trinkets. Also a cafe area with beverages and some food items.
Easy public transportation...right in front of the Bowling Green (4/5) train station. Parking, as expected, is tough in the area. A bit easier on weekends (particularly on Sundays) where parking restrictions are NOT in effect.
There isn't much to complain about this FREE museum. No advance reservations required.
You can enter onto the main first floor or the lower floor and must go through a security checkpoint: a walkthrough metal detector.
There are lots of interesting exhibits throughout the museum. The main section covers the native american tribes throughout the north, central and south americas. Lots of great information and exhibits there.
There is also another area that covers the native american history throughout New York state specifically...covering Niagara Falls, Manhattan, The Bronx and Long Island.
Downstairs has a great interactive exhibit area. Although everyone could appreciate this area, I could see how kids would gravitate toward this area. Lots of interesting and relatable information here.
The main rotunda area (along with one of the museum wings) is undergoing some renovations at this time.
Huge gift shop with lots of items...clothes, jewelry, food and tons of trinkets. Also a cafe area with beverages and some food items.
Easy public transportation...right in front of the Bowling Green (4/5) train station. Parking, as expected, is tough in the area. A bit easier on weekends (particularly on Sundays) where parking restrictions are NOT in effect.
Written 13 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
VEROJR
Saint-Remy-de-Provence, France60 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
A fascinating museum, including for families: it traces the history of the American Indians since the arrival of the settlers. There are also exhibitions of contemporary art created by people of Indian origin.
Please note, the museum is free
Please note, the museum is free

Written 24 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
slychris43@gmail.com
Montpellier, France49 contributions
Dec 2019
It was pouring with rain so decided to visit the museum since it is just a five minute walk from the Staten Ferry dock and the "Bull" at Bowling Green. I agree that the security is a bit "robust" on entry and there is a lack of signage to cloakrooms , there aren't any, so visited with wet coats. I found the exhibition very static and although it covers the geographical location of the tribes in North America it did not identify sufficiently their differences in clothing or identity in habitat. I would have liked to see what variations in foods they existed on dependant on location or seasons. The museum entry was free and the staff were as helpful as possible but the museum was a little short on celebrating the race apart from the numbers names identified as playing their part in the service of the US such as the 20C wars.
Written 12 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jack
Old Bethpage, NY3,409 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
I went to the National Museum of the American Indian on Indigenous Peoples Day which was very cool. The museum showcases artifacts from the Native Americans of North and South America. It was so cool and because it was Indigenous People’s Day, there were Native Americans teaching about their culture, in the main hall. Overall, I highly recommend this museum! It was incredible!
Written 19 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stephanie D
4 contributions
Jul 2023 • Solo
This free museum houses part of the Smithsonian collection inside the historic Alexander Hamilton US Customs House. It's a beautiful building worthy of a visit. The Native New York exhibit is a wonderful journey through the past and present for Native people across the state. The museum offers a lot of contemporary content, emphasizing that Native people are very much still here - across art, the military, science and more. The gift shop offers authentic wares whose purchases support Native communities and creditors. I wish I had more time to explore. I also want to catch the brief walking tour which includes content on the building history.
Written 6 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew M
Chichester, UK921 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
Enter through support style security as this building processes federal programs, such as Global Entry. Once inside, head for the revelatory to the 2 floor to start your tour. interesting links to past New York and native Americans.
Written 27 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheLeongOhana
United States7,745 contributions
Mar 2022 • Family
This museum was located inside the old US Customs building in front of Battery Park. Admission was free.
Once inside security checked our bags and we were scanned through a metal detector.
The exhibits were located on the first floor and split into four sections.
As we entered the center of the museum an exhibit covered the American Indian’s participation in wars dating back to the revolutionary war through the present.
The next exhibit covered rooms of artwork by a Dakota painter Oscar Howe. He was prolific and produced fascinating works.
The main exhibit “Infinity of Nations” showcased hundreds out of the thousands of artifacts collected or purchased by the original founder of the museum, George Heyes. Cultures spanned across the United States and the Americas. Explanations were brief but gave much insights and showed how different each were.
The final exhibits explored the different Indian tribes that lived in New York.
Overall a very good Smithsonian museum.
Once inside security checked our bags and we were scanned through a metal detector.
The exhibits were located on the first floor and split into four sections.
As we entered the center of the museum an exhibit covered the American Indian’s participation in wars dating back to the revolutionary war through the present.
The next exhibit covered rooms of artwork by a Dakota painter Oscar Howe. He was prolific and produced fascinating works.
The main exhibit “Infinity of Nations” showcased hundreds out of the thousands of artifacts collected or purchased by the original founder of the museum, George Heyes. Cultures spanned across the United States and the Americas. Explanations were brief but gave much insights and showed how different each were.
The final exhibits explored the different Indian tribes that lived in New York.
Overall a very good Smithsonian museum.
Written 18 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janekiwi
Wellington, New Zealand165 contributions
Dec 2022 • Solo
Excellent and compassionate storytelling of the usual complex colonisation process. A very familiar story for those of us from the new world, and the ongoing challenge to us all to rethink the history many of us were taught.
I also really admired the contemporary clay sculptures and the clear appreciation to me, as a foreigner, of the various nations being so alive (not well understood from offshore).
I also really admired the contemporary clay sculptures and the clear appreciation to me, as a foreigner, of the various nations being so alive (not well understood from offshore).
Written 30 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
phvi2617
Anaheim, CA735 contributions
Jun 2022
This isn't a huge museum, but it's very nicely done. The main exhibition is a broad collection of art and artifacts from Indigenous cultures across North and South America. I also enjoyed the exhibit on the Native peoples of New York. It's free and worth an hour or two.
Written 23 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tosl
Jersey City, NJ1,003 contributions
Aug 2022
A few years ago, this museum was definitely skippable. Thankfully, they have updated their galleries and it is quite commendable. The gallery on "Native New York" is the best I have seen on Native New York. Interactive, engaging, and well-curated. I will be returning with my students in a few months.
Written 26 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is the museum open on Thanksgiving Day? If so, is it crowded?
Written 5 October 2019
It's open. as someone had already mentioned it. An entire city won;t be crowded. No traffics .:):)
It's actually quite nice when they city is empty ..LOL
Written 6 October 2019
are there lines in the entrance on the mornings usually? and can I bring food in my backpack and just leave it at the entrance?
Written 23 May 2019
I went in March and there wasn't a line at all, but that'll change over the summer months.
You'll have to go through an airport-style screening at the entrance, so your backpack and food should be good to go! They'll just put you through a metal detector and check the contents of your backpack.
Written 25 May 2019
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