October 29-31, 2013
National Museum of the American Indian · WASHINGTON, D.C.

Visitor Information

NMAI Security Requirements

http://nmai.si.edu/visit/washington/

Security Procedures

Due to heightened security on the National Mall, all persons and bags are required to undergo a speedy but thorough security examination upon entering the museum. This involves walking through a metal detector and having bags hand-checked by security personnel. To speed entrance, participants are encouraged to bring small bags, as larger bags and backpacks will be subject to a lengthy search at the entrance. Weapons and sharp objects (including pocket knives, scissors, nail files, etc.) are prohibited. Outside food may not be consumed in the museum. Because of the new security measures, the lines for entry to the museums may be long during the First Stewards as it is during the peak tourist season. The museum asks for your patience, cooperation, and assistance and asks that you enter at your earliest convenience between 8-9AM on Wednesday and Thursday mornings.

Entrance Procedures for any day from 10AM to 5:30PM:

Please allow at least 30 minutes for entrance through security. Regular museum hours are 10AM-5:30PM through the main entrance at 4th St. and Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20024.

Group Entrance Procedures for WEDNESDAY and THURSDAY from 8AM to 10AM:

The museum will open early at 8AM for First Steward attendees. All participants must use the NMAI's south entrance on the Independence Avenue side of the building between 8AM and 10AM. Due to the size of the group, please allow at least 45 minutes for entrance through security on Wednesday and Thursday from 8AM to 10AM. Upon arrival, all persons will be asked to present their identification.

Transportation Recommendations

Nearby Metro Station

The National Museum of the American Indian is closest to the L’Enfant Plaza Metro station, which is on the Yellow, Green, Blue, and Orange lines. Participants should use the Maryland Avenue/Smithsonian Museums exit. Exit from the upper platform, follow the signs directing people to the Smithsonian museums, and walk two blocks east (toward the Capitol Building) on Maryland Avenue. The museum is one block away, near the intersection of Maryland Avenue, 4th Street, and Independence Avenue. For more information, contact Metro at 202-637-7000 or go to the Metro website at www.wmata.com.

Bus

The 32, 34, and 36 buses have stops on Independence Avenue near the museum.

Parking

The museum does not have parking and downtown parking can be extremely limited during the week. Limited metered public parking is available on nearby streets. A paid parking garage is located at 500 C Street, S.W. For more information, call 202-298-7054. There are also several paid parking garages in the blocks south of the museum, but space in these garages is not guaranteed.

Accessibility

The museum is accessible to people with disabilities.

Hotel information:

Summer is high season for tourists in DC and it is highly recommended to make hotel reservations at your VERY earliest convenience. The following website allows you to search hundreds of hotels and to search by number of stars. There are many economical hotels in the 2 and 3 star category are listed and this site can access many other discount travel sites to compare rates: www.kayak.com/Hotels

Meal/Break Recommendations

Coffee breaks on your own:

The Mitsiam Expresso Coffee Bar, which serves beverages and light tapas, is open 10AM-5:30PM. The conference is not able to provide coffee.

Lunch on Your Own:

The Mitsitam Café ((866) 868-7774), in the lower level of the museum, is open daily 11Am-5PM and full menu available to 3PM. Food may not be brought into the building, and lunch storage is not available. The Mitsitam Cafe (Mitsitam means "Let's eat!" in the Native language of the Delaware and Piscataway peoples) offers Native foods found throughout the Western Hemisphere, including the Northern Woodlands, South America, the Northwest Coast, Mesoamerica, and the Great Plains. Each food station features cooking techniques, ingredients, and flavors found in both traditional and contemporary dishes. Costs range from $3 -5 for side dishes, $5-7 for soup, $13 to $28.95 for full meal with sides, $6 for desserts.

Listed below are some other suggested options for lunches.

  • Cafe 59: 409 3rd St., SW # 110 (202)554-1357
  • Potbelly Sandwich Works: 409 3rd St., SW (202) 863-3965
  • Grand Deli & Café: 300 E St., SW #3 (202) 554-8826
  • Wishbone Bakery & Deli: 409 3rd St., SW #103 (202) 488-2887

“DC Food Trucks” are a delicious low cost, safe, and fast option for meeting attendees. There will be various food truck options nearby. Food trucks sell various types of food out of their truck all around the DC area.

Baseball Games:

The Washington Nationals will be playing the New York Mets on Tuesday the 17th and Wednesday the 18th and will be playing the Atlanta Braves on Friday the 20th. All three games are at 7:05 pm at Nationals Park. Nationals Park is near the Navy Yard Metro station, on the green line. Tickets are available online at: http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/ticketing/index.jsp?c_id=was