Can you reserve a site at Arts and Industries Building?

No. Arts and Industries Building is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Arts and Industries Building

Facility ·

Managed by the Smithsonian Institution

National Mall (Other Designation) · Restricted Access

32 ft
Elevation

Photo: Michael J Tuttle · Recreation.gov

The building's exhibition halls are currently closed in preparation for renovation.

The Arts and Industries Building has a special role among Smithsonian buildings, as the original home of the National Museum. Designed in a High Victorian style by the Washington architectural firm of Cluss and Schulze, it opened in 1881 in time for the inaugural ball of President James A. Garfield.

Getting there

The galleries are located on the National Mall, the grassy area between the Capitol and the Washington Monument, steps from the Smithsonian Metro stop.

38.88861, -77.02583 · 38°53'19.0"N 77°1'33.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Official map for this area

Typical weather

Typically 90°F in Jul, down to 45°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	45	48	57	68	77	85	90	88	81	69	58	49
Low °F	30	32	39	48	58	68	72	71	64	52	42	35
Precip in	2.9	2.6	3.5	3.2	3.9	4.2	4.3	3.3	3.9	3.7	2.9	3.4

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 2.8 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Fees and stay limits

Free

From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.

Member photos

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Common questions about Arts and Industries Building

Can you reserve a site at Arts and Industries Building?: No. Arts and Industries Building is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Camping near Arts and Industries Building

National Archives 0.3 mi · Tickets · we watch it
Smithsonian Institution Building, the Castle less than 0.1 mi · Facility
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden less than 0.1 mi · Facility
National Museum of African Art 0.1 mi · Facility
National Museum of Asian Art 0.1 mi · Facility
Riggs Washington D.C. 0.1 mi · Facility
National Air and Space Museum 0.2 mi · Facility
National Museum of Natural History 0.2 mi · Facility
National Museum of American History 0.3 mi · Facility
USDA Visitors Center 0.3 mi · Facility
National Archives Building 0.3 mi · Archives
Bureau of Engraving and Printing: DC 0.4 mi · Facility

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.