Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art National Museum of Asian Art
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Map & Directions

A courtyard in orang light with minimal trees near the surrounding windows and a fountain in the center.

Locations and Accessibility

The National Museum of Asian Art is located on the National Mall, the iconic area between the Capitol and the Washington Monument. The museum is made up of two buildings that are connected underground.

West Building (Freer Gallery of Art)
Jefferson Drive at 12th Street SW

East Building (Arthur M. Sackler Gallery)
1050 Independence Ave. SW

Visit our accessibility page for information on accessible entrances and other accommodations available for visitors.

Getting Here

Get directions via Google Maps

Please note that security screening occurs at all points of entry. For more information, please see the Smithsonian’s Entry and Visitor Guidelines. Go to: si.edu/visit/tips

Locations and Accessibility

The National Museum of Asian Art is located on the National Mall, the iconic area between the Capitol and the Washington Monument. The museum is made up of two buildings that are connected underground.

West Building (Freer Gallery of Art)
Jefferson Drive at 12th Street SW

East Building (Arthur M. Sackler Gallery)
1050 Independence Ave. SW

Visit our accessibility page for information on accessible entrances and other accommodations available for visitors.

Getting Here

Get directions via Google Maps

Please note that security screening occurs at all points of entry. For more information, please see the Smithsonian’s Entry and Visitor Guidelines. Go to: si.edu/visit/tips

West Building (Freer Gallery of Art)

National Mall Entrance

Front steps of the NMAA West Building
The entrance to the West Building (Freer Gallery of Art) from the National Mall is available on Jefferson Drive. Please note that the Jefferson Drive entrance to the museum requires steps and manual doors to enter.

The closest accessible entrance is through the East Building (Arthur M. Sackler Gallery). To reach the East Building, go south through the Haupt Garden to the left of the National Mall entrance. (See map below.)

Independence Avenue Entrances

Image of NMAA West Building entrance with symbols for stairs, accessible entrance, and elevator.
Accessible entry to the West Building is available from Independence Avenue. Enter via the automatic bronze doors at left of the stairs to gain access to nearby elevators. The Independence Avenue entrance to the West Building can also be accessed via stairs and manual doors.

East Building (Arthur M. Sackler Gallery)

Enid A. Haupt Garden/Independence Avenue Entrance

East Building entrance with accessibility and elevator symbols.
An accessible entrance to the East Building (Arthur M. Sackler Gallery) is located within the Enid A. Haupt Garden near Independence Avenue. When entering the garden from Independence Avenue through the wrought iron fence, the entrance to the building will be on your left. This entrance includes automated doors, and elevators are nearby.

The National Museum of Asian Art is steps from the Smithsonian Metro stop. Take the Orange/Silver/Blue Lines to Smithsonian.

To Enter the West Building

Use the “12th St. at Jefferson Dr. SW (The Mall)” exit, then cross the street southbound to enter the West Building (Freer Gallery of Art).

The accessible entrance is on the other side of the West Building, at the corner of Independence Avenue and 12th Street SW.

To Enter the East Building

  1. Use the “SW corner 12th St. & Independence Ave., SW” exit or “NW corner 12th St. & Independence Ave., SW” exit.
  2. Cross the intersection eastbound toward the northeast corner.
  3. Continue east along Independence Ave. until you reach the gate of the Haupt Garden.
  4. Turn left to enter the East Building (Arthur M. Sackler Gallery).

Bus stops near the museum include Independence Ave & L’Enfant Plaza (681, 881, 883,884, 885, 886), Independence Ave SW & 12th St SW (52, 230, 250, 281, 481, 483, 484, 486, 612, 630,725, D-300, DC1, DC2), and Jefferson Dr & 12th St SW (NMS).

Groups arriving by chartered bus should note that the United States Park Police (202.426.6841) discourages bus parking on the Mall and recommends the following areas:

  • Constitution Avenue: 15th to 23rd Streets on the north side heading west.
  • Independence Avenue: After 15th Street on the right for one block, heading west toward the Washington Monument.
  • Jefferson Drive: 4th and 3rd Streets, either side, one way heading east.
  • West Basin Drive and Ohio Drive: In West Potomac Park, between the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials.
  • Ohio Drive: In East Potomac Park, between the Jefferson Memorial and Hanes Point.
  • Buses should drop off and pick up visitors to the National Museum of Asian Art on the Mall side (Jefferson Drive).

Several bike lanes and off-street trails provide nearby access to the museum by bike, and bike racks are available on Jefferson Drive and Independence Avenue. Nearby Capital Bike share stations include: Smithsonian-National Mall / JeffersonDr & 12th St SW, Independence Ave & L’Enfant Plaza SW/DOE, USDA / 12th & C St SW.

You can book guaranteed parking in advance via ParkWhiz.

Our Neighbors on the Mall

Review maps and information on our fellow Smithsonian museums. We are located next door to the Smithsonian Castle and the National Museum of African Art and are across the Mall from the National Museum of Natural History.

Inside the Museum

Navigating museums can be tricky. To help prepare you for your visit, download or review our museum map.

  • 1050 Independence Ave. SW
    Washington, DC 20013
    202.633.1000

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