Great quiche and filling stop after a visit to the museum.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nikki O.
Such a great visit and such a great decision to come and check out this museum. I do warn you, it is an emotional experience that will transport you to a difficult time in our world's history. We were in town to sight see and were museum hopping. It wasn't hard to make a reservation. We only booked a few days prior and it was simple. Admission is free which is a plus. Location is near the National Mall, just a few blocks down so make sure you have your walking shoes ready. I would give yourself a full day if you want to digest everything that is available to you in the space. There is so much to see. Exhibits, videos, and audio guides that are well put together. You can easily be there at least 2-3 hours, maybe longer if you want to read about everything. It is a really popular spot, so I would suggest getting there early and on peak days, maybe even trying to book in advance to ensure your visit.
Shawn P.
What can I say that hasn't already been said. This museum does a fantastic job of putting an incredibly difficult period of history into a digestible and nuanced context for visitors. While it can be emotionally difficult for some people, the museum reminds us of the past and its lessons for the present day. A must see in DC. The children's exhibit on the ground floor is currently closed but set to reopen in a few weeks (March?).
Jassy Jaz R.
Wow, the moment I stepped off the elevator I was swept with emotions and anger. I've visited Dachau many years ago and to know the rest of the history breaks my heart. The information is setup in a way that helps you understand the why. There is a lot of information to read so expect to stay 2+ hours. I left feeling somber and with a different perspective of the subject matter.
SassyCatz B.
This museum was okay. It was mainly just photos. It was a quick run through. There are way better memorial museums out there.
Kevin B.
We came here back in May when in town for a conference and this was an excellent museum. It is filled with excellent and thought-provoking content as one would expect and it was humbling to hear the stories of people who experienced the holocaust. They did a great job of straddling the fine line of respecting the victims while showing enough of the graphic nature of the holocaust to make sure that people understand what really happened. My only critique was that it was way, way too crowded (even with timed entry) and it made it difficult to read through everything we wanted to see. We were very glad that so many people wanted to learn about this event, but the crowds definitely detracted from the overall experience. I would 100% recommend coming here, but try to find a time where the crowds might be at the lowest so you can fully appreciate the exhibits.
Tiffany P.
Be prepared for an emotionally-charged and thought-provoking immersion through the Holocaust. The museum is incredibly curated. The museum goes beyond just detailing the timeline and atrocities committed during this dark period. Upon entering the initial exhibit, the darkness envelopes us in a solemn atmosphere. Its exhibits spare no details; tons of photos, stories, testimonies, and artifacts keep the victims' experiences alive, helping us understand the incomprehensible scale of human violence and suffering. (The most gruesome exhibits are enclosed by walls and sometimes warnings that you must look over, so these are avoidable.) It reminds us of the dangers of prejudice, discrimination, and dehumanization. The Holocaust Museum is a sacred space that invites us to pause and reflect. I wholeheartedly recommend visiting the Holocaust Museum. Set aside about 3 hours for a thorough visit.
Jaclyn S.
This was our only stop for the day and we thought we could get in and out in a couple hours. There is so much information and interactive learning it took over four hours. Four hours well spent. If you bring your kids - this is the type of place that you need to be prepared with conversations before and after. It can bring up intense emotions.
Erich Thalacker
Food here wasn’t great in my opinion. It’s pretty basic sandwiches which are already premade and maybe reheated.$10 ish dollars for the different options.3 star - Average. Decent to visit once
Thomas Wilcox
Forgot to make my lunch and then made the wrong thing. What should have been 20 mins was 60 and wasn’t worth the price to boot.
I recently visited the Holocaust Museum in DC, and the experience left a profound impact on me. The museum is a poignant testament to the heartbreak of one of history's darkest periods. The exhibits are thoughtfully curated, providing a moving narrative that captures the gravity of the Holocaust. Their commitment to preserving and sharing the stories of survivors is commendable, creating a somber yet necessary atmosphere for reflection. The interactive displays and testimonials add a personal dimension to the historical accounts, fostering a deeper understanding of the human toll of this tragic chapter. While the emotional weight of the museum is undeniable, I couldn't help but wish for a more extensive collection of artifacts. The power of physical objects to connect us with the past is immense, and a greater array of personal items or historical artifacts could have further enriched the visitor experience. Despite this, the Holocaust Museum remains a must-visit for anyone seeking a sobering reminder of the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity. It serves as a vital educational tool, urging us to remember and learn from history to ensure that such atrocities are never repeated.
Stacey C.
This was my second visit and I wish I could have spent more time here. We went online and reserved our tickets a few hours before we were to arrive. There was no line and went through security. The security personal were there, hosting personal conversations and ignoring the guests with the exception of the required scanning or persons and their items. They clearly do not wish to be there, nor do their job but that falls on the museum management and not the exhibits or facility. The building, architecture, and exhibits are well done and placed. I thoroughly enjoyed reviewing each exhibit and placard as we went through the space. It was a bit crowded inside and made it hard to be able to read the placards. There is so much to see, that we barely made it halfway through before we were advised the museum would be closing soon. I am not sure if they have posted how long you should budget for your visit, or markings to let you know how far you are through the space. It is a powerful emotional learning experience to view the exhibits in the museum. Well laid out and presented. My only suggestions would be to have the information placards larger and easier to read, provide progress markings through out the space so visitors can better manage their time during their visit. Please remind staff they are there to work and keep persona conversations, well personal.
Quin T.
Many years ago, I watched "The Boy in The Striped Pajamas" and even having learned about Hitler and is wrath, I have always wanted to visit this museum and I am so glad that I did as it is incredibly well done, but also very chilling. I love that they start the museum with showing how Hitler came to power and how his actions carried over into other countries and the pain and destruction he committed on various Jewish communities. I visited at the beginning of the Hamas/Israel war and some of us were a little disappointed to discover that the films had been shut down. I am not sure if it was merely a coincidence or if it was strategic due to the climate. Some time next year I will make a point go back to watch the short films. Growing up, we read the Anne Frank Diaries, but it was still very sad to see an image of the building where they hid and to see her actual diary entries. One of the coolest features of the museum is that they have hundreds of photos displayed on the wall and you have the ability to pull a tablet off the wall and point it as certain photos to hear the story of the photo/family. As you exit, you pass by the memorial and it was great to have the opportunity to provide a moment of silence and a silent prayer. I spent about 3 hours and that felt sufficient, but I could have spent another 30 minutes-1 hour going through the scanned photos to learn more about the families.
Orest S.
Worth visiting. I spent there less than an hour. It's hard to imagine the scale of such a tragedy, but we need to remember. Nowadays this is happening in Ukraine, in occupied territories with POVs in russian concentration camps.
Ariana B.
This museum is amazingly well done and displayed. I cried most of the time I was there. We went because my son is starting to read Ann Frank and I wanted him to really understand what happened and how it happened. This is a great learning experience. People need to know what happened so we make sure this never happens again.
Great quiche and filling stop after a visit to the museum.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Such a great visit and such a great decision to come and check out this museum. I do warn you, it is an emotional experience that will transport you to a difficult time in our world's history. We were in town to sight see and were museum hopping. It wasn't hard to make a reservation. We only booked a few days prior and it was simple. Admission is free which is a plus. Location is near the National Mall, just a few blocks down so make sure you have your walking shoes ready. I would give yourself a full day if you want to digest everything that is available to you in the space. There is so much to see. Exhibits, videos, and audio guides that are well put together. You can easily be there at least 2-3 hours, maybe longer if you want to read about everything. It is a really popular spot, so I would suggest getting there early and on peak days, maybe even trying to book in advance to ensure your visit.
What can I say that hasn't already been said. This museum does a fantastic job of putting an incredibly difficult period of history into a digestible and nuanced context for visitors. While it can be emotionally difficult for some people, the museum reminds us of the past and its lessons for the present day. A must see in DC. The children's exhibit on the ground floor is currently closed but set to reopen in a few weeks (March?).
Wow, the moment I stepped off the elevator I was swept with emotions and anger. I've visited Dachau many years ago and to know the rest of the history breaks my heart. The information is setup in a way that helps you understand the why. There is a lot of information to read so expect to stay 2+ hours. I left feeling somber and with a different perspective of the subject matter.
This museum was okay. It was mainly just photos. It was a quick run through. There are way better memorial museums out there.
We came here back in May when in town for a conference and this was an excellent museum. It is filled with excellent and thought-provoking content as one would expect and it was humbling to hear the stories of people who experienced the holocaust. They did a great job of straddling the fine line of respecting the victims while showing enough of the graphic nature of the holocaust to make sure that people understand what really happened. My only critique was that it was way, way too crowded (even with timed entry) and it made it difficult to read through everything we wanted to see. We were very glad that so many people wanted to learn about this event, but the crowds definitely detracted from the overall experience. I would 100% recommend coming here, but try to find a time where the crowds might be at the lowest so you can fully appreciate the exhibits.
Be prepared for an emotionally-charged and thought-provoking immersion through the Holocaust. The museum is incredibly curated. The museum goes beyond just detailing the timeline and atrocities committed during this dark period. Upon entering the initial exhibit, the darkness envelopes us in a solemn atmosphere. Its exhibits spare no details; tons of photos, stories, testimonies, and artifacts keep the victims' experiences alive, helping us understand the incomprehensible scale of human violence and suffering. (The most gruesome exhibits are enclosed by walls and sometimes warnings that you must look over, so these are avoidable.) It reminds us of the dangers of prejudice, discrimination, and dehumanization. The Holocaust Museum is a sacred space that invites us to pause and reflect. I wholeheartedly recommend visiting the Holocaust Museum. Set aside about 3 hours for a thorough visit.
This was our only stop for the day and we thought we could get in and out in a couple hours. There is so much information and interactive learning it took over four hours. Four hours well spent. If you bring your kids - this is the type of place that you need to be prepared with conversations before and after. It can bring up intense emotions.
Food here wasn’t great in my opinion. It’s pretty basic sandwiches which are already premade and maybe reheated.$10 ish dollars for the different options.3 star - Average. Decent to visit once
Forgot to make my lunch and then made the wrong thing. What should have been 20 mins was 60 and wasn’t worth the price to boot.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
I recently visited the Holocaust Museum in DC, and the experience left a profound impact on me. The museum is a poignant testament to the heartbreak of one of history's darkest periods. The exhibits are thoughtfully curated, providing a moving narrative that captures the gravity of the Holocaust. Their commitment to preserving and sharing the stories of survivors is commendable, creating a somber yet necessary atmosphere for reflection. The interactive displays and testimonials add a personal dimension to the historical accounts, fostering a deeper understanding of the human toll of this tragic chapter. While the emotional weight of the museum is undeniable, I couldn't help but wish for a more extensive collection of artifacts. The power of physical objects to connect us with the past is immense, and a greater array of personal items or historical artifacts could have further enriched the visitor experience. Despite this, the Holocaust Museum remains a must-visit for anyone seeking a sobering reminder of the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity. It serves as a vital educational tool, urging us to remember and learn from history to ensure that such atrocities are never repeated.
This was my second visit and I wish I could have spent more time here. We went online and reserved our tickets a few hours before we were to arrive. There was no line and went through security. The security personal were there, hosting personal conversations and ignoring the guests with the exception of the required scanning or persons and their items. They clearly do not wish to be there, nor do their job but that falls on the museum management and not the exhibits or facility. The building, architecture, and exhibits are well done and placed. I thoroughly enjoyed reviewing each exhibit and placard as we went through the space. It was a bit crowded inside and made it hard to be able to read the placards. There is so much to see, that we barely made it halfway through before we were advised the museum would be closing soon. I am not sure if they have posted how long you should budget for your visit, or markings to let you know how far you are through the space. It is a powerful emotional learning experience to view the exhibits in the museum. Well laid out and presented. My only suggestions would be to have the information placards larger and easier to read, provide progress markings through out the space so visitors can better manage their time during their visit. Please remind staff they are there to work and keep persona conversations, well personal.
Many years ago, I watched "The Boy in The Striped Pajamas" and even having learned about Hitler and is wrath, I have always wanted to visit this museum and I am so glad that I did as it is incredibly well done, but also very chilling. I love that they start the museum with showing how Hitler came to power and how his actions carried over into other countries and the pain and destruction he committed on various Jewish communities. I visited at the beginning of the Hamas/Israel war and some of us were a little disappointed to discover that the films had been shut down. I am not sure if it was merely a coincidence or if it was strategic due to the climate. Some time next year I will make a point go back to watch the short films. Growing up, we read the Anne Frank Diaries, but it was still very sad to see an image of the building where they hid and to see her actual diary entries. One of the coolest features of the museum is that they have hundreds of photos displayed on the wall and you have the ability to pull a tablet off the wall and point it as certain photos to hear the story of the photo/family. As you exit, you pass by the memorial and it was great to have the opportunity to provide a moment of silence and a silent prayer. I spent about 3 hours and that felt sufficient, but I could have spent another 30 minutes-1 hour going through the scanned photos to learn more about the families.
Worth visiting. I spent there less than an hour. It's hard to imagine the scale of such a tragedy, but we need to remember. Nowadays this is happening in Ukraine, in occupied territories with POVs in russian concentration camps.
This museum is amazingly well done and displayed. I cried most of the time I was there. We went because my son is starting to read Ann Frank and I wanted him to really understand what happened and how it happened. This is a great learning experience. People need to know what happened so we make sure this never happens again.