Plan Your Visit

Welcome to the National Museum of the Marine Corps!

You are invited to follow in the footsteps of Marines: from the yellow footprints that young recruits must fill at boot camp to the boot prints left in the sands of Pacific island beaches during World War II, in the snow of the Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War, and in the red dirt of Hill 881 South in Vietnam.

The Museum, located astride I-95 near Marine Corps Base Quantico, is easily reached from the Washington, D.C. metro area.

Visitor Experience:

If you have a fever or COVID-19 symptoms, please visit another day.
Wearing a mask is optional inside the Museum.
Keep a distance of at least 6 feet from others.
Don't touch the artifacts or exhibits.
Wash or sanitize your hands often.
Cleaning procedures are enhanced in the museum with extra attention given to high-touch areas.
No food is allowed in the Museum.
Follow instructions from staff and docents. They are focused on keeping everyone safe.

General Information:

OPEN 9:00 am-5:00 pm every day except Christmas day.
FREE admission and parking.
A map of the Museum is available here.
Wheelchairs are available on request at no cost; no reservations required.
The Museum Store and the Medal of Honor Theater are open.
Tun Tavern is open daily from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Devil Dog Diner is open Monday - Thursday (11 a.m - 2 p.m.) with grab-and-go options, and Friday - Sunday (10 a.m. - 4 p.m) with a full menu.
Semper Fidelis Memorial Park, located next to the Museum, is open from sunrise to sunset.
The Children's Playground is open.
Service animals are welcome inside the Museum. Pets are allowed on the grounds of the Museum (look for designated relief areas).
Prohibited items include: weapons, pepper spray and mace, food or drinks and sharp objects. See our Security page for more information. Visitors may bring unopened, clear water bottles no larger than 20 oz.

Galleries and Spaces:

There is ample space in the galleries to visit safely.
If a gallery or exhibit area is crowded, consider moving on and returning later.
Some interactives have been disabled.
The laser simulated Rifle Range in Making Marines Gallery is open on Saturdays and Sundays.

Please allow a minimum of 3-4 hours to tour the galleries, and additional time to walk through Semper Fidelis Memorial Park. If you are planning a longer visit, Prince William and Stafford counties offer many options for overnight accommodations.

If you have any questions, please contact the Museum at 1-703-432-1775.

Join us as we honor the service, commitment, and sacrifices made by all Marines!

Families with Children

Children may not be left unattended for any period of time. Children must be closely supervised and /or accompanied by a responsible adult at all times. Carrying children on shoulders is prohibited.

Parental Warning for Small Children Visiting the National Museum of the Marine Corps

The mission of the National Museum of the Marine Corps is to preserve and exhibit the material history of the U.S. Marine Corps; honor the commitment, accomplishments, and sacrifices of Marines; support recruitment, training, education, and retention of Marines; and provide the public with a readily accessible platform for the exploration of Marine Corps history.

To meet the goals of this mission, the Museum has made every effort to present the history of the United States Marine Corps in the most objective manner possible – including scenes of combat and combat casualties. This is done purposely to underscore the courage, hardship, and sacrifice made by every Marine on the battlefield. Throughout the Museum, highly realistic cast figures, photographs, and movie footage describe and depict combat actions. Younger visitors may find the graphic nature of these displays disturbing or unsettling. Additionally, several of the exhibit galleries include full immersive, interactive combat environments that may be frightening to very young children. Visitors bringing young children to the National Museum of the Marine Corps are encouraged to speak with a Museum Docent at the Information Desk if they are concerned that the Museum’s exhibits may not be age-appropriate for their children.

Photography Policy

The National Museum of the Marine Corps encourages you to take photographs and video during your visit. Flash photography is NOT allowed in the vicinity of the Iwo Jima flag, and signage is posted accordingly. The Museum reserves the right to prohibit flash photography in other areas as needed to ensure that fragile objects are protected. Using your camera's flash in crowded areas may disturb others. Please respect your fellow Museum visitors.

Photographers using tripods or similar devices should be respectful of others. On busy days, the Museum may restrict use of such devices to ensure visitor safety and the flow of foot traffic throughout the galleries.