National Archives
Time Needed: 1-2 hours
Experience Type: historic landmark, museum
The National Archives Museum preserves America’s founding documents and the records that define its history. Reopened in October 2025, after a major renovation, the museum features interactive exhibits, original artifacts, and personalized AI-guided experiences.
MUST-DO CHECKLIST
- See the Charters of Freedom – View the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights, including George Washington’s annotated Constitution, displayed for the first time.
- Admire the Faulkner Murals – Marvel at two massive 1930s oil paintings depicting the signing of the Declaration and Constitution, framing the Rotunda’s solemn space.
- Explore “The American Story” – Discover treasures like the Louisiana Purchase and presidential gifts, enhanced by AI technology for a personalized, interactive visitor experience.
- View the 1297 Magna Carta – See one of only four surviving originals of the 1297 Magna Carta, the centuries-old English charter that inspired many American ideals of liberty and justice.
- Explore “Records of Rights” – Engage with a 17-foot touchscreen exploring America’s ongoing struggles and triumphs around equality, justice, and civil rights.
Plan Ahead: Skip the lines at the National Archives with a small-group tour that gets you straight to America’s most important documents, including the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.
Photo Credit: Quinn Norton/Flickr