Dining
Ocean Terrace Café
(First Floor)
Open 11:30 a.m.– 2:00 p.m.
The Ocean Terrace Café has been developed with a greater focus on grains and vegetables being at the core of a daily diet. Entrees feature sustainable items, seasonally available local produce, artisan craft foods, vegetable focused entrees, and the reduced use of proteins. Try our fair-trade certified coffees and teas along with house-baked pastries and desserts.
Atrium Café
(Ground Floor)
Open 11:00 a.m.– 3:00 p.m.
The museum’s largest café, featuring family-friendly menus such as Butcher Craft Burgers, a seasonal Chef’s Market Table, desserts, beverages, wine/beer, and coffee.
Outside food continues to be prohibited in the museum.
Shopping
Selected merchandise items in our shops are now available for purchase online at the Smithsonian Store.
For inquiries about our museum stores, please contact the NMNH Store Management Team at 202.633.2060.
Gem and Mineral Store
Location: Second Floor
Open10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Extraordinary fossils, gemstones, mineral specimens, and science kits
Gallery Store
Location: Ground Floor, Evans Gallery
Open10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Unique cultural treasures from around the globe – jewelry, gifts, books, media, and graphics.
Family Store
Location: Ground Floor, Evans Gallery
Open10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Engaging and educational toys, tons of fun, museum mementos, dinosaurs galore!
Dinos and More Store
Location: First Floor, near the Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals
Open hours vary
A world full of plush animals
Natural History Express Kiosk
Location: Second Floor, near Cellphone: Unseen Connections
Open hours vary
Unique gift assortments inspired from our museum’s exhibits
As an avid museum enthusiast with a deep passion for cultural exploration and a wealth of knowledge in the realm of museum experiences, allow me to delve into the fascinating offerings of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, as outlined in the provided excerpt.
Let's begin with the dining options available at the museum, specifically the Ocean Terrace Café on the first floor and the Atrium Café on the ground floor. These culinary establishments not only cater to visitors' gastronomic desires but also embody a commitment to sustainable and health-conscious dining. The Ocean Terrace Café, with its focus on grains and vegetables, showcases a menu enriched with sustainable items, locally sourced produce, artisan craft foods, and vegetable-focused entrees. This culinary approach is a testament to the museum's dedication to promoting a healthy lifestyle and environmentally conscious choices.
Moving on to the Atrium Café, it stands out as the largest café on the museum grounds. The diverse menu it offers, including Butcher Craft Burgers, a Chef’s Market Table, and a selection of desserts, beverages, wine/beer, and coffee, caters to a wide range of tastes, ensuring a family-friendly dining experience. Notably, the prohibition of outside food emphasizes the museum's commitment to maintaining a controlled and curated environment for its visitors.
Shifting our focus to the museum's shopping experience, the Smithsonian Store provides a convenient online platform for purchasing selected merchandise items. This innovative approach ensures that visitors can take a piece of the museum's cultural treasures with them, even beyond the physical visit.
Exploring the museum's various stores, such as the Gem and Mineral Store on the second floor, the Gallery Store on the ground floor, the Family Store in the Evans Gallery, and the Dinos and More Store on the first floor, reveals a treasure trove of offerings. From extraordinary fossils, gemstones, and mineral specimens to unique cultural treasures, jewelry, gifts, books, media, graphics, educational toys, and museum mementos, the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History provides a diverse and enriching shopping experience for visitors of all ages.
Last but not least, the Natural History Express Kiosk on the second floor, near "Cellphone: Unseen Connections," offers unique gift assortments inspired by the museum's exhibits. This concept adds a delightful touch to the visitor experience, allowing them to bring home distinctive items inspired by the museum's rich collection.
In conclusion, the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History seamlessly integrates dining and shopping into the overall visitor experience, emphasizing sustainability, cultural richness, and educational engagement. The curated offerings in both culinary and retail aspects reflect a dedication to providing a holistic and memorable exploration of the world of natural history.
