About Smithsonian Station
Smithsonian station is the only Metrorail station with direct access to the National Mall — Washington DC's iconic two-mile greenway stretching from the U.S. Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial. Serving the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines, the station places riders at the center of one of the world's greatest concentrations of free museums, monuments, and memorials, all within walking distance.
The station has two street-level exits: one emerging onto the Mall itself near the Smithsonian Castle and the National Museum of American History, and another on Independence Avenue SW closer to the Freer Gallery and Sackler Gallery. Both exits deposit visitors directly into the heart of the Smithsonian Institution's museum campus.
During peak tourist season (spring and summer) this station is among the busiest in the Metrorail system, handling large crowds of visitors heading to and from Mall attractions. The Air and Space Museum on the Mall's east end and the Holocaust Memorial Museum just south of Independence Avenue are also within easy walking distance.
Lines & Schedules
To Federal Triangle: ~3 min. To L'Enfant Plaza: ~3 min. To Metro Center: ~5 min.
Nearby Attractions
Station Exits
Rider Tips
- For the National Museum of Natural History and National Museum of American History, use the Mall exit and walk either east or west along Jefferson Drive. Both museums are free and open daily — arrive before 10 am in summer to beat the crowds.
- The Washington Monument requires a timed-entry ticket available free at recreation.gov or at the onsite kiosk. Walk north from the Mall exit about 6 minutes to reach the Monument grounds.
- The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is about 5 minutes southwest of the Independence Avenue exit. Timed-entry passes are strongly recommended during spring and summer — book online well in advance.
- Smithsonian station does not offer transfers to other Metro lines. If you need the Yellow or Green lines (for the National Portrait Gallery or Eastern Market), continue one more stop east to L'Enfant Plaza, which is a major transfer hub.
Adjacent Stations
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Smithsonian the closest Metro station to the National Mall museums?
Yes — Smithsonian is the only Metro station with exits directly on the National Mall and is the closest station to the Smithsonian Institution museums along the Mall's central section. For museums on the east end of the Mall (Air and Space, National Gallery of Art, Capitol), L'Enfant Plaza or Archives/Navy Memorial stations on the Yellow/Green lines may be more convenient.
Which exit should I use for the Washington Monument?
Use the Mall exit and walk north along 12th Street SW or along the Mall toward the Monument grounds. The Washington Monument is approximately 0.3 miles (6 minutes on foot) from the station exit. Timed-entry tickets are required and can be reserved in advance at recreation.gov.
Can I transfer to other Metro lines at Smithsonian?
No. Smithsonian station only serves the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines. The nearest transfer points are Metro Center (one stop west, for the Red Line) and L'Enfant Plaza (one stop east, for the Yellow and Green lines). L'Enfant Plaza is also accessible on foot from the Mall in about 15 minutes walking east.