National Museum of the American Indian

The National Museum of the American Indian brings insight into the history and culture of major tribes throughout the Americas and the Caribbean

Located in the US Customs House, the George Gustav Heye Center in New York is a branch of the Smithsonian National Museum in of the American Indian established to promote knowledge and understanding of indigenous people in the Western Hemisphere. The museum opened in 1994 followed by two other locations in Suitland, Maryland and the National Mall in Washington DC and was the first museum committed to the conservation of Native American culture.

The permanent collection held at the National Museum of the American Indian consists of over 800,000 items of historical and cultural significance for all major tribes and cultures throughout the Americas and the Caribbean. In addition to the artefacts on view, the museum houses an impressive audio-visual collection, including over 90,000 historical and contemporary archives including photographs, paper folios and recordings.

For an in-depth experience, visitors can plan to spend four hours viewing the museum galleries. Visitors can also take advantage of a number of public programs including gallery talks and Native American storytelling, dance exhibitions, musical performances, films, demonstrations and hands-on workshops.

Cost: Free

Hours:Daily from 10:00am - 5:00pm; Late on Thursdays until 8:00pm; Closed Christmas Day

Website: National Museum of the American Indian

Address: US Customs House, One Bowling Green

Nearby attractions: Battery Park, Staten Island Ferry, Skyscraper Museum, Financial District, Trinity Church, St. Paul's Chapel, Brooklyn Bridge

Getting There on Transit
Subway Train / Bus	Subway Station	Walking Time
4 or 5	Bowling Green	0 minutes
1	South Ferry	4 minutes
Take the 4 or 5 train to Bowling Green, head south on Broadway towards Battery Place, turn left onto Bowling Green (0 minutes) Alternatively, take the 1 train to South Ferry, turn left onto State Street, then right onto Bowling Green (4 minutes).