Museum of the Bible (Washington, DC)

10 and up, 6 and up, Teenagers, United States, Washington, DC 3 Minutes

https://www.museumofthebible.org

One of Washington’s newest museums is a stunning building housing some of the oldest artifacts in history. The Museum of the Bible is an inspiring museum, and there is no better time to visit than this summer when the Dead Sea Scrolls are being displayed!

History

Opening in 2017, the Museum of the Bible is an educational institution whose purpose is to invite all people to engage with the transformative power of the Bible. It also has traveling exhibitions which take its artifacts all around the country. 

Visit

The Museum of the Bible is located just a few blocks from the National Air and Space Museum along the National Mall. The building itself is amazing at over 400,000 square feet. I highly encourage you to buy your time-entry tickets ahead of time, particularly for any special exhibitions like the Dead Sea Scrolls. 

I recommend starting your tour on the fifth floor with the special exhibitions. The Dead Sea Scrolls are being displayed through September 7, 2026. The Dead Sea Scrolls are considered one of the most significant archaeological discoveries in history. They were accidentally found in 1947 by a Bedouin shepherds in a cave in the Israeli desert. These 2,200 year old fragments are the oldest copies of the Bible still in existence. 

This exhibit is truly amazing as you will see many of the actual scrolls, such as passages from Psalms and the Ten Commandments. It is a once-in-a-lifetime exhibit!

The exhibit also includes a recreated first century fishing boat pulled from the Sea of Galilee and the Magdala Stone.

The rest of the museum is just as amazing. Head down one floor to the History of the Bible exhibit which was fascinating. See some of the earliest Bibles including a Gutenberg Bible.

The third floor had my favorite exhibits in the Story of the Bible section. The Hebrew Bible exhibit is an immersive, walk-through guided tour of the Old Testament. It will give you chills.

The New Testament Experience is an interactive theater experience that is enhanced by a walk through Nazareth. It puts you in the world of 1st century Nazareth as Jesus and the disciples would have experienced it. Kids will love all of the ways they can interact with the exhibit.

The second floor’s exhibitions are centered around the Bible in America and around the world. We didn’t have as much time as I would have liked here, so I will have to come back. 

There is so much more to do here with the immersive All Creation Sings and the Washington Revelations ride. It could be a whole day experience!

The Museum of the Bible is a wonderful new addition to Washington where you can see some of the most important items from human history, dating back thousands of years. It is a must-see for Christians as it is so spiritually inspiring to see the Bible come to life in such a visceral way. Put it on your must-see list!

Helpful hints:

  • Cost: $35/adults; $25/youth; free/children 4 and under; special exhibits have a separate charge
  • Recommended: all ages
  • Tour time: 3-4 hours
  • Gift shop located on the first floor and online. 
  • Transportation: Located just a few blocks from the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, it’s an easy walk from major tourist sites and trolley stops. The nearest Metro is Federal Center SW. There are several parking garages in the area as well. 
  • Dining options: There are four onsite cafes, including one on the rooftop overlooking the capital city. A McDonald’s is just around the corner as well. You’re also a short drive away from The Wharf, a big entertainment and dining district.
  • Nearby hotels: Check out my Washington guide for recommendations. The closest hotel to the museum is a Residence Inn. 
  • Nearby attractions include: Smithsonian museums along the National Mall, National Mall Monuments and Memorials, the U.S. Capitol, and the International Spy Museum

Books to Read:

All links are Amazon affiliate links. You can visit my Bookshop.org shop to support independent bookstores and creators. You can also visit the museum’s shop to purchase books. 

Adults/Young Adults:

Middle Grade:

Picture Books:

Published by Jayda Justus, The History Mom

Jayda B. Justus is the creator/writer of the blog, The History Mom, where she provides detailed reviews of US and European historical sites for families with corresponding book recommendations. She loves interacting with the bookish world on Instagram as @thehistorymom, especially #bookstagram, and has appeared as a guest on several podcasts, blogs, and media outlets. Her favorite genres to read are historical fiction and nonfiction, but she also loves contemporary and historical romance and women’s fiction. Hailing from the historic town of Kings Mountain, North Carolina, she is a former legislative director for a Member of Congress and now lives in Richmond, Virginia with her family where she spends her days working on her first novel. Visit her at The History Mom (https://thehistorymom.com).

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