Visit New York, NY
The National Museum of the American Indian—New York, the George Gustav Heye Center, is located within the historic Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House. The museum's permanent and temporary exhibitions—as well as a range of public programs, including music and dance performances, films, and symposia—explore the diversity of the Native people of the Americas.
Visting Information
Open
Daily 10 AM–5 PM
except December 25
Plan your visit
Admission is free. The building is accessible to people with disabilities.
Food may not be brought into the building and lunch storage is not available. Groups are strongly encouraged to keep lunches on their bus.
The National Museum of the American Indian–New York is located on the south side of Bowling Green, in lower Manhattan, adjacent to the northeast corner of Battery Park.
All registered school groups must enter through the ground floor entrance to the right-hand side of the Grand Staircase, located on State Street (to the right as you face the building). Storage bins will be provided for personal belongings such as coats, bags, umbrellas, etc.
Subway
4 & 5 trains to Bowling Green
1 train to Rector Street or South Ferry
R (& W on weekdays) trains to Whitehall Street
J & Z trains to Broad Street
2 & 3 trains to Wall Street
Bus
M5, M15, M20
Visit NY MTA for maps and service updates for subways and buses.
Parking and Drop-Off
Buses may drop off groups at State Street or Whitehall Street. There is no parking at the museum. There are several parking garages located nearby.
The museum offers self-guided experiences for students to learn about Indigenous peoples of the Western Hemisphere while exploring our exhibitions. Registration is not required for groups visiting the museum's public spaces on their own. General visitor information is available on the Visit page.
Individuals and groups may also choose to use the museum's Self Guides and other educational resources related to current exhibitions:
Adult chaperones are required for all student groups. Chaperones must supervise and remain with their groups at all times. Groups that are inadequately supervised during their visit may be asked to leave the building. Groups of students Grades 3 and below require a ratio of one (1) chaperone for every five (5) students. Groups of students Grade 4 and up require a ratio of one (1) adult for every ten (10) students.
The museum's security procedures ensure visitor safety and the protection of objects in the museum. Smithsonian security personnel conduct a thorough but speedy hand-check of visitors' bags, briefcases, purses, strollers, and containers. Visitors are required to walk through a metal detector. Those who are unable to do so are hand-screened with an electronic wand by security personnel. Help speed entry into the museum by having all purses or bags open and ready for inspection, and pockets emptied before going through the screening station. No skateboards, bikes, or scooters. Please note there may be a line to enter the museum on busy days. Security policies and a list of prohibited items are available on the Smithsonian's Security page.
New York
One Bowling Green
New York, NY 10004
Exhibition Highlights and Resources
