A fun place for the family. At the time of this writing there was a stamp-maker exhibition that was fun for the kids. The walk-through of the postal system was interesting and quick. The museum was not crowded and the staff was very friendly.

An absolutely gem of a museum that must be visited. Having sojourned to Washington, D.C. often over the years, I wish I had visited sooner. The museum has a lot of great information and insight about mail delivery which can all be enjoyed in less than two hours. If you are a letter writing enthusiast, its a must see; if just for the great stamps they have for sale and other goods. There are also free postcards you can send to a loved one.

Next to the Union Station! For my surprise, it was very entertaining with a lot of information! Its worth going and expend a few hours here. Also you can go walking to other highlights of the city with no problem. Very organized and beautiful place.

I took an 8 and 10 year old here and they said was their favorite museumInteractive while explaining the history.Only disappointment was the girls created their own stamp which were to be emailed to me. Almost a week later I still have not received them.

Only went to the national postal museum because it was next to a union station. I was blown away by how fascinating this museum is. You will learn about how the post office evolved in delivery methods, the impact it had with those out west, mail fraud, stories about the postal system, and much more.

This was such an unexpected surprise! We checked out this museum on a whim and had a fantastic time. My son loved the interactive exhibits and getting to pick out his own stamps. His favorite was driving the truck. It was quiet in there and we had almost the whole place to ourselves. Would go back again next time we are in DC.

I really enjoyed this museum! There was a lot of interesting information presented in very creative ways. I, especially, enjoyed all of the interactive activities. Theres also a post office within the museum, so I was able to buy and mail a postcard from the museum!

Dont let the name fool you! This place is so cool! The tour guides really bring it to life and the exhibits are new and very well done and interactive. Great for kids! Be sure to meet Owney the well traveled US Mail mascot!

A meticulously organized massive collection of old stamps and documents from centuries ago. Starting from mail correspondence of a silk road merchants to how the modern US-mail got shaped and sacrifices were made along the way. Footprint of the museum is not big, but it can be easily a full day visit.

One of the most underrated gems in the Smithsonian collection! Also, this one is second, only to Air and Space, if youre looking to keep kids interested.

Weve been called some of the lucky few by greeters at the castle for visiting this museum and they are right! Do not miss the free docent led tour, especially if you arent an avid stamp historian (which I am not), they tell amazing stories that bring the history of postage to life. I love to send happy its not your birthday letters and now Im going to value the delivery of my missives even more! For every time I dreamed of sealing myself in a box and floating to my grandparents in Honolulu it was especially fun to see someone else had the same thought!

Incredible museum! Well designed exhibits. Beautiful interior. Extremely interesting. Lots of fun for all ages!

Nicely made, informative, interactive museum. Light themes and historical artifacts make it easy on the brain. Can see most of it in about 90 minutes. You could spend 3 hours if you are extra fascinated by stamps. Not the crown jewel of the Smithsonian institute but worth a trip for persons who have done a lot in DC and looking for something new.

This was definitely a treat for those who collect or interested in history of stamps. we saw the inverted Jenny, probably the most famous error stamp.

This was a great museum. The family really enjoyed it. It is very well organized and strategically laid out. We were able to seen one of the original stamps from 1840s and many other rare stamps from around the world. They even had a free stamp collection where you could select 6 stamps to start your collection. This was an interesting process and kept the group busy.They had a section on the history of how the mail delivery has improved over the years. Adding zip codes, sorting and automated processing. There were a number of hands on activities to do. There were many other areas as well - vehicles for mail delivery, history of the mail delivery as the United States expanded in the 1800s.One of the neat history facts was of the lone mascot that traveled the country. The USPS employees made him their own. You need to see it to get all of the details. You will be able to spend a number of hours in this museum. Enjoy!

Its a small museum, but theres plenty to do and to see and their gift shop has some interesting finds (e.g., first edition Disney and Harry Potter stamps) and other local memorabilia that make great gifts. Great for families with small kids. You can also design your own stamp and start your own collection for free.

I had an impromptu visit when passing the museum around 3:30pm and figured why not, all the museums will close soon and Im already here. I was plesantly surprised, looking at stamps from all over the world, the collection of stamps in American history, and the downstairs was great! I always wondered how the mail got sorted through so quickly, and seeing the different postal delivery vehicles throughout time was neat!

Overlooked, but worth a look. Ok, so that said, wow! Literally - suspended airplanes, trains (you can walk through) and automobiles together with much more in this spacious two story museum. The history of written communication / stamps / postage / air-mail / taxation is more in depth than anyone may passively realize. The museum offers lots of tactile interaction, free items ( stamps /postcards) but the staff make it a place to visit - nice goes a long way anywhere. Go. If nothing else, read about the start of Airmail and learn about the flyers who made it possible and marvel at what we now take for granted . Truly impressive.

This museum is out and away from the national mall. A Smithsonian museum with all the great things youd expect. Wonderfully big atrium filled with modes of transport, surrounded by rooms of the postal history. Everything was clear, good for children. The upper floor had more details on the stamps themselves and an impeccable archive of varied stamps. Im not into stamps, but I found the history very interesting.

Love it...awesome place for kids to explore...Remember kids section is one floor down...than main floor...they have big truck parked where kids can enter...and also exploratory route for post shown as cave....and guess what its completely free..

Perfect went here with my 1st and 2nd friends.so much better then the air and space Museum.

An interesting place to explore in Washington D.C. My wife and I visited here to see stamps around the world. I was amazed to see and discover the rich history of stamps. We also found some of the “rare” stamps in the world, which was exciting. It is worthwhile to visit if you’re around the area.

Loved it it was very interesting and being a postal worker it just show how much relay go in to every pice of mail that you get in your mail box

A fun stop for adult or child. Lots of hands on things for kids ... mail sorting and more. A great activity board for kids ... our 10y/o loved it! Great tribute to the postal system and their development and service through the years. It took us awhile to find ... but this is the museum!

Great museum for the family. Fun scavenger hunt to complete. Original artifacts and detailed history of the USPS including the first stamp howntheybwere made and hownmail evolved.

I was surprised by how large this Museum actually is! On the outside, it doesnt seem to be that big, considering it shares the building with the Bureau of Labor Statistics, but it has quite a few galleries with lots of marvelous objects.

I lovee this one. It’s very cute

Right across from Union Station. The exhibits are interesting with many being hands on. The architecture is beautiful.

This free museum was quite interesting. I cant say I was terribly interested in going to the museum, but it had some interesting stories and facts. My niece and nephew were able to do a scavenger hunt to keep them interested and occupied.

This was amazing! Fun and informative. Great for kids! The staff is incredibly helpful and friendly. The had a scavenger hunt for the kids and all the staff kept asking how the kids were doing and helped give them clues. It was not busy and I think it is not one of the more popular places in DC but I really recommend it for families with school age kids!!!

A far more interesting visit than I wouldve thought. Loved the history, interactivity, and architecture of the postal museum. Especially enjoyed learning about the unofficial mascot Owney and all of his adventures. A must see

From outside this looks like just a regular and nicely maintained building. But once inside i was quite pleasantly surprised as there is quite a lot to see.

I think this is a generally underrated Smithsonian museum, as it is further out of the way than many of the other museums. But it is extremely kid-friendly, has great staff, and shows a pretty important part of American history. Whether you’re a stamp-collector or not, I’m sure you’ll find the exhibits showing how stamps portrayed monumental American Advances inspiring, or the gallery on the evolution of the postal systems from the Pony Express to Air Mail interesting. A couple other plusses about the location: it is close to Union Station and Chinatown, both of which can be quick lunch stops before or after you go; it is also near the Georgetown Law School, which can be packed into a visit as well.

This is such an interesting and fun museum with some great interactive bits. Be sure to sit in the stagecoach and listen to the stpty. Also give yourself a good 90 min to see everything. The gift shop also has some neat stuff

Awesome exhibitions, great museum, really interesting to see how the postal service has helped shaped the modern world!

I loved it!! I am a postal worker so I am probably more interested than most people . It really is a cool museum

Very interesting history of the postal service with things for kids to interact with along with great stamp collection and ideas for collecting on your own.

This is such a hidden gem of a museum. Its never crowded and there is just so much to see. Its really good for kids theres a lot of interactive exhibits. A great place to see even if youre not into collecting stamps. You can also send a a letter or postcard from the museum and have it stamped with the national postal museums postage.

Really cool museum. They have artifacts one would never think of like a full mail criminal history section that includes stuff from the Anthrax incidents as well as the Unabomber artifacts.The stamp collection is epic and entertaining. The only downside here is security is super slow and limited in numbers, but I would definitely recommend this museum for anyone, families included.

Allow at least 3 hours while visiting this museum. Extra perk: there was a free give away of old canceled stamps and several new postcards.

Who doesnt love mail? This is great history on an overlooked but important societal institution!

I was not sure what to expect when visiting the museum, but I have to say I was pleasantly suprised. The displays regarding the history were very interesting and well presented. The facility is stunning! I have never seen so many stamps! It was cool to connect with something that Ive been fascinated with since I was a child. The care put into preserving and sharing this part of American history is truly impressive. I earned a new appreciation for the postal service after my visit.

Surprisingly interesting! Great for kids as well with lots of hands on activities. My children really enjoyed designing their own stamp and selecting some stamps to start their own collection.

Enjoyed a revisit. Havent been for decades. Although I enjoyed seeing it again it would have been nice to see some more updated exhibits or an expanded museum footprint. The building is huge since it is DCs old post office and Federal building. Definite room for expansion.

Guided free tours are very informative. There are things to see for adults and children. Exhibits are well designed with interactive components and clear descriptions. It’s very close to Union Station if you have time to kill before you train. You can buy stamps here, even on Sunday.

We absolutely loved the National Postal Museum!! Its really amazing all of the things they have in this museum! If you go to DC the Postal Museum is a must see.

Ive lived near DC all my life but never realized there was a Postal Museum. I went on a weekday so our wasnt crowded. The exhibits were pretty interesting. I mean really... stamps... post office...Ive passed this place so many times and finally decided to go in. Ill be taking the family there later to help the little ones practice reading. Two levels. And I think there is food inside, if not there are definitely food trucks right outside. Would recommend visiting, it may surprise you.

An educational experience in learning about the national postal and its evolution throughout the years including the change from horse to trucks then to air. There are interactive displays to help people learn more about the history of USPS. Beautiful and clean inside out. Admission is free like the other Smithsonian museums.

So much to see & very hands on. My kids loved sorting mail on the train, climbing aboard the mail truck and designing their own stamps. Fascinating history! Definitely recommend!

To me this was the best designed (experience wise) museum in the national mall area. I would suggest curious to take a look at it. Kids would love the museum. Pro tip: you could take 6 stamps from across the world as a free gift here.

Well worth a visit ad probably a bit underrated as a destination compared to other museums. A fun and interesting look at the history of mail in the USA . You only need 1 hour to explore this museum so theres no excuse not to visit it really.

Not only is this museum in an architectural gem of a building, it tells a fascinating story about the founding of our postal service, and how it adopts new technology to meet the demand of moving tangible items (letters, books, newspapers, and parcels) across the country and the world.This is a great museum for kids. Its filled with interactive displays. And like other Smithsonian Museums, its free.

Fantastic museum! This is one of our family favourites in DC. It isnt as well known, and is kind of a hidden gem. My children thought it was fun sorting and scanning (play) packages. My teen even enjoyed the museum, and I did as well. Its great for all ages. The building is beautiful, and the museum isnt as busy as the more popular ones. Its also free admission, just as many museums are in DC.

My favorite of the Smithsonian Museums. Very interactive, activities for all ages.

A surprising find - we were at Union Station and only had an hour left, this museum is right across the street. Very kid-friendly, a cool aircraft and pony express display, and interactive exhibits.

This was my favorite museum in DC. Very well organized. The tour guide had great info and was very friendly. There were lots of hands on activities for our kids too.

It wasnt even on my list, I was simply walking by. Amazing place to learn about how the post went from messengers to what it is today. Did you know that the USPS trucks can work off any type of fuel?

This is a beautiful place to visit just across the street from a Union Station. We had our luggage with us but they allowed us in with it after scanning it through security.Wonderful exhibits with a story line of the history of stamps. Friendly workers ready to answer questions.On the lower level there is an area showing how letters have been and are processed. Included are some hands-on exhibits and then also some vehicles from the history of the postal service. There are even some post cards available (on the main level) so you can write a quick note to a friend. (Stamps available for purchase on lower level next to the gift shop). All this and a clean restroom too!

Pretty informative although several exhibition rooms closed during a holiday period

The Postal Museum is likely my all time favourite museum with Air and Space right behind it. Growing up I was always fascinated by the USPS so to be able to go inside the museum anytime I want (when theyre open of course!) and go around into the exhibits then drop a postcard off into the post in the same place, it makes me very happy.Its super informative, a typically quieter place than most, and overall calming.

Parking around the building isnt a thing, so leave the car at the hotel. Nice usual exhibit areas that take you through the history of postal service in the US. Theres an engaging interactive portion of the mail that shows how sorting was done at different periods of time.Take some time to check out the library of stamps which is slightly separated from the rest of the exhibits. Theres postage from different countries too.Pour one out for Owney.

Happened upon this great little gem! You should stop by Just to be fascinated by the evolution of the mail delivery system.

The National Postal Museum is a must see for visitors to the Washington, DC area. Definitely a Must See for locals, too.Do you enjoy Americana and history? Then you must add the NPM to your list of places to visit in DC. Be sure to visit the wonderful Library downstairs.

Enjoyable visit. Great for the whole family. It was not crowded, even on a weekend. The displays were engaging and interesting. There was a place to write a postcard and then purchace stamps to mail it.

A super kid friendly Museum! A lot of interactive areas for kids including free post card table in the main floor! If you send the post card there, there is a special edition cancellation. Nothing better than hand written in this internet world.

The steak ppl we soaked Marshalls pancake with wood alcohol and drugs free none of the other guys and carpet cleaner and carpet tacks

Great museum, less packed than the more popular museums in DC. But its popularity has nothing to do with what is exposed. It is very didactic and excellent to visit with kids. My son loved it!

Very interesting. They have some very unique artifacts and admission is FREE. Also, theres this table with stamps from all over the world and you can take some as souvenirs. How about that?

Great Museum just across the street from Union Station. Its free to the public and overseen by the Smithsonian. Lots of exhibits and especially hands on exhibits for you and your family to enjoy. I thought Id be in and out in 30 minutes, but ended up needing about 3 hours to see everything..Great giftshop downstairs with a working post office for your mailing needs. Enjoy!

What a great gem hidden in plain sight. Located right next to Union Station, the National Postal Museum is jam packed with kinds of neat postal artifacts. Need to go back and explore more.

Hidden gem of DC. Not as flashy as some of the other museums but the items inside are awesome.

Not a single space-shuttle in here.

This is a great, colorful, interactive, educational museum like all the Smithsonian buildings, but it is on the other side of town next to Union Station. It is worth the extra time to visit and learn about how our country developed and still does to this day on the postal system.

Great experience!!! Fun hands on exhibits!!! Learned a lot about the awesome uniting power of the mail system!!! Security guards were helpful and kind!!! Please visit this museum!!!! You get to send a postcard from there for free!!!

I LOVED IT. a wonderful nostalgic piece of history,fascinating to know how far we have come in terms of progress in our lives, somewhere,somebody awaited news of well being, and it got delivered that itself is marvel that communication leapt forward from pony rides to satellites.

This is probably the smallest Smithsonian Museum in DC. While small, it does have some interesting exhibits that you wouldnt expect. Ones that stand out are the Amelia Earhart, Titanic and moon landing displays. If you have an hour or two to kill, it is worth the visit, especially since you can grab lunch across the street at Union Station once youve finished.

Loved visiting the Smithsonian Postal Museum. Its right across the street from Union Station and it wasnt crowded at all. You could also get free postcards, write them and mail them right from there. People who enjoy sending and receiving mail and all postal employees should definitely check it out.

This Museum was not as crowded as the others. It was close to the union station. They had a huge stamp collection that was very interesting.

This is an underrated gem. Kids will love the interactive exhibits and it is a very manageable size for younger families. Adults will appreciate history and social commentary provided by stamps. Dont miss it!

The National Postal Museum is the hidden gem in the Smithsonian family of museums. Truly focused on telling relevant stories with exhibits and activities for all ages. Set in an historic building with a post office built right in!

A wonderful and underrated museum, particularly for young children. Kids will love sitting in the drivers seat of a large postal truck with plenty of buttons to push. There is also an old train cart with a wide assortment of levers and buttons. For the older set, there are displays pertaining to mail fraud and other notable investigations, as well as interesting stamp collections.A great museum that is very rarely crowded- a rarity in DC.

Really fun little museum. Very hands on. Would be excellent for small children.

Make the time to properly visit this place. At least an hour. The stories behind the various stamps is amazing.

Very good for kids to know the old way of mail communication

Hidden Gem! Kids get to design their own stamps, go on a scavenger hunt with a prize at the end, and climb inside a postal rail car and a modern semi can!

Went over during a train layover. Wish I had more time to see the exhibits in depth. Just got a 45 minute overview. But liked what I saw.

The National Postal Museum shows an interactive history of the postal service in the US, from telegrams and the Pony Express to the setbacks along its way and its impacts on people groups and agencies.There are regular workshops in their beautiful Massachusetts Ave. space where you can craft or write using their used stamps from across the world, and archives of some of the rarest stamps ever printed. Im so glad this museum exists.

One of my favourite DC museums! Card making workshops are so fun.

You can buy stamps from different countries. Love the exhibits.

Museum describes both history through the post stamps and the history of post delivery. Take couple hours to dive into the history of USA.

The Museum is very interesting with a number of displays that recreate the atmosphere of the Pony Express and other early innovative mail delivery options. Coming originally from the UK I was interested to learn how 18th Century mail delivery in Britain was subject to the mail being read and how important the privacy of communications was to the founding fathers. There are some quite stunning aeroplanes on show and other vehicles.

This is a must visit in dc. Such history and fun interaction displays for the family. The security are extremely nice. Make sure to buy stamps

Hidden gem usually means anything but a gem but in this case it fits. This museum really is interesting and close to The Mall its a must see if you are there anyway.

This was actually cool. Literally we visited dc on 90 plus degree days. We ducked in here to cool off. I didnt expect it to be very interesting. But it was pretty engaging. The kids loved the planes and model stagecoach. As well as design your own stamps.

Nice chronicle of development of postal system in United States.

A great Smithsonian museum of the history of the Post Office! Lots of great memories from the past! You even get to bring stamps home as well a post cards. Nicely portrayed!

Stamps Stamps Stamps! The stamp are in pull out drawers, to sided glass framed in oak. Hundreds are drawer. All stamp subjects, countries etc are categorized. Short film of the upside down Jenny. Awesome collection of memorabilia, airplanes, mail bags, history in pictures, Pony Express Stage Coach with horses great you hung from the ceiling. One of my favorite museums.

One of the best museums in DC. I really enjoyed a lot. Learnt so many new things. We can create our own post with our photos. Can spend lot of time with family.

I love this museum! It is not crowded, interactive and fun for all ages. We visited 10 years ago and it made the list to visit again - did not disappoint, even now that the kids are teens.

Nice place and kept the kids busy.Clean place. My daughter said it had the cleanest bathroom in D.C.