USHMM Reviews

Probably the best museum I've been to in DC. The exhibits are very well organized. The text for the important historical points are large enough that many people can see it at once. The main exhibit is touching and really puts things into perspective.

I enjoyed the museum and I learned a lot. It was a very humbling experience to see such horror come from one group of people. I hope we learn from this but seeing what is going on in the middle East, Europe, and Africa, I don't think we have. Sad...

Great museum to visit on a trip. Everything made you think deep. Stepping inside was like stepping into a time machine and going back to that time. Beautiful place to mark one of the most atrocious happenings in history. Will definitely go back if given the chance.

A very somber but memorable experience while visiting the National Mall in March 2016. My favorite part about the museum were 1) a tall tunnel that you walk through with artwork/photos from the Holocaust, and 2) the ID card you receive with a Holocaust victim, with their life story and outcome on the last page.

Very intense. Much more detail than I've seen at similar museums. But be prepared for graphic and disturbing images.

The Holocaust Museum is designed to be an experience, rather than just exhibits. I saw and learned things I had never known from this atrocious time in the world's history. Many of the other reviews share the deep meaning and experiences that are available here, so I'd like to focus on a few tidbits of advice I can offer for your trip here. First, if you're thinking of bringing your children or a group of high school students here, please DON'T. The videos and pictures are real and authentic and important, but imho should not be seen by young eyes who can't understand the full context of the holocaust. Big groups are a major distraction in the small spaces. If you are leading a tour of teenagers, please break up into small groups for this museum with adults who can enforce the somberness required of this one visit. Second, to purchase same day tickets, get online at precisely 6 AM to make your purchase. I was able to get the time slot I wanted (for $1 each). At 6:20, I looked again and all the same day passes had sold out. This was for a Saturday, which may be different than weekdays. Once you arrive, be patient with the security line, and be prepared to take a sip of your water while security watches to ensure it truly is water. Finally, allow yourself to be humbled to have an experience with as few of your preconceptions as possible. I realized while I was there that so many of my ideas about the Holocaust were wrapped in American History ideals and curriculum - and were at the very least incomplete. All in all, this was an amazing experience and I'm glad we didn't miss it.

Had our time cut short, but this was a great museum to stop and see. Got our tickets the morning of and had a little difficulty finding a time to fit our party - but it was very educational and moving.

This is the most impactful museum I have ever seen. It is a very dark subject, but I went to see it anyway because I believe in learning from history. The way the exhibits are put together.... It staggers you with the information and images (without being obscene).

This place is pretty heavy for any Jewish visitor, the back end tours I'm not sure if you can see them unless you are American or have an American visa card. We had issues with purchasing the back end tickets as we had only Canadian credit cards. We saw one exhibit and it really is hard to digest the story of what happened. Every fellow member of the faith should be sure to visit, but it's is solemn and sad.

I am not Jewish but until one sees this exibit one does not understand how one human can do this to another.

This museum is a heartbreaking and beautiful documentation of the Holocaust. It is set up to carry you through the events as they happened. When we went it was very crowded so we weren't able to take the time to read all the signs that we by each area but everything is easy to see without having to stand right next to it. All of the exhibit areas are composed so well and you'll definitely want to take the time to reflect on things as you see them.

It seemed a bit weird to go, since it is not a fact of human history that I like to remember, but the truth is that the visit seemed incredible to me and I realized that it is good to have a museum like this so that history does not repeat itself

Definitely a must see museum if you come to D.C. Also plan to be there for a couple of hours since there are plenty of video displays to watch.

Don t have the correct words to describe what you feel when you enter the place. My recommendation before you go is do some research about what is the holocaust and then you can understand the feeling when you are inside the place.

Very powerful and a must if in DC
P.S. bring a jacket because it's chilly in there

Awesome but also extremely saddened by some segments of mankind.

Fantastic memorial & museum. Lots to read,
so be prepared. A lot of WWII history is provided at the beginning of the permanent exhibition, to help contextualize/remind us of what we see in the last two-thirds.

Staff were engaging and helpful. Permanent exhibition was very thorough. Some content is set up in a way that allows parents to easily censor it from their young ones.

The permanent exhibition is free but there is timed-entrance during the spring & summer high-tourist months. It s $1 to book a free ticket online.

The only issue I had was that the air conditioning was on way too high!

An amazing place which gives detail about the holocaust and what happened before, during and after. It's a place to go to! This is amazing history which connects us to our ancestors. It is an insightful place!

So emotional, make sure you have a Kleenex. Very disturbing- it's hard to believe humans can be so evil

This museum is very informative. You start from the 3rd floor and down (everything is in chronological order). I would suggest doing this museum in pieces to not get overwhelmed.

Very sobering. I have seen plenty on the Holocaust throughout the years, however seeing so much of it and reading the facts all in a short time time is hard. Seeing how evil people can be is disconcerting.

A very informative and moving museum. It's sad but also a good museum to go and see and learn more about the Holocaust.

Worth It, BUT Plan to Spend a While

Surreal, historical experience about the Holocaust. Took our children to learn about the experiences of those who were persecuted for their beliefs. Also to learn the benefits of standing up for what you believe in despite being different from everyone around you or what others perceive as "normal".

This is a multi-level museum. You will get a card of a person living during the holocaust. You will follow their timeline through the museum. Some live, others don't. If you are one of Jehovah's Witnesses or studying the experience of the only group offered 'release' for renouncing their faith, ask at the information desk. They have printouts of all of the Witness card they have under the experience. It's only a handful, but it will save you time looking through all the cards in attempt to find and follow the life of a Witness.

The artifacts are abundant. Too many to list... videos reveal actual footage of the holocaust. May be too sensitive for young ones. There are a few areas that are out of the eye shot of young ones that are more graphic, but please understand the content and prepare small ones. You can come and go as you please so you can leave, have a snack in the atrium and head back to the exhibit if you need to. Make a day of it or split it and come two days. It is a LONG experience.

Such a transformative experience to see their collections, learn the history, see modern day examples of oppression, and feel empowered to stand up for others.

This museum is so well put together to honor the lives of all victims and survivors alike. Getting timed passes is the way to go to avoid lines in the spring.

We were unable to get day passes as they had already run out by 11 am. However, we were able to go downstairs to the basement exhibit. Great exhibit, very interactive.

They say people spend 1hr and a half here on average. I was there 4 hrs and still did not have enough time.
It's a lot to take in even if you already know your history.
I suggest breaking it up to a couple days.
New exhibition downstairs of Americans reactions was pretty powerful, unfortunately I was out if time and had to leave.
Will be back, a truly remarkable museum.
Also most days they have a desk with a survivor sitting there will to share there story and answer questions.
So go sooner than later, the number of survivors left are dwindling each day.

Great learning experience. Go early to get the passes for the whole place. I didn't make it in time so missed a lot of what they have to offer

Very informative and harrowing place. Important for everyone to visit. It is free and has so much information. You could spend a whole day here. Loved the part where you take the passport of someone in the Holocaust and find more about their journey.

Could easily spend all day here reading, listening, and looking at all of the exhibits. Fascinating and heart wrenching.

This Museum is close to the Washington Monument. We got off a Big Bus Tour stop a couple of blocks away, and stopped in spur of the moment. We stayed for hours. This is one of the most efficiently run museums we visited in the District. A staff member approached us as we got in line, and made sure we got free admission (veterans get in free).

We found a tour starting, with a curator and group of university professors, and were invited to tag along. One of the most informative tours we had during the week, it was a frightening look into a very dark time in human history.

Chilling but respectful way to tell the story of the victims and survivors...Never Forget!

Eye opening experience. Very interesting to go through.

Got to see a first person encounter of the holocaust and it was amazing.

A very interactive experience, and interesting. Security is tight, which I understand. But a very cool visit.

Allow more than the 2-3 hours they recommend. We had to rush through three last 1/3 because they were closing. I'd say easily 4 hours, maybe even 5 if you want to experience everything. Absolutely worth every minute.

The museum feels like a very long documentary, with walls of text and black and white movies. It does not try to make history appealing to younger generations, and does not use use the shock of the holocaust well. Also, as it was crowded, even were it was interesting there was way too many people in front for me to read and take in what was being presented. I can only recommend this museum to history buffs. If you want your children to learn about the holocaust I suggested you do it at home.

Very sad.... and scary to see SO MANY similarities between Hitler and Trump.

It is a historical museum of actions that should never be repeated.

I intended to spend an hour here, but ended up spending 2.5 hours. Very powerful and moving. Felt it had a balanced approach, including all that suffered through this dark time.

Great experience! Well documented and highly moving.

A must see. Whether you're personally connected with this historical event or not, it's an emotional journey that should be seen. Only gave it 4 stars because it was too busy and overloaded with people.. that's what we get for going in July

This is by far my favorite memorial in D.C. It sheds so much light on an extremely saddening era, yet provides this incredibly/fascinating insight on how one individual could persuade so many. The main & rotating exhibits will not only pull at your heart strings, but you ll leave in a state of shock. Hopefully we can learn from history. 10/10 you need to experience this memorial if you are in D.C.

This was an intense experience. I suggest everyone to at least once. It's important to remember the things that have happened. The layout is beautiful and the stories are deep and touching.

Absolutely amazing. Lots of information, shocking and mind-blowing.

Everyone should visit this museum at some point. It's overwhelming to witness what people can do to each other, and how far it can go. "Remember what you've seen here."

Very special place to visit. Not exciting but very important for everyone to experience. Presented in an impactful, factual manner. Self-paced, which is good, since some areas demand more time, and some are difficult to spend more than a few minutes within. You will learn more than you thought there was to know about this terrible blot on makinds history. Care should be used with children, since some material is very graphic, and the very subject can be hard for younger ones to grasp, let alone for parents to try and explain without nightmares.
Best approached by metro, since parking is expensive and difficult. Admission is free, good cuz it is an important thing for people to see.

A must see for any human being...if we don't learn about the mistakes of the past then we are doomed to repeat them. On a less serious note, wear comfortable shoes, it's a lot of walking.

A truly scary but enlightening place as the museum guides you through those terrible times

So much history, it is a very sobering place to be.

One of the most educational and sad things I have ever been to. Strongly recommend you go to this museum!

Too bad I couldn't see everything, you have to go in the morning

I love it!! other than its sad, its great. You get a card than at the exit you see if they survive or not.

Worth visiting difficult to get thru the experience without becoming emotional, especially the children. My heart broke over the atrocities that humans commit. Evil does exist.