Your list of museums to check out in D.C. is already long, but you may have to make room for one more. The National Geographic Society announced that it'll open a massive museum in mid-2026 called the Museum of Exploration at its global headquarters, nicknamed "Base Camp," downtown on 17th St NW.
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The new museum will include exhibits, an immersive experience, education center, a theater, and an eatery. Exhibits will cover global landscapes, communities, wildlife, and cultures; objects on display will include artifacts plus famous photography from the magazine. The museum will include virtual experiences and augmented reality features meant to bring National Geographic Explorer's expeditions to life for visitors.
The scientific education non-profit has been headquartered in D.C. since its founding in 1888. This new expansion of the building itself is being constructed in a sustainable fashion, with features like solar panels, bird-safe glass, and a green wall to purify air. Take a look at some of the renderings below:
