About the National Environmental Museum and Education Center
Opened in 2024, the National Environmental Museum and Education Center was developed to inspire and educate the public about the ongoing stewardship of the nation’s air, water, land, and public health.
The NEMEC highlights significant environmental history events and agency milestones dating back to the EPA’s founding in 1970. The museum includes historical and scientific artifacts, interactive displays, and video screens containing numerous stories and videos for individualized viewing. Signage outside the museum provides additional information about actions everyone can take to protect the environment in your own community.
Welcome Message
Watch a welcome video and learn more about the National Environmental Museum and Education Center.
Museum Hours
The museum is free and open to the public!
- Beginning in June 2024, the museum will be open Tuesday through Friday, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (closed Federal holidays).
Requests to visit the museum at another date or time should be sent to NEMEC@epa.gov. For any weather-related or governmental closures, the museum follows the Federal Government Operating Status for the DC area.
Note: There are no public restrooms in the museum. Public restrooms are available next door in the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center.
Accessibility
NEMEC is committed to accessibility for all visitors. The museum was designed to meet the requirements of the American with Disabilities Act, along with other regulatory guidelines. The EPA will provide reasonable accommodations – such as sign language interpreters, communication access real-time translation (CART) reporting services, and designated sighted guides for walking tours – to individuals with disabilities. Service animals are also welcome in the museum.
- To request an accommodation, please email NEMEC@epa.gov. Please provide at least 3 to 5 business days advance notice of any accommodation requests related to your visit to the NEMEC.
Location, Directions and Parking
The National Environmental Museum and Education Center is easily accessible to tourists as well as residents of Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia, whether you arrive by Metro, car, or air.
Located in the William Jefferson Clinton North Building at 12th and Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C., the museum is just four blocks from the White House and twelve from the U.S. Capitol. Adjacent to the Federal Triangle Plaza and Federal Triangle Metro stop, it is conveniently located close to many other popular tourist attractions including Smithsonian Institution museums, the National Gallery of Art, the National Archives, the National Mall, and the Children’s Science Museum.
Parking, a food court, and public restrooms are also conveniently available in the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, just across the Federal Triangle Plaza from the NEMEC.
Directions
Taking the Metro: Federal Triangle Station
- EPA's Federal Triangle campus is most easily accessed by taking DC's subway, commonly called "Metro."
- The campus is located at the Federal Triangle Metro stop on the Blue/Orange/Silver lines. Enter the museum at the Pennsylvania Avenue entrance to the William Jefferson Clinton North Building.
View a map of EPA's Federal Triangle campus (jpg)
View information about the Federal Triangle station
From Northern Virginia/Areas Southwest
- North on I-395 North
- Cross the Potomac River
- Bear to the left to exit on 14th Street NW
- Cross the National Mall
- Right onto Pennsylvania Avenue NW
- Start looking for a garage to park in. There is underground parking in one building EPA is located in the Ronald Reagan Building, and there are multiple garages on the other side of Pennsylvania Avenue on 12th, 13th, E, F, G and other nearby streets.
- The museum entrance is on Pennsylvania Avenue, between 12th Street and the Federal Triangle Plaza. The entrance near 12th street is for the U.S. Post Office. The entrance nearest to the plaza is for the museum.
From Dulles International Airport/Areas West
- East on the Dulles Airport Access Road / Toll Road. Cross I-495 (the Beltway).
- Merge onto I-66 East.
- Cross the Potomac River
- Continue straight on US-50 East/Constitution Avenue
- Left onto 15th Street NW
- Right onto Pennsylvania Avenue
- Start looking for a garage to park in. There is underground parking in one building EPA is located in, the Ronald Reagan Building, and there are multiple garages on the other side of Pennsylvania Avenue on 12th, 13th, E, F, G and other nearby streets.
- The museum entrance is on Pennsylvania Avenue, between 12th Street and the Federal Triangle Plaza. The entrance near 12th street is for the U.S. Post Office. The entrance nearest to the plaza is for the museum.
From Ronald Reagan National Airport/Areas South
- Exit north from the airport onto the George Washington Parkway
- North at the first exit on I-395 North
- Cross the Potomac River
- Bear to the left to exit onto 14th Street NW
- Cross the National Mall
- Right onto Pennsylvania Avenue NW
- Start looking for a garage to park in. There is underground parking in one building EPA is located in, the Ronald Reagan Building, and there are multiple garages on the other side of Pennsylvania Avenue on 12th, 13th, E, F, G and other nearby streets.
- The museum entrance is on Pennsylvania Avenue, between 12th Street and the Federal Triangle Plaza. The entrance near 12th street is for the U.S. Post Office. The entrance nearest to the plaza is for the museum.
From Baltimore-Washington International Airport/Areas North
- West on I-195
- South on Exit 2B to MD-295 towards Washington
- Right onto New York Avenue/US-50 West, remain on New York for several miles.
- Left onto 14th Street NW
- Left onto Pennsylvania Avenue NW
- Start looking for a garage to park in. There is underground parking in one building EPA is located in, the Ronald Reagan Building, and there are multiple garages on the other side of Pennsylvania Avenue on 12th, 13th, E, F, G and other nearby streets.
- The museum entrance is on Pennsylvania Avenue, between 12th Street and the Federal Triangle Plaza. The entrance near 12th street is for the U.S. Post Office. The entrance nearest to the plaza is for the museum.
From Bethesda and Rockville/Areas Northwest
- South on I-270
- Merge onto I-495 South (The Beltway) towards Northern Virginia
- Cross the Potomac River
- South on George Washington Memorial Parkway/Georgetown Pike at Exit 43-44 (to VA-193)
- North on I-395 Exit
- Cross the Potomac River
- Bear to the left to exit on 14th Street NW
- Cross the National Mall
- Right onto Pennsylvania Avenue NW
- Start looking for a garage to park in. There is underground parking in one building EPA is located in, the Ronald Reagan Building, and there are multiple garages on the other side of Pennsylvania Avenue on 12th, 13th, E, F, G and other nearby streets.
- The museum entrance is on Pennsylvania Avenue, between 12th Street and the Federal Triangle Plaza. The entrance near 12th street is for the U.S. Post Office. The entrance nearest to the plaza is for the museum.
Parking
There is an underground parking garage available for museum visitors. The garage entrance is located at 13-1/2 Street off Pennsylvania Avenue, opposite Freedom Plaza.
Visit the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center's website for parking rates and other information on the parking garage.