Transportation Week at the National Museum of American History
Schedule
Mon, 27 Apr, 2026 at 10:30 am to Sun, 03 May, 2026 at 12:00 pm
UTC-04:00Location
Smithsonian National Museum of American History | Washington, DC
About this Event
Monday, April 27: Trains
Explore how railroads transformed American life with spotlight tours, hands-on docent carts, and a special Meet the Expert conversation in America on the Move. Discover how trains connect communities and power a growing nation.
Activities:
10:30 a.m.–noon: Docent-led spotlight tours and hands-on carts (America on the Move)
2:00–3:00 p.m.: Meet the Expert (America on the Move)
Tuesday, April 28: Automobiles
From early cars to lowriders, explore how the automobile reshaped American life through spotlight tours, hands-on docent carts, and curator conversations in America on the Move and the Low Rider exhibition.
Activities:
10:30 a.m.–noon: Docent-led spotlight tours and hands-on carts (America on the Move)
2:00–3:00 p.m.: Meet the Expert with museum curators (America on the Move)
2:00–3:00 p.m.: Meet the Expert with museum curators (Corazón y vida: Lowriding Culture)
Wednesday, April 29: Bicycles
Celebrate the bicycle as a tool for freedom, recreation, and expression with tours, performances, and conversations throughout the day.
Activities:
10:30 a.m.–noon: Docent-led spotlight tours and hands-on carts (America on the Move)
11:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.: Wheelwoman performance (1 West)
1:00–3:00 p.m.: Educator Spotlight on lowrider bicycles (Corazón y vida: Lowriding Culture)
2:00–3:00 p.m.: Meet the Expert with museum curators (America on the Move)
Transportation-themed activities (Spark!Lab)
Thursday, April 30: Route 66
Celebrate the 100th anniversary of Route 66 with spotlight tours and expert talks focused on the museum’s actual section of historic Route 66 on view in America on the Move.
Activities:
10:30 a.m.–noon: Docent-led spotlight tours and hands-on carts (America on the Move)
2:00–3:00 p.m.: Meet the Expert with museum curators (America on the Move)
Transportation-themed activities (Spark!Lab)
Friday, May 1: D.C. Metro
Saturday, May 2: Ships
Dive into the history of ships and seafaring through spotlight tours and curator conversations in America on the Move. Explore how waterways carried people, goods, and ideas across the nation and around the world.
Activities:
10:30 a.m.–noon: Docent-led spotlight tours and hands-on carts (On The Water)
2:00–3:00 p.m.: Meet the Expert with museum curators (On The Water)
Transportation-themed activities (Spark!Lab)
Sunday, May 3: The John Bull Train
Close out the week with programs highlighting the historic John Bull locomotive and the engineering of American bridges. Discover how innovation in transportation continues to connect people and places.
Activities:
10:30 a.m.–noon: Docent-led spotlight tours and hands-on carts (America on the Move)
Transportation-themed activities (Spark!Lab)
Where is it happening?
Smithsonian National Museum of American History, 1300 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
