National Geographic plans to open a 100,000-square-foot museum in downtown D.C. by mid-2026, the organization announced Monday.

The National Geographic Society just announced plans for a huge new museum at its Dupont Circle campus. Why it matters: The Museum of Exploration, slated to open in mid-2026, is the biggest expansion in the educational nonprofit's 136-year history,

When it opens in mid-2026, the museum will include Nat Geo-exclusively curated exhibits, a state-of-the-art theater, an immersive "walking dark ride", an education center, and a showcase of important pieces of the company's archive.

The National Geographic Museum of Exploration will be a 100,000-square-foot expansion to the organization's D.C. headquarters.

The National Geographic Society announced that the National Graphic Museum of Exploration is set to open in D.C. in 2026. National Geographic said the new groundbreaking attraction will invite visitors to go on thrilling expeditions while immersing themselves in the excitement of exploration and discovery.

It’s official! A new museum is coming to the heart of Washington, D.C. with a new adventure for explorers. The National Geographic Society announced the National Geographic Museum of Exploration is set to open in the nation’s capitol in mid-2026.