House of History Bonn | Opening Hours & Parking

The House of History Bonn is much more than a classic museum: It is a place where German contemporary history since 1945 is told personally, close to everyday life, and interactively. The house belongs to the Foundation House of History of the Federal Republic of Germany and is one of four museums of the foundation. The museum building in Bonn was specifically constructed for this house; the foyer serves as the communicative center and connects exhibitions, event rooms, information center, museum café, shop, and administration. The permanent exhibition features over 3,800 objects at its core, including strong traces of everyday life and memory that link political developments with personal stories. Those looking for opening hours, admission, parking, guided tours, or family offerings will find a location that is historically relevant, practically accessible, and clearly structured for various target groups. Admission is free, and the offerings range from the new permanent exhibition “You are part of history. Germany since 1945” to current temporary exhibitions such as “After Hitler. The German confrontation with National Socialism.” ([hdg.de](https://www.hdg.de/haus-der-geschichte/organisation))

Opening Hours, Admission, and Holidays at the House of History Bonn

For planning a visit, the opening hours are particularly important, as they determine whether a spontaneous trip, a family visit, or a planned guided tour fits well into the daily schedule. According to official visitor information, the House of History Bonn is open from Tuesday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. On Saturday, Sunday, and holidays, the hours are from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The museum is closed on Mondays. Additionally, there is the great advantage that admission to the museum and all exhibitions is free. This combination of free admission and clear time slots makes the house very attractive for tourists, Bonn families, school groups, and culture-interested visitors. Those who want to inform themselves about the daily program in advance can also check the event page, where public tours, children's programs, and special dates are published separately. ([hdg.de](https://www.hdg.de/haus-der-geschichte))

Especially helpful is the official holiday overview for the year 2026, as it shows that the house remains open on many public holidays. Included are, among others, Ascension Day on May 14, 2026, Pentecost Sunday on May 24, 2026, Pentecost Monday on May 25, 2026, Corpus Christi on June 4, 2026, German Unity Day on October 3, 2026, All Saints' Day on November 1, 2026, as well as the 1st and 2nd Christmas holidays on December 25, 2026, and December 26, 2026, each from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The museum is closed on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. For the New Year 2026/2027, New Year's Day is already indicated with 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. A separate Easter block is not listed on the page, so it is advisable to check the current visitor information for Good Friday or Easter Monday. This transparency is particularly valuable for SEO-relevant searches such as opening hours, opening hours on holidays, or opening hours during Easter. ([hdg.de](https://www.hdg.de/haus-der-geschichte/besucherinformation))

Directions, Parking, and Accessible Routes to the Museum Mile

The address of the house is clear and central: Willy-Brandt-Allee 14, 53113 Bonn, directly on the Museum Mile. Those arriving by public transport have several good options. The official visitor information mentions the subway lines 16, 63, and 66 with the stop Heussallee/Museumsmeile, as well as bus lines 610 and 611 with the same stop and the train stop Bonn UN Campus. The English visitor information additionally lists lines 67 and 68. For many guests, this is practical, as the journey from Bonn city center or the main train station is well planned. The location is also attractive for visitors who want to combine their museum visit with a walk along the Rhine. The house is situated in a culturally rich environment with other institutions on the Museum Mile, making it easy to combine the visit with further stops in Bonn. ([hdg.de](https://www.hdg.de/en/haus-der-geschichte/visitor-information))

Those arriving by car should take the surrounding area into account: A green environmental sticker is required for Bonn city center. Parking options include the APCOA parking garage on Museumsmeile at Emil-Nolde-Straße 11, the car and bus parking lot of the Museum Mile at Joseph-Beuys-Allee, and the parking garage at the World Conference Center Bonn at Karl-Carstens-Straße. For the navigation device, the visitor information recommends Welckerstraße as the destination for entry. Particularly important for guests with mobility impairments: There are two street parking spaces for visitors with disabilities directly in front of the main entrance on Rheinweg, and the underground garage can also be used; the entrance height is a maximum of 1.90 meters. The main entrance is located on Rheinweg at the corner of Willy-Brandt-Allee, at ground level and with automatic sliding doors. This makes access well prepared not only for drivers but also for wheelchair users and families with strollers. ([hdg.de](https://www.hdg.de/leichte-sprache/haus-der-geschichte-bonn/anfahrt-und-parken/))

Accessibility is not a marginal topic at the House of History but part of the visit concept. The museum and its exhibitions are largely wheelchair accessible. Elevators connect the foyer, museum café, basement, and upper exhibition levels; there are individual seating areas in the exhibitions, and upon request, the visitor service can assist with planning. Assistive aids such as wheelchairs, walkers, canes, or stools can also be borrowed according to the website. For those arriving by public transport, it is important that elevators are available at the subway stations Heussallee/Museumsmeile. This creates a visit framework that is suitable for elderly guests, people with mobility restrictions, school classes, and families alike. When a location convinces not only in content but also in organization, it significantly strengthens the search intent around directions, parking, and accessibility. ([hdg.de](https://www.hdg.de/en/haus-der-geschichte/visitor-information/accessibility))

New Permanent Exhibition, Current Exhibitions, and the Topic of Renovation

The substantive strength of the house lies in its newly designed permanent exhibition. Under the title “You are part of history. Germany since 1945,” the museum tells German history as a personal, interactive, and digital journey through time. The official press release describes the exhibition as fundamentally redesigned after over three decades, more digital, inclusive, interactive, and more oriented towards the everyday lives of people. The focus is not only on political developments but also on memories, biographies, and objects that make history tangible. According to the website, notable exhibits include a self-built escape plane, a doll cradle from the post-war period, a Ford Transit from the life of an immigrant family, and a treehouse as a symbol of environmental protests. The exhibition works with more than 3,800 objects and extends into the area “Today,” where current topics and societal debates become visible. Thus, the term renovation here is not only relevant in a structural sense but also curatorially: The house has modernized its narrative style and focused more on participation. ([hdg.de](https://www.hdg.de/presse/pressemitteilung-2025-12-05-du-bist-teil-der-geschichte-deutschland-seit-1945-eroeffnung-der-neuen-dauerausstellung-im-haus-der-geschichte-bonn))

The current temporary exhibitions are also important for SEO searches for current exhibitions and programs. On the official exhibition page, the House of History Bonn announces, among others, “After Hitler. The German confrontation with National Socialism” running until January 2027 and “Abandoned, Decayed, Forgotten. Lost Places in Germany” starting May 7, 2026. The page clearly shows that the house not only offers a fixed permanent exhibition but also changing thematic shows that connect societal present and historical memory. For visitors who consciously search for a current exhibition in Bonn, this is a strong signal. The visit can be planned anew each time, as a second or third appointment can have a different thematic profile. Especially in the context of search terms like current exhibition, renovation, or reviews, it is important: The house does not tell history statically but as an ongoing engagement with democracy, memory, and everyday culture. ([hdg.de](https://www.hdg.de/haus-der-geschichte))

For groups and individuals, there are also public tours through the new permanent exhibition. These can be booked through the booking portal; group bookings are handled through the visitor service. The website additionally mentions foreign language tours in English, French, Spanish, Polish, and Russian for groups of 15 or more. For the temporary exhibition “After Hitler,” public tours are available on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday at 3 PM, also with registration. This combination of freely accessible exhibition and bookable tours is particularly valuable for guests who want to not only look but also dive deeper into the content. When the search intent behind tours and current exhibitions is taken seriously, the House of History is a clear hit: It combines curated content, educational offerings, and current societal references in an open museum concept. ([hdg.de](https://www.hdg.de/haus-der-geschichte/ausstellungen/dauerausstellung))

Guided Tours, Accompaniment, and Visitor Information in Everyday Life

Those looking for guided tours will find a structured offering at the House of History Bonn that caters to different visitor groups. Public tours for individual visitors can be reserved through the booking portal. For groups, bookings can be made by phone or email through the visitor service. The central idea behind this is that the new permanent exhibition can not only be explored independently but also lives even more strongly in a guided form through objects, stories, and historical contexts. The house is explicitly open to various languages: In addition to German, guided tours for groups are also available in English, French, Spanish, Polish, and Russian. This is an important point for Bonn as an international city, as both tourists and international guests can make good use of the museum. The tours are free of charge, which additionally facilitates access and makes the house interesting for school and club groups. ([hdg.de](https://www.hdg.de/haus-der-geschichte/begleitungen/))

The topic of renovation is not only to be understood as a structural change but as a renewal of the entire mediation concept. The official press release describes the process as an intensive redesign, and the museum festival for the reopening in December 2025 made it clear that many small and large steps were involved in the new permanent exhibition. For SEO, this is relevant because searchers looking for renovation usually want to know if the house is open, how modern the rooms are, and whether the visit is worthwhile. The answer is clear: Yes, the house is open, admission is free, and the new permanent exhibition has been explicitly designed to be digital, inclusive, and interactive. Those planning a visit will not only receive finished exhibition results but also a museum that understands its current form as part of its storytelling. This makes the place particularly exciting for people seeking education, memory culture, and contemporary perspectives. ([hdg.de](https://www.hdg.de/presse/pressemitteilung-2025-12-05-du-bist-teil-der-geschichte-deutschland-seit-1945-eroeffnung-der-neuen-dauerausstellung-im-haus-der-geschichte-bonn))

Practical visitor information also includes free cloakroom, lockers, Wi-Fi, and air-conditioned rooms. Food and drinks may be consumed in the foyer, museum garden, and café, but not in the exhibitions. Such details are important as they make the visit more relaxed, especially during longer stays, with families, or with groups of older individuals. The house is also well prepared for organizational questions: The visitor service coordinates groups, tours, and special requests, and the site provides numerous hints on accessibility, historical sites, and additional offerings. This turns a museum visit into a planable stay that works well both spontaneously and in advance. ([hdg.de](https://www.hdg.de/haus-der-geschichte/besucherinformation))

Children, Families, and Suitable Age for Visits

The House of History Bonn is particularly suitable for families because it not only presents content but also provides concrete participatory offerings. On the family page, the museum mentions a family trail in the permanent exhibition designed for children aged 4 and up. This trail leads on a joint discovery journey through the exhibition and uses the mascot “Klotzis” to guide children playfully through the stations. In addition, there is the Basic Law trail, which allows a postcard to be stamped at eight stations, as well as the Open Atelier, which invites families and children to participate on selected Sundays and holidays. The house explicitly states that it offers programs for children of various age groups, both accompanied and unaccompanied. Thus, the place is not only interesting for older children and teenagers but also for families with younger children who desire a relaxed, content-rich, and yet child-friendly museum environment. ([hdg.de](https://www.hdg.de/haus-der-geschichte/lernen/kinder-und-familien/))

Family-friendliness also includes practical aspects: Strollers and carriers are welcome in the exhibition, a changing room is located in the basement, and there is a quiet nursing room in the medical room behind the cloakroom. The website also points out that children may be carried in arms but not on shoulders due to safety systems such as smoke detectors and sprinklers. For inquiries such as at what age or for children, this is a clear and honest answer: There is no general minimum age for museum visits, but the family trail is recommended for ages 4 and up, and the other offerings are age-differentiated. This makes the visit flexible. So, those coming to Bonn with toddlers, elementary school children, or teenagers will find a museum that not only provides content but also takes the everyday situation of families seriously. ([hdg.de](https://www.hdg.de/haus-der-geschichte/besucherinformation))

Especially in the interplay of history, interaction, and child-friendly stations, a clear added value for family outings emerges. The permanent exhibition works with objects, media, and personal stories that can also appeal to younger visitors without overwhelming them. At the same time, the house remains manageable through free accessibility, elevators, break rooms, and a well-visible foyer. For parents, it is also relevant that the museum provides a clear framework: Exhibition areas are quiet, structured, and equipped with seating, while the transition between viewing, participating, and resting is well possible. This creates a place that is not only tolerated for children but actively considered. ([hdg.de](https://www.hdg.de/haus-der-geschichte/ausstellungen/dauerausstellung))

Café, Shop, Photos, Dogs, and Important House Rules

The visit experience at the House of History also includes the café. It is called “Zwischenzeit” and invites visitors to enjoy coffee, tea, fresh seasonal dishes, and sweet snacks. It is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 11 AM to 5 PM, and payment is only accepted by card. Those looking for a restaurant will primarily find a museum café and not a classic restaurant in the house. In addition, there is a museum shop with selected items related to contemporary history, exhibition-related books, postcards, and souvenirs. The shop is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:30 AM to 6:00 PM. This also meets practical needs such as a break, a small snack, or a souvenir after the tour. Especially for longer stays or family visits, this is a real plus, as the museum visit can easily be combined with a coffee break. ([hdg.de](https://www.hdg.de/haus-der-geschichte/besucherinformation))

The house rules are clear and particularly relevant for many inquiries regarding photos and dogs. Private photography and filming are allowed in the exhibition rooms, but without flash, lamps, tripods, or selfie sticks. In certain cases, this may be restricted for safety reasons, and for commercial or editorial use, permission from the museum management is required. Animals are allowed in the museum, for example in the foyer, but not in the exhibitions; an exception applies to assistance dogs. Additionally, the free cloakroom is practical, as winter coats, backpacks, and bulky items can be stored there. These details are important for visitors as they make the stay stress-free and compliant with rules while also showing that the museum professionally handles protection, comfort, and accessibility. ([hdg.de](https://www.hdg.de/haus-der-geschichte/besucherinformation))

The other conditions are also visitor-friendly: There is free Wi-Fi, the permanent exhibition, temporary exhibitions, as well as the café and lounge are air-conditioned, and food and drinks may be consumed in the foyer, museum garden, and café. Such information may be unremarkable but is very valuable for a location with many visitors throughout the day. They make the difference between a nice program point and an entirely well-planned stay. This is why the House of History Bonn is often searched with terms like photos, dogs allowed, café, or restaurant: People want to know if the visit works practically. The official website answers these questions clearly and thus builds trust before the actual trip. ([hdg.de](https://www.hdg.de/haus-der-geschichte/besucherinformation))

Sources:

• House of History Bonn – Homepage
• House of History Bonn – Visitor Information
• House of History Bonn – New Permanent Exhibition
• House of History Bonn – Children and Families
• House of History Bonn – Tours
• House of History Bonn – Accessibility
• Press Release – Opening of the New Permanent Exhibition