Museums DC USA - Attractions

Touch the moon!

The Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum has the largest collection of air and spacecraft in the world and is the most visited of all Smithsonian museums. Research and preservation efforts are a focus of the museum to examine the history, science and technology of air and spacecraft. The museum has two display facilities: The National Mall Building and Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.

I visit this museum every time I go downtown. It is small enough to do in 20 minutes if you rush, but if you even slightly enjoy modern art you could easily spend hours here. Their exhibits that come through are very creative and unique. A definite draw for anyone. Also, it is not one of the most popular museums so if you need to get away, there is never a crowd here.

Love this as a museum to tour with kids. You can't beat their expressions when they see the dinosaur bones in person. It's really one of those take a breadth and look around style of museums. It has something for everyone. Try going early in the afternoon as most people start to head off towards lunch and you don't feel so crowded in.

The National Museum of American History which is a part of the Smithsonian complex is a great place to see artifacts from our nation's history. In one place you can see famous gowns worn by the first ladies, see one of Abrham Lincoln's actual tophats and even see the flag that inspired our national anthem.
I visited the museum in August 2009 and I was on line waiting to get in at 9:15 am where the door opens at 10:00 am. The National Museum of American History is one of the most popular places in Washington DC and it can get crowded very fast. I highly reccomend first time visitors get here as soon as they open.
The one thing I would have done differently if I went again was to stay longer. I was there an hour and I didn't see half of what this great museum offers.

The National Museum of Crime and Punishment is a great place to learn about different types of crimes committed and ways the police can figure out who committed those crimes. The National Museum of Crime and Punishment is also the home of long time running show "America's Most Wanted." I visited The National Museum of Crime and Punishment in August of 2009 in the early afternoon and to my surprise, it was nearly empty. Here is a tip for first time travelers, even though cameras are permitted you are not allowed to use the flash. The National Museum of Crime and Punishment is quite a gem and you will not be disappointed.

The dinosaur skeletons on the ground floor are sure to please the kids. But there is something at National Museum of Natural History for everyone. The famous cursed Hope Diamond is on display as well as a live coral reef, a walk-through mine and an insect zoo with thousands of live specimens. The 'Discovery Room' encourages kids to touch, smell and taste the exhibits. If your feet need some rest, sit back and enjoy a film in the museum's Samuel C. Johnson IMAX Theater in the National Museum of Natural History.

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden is located just down the street from the National Air and Space Museum. Visitors stroll up a rising, circular incline and view works by Calder, Rodin, and contemporary sculptors. Special exhibits have included works by such artists as Mircea Cantor, Rivane Neuenschwander, and Morris Louis. The museum's collection includes 4000 paintings and 2000 sculptures. Do not miss the sunken sculpture garden across Jefferson Drive. Auguste Rodin's 'Burghers of Calais' is a must-see. Admission to the sculpture garden is free.

National Museum of African Art is the best museum in the United States for exploring the crafts and artwork of sub-Saharan Africa. Specific areas, such as the Kingdom of Benin and the city of Kerma receive special focus. The museum does a fine job of placing its collections into informative contexts. Children will enjoy the films, workshops and musical performances. Admission is free.

Lillian & Albert Small Jewish Museum is housed in the oldest surviving synagogue in Washington which was built by German-Jewish immigrants. Its dedication in 1876 was attended by President Ulysses S. Grant. Saved from the wrecking ball in 1969, the museum was moved three blocks to 3rd and G streets and restored as a museum exploring the Jewish contributions to the nation's capital. The permanent collection includes letters, scrapbooks, oral histories, photographs, ritual objects and textiles documenting the history of local Jewish families and organizations.

This is one of the best museums in Washington D.C. There are amazing exhibits. They include the elephant in the entrance and the t-rex inside the museum. There are also different themes throughout the building such as an under water area and arctic areas. They also have movies and televisions to help keep you entertained throughout the museum.

Any fan of American art should stop by Smithsonian American Art Museum. The George Catlin collection is especially extensive, but fine artists like James McNeill Whistler, Mary Cassatt, Willem de Kooning and Jasper Johns are also well represented. The museum is surprisingly eclectic. You will find a wide array of crafts from Native Americans and other ethnic minorities. Contemporary creations are especially intriguing. Do not miss the giraffe made of bottle tops or the Hampton Throne. Created in the garage of a local maverick, this foil-and-copper display includes a variety of household items and numerous religious symbols.

You'll find the National Museum of the American Indian on the National Mall. Its structure is a throwback to adobe homes in early American Indian culture. With a highly naturalistic design, the NMAI conducts a visitor through Indian history via a series of circles. Inside, various works of art, artifacts, and other remnants of American Indian culture are on display. The exhibit provides a valuable addition to our understanding of American Indian culture. Past exhibits have included indigenous world views through dress, native modernism, and contemporary indigenous viewpoints as told through poetry. Admission to the museum is free. It is, however, recommended that a timed entry pass be reserved online (with a service charge) because of the popularity of this national exhibit.

An Air and Space gift shop employee tipped me off to the cafeteria at the National Museum of the American Indian, and he is now my favorite person in D.C. The cafeteria sits underneath the museum and features a variety of tribal menus. I had a divine pulled bbq bison sandwich -- the meat was lean and smothered but not overwhelmed by its tangy, sweet sauce. Frybread with cinnamon and honey was another smash hit.

Being particularly interested in spies is just one of the many reasons a person would visit the International Spy Museum. Located in Washington, DC and thriving since its opening in 2002 the museum is a sure stop on your tour. I'd love to spend a few hours perusing these exhibits.