We went here with some friend while visiting the DC. area. It was very fun and interesting I wish I…read moretook more pictures. They had a room with a digital globe in it where you learned about different languages. Another room talked about telling jokes and you would sit and tell jokes to one another. There was a karaoke room where you learned about how music is constructed. There was a library which is like a Harry Potter room with a hidden door to a poetry nook. I would definitely recommend this place for $15.

Really lovely museum and experience. Beautiful exhibits and super interactive as well. Really…read moreenjoyed being able to learn the origins of words. Good for adults and kids alike. Great for people who love books or are just looking for a nice museum. Store was also very adorable and fun! Free tickets no reservation required. Very clean, new building as well. Good signage everywhere.

You really can't go wrong with any Smithsonian museum, especially when admission is free, but we…read morereally enjoyed the Natural History museum. We got through security quickly and found the museum very clean and easy to navigate considering how much there is to see inside. You could easily spend several hours here and still not see everything. We spent most of our time in the fossil and gem sections. My favorite was definitely the Hope Diamond. If you're visiting Washington, DC, I would absolutely go to the Natural History Museum but give yourself plenty of time because there is a lot to see.

Ok I hate that I am giving this 4 stars because it was so cool. I think just having been to the one…read morein London jaded me a bit. There is a lot of cool stuff here. Gorgeous building. But the whole thing was just screens and words to me. The animal parts were really fun, but the rest felt super super modern and basically like a textbook was printed on the wall. It didn't have any of the magic. I did not feel like reading paragraphs on the wall, I wanted to see actual stuff. And there was some stuff, but all the screens and modern-ness kinda killed it for me. As someone who didn't want to read or be in the middle of a pre-school field trip, this museum only took me 45 min. If you have never been to a Natural History Museum, definitely go. If you have been to any of the other ones, you can skip.

I visited the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream last weekend with my husband, and it…read morewas interesting. So what is it? It's a new museum that opened in the fall of 2025, just steps from the White House and the U.S. Treasury. It touts itself as an interactive museum which highlights the successes of American capitalism, entrepreneurship, and financial and banking institutions. The museum's namesake is Michael Milken, who partly curated and controls the museum. Located in five historic buildings, rumor has it the museum cost $500 million. Exploring the museum, I was conflicted. I love museums, and I think you should keep an open mind and learn what you can everywhere, from anyone, for your whole life. I value curiosity and critical thinking above many other things. However, this is definitely a museum with a point of view, and it's probably good to know that going in. Michael Milken is an American financier mostly known for his role in the development of the market for high-yield bonds (junk bonds), leading to his reputation as the "Junk Bond King," and his conviction and sentence on felony charges for violating securities laws. He was sentenced to 10 years (he served 2) and fined $600 million. He was pardoned by President Trump in 2020 and is considered to be one of the wealthiest people in the world (with an estimated net worth of $6 billion). None of this is to say you can't enjoy or learn from or even love the Milken Center. I just think it's relevant information to know going in as the museum deals with American financial markets and capitalism. I certainly wouldn't recommend taking your most progressive or democratic socialist friends to this museum. The museum is free to visit, but you do need to make an reservation for a timed entry (I'm not sure why, because they were not busy at all on a Sunday afternoon when we visited). There is an add on experience (the Holodeck Experience) which has an associated cost of $15 per person. We probably spent an hour and a half at the museum. You can certainly see where they spent the alleged $500 million. It's shiny and new and has lots of interactive aspects and exhibits. If you're into historical artifacts, this is not the museum for you. (They did have an iron lung, and since I'd only ever seen one other, that was a pretty interesting artifact to see.) This museum is full of videos and holograms and signs (and some art as well) but light on artifacts for sure. We wandered around the museum, not really sure what the highlights were that we shouldn't miss (we ended up missing the hologram gallery that many other reviews mention). Most of the financial floors of the museum weren't of very much interest to me, although I could see how it would be interesting/educational for kids (for example, there was an interactive quiz where you choose how much a young person with their first job should save, spend on trips, etc., and then you see how well they're doing after a bit of time). The highlights of the museum for me were the building itself and the art. The Basil Kincaid quilts are massive and and jaw dropping where they hang over the Tree of Generations. And two art-related exhibits really caught my attention: "Celebrating 250 Years: A Journey Through America with Robert Freimark" (which showcased abstract prints the artist made, each representing one of the 50 states) and "Visualizing Impact" (an exhibit showcasing art made by young artists in grades 6-12 focus on unsung heroes in history). We also did the Holodeck Experience - the add on experience for $15 per person. From their website: "It's more than just a movie--it's an unforgettable multisensory adventure held in a unique 360-degree megapixel environment. You're invited to embark on a new journey in the Perpetual Story Machine by Moment Factory, a mind-bending fusion of technology and imagination. Dive into stories of perseverance, innovation, determination, and mentorship at the breathtaking Kenneth C. Griffin Holodeck Experience. Are you ready to take the leap?" That's vague, but it's a hard experience to describe. I actually think children might enjoy it more than adults, because we found it a little silly (especially the parts where you have to "help" the Machine before the more movie-like part begins). We were alone at the experience, so it there were two staff members for the two of us. I did learn about three very different and interesting American experiences, but ultimately I found it a bit cheesy. The Milken Center is free, so I encourage anyone with some spare time to check it out for themselves. But it's not the museum for me. Some of the smaller art exhibits caught my eye, but the majority of the museum felt a bit off to me. Maybe I'm just not into these newer "museums" without artifacts. More like immersive experiences with informational signs. I doubt I'll be back, but you might get more out of it or enjoy more than I did. Who knows?

Heart this museum that use to be the Riggs National Bank built in 1899 and is also known as the…read morepresidents bank of which over half of the U.S. presidents use to bank. It's steps from the White House and U.S. Treasury. Heart the interactive museum that celebrates the successes of entrepreneurs and the opportunities, innovation and statements and videos of personal achievements. The museum has photos, original documents from the past history of the bank, and two original bank vaults. The tree of generations greets you as you enter the main floor and is interactive, so you and your family can post instantly your digital pic. I recommend this museum to everyone and you'll feel inspired & motivated after visiting this new museum.

What a lovely gallery! There was so much to see. A nice variety of art. I spent most of my time in…read morethe impressionist galleries. It wasn't crowded at all and it was easy to meander from room to room. The Garden Cafe was decent. They need more staff through. They had one person both clearing tables and serving food. She was working quickly but the wait was long.

I gave up taking pictures after a while because each exhibit room felt like more of the same. It…read morestarted to feel like I was living out Groundhog Day--every wall was filled with similar-looking portraits. While the subjects were different people, the artwork had such a similar style that it all began to blend together. I don't even think I took any pictures. I've never seen so many portraits in one museum before. It felt like room after room was filled with similar-style paintings, and after a while, it became repetitive and honestly exhausting. I found myself rushing through many of the galleries, and at one point I was so bored I started hiding from my daughter while she explored. Don't get me wrong--the artistry is incredible. The painting techniques, attention to detail, and craftsmanship are truly impressive. My only criticism is that the sheer number of similar portraits made the experience feel monotonous. By the time I reached exhibits featuring other cultures and artistic styles, I was already experiencing museum fatigue, which made it harder to fully appreciate those collections. A little more variety throughout the galleries would have made the overall experience much more engaging.

As a self-professed plant geek, I enjoyed my trip to the US Botanical Garden. They have curated an…read moreimpressive number of specimens, sorted by biome. While it is smaller than you might imagine, there is a nice indoor area with tropical, desert, Mediterranean, and other climates. I am a collector of Tillandsia species, and they had some nice ones in the tropical areas. Probably worth a few trips at different times of year to see the different blooms, etc. Free, like most DC museums.

I don't know how I hadn't visited the United States Botanic Garden until last weekend with how much…read moretime I've spent in DC in the last five years, but I hadn't! It's wild - because it's just off the National Mall, and I must have walked by dozens of times. I finally visited last weekend with a friend, and I had a pretty good time. It's free to visit, like a lot of the attractions on the Mall. We spent maybe a half hour to an hour exploring. This botanic garden is contained within two separate sections. The section that is north of Independence Avenue has some outdoor gardens and the conservatory. The section south of Independence Avenue has Bartholdi Fountain and another garden. They are connected, and you do have to cross Independence Avenue to visit both sections. It's not a large botanic garden; I've definitely visited larger. But as it's free, it's a great place to wander if you're in the area. The highlight for was actually the Bartholdi Fountain section. The fountain is beautiful and peaceful, and the Capitol building peaks through in the prettiest way in photos. If you visit lots of botanic gardens, this one might not wow as much as others. But it's yet another place that's worth a visit on the National Mall.

The Hirshhorn Museum is easily one of my favorite modern art museums in Washington, DC. Every visit…read moreoffers something new to discover, and the museum itself is as impressive as many of the exhibits it houses. A few highlights from my visit: Beautiful, clean, and modern space that complements the artwork perfectly. The museum's unique multi-level circular layout makes it easy to navigate and explore. Every turn seems to reveal a new exhibit, installation, or piece of art that invites you to stop and reflect. A great mix of modern and contemporary works that appeal to both casual visitors and art enthusiasts. Clean, well-maintained facilities throughout the museum. Bathrooms are conveniently located on the lower level and easy to find. Free admission makes it an easy recommendation for anyone visiting the National Mall. One of my favorite aspects of the Hirshhorn is how immersive the experience feels. As you move through the circular galleries, each corner offers something different to see and experience. The museum encourages exploration, and it's easy to lose track of time wandering between exhibits. Overall, the Hirshhorn is a must-visit for anyone interested in modern and contemporary art. Between its striking architecture, thoughtfully curated exhibits, and welcoming atmosphere, it's a place I return to whenever I'm in DC.

This is a pretty cool museum, but they REALLY overhyped the Basquiat x Banksy collaboration. There…read morewas one piece of Banksy art which was a take on a Basquiat piece. The Basquiat collection was also pretty sparse. Mr. Smithsonian should be ashamed. I hope he's looking up and reading this. The museum's upper floors are 2 concentric circles so I'd recommend doing 2 loops around to avoid missing anything. There were displays with videos, lights, paint, and other media. I enjoyed exploring. The sculpture garden was closed when I was there, so I was unable to see anything there. I also don't know what was on the ground floor besides the entrance and the cafe. Seemed like something else should have been there. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ It's worth a visit for sure and I enjoyed my time. But I was drawn in by the false hype.

This place is HUGE! I would highly recommend stopping by the volunteer desk on your way in for a…read moremap and to hear about some highlights. The woman at the desk gave me her opinion on where to start, what I couldn't miss, etc. This was super helpful when I was an hour in and starting to have museum-fatigue, so I just hit some of her favorites that she had circled for me. I loved getting to see some of the presidential portraits, but this was only a small part of the museum. So many incredible things to see, and so much diversity. I found the upper floors to have much cooler architecture than lower ones, so make sure you look up there. There was some construction happening when I was there, so some staircases led to locked doors and some hallways led nowhere. I am sure this is common, and was all part of the adventure.

We had a great time at the National Portrait Gallery. We brought our stroller with our 2.5 week-old…read morebaby. We found that the museum was stroller-friendly. And the women's bathroom had a changing table. We enjoyed looking at the exhibits. I especially liked the Grandma Moses collection of paintings and the presidents portraits.

I found this place by randomly zooming in on Google Maps! TikTok kept recommending all the popular…read morespots in D.C., but this turned out to be a true hidden gem. I loved exploring the different artifacts and seeing how they represent cultures from various time periods around the world. The exhibits are incredibly unique, diverse, and thoughtfully displayed. It may not look like much from the outside, but once you step in, you'll be surprised by how spacious it is. Definitely worth a visit! Your friendly neighborhood museum, with items you wouldn't expect to see. All the items are incredibly beautiful!

I purposely visited recently (winter season) because entrance to the gardens is free, otherwise…read moreit's $15. The gardens are interesting even in the cold months. The couple most closely associated with this Georgetown estate, Mildred and Robert Bliss, clearly loved and thought deeply about this parcel of land when they owned it (1920/30's). Their efforts to preserve and share the space with the public are to be commended. It must have been quite something in its heyday. There's a lot of research that's supported here, as well as other activities. The website explains all that. It's a low-key sightseeing spot; quiet, contemplative.

I enjoyed this museum. It's located in The National Mall of D.C. and has free admission. I believe…read moreit's open every day of the week. It was one of the museums open until 11 p.m. for the weekend of Juneteenth as part of the country's 250th national birthday celebration and summer solstice. I will definitely be back to explore the exhibits and all it has to offer because I only experienced one floor during my first visit June 2026. I was here under two hours and you need way more time to explore all floors of the museum. This museum is an eclectic mix of archives and info that represents different parts of the United States of America. I don't know if "history" is the right description or name for it. The museum seems to provide random factoids and capture iconic eras and everyday parts of life, even for modern times. Maybe National Museum of the American "Culture" or "Zeitgeist" would be a fitting title. There's a section dedicated to aquatic life, American automobile history, Latin America, food, and other exhibits I've yet to see. America's a mixture of cultures and people and influences that have contributed to its history, politics, and current way of being. The museum represents that interesting mix.

This was an interesting visit, and not the most successful of the museums we visited. My children…read moredidn't like this one at all. The one thing I wanted to see wasn't in rotation (Horn & Hardart restaurant). The displays were not excited to my kids in the least, and in the entertainment department they ended up wandering into the small rooms showing footage of racist clips- yikes! The museum was underwhelming- with vast empty spaces in between exhibits. Some of the formatting of the exhibits seemed designed to elicit a feeling or opinion and less about the audience making their own observations. I enjoyed seeing Julia Child's kitchen recreation and all of the information about her life- that was fun- but I went by myself. The kids did have fun in the innovation lab on the first floor, which had a lot of interesting hands on things for kids to do. They spent at least an hour here before tiring out. I would definitely take them back to the

The illusions here are fantastic, but what made the experience even better was the staff. If you…read moredon't quite know how to pull off one of the illusions, they're genuinely excited to demonstrate it, help you figure it out, and even help families get the perfect photos. They didn't just point us toward the exhibits and leave us to figure things out. It felt like a full, immersive experience rather than simply walking through a museum and looking at exhibits. We were able to really participate, play around, take photos, and enjoy every part of it.

I've been to the Museum of Illusions DC before, but this was my first time bringing my niece and…read morenephew. I realized afterward that there aren't many reviews mentioning how great it is for kids. I honestly thought we'd be there for about an hour. Instead, they spent nearly two and a half hours exploring and going back to their favorite exhibits over and over again. They loved the exhibit where it looks like your head is being served on a platter and kept taking turns with it because they thought it was hilarious. They also enjoyed the rooms that make people appear different sizes and the mirror exhibits. Their absolute favorite was the spinning tunnel. It makes me dizzy every time, but they thought it was the funniest thing ever and must have gone through it dozens of times. The only reason we left was because it was a school night. If you're looking for a fun indoor activity for kids, especially on a hot day, I would definitely recommend checking it out.