The Museum of the Bible is a very cool place with so much to see and experience! We visited on a…read moreTuesday, so general admission was free, which was a nice bonus. I did pay extra for the All Creation Sings worship experience and timed entry to the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit. All Creation Sings was a neat experience with great music and impressive graphics. I just wish there had been more music throughout the experience. Unfortunately, the interactive screens weren't really working during our visit either, which was a little disappointing considering it was a paid add-on. One of our favorite parts of the museum was walking through Nazareth. The setting was really well done, and interacting with the actors stationed throughout made it especially fun and immersive. I also really enjoyed seeing the Dead Sea Scrolls! It was incredibly cool to view them in person, along with so many other artifacts from biblical times. It was also really cool to be able to leave a prayer in the replica prayer wall. There is a lot to explore here, and we really enjoyed our visit!

We recently visited the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C. for a special members-only event…read morefeaturing the Dead Sea Scrolls, and it was a wonderful evening. We took Metro from Loudoun County, and getting there couldn't have been easier. It's a direct ride on the Silver Line, and the museum is conveniently located right by the Federal Center SW Metro station. No need to deal with D.C. traffic or parking! We are members of the museum and were invited to this special evening event, which ran from 6-8 p.m., after the museum's regular 5 p.m. closing. The evening included a couple of very nice Dead Sea Scrolls-themed beverages and a lovely reception in the Gathering Room on the 6th floor. There was a generous selection of hot and cold appetizers, along with tables and plenty of space to mingle with other guests. The highlight was the guided tour. Our docent was extremely knowledgeable and gave us a fascinating history of the Dead Sea Scrolls along with a very descriptive explanation of the individual pieces and their significance. Having someone so well informed guide us through the exhibit really added to the experience. The museum itself is huge, with many different exhibits and areas to explore. Since this visit was specifically for the evening event, we didn't have an opportunity to see everything the museum offers.

Went to DC for the weekend and my granddaughter wanted to see the dinosaurs so off we went to the…read moreSmithsonian. Considering that it was the weekend and the museum was packed, everything went smoothly and everyone had a good time. The museum was immaculate and you could find staff members everywhere you went. There is something for everyone to enjoy. When in DC, do yourself a favor and stop by for a visit.

The Natural History Museum is one of many free attractions in Washington, DC. There are two floors…read moreof interesting exhibits to view. For instance, one room is dedicated to crystals and gems. See the lovely Hope diamond and exquisite jewelry from royalty. Another room shows taxidermy animals from the African Savannah. You can spend all day here if you can last. Parking is limited. Use Metro or ride share if possible.

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.

I really enjoyed the overall concept and creative vision of this museum. It has a lot going in its…read morefavor. It has a prime location within easy walking distance of Metro center, in the beautiful old Franklin building. The staff are friendly and helpful. There is no charge for entry although donations are very welcome. One could almost go exclusively to visit the gift shop and the museum cafe as they are both so nice and full of fun things to feast the senses on. But for now I will stick to the museum. You start on the third floor and work your way down. There are displays for all ages and levels of interest, from very technical linguistics to basic "repeat after me". There's karaoke for the brave, joke telling for the dads, a Photo Booth for the tweens and an absolutely epic library in which fairy tales come to life. There's also a section on advertising and it's lures. The café is really fabulous and delicious and gives you a true taste of the global plate that America thankfully has adopted. I thoroughly enjoyed my West African chicken and shrimp curry. I was only sad that it was too early in the day on a weekday and with kids to enjoy one of their dozens of fantabulous looking cocktails! I'll have to go back for that!

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.

Each one has its own vibe, whether you're checking out the dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum…read moreor seeing actual moon landers at the Air and Space Museum. Everything is well put together and easy to explore, and the fact that it's all free is amazing! The long lines are 100% worth the wait!

Many wonderful museums mostly in DC, one in Northern Virginia, and I think two I haven't seen in…read moreNYC. Used to work at the National Museum of American History as a disabilty history intern. They have so much in collections and not enough room to display. Glad it is expanding to a few newer museums like the Latino and Women's history, the latter which my wife is a charter member of. My favorites are the Zoo which we are a member of and African American Hisrory Museum. It is a shame how the current administration and Congress is trying to whitewash them but it is still a great place to go and support. Best of all almost everything you see is free.

I'm a plane nut so of course I'm going to rate this place pretty high. With three floors to…read moreexplore, there is plenty to see and do here. This museum is easily my favorite museum out of all the Smithsonian museums, hands down. So much amazing history is found here to witness with your own eyes. It really makes the monumental accomplishments that you read in books and online come to life. Unfortunately, my last visit was shorter than usual because a good chunk of the museum was closed for renovation so I wasn't able to see the historic WW2 war birds. Bummer. Hopefully, that section is back up very soon. Looking for a cool souvenir from your time in D.C.? The gift shop here is absolutely huge, three floors with all things space and aviation.

It was ok. But to he honest I didn't really want to go, but children get their way sometimes. Like…read morethe other Smithsonian museums it had some cool stuff.

One of my favorite museums. It's easily accessible from the National Mall…read more There is an east and west building as well as the outdoor sculpture garden. There are so many pieces of art to see including a rare da Vinci. Absolutely breathtaking art from French Impressionism to Dutch Baroque. As with most DC museums, admission is free.

Gigantic gallery, and before you go, pick a few areas that are must see. It's a bit difficult to…read morecomplete the whole museum in one day. There is an east wing, west wing, and an outdoor sculpture ground as well. Map layout is very clear and the exhibits are very well marked. Highly recommend if you get lost to ask a docent or one of the guards in the rooms. Often they will do special exhibitions featuring artists, so look online for the specific dates you are planning your visit for. Cafes and bathroom spread throughout the museum. Multiple gift shops. The main cafeteria is between the east and west wing on the basement and so is the main gift shop. Parking is paid on the street.

This was my inaugural visit to any such museum. I thought it would be a boring museum full of 'spy…read more equipment.' I was definitely wrong. After purchasing an entrance ticket for a planned arrival time, patrons enter and assume a special identity for an undercover mission while learning about espionage, intelligence, and all that goes along with being a spy! The museum is digitally interactive via numerous computer stations throughout the different floors. The stations are where you receive your info and complete your challenges in order to move forward in your secret mission. The challenges begin with the first station that assigns your secret identity & code words. Your mission ends just before you complete your journey through the museum. I would definitely say that the museum is much too advanced for children below the ages of 13-14. There is so much to learn (all they way back to WWII) within the 2/3 floors (depending on whether an extra exhibit is available.) There is also an expansive store of lesser quality trinkets/toys/games/clothing that are likely available via amazon for less money than what the museum charges. I'd also recommend securing your entrance time/ticket the day before you want to go. I did not and had to wait an extra hour after my initial arrival until the 'next mission.' Good thing there were two food trucks out front to pass the extra time on my hands.

My wife and I really enjoyed the Spy Museum. It was an easy Uber ride from our hotel. They have a…read morereally cool gift shop for all your spy related needs. The staff was friendly and helpful. There are interactive exhibits and some hands on stuff. After watching all these true crime spy documentaries it was great to see what the government has to deal with. There is no doubt that spies are all over the place and you can see the high tech and low tech ways in which they gather and pass on information. I saw children doing some of the hands on stuff and they were having a great time. A must see museum.

One of my favorite national museums…read more The museum makes a strong first impression, with sculptures and a rushing waterfall surrounding the exterior. Inside, the soaring ceilings create a grand sense of scale. The walkways were accessible and easy to navigate, though the elevators were a bit slow. During our visit, the museum was not particularly crowded, allowing us to take our time reading the exhibits and fully appreciating the displays. What I appreciated most was the museum's emphasis on the differing perspectives of American Indians and Americans throughout history. Many exhibits presented both viewpoints side by side, highlighting how dramatically interpretations of the same events could differ. The timelines were thoughtfully organized and I learned about numerous Indigenous nations and communities that were rarely discussed in my prior education. The Americans exhibit was particularly memorable. It explored the representation of American Indians throughout popular culture, including television, sports mascots, advertising, food branding, and more. At the end, visitors were invited to write postcards reflecting on examples of Indigenous representation in modern life. Pocahontas was a recurring figure throughout the exhibit and I gained a much deeper understanding of both her historical significance and how her story has been commercialized and reinterpreted over time. The Nation to Nation exhibit focused more on cultural and historical artifacts, showcasing clothing, household items, tools, and musical instruments. Meanwhile, Water's Edge explored the importance of water through both artistic expression and its relationship to Indigenous life and traditions. The gift shop was easily one of the best I encountered among the national museums. It featured a wide variety of unique and meaningful souvenirs, and the lighter crowds meant several items sold out elsewhere were still available here. I was surprised by some of the lukewarm reviews, as I found this museum engaging and informative from start to finish. It easily filled two to three hours and I left with a far greater appreciation for Indigenous history and perspectives. I would love to see future exhibits further explore Native American music, art, and cultural expression.

I came for the taco and stayed for the art! After researching a few places for lunch, the reviews…read moreof the Mitsitam cafe here were amazing for their fry bread taco. The museum itself is gorgeous, inside and out. The grounds area has lots of plants and shrubbery to observe. It's kind of serene and takes you away from the capital craziness which isn't too far away. Inside, you'll find multiple floor with displays about history, conflict, and art. I took the elevator to the top then worked my way down each level via the stairs. It's an awesome place and the gift shop had some of the coolest stuff too. It's right next to the super popular Air and Space Museum so if you don't feel like walking too far after exploring that one, check this one out.

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.

Such a good solo date in DC! I got to the Hirshhorn about an hour before closing and was honestly…read moresurprised that I was still able to see everything without feeling too rushed! My tip if you're short on time: start on the top floor and work your way down. I started with the outer part of the floor and worked my way inward, then followed the same pattern on the next floor. It made it really easy to navigate the museum without missing anything. Definitely recommend for a solo date, art lovers, or anyone looking for something affordable to do while visiting DC. Pro tip: Even if you only have an hour, GO! Start at the top, work your way down, and you can cover a lot.