Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Smithsonian Associates

    2.7 (11 reviews)
    Open 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

    Smithsonian Associates Photos

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Smithsonian Associates

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1
    Photo of M F.
    0
    6
    0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of H W.
    0
    24
    6

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of H F.
    0
    9
    0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Ask the Community - Smithsonian Associates

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Museums 4,316 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    United States Botanic Garden - Annual holiday train set

    United States Botanic Garden

    (619 reviews)

    This place is genuinely cool and worth the trip. The greenhouse conservatory is massive with a full…read moreglass ceiling, tropical trees reaching up to the rafters, ferns and rock formations everywhere. Feels like you stepped into a rainforest, not a building. The desert section with the cacti and dramatic rock formations is a nice contrast too. The specialty exhibit with the labeled specimens is a highlight. They had an ant plant display with actual species tags like Hoya bilobata and Kraenzlinella mounted on driftwood and mossy rocks. The level of curation is serious, clearly put together by people who actually know their stuff. Make sure to come early before it gets super crowded. Parking around the area is a little challenging, but street parking readily available. We came in a Sunday it wasn't too bad, but make sure to get there early and dress accordingly!

    Dear reader, The…read moreUnited States Botanic Garden is an absolute treasure and one of the loveliest ways to spend your time in DC. It feels peaceful, fascinating, and quietly spectacular all at once, which is really a rather strong combination. From the moment you walk in, there is so much to take in that it becomes very easy to lose track of time in the best possible way. The large orchid exhibit was especially breathtaking. It had that rare quality of making everyone slow down a bit and simply look, which feels increasingly impressive these days. The colours, shapes, and sheer variety were amazing. It made the entire visit feel even more special. The medicinal plant section was another standout for me because there is genuinely so much to learn there. It adds a thoughtful and educational layer to the visit without ever feeling dry or overly serious. The atriums are amazing and full of interesting things to see like bananas(?!), and the large tropical area is particularly fun to explore. It feels lush, immersive, and just a little dramatic, as though you have wandered into a completely different climate for a while. The outdoor area is also wonderful and makes the whole place feel even more expansive and relaxing. A further point in its favour is the gift shop, which is absolutely worth a stop. It is full of interesting things and does not feel like an afterthought, which one must appreciate. Even better, the prices are pretty fair, so it is actually possible to leave with a little something without feeling entirely taken advantage of. They have a vending machine where you can get really fun art prints too! Overall, the United States Botanic Garden is beautiful, engaging, and very much worth visiting. Between the orchids, the tropical rooms, the medicinal plants, the outdoor spaces, and the charming gift shop, there is so much to enjoy. I would happily return again and again, and quite enthusiastically at that.

    Planet Word Museum - lexicon lane

    Planet Word Museum

    (218 reviews)

    Downtown

    Planet Word is a fun pit stop geared mostly toward children, though adults will still find plenty…read moreto enjoy. The space feels very modern, with clean and well maintained exhibits throughout. I appreciated the free coat rack and lockers available to all visitors. One thing to note is that the stairs are unidirectional, so moving between floors requires walking across the entire level each time. We were advised to start on the third floor and work our way down. The third floor featured a massive globe surrounded by multilingual iPads. Each one offered different languages along with cultural and linguistic context. The video and audio quality stood out as especially clear. There was also an interactive show exploring the history and cultural influences behind everyday words. While museum shows can sometimes feel skippable, this one held attention for the full fifteen minutes with clever use of visuals, lighting, and a dynamic word driven backdrop. On the second floor, the free photobooth stood out as a highlight. Individuals or pairs pose based on randomly assigned words. The photo quality is not the best, but it still makes for a fun and memorable souvenir. There is also a sing along room where groups of children gather to perform songs. I had to laugh when Eminem came on, though I was genuinely impressed by how the lyrics were broken down and analyzed on screen. A small library space is also available, stocked mostly with children's books for casual reading. I also tried the Lexicon Lane experience, which cost forty dollars and is designed for groups of up to four. It is set up similarly to an escape room, but with a stronger focus on wordplay and language based puzzles. Since we were the first group of the day, we had full choice of the cases, while later groups had to pick from what remained. Each case offers a normal or expert level, though both were fairly challenging. Some puzzles rely heavily on familiarity with American idioms and cultural references, which could make them tougher for some players. That said, the staff were very accommodating and offered helpful nudges when groups got stuck. I would especially recommend this for puzzle lovers, as it is a unique add on and actually more affordable than a typical escape room. One of the standout aspects of Planet Word is the staff. They were consistently friendly, approachable, and clearly invested in making the experience enjoyable. Overall, it is a great museum to visit if you are looking to be entertained for an hour or so.

    What a niche and cool museum! I took my 11 and 13yo here and we had a lot of fun exploring!…read more I appreciate that it's donation based and the ability to make reservations to help keep crowds at bay. Maybe next time I'll work up the courage to join some crews for karaoke!

    Smithsonian - The Wright Brothers..the origin story for this museum

    Smithsonian

    (1.3k reviews)

    I was raised in the greater DC metropolitan area and began visiting the museum at age eight…read more There have been many changes and updates to the Air and Space Museum, and the hardware is magnificent. I noticed that not one spacecraft -- particularly the robotic -- have a single description of the hardware. Why not? What visitor has looked up at the Mariner or Voyager spacecraft and wondered what the components are. Same for the Martian landers and surface robots. I think the Museum staff is missing the point: it's great to have the machine there, but explain something about its structure and components -- and explain the hardware's purpose. I noticed a lot of young children in the museum. I don't mind them, but the experience is lost on them, too young to understand what they're seeing, or to understand most explanations. I noticed several of them falling down stairs yesterday, unsupervised by the adults with them. Perhaps there should be a lower age limit? (There were no apparent injuries to any of the kids.) Last of all: there is an exhibit about SPEED. Know what populates the exhibit? Cars. Really? How does this apply to an Air and Space museum? Just filling up the space? Don Garlitz and Mario Andretti are no doubt legends in their time, but what does this have to do with aviation or spaceflight? There are dozens -- if not hundreds -- of speed records set in manned aviation and spaceflight: why not have these records posted? This exhibit was exceptionally disappointing. All in all: I think the leaders of the museum have lost their vision.

    The National Air and Space Museum is absolutely worth a visit when you're visiting Washington DC…read more It's on the national Mall and one of the best of the museums. We spent about two hours there in total and it was incredible. We found that the Wright Brothers Section was one the most enjoyable to us. A very extensive history of aviation as well as land speed records. Their Gift Shop is absolutely amazing as well. Reservations are required and you cannot enter and tell the time of your reservation. Associates are quite welcoming and friendly when you enter. Overall, A+ experience!

    Air And Space Museum Albert Einstein Planetarium - 'Give yourself a gift: the present moment'
     --Marcus Aurelius

    Air And Space Museum Albert Einstein Planetarium

    (48 reviews)

    If you take anything away from this review, let it be this - SECURE YOUR TICKETS AHEAD OF TIME!…read more The first time we visited, I made the mistake of trying to get tickets day of. They were completely sold out. The second time we were in DC, I confirmed tickets for two days and I'm glad I did! We split our visit between two days which was helpful because there's a lot to see even though a section is closed for renovations. I loved seeing so many pieces of history. They broke it out into rooms which helped us focus on the point in time or overall theme of each room. Highly recommend checking this place out but be warned it's generally busy because it's so popular.

    Space... the final frontier.... Whether you're a kid, or just a kid at heart, your mind will wander…read morewith the possibilities of seeing the actual vehicles and relics of historical significance and marvel at the drive of the human spirit to first take flight, then zoom past the curvature of the ocean until you hit new land, and, finally, break the bonds of gravity and stake your claim in the cosmos. I've been so many times, and it's free to go and see these incredible achievements of humanity in real life. You can look at the lunar capsule and imagine the bravery and ingenuity of the millions of people whose guts and brains it took, over thousands of years, to make such an achievement possible. This is the true legacy of humanity and it inspires while posing the question, what is next for mankind....

    National Gallery of Art - Mother and child

    National Gallery of Art

    (889 reviews)

    Step into the National Gallery of Art, and suddenly you're strolling through a palace of culture…read moreright on the National Mall. The gallery opened in 1941 thanks to financier and art lover Andrew W. Mellon, who believed the American people deserved a museum every bit as grand as those in Europe. Built in gleaming marble by architect John Russell Pope, the place feels less like a museum and more like walking through a royal treasury of creativity. One room might greet you with the grace of Raphael, while another lets you stare straight into the swirling brilliance of Vincent van Gogh. And here's the delicious little detail: this world-class collection began with just over a hundred paintings and a few dozen sculptures from Mellon's personal stash ehis gift to the nation. Today the gallery holds well over 150,000 works, spanning centuries of human imagination. It's the kind of place where you wander in for a quick look and suddenly find yourself rubbing elbows with masterpieces that usually live in textbooks. No velvet ropes, no fancy invitation required just walk in and enjoy the riches. Now that's what I call art with a little champagne sparkle.

    Came here after seeing it on tiktok. The East gallery didn't have as much, but I was also able to…read morecheck out the outdoor sculpture garden. I came specifically to see a few pieces (Degas' Little Dancer), but the layout was a little confusing. The best part was the gelato selection in the Cascade Cafe. I bought a small pumpkin gelato for about $7 and the flavor was perfect. The security guards are a little strict with the fact that you cannot exit the museum until you've finished all your food at the cafe first. 2026 #20

    Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden - Fernand Leger

    Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden

    (546 reviews)

    $

    The Hirshhorn offers a distinct contrast to the National Gallery of Art, and its rotating exhibits…read morehelp keep each visit feeling fresh. Some of the outdoor sculptures were visible, though a few pieces were either being relocated or blocked off. There were not many, so it made for a quick walk around the circular exterior. Upon entering, we went through security, which led into the main lobby where there is also a café. The coffee was both expensive and underwhelming, so I would recommend grabbing a drink elsewhere. The museum has three floors, and I found it easiest to start at the top and work your way down. *Laurie Anderson Four Talks: one of my favorite exhibits. The installation was fully immersive, covering the entire room. The writing and drawings across all four walls really brought the concept together. *Adam Pendleton Love Queen: a visually striking exhibit that transitions into a black and white video. While the artwork itself did not resonate with me as much, the video left both me and other visitors in a quiet, reflective state. *Revolutions Art from the Hirshhorn Collection: more traditional in style and subject matter. I did wish there was more context provided for some of the pieces, especially the sculptures, as a few lacked historical explanation. *Basquiat x Banksy: a more modern collection that reflects themes of racial and class divide. The bold colors and strong perspectives made this one of the more engaging sections. *Big Things For Big Rooms: a bit too literal for my taste, as it largely consisted of oversized objects without much added depth. *Mark Bradford Pickett's Charge: an older but well maintained exhibit. The circular layout of the museum complemented the work nicely. The textures and use of color were particularly compelling. The gift shop offered a wide range of items, including pieces inspired by past exhibitions and collaborations. I especially liked the Basquiat and Banksy merchandise, though it was nice to see representation from other collections as well. Overall, this is an easy museum to explore in one visit. I wish I could have seen the updated sculpture garden, but the rotating exhibits alone make it worth coming back.

    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.

    Smithsonian Associates - museums - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...