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    Smithsonian

    4.2 (1.3k reviews)
    Open 10:00 am - 5:30 pm

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    Ask the Community - Smithsonian

    Is there parking?

    Street parking and several parking lots...i found parking on the street and on sundays it's free

    How long do we usually need to visit this museum?

    If you have kids or you want to explore everything extensively, it could take 4 or so hours. I would say the 1-2 hour range would be more typical. If you're planning to see a show, that will take up more time and you should check the schedule in… 

    Do you need advance passes or tickets, or can you just go? Thanks

    No need for tickets. It's free and open to the public :)

    View All 5 Questions

    Review Highlights - Smithsonian

    The National Air and Space Museum was interactive, engaging, and told me so much about the history of air travel.

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    Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History - She's looking right at me... it's a she, I peeked

    Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

    4.5(1.4k reviews)
    0.4 mi

    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.

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    Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History - Line at 3p or so

    Line at 3p or so

    Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History - Model jellyfish in the marine life exhibit

    Model jellyfish in the marine life exhibit

    Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History - Hope diamond

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    Hope diamond

    United States Botanic Garden - Annual holiday train set

    United States Botanic Garden

    4.6(629 reviews)
    0.4 mi

    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.

    Photos
    United States Botanic Garden - Botanical Garden main entrance

    Botanical Garden main entrance

    United States Botanic Garden - Orchids

    Orchids

    United States Botanic Garden

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

    Air And Space Museum Albert Einstein Planetarium

    4.2(49 reviews)
    0.0 mi

    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.

    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....

    Photos
    Air And Space Museum Albert Einstein Planetarium - Solar system area

    Solar system area

    Air And Space Museum Albert Einstein Planetarium - It's taken me all my life to learn what not to play.
   -Dizzy Gillespie

    It's taken me all my life to learn what not to play. -Dizzy Gillespie

    Air And Space Museum Albert Einstein Planetarium

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    National Gallery of Art - Mother and child

    National Gallery of Art

    4.6(896 reviews)
    0.2 mi

    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.

    Photos
    National Gallery of Art - Mankind? That is an abstraction. 
 There have always been and always will be only individuals.
  ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

    Mankind? That is an abstraction. There have always been and always will be only individuals. ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

    National Gallery of Art - "The need for mystery is greater than the need for an answer"
    -Ken Kesey

    "The need for mystery is greater than the need for an answer" -Ken Kesey

    National Gallery of Art - Ices-cream is exquisite. What a pity it isn't illegal.
          --Voltaire

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    Ices-cream is exquisite. What a pity it isn't illegal. --Voltaire

    National Museum of the American Indian - Spacious lobby

    National Museum of the American Indian

    3.6(529 reviews)
    0.2 mi

    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.

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    National Museum of the American Indian
    National Museum of the American Indian - Stewed Hominy and Lamb Stew with Fry Bread

    Stewed Hominy and Lamb Stew with Fry Bread

    National Museum of the American Indian - El Paso Tejas representation !!!!!

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    El Paso Tejas representation !!!!!

    Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden - Fernand Leger

    Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden

    4.3(548 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $

    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.

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    Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden - Henry Moore

    Henry Moore

    Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden - Contemporary Photography in China exhibit | "Foam"

    Contemporary Photography in China exhibit | "Foam"

    Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden - Calder's mobile and Jean Miro painting.

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    Calder's mobile and Jean Miro painting.

    Smithsonian - museums - Updated August 2026

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