The best Bible collection in the entire world! I wonder if all visitors appreciate how special this…read morecollection is with so many rare Bibles in an absolutely comprehensive collection. Some highlights include: Wicked Bible (First edition 1611 King James with errored 10 commandment missing the "not": though shall commit adultery); both HE and SHE versions of 1611 King James where verse in Ruth is printed "he" in one version and "she" in another describe who went into town), Jim Elliot Bible (first Bible printed in North America, and was in Native American language. Only 1000 printed and most burned by natives during their revolt against colonists), and a John Wycliffe Bible (first Bible in the English Language, before the printing press so was hand-written)! The collection has entire lineage of Bibles in many languages. Amazingly impressive! We were lucky as they had the Dead Sea Scrolls on exhibit during our visit (extra ticket charge, but well worth it given the rare opportunity). This is a temporary showcase. I have seen them before at another venue but this was even more well done. The Dead Sea Scrolls are biblical text found in 1940s and 1950s that date back 2000 years. The accuracy of Biblical text today was in question until this discovery. Miraculously, our current text matches the text from the time of Jesus. They setup 6 free online meetings throughout the year so people can discuss the scrolls with scholars. Beyond the Bibles, they have many video exhibits that are really well done. The Old and New Testament walk-through video journeys were incredible. We opted for the "All Creation Sings" exhibit which has additional fee. I was not overly excited. The main message is good, highlighting worship is not just about singing but about how we live. However I was really hoping for some good worship music. It ends with a weird interactive experience where you approach the wall and cause color to explode with your body movements, which really didn't feel like a worship experience. People with background in Christianity and the Bible will learn a lot. They also donated good job explaining the Bible for those not super familiar with the text. It is azing how they reach both audiences. They also have many child exhibits and games throughout to keep the little kiddos engaged. Highly recommend a visit when you are in DC. The museum isn't free like the many federal museums but it is not expensive and totally worth it!

I have been hearing wonderful things about this museum for years now and have finally had the…read moreopportunity to go. I will tell you that my wife and I spent nearly 4 hours here and now sitting back and reflecting, believe we missed one or two exhibits. The amount of history and actual relics within this museum is incredible. Shows the history of the Bible going back to ancient Israel to modern today. I don't know what else to say other than go and don't hesitate to buy the small priced add-on. Go see the Dead Sea scrolls. To have my nose 12 inches away from these artifacts was actually incredible to me.

I must have visited this museum half a dozen times over the years, but each and every time, it…read morefeels so fresh...and always so awe-inspiring! It's been over a decade since we last visited...and it felt as if I visited it the first time. So many new additions, it seems? I was especially interested in seeing the parts of the museum featuring the Dinosaurs and the Human Evolution...as I recently saw series on Netflix and PBS. The exhibits on both were phenomenal. I won't go into too much details since everything has been written and then some by other Yelpers...but all I can say is that this should be part of each and every DC trip. It's definitely one of the more popular (bustling!) Smithsonian museums...and with good reason! It's truly a treat to see this and other amazing exhibits and art works at these Smithsonian museums...and all for free!

4.5 stars Great…read moremuseum with a lot to see. It's free and you don't have to reserve a ticket. I spent about 2-2.5 hours here one afternoon and still didn't get to see everything, so I came back the next day and it was still very fast paced. They have a lot of great specimens (including mummies) and some of my favorites like the Hope Diamond, all the gems, and the ocean critters. 2026 #13

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.

Funny story - I was looking for kid-friendly ideas of things to do in DC and asked ChatGPT for…read moreideas. One of the responses was the Planet Word museum, which I never heard of. I looked it up and decided to try it! They recommend you get timed passes online ahead of time; it's free but they do recommend a donation. This museum is SO COOL! As someone who loves different languages and words I loved everything about this place! My kids loved all of the interactivity. There is a room with an interactive word wall and you can interact and answer and request more info on the history of certain words. For example, I learned that "ketchup" was named after a Chinese sauce even though they are not similar. There is also a magical library room where you can pick a book off the shelf and place it on a book holder and the book is read to you. There are also mirror shadow boxes that come to life if you read the inscription. Finally, the kids loved the karaoke room - you select a song and as you sing along you see the types of parts of speech at play in the song. Great experience, would for sure recommend and go back!

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.

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.

We reserved timed tickets to explore the world renowned collection of air & space artifacts &…read morestories. We spent a lot of time getting through security at the door. Eight new galleries are now open & the museums renovation is scheduled to be completed next year. The vast 2 story gift shop offered unique amazing books, clothing, models, posters .... The Mars cafeteria offered expensive coffee, pizza, sandwiches & pasta. I was disappointed that the Lockheed Martin IMAX Theater was closed. Planetarium tickets were sold when we entered. Some of the highlights of our visit were: 1903 Wright Bros. Flyer Apollo 11 module Star Trek's Enterprise Northrop Talon Mercury Capsule Ford - AT

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....

We loved coming to the air and space museum. We got the 10 am tickets for when it opened and the…read moreline wrapped around the building. We had a lot of fun here and watched one of the IMAX shows which was about the future of space, it was perfect timing because the astronaut on Artimus II was in it and it was the day they launched. My only wish is that it wasn't so crowded or a way to have less people to be able to enjoy exhibits more and have it be less overwhelming. My kiddo was definitely overwhelmed and overstimulated as were we. We didn't get though everything but all the top floor and some of the first. The cafe doesn't have a ton of food options and the line gets long but it was what we had for lunch.

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

Never met a museum we didn't like and the Spy Museum delivers…read more We had a private tour and the docent(s) were 5*. Be prepared to spend many hours here, it's that big and detailed.

Thebuber driver who dropped us off the Wharf told us about this interesting museum, and we found it…read morea special add on to pur weekend visit to DC for the cherry blossom this year. The museum is a huge collection on various spy and related topics throughout the humankind history. Things are not what they appear to.look.

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.

After hearing about this place from a former colleague, I wanted to spend a couple quick hours…read morehere. So powerful, and spending an hour really just scratched the surface. I would want to come back and spend some meaningful time here. The Treaty exhibit was very thought provoking, and it was amazing that they had an actual copy of a treaty (brought from National Archives). I loved the design of the museum, and the flags of the tribes hanging everywhere. Highly recommend. See my other review of the cafe.

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.