Anacostia Community Museum
One of the smaller and lesser-visited Smithsonians and located off the Mall in southeast DC, ACM “preserves communities’ memories, struggles, and successes, and offers a platform where diverse voices and cultures can be heard.” It’s one of the few (only?!) DC museums with dedicated parking, and my guess is that it gains prominence and popularity rapidly in light of the growing focus on diversity and issues facing urban communities today. Because it is not as well known (it’s the least visited Smithsonian!), its author book signings and events (especially kid events) are less crowded and have a much more personal touch, which is awesome, and not the “typical” DC museum experience.
Archives of American Art Lawrence A. Fleischman Gallery
The Archives of American Art (not to be confused with the National Archives) is located in the same building as the Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) and the National Portrait Gallery (off the mall in Penn Quarter). I’ve never been here and didn’t realize this was an actual Smithsonian until now, but their website says “the Archives of American Art collects, preserves, and makes available primary sources documenting the history of the visual arts in the United States.” I’m sure this is really cool for art appreciators out there, but not for me.
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery & Freer Gallery of Art
These two museums, located steps from one another across the Smithsonian Garden make up the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art. I found it difficult to navigate this museum with a stroller (I believe there is one side that only has steps, but someone please correct me if I’m wrong) and I am a shallow art lover who only really appreciates well-known art (I know, I know), but classier art lovers will find lots to explore here. If you are going to see ONE thing, I’d choose The Peacock Room in Blue and White. Check it out if you are in the area so you can feel cultured, but this wouldn’t make my must-visit list.
Arts and Industries Building
While The Castle was the first Smithsonian building constructed (intended to be used as a headquarters and living area), the Arts & Industries Building was created next door for the purpose of housing the actual “Smithsonian” – the first national museum in the United States. Little did the folks of the 1880s know that an idea of a US National Museum would be so popular that this building would soon outgrow it’s space and become the incubator for nearly every other Smithsonian offshoot museum today. This gorgeous building was closed in 2004 for renovations and is scheduled to re-open in 2021 with FUTURES. I can’t wait to visit!
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
I know absolutely nothing about modern art, but visiting the Hirshhorn and it’s accompanying Sculpture Garden is just plain fun. The elevated cylandrical building is stunning in itself and all of the exhibits in the curved galleries are sometimes shocking, and always visually interesting. I always find something that “speaks” to me. Check out their latest exhibits – they always have something new and unique going on! Pop in and out – I love that you don’t need to commit a full outing to absorbing everything this museum has to offer.
National Air and Space Museum (on the Mall)
The National Air and Space Museum is actually two museums: one on the Mall in DC and one 30 minutes away in Chantilly, VA. I don’t have official stats, but would guess that the one on the Mall is one of the most popular museums in DC. And for good reason – flight is just plain FUN, and for all ages too! The exhibits are chock full of cool things (check out Neil Armstrong’s space suit or the Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall to see the first powered airplane, the 1903 Wright Flyer; America’s first jet plane, the Spirit of St. Louis; the Bell X-1 that broke the sound barrier; and an Apollo lunar module…among a million other amazing things), there are virtual reality simulators that might be even more fun for adults than kids, the iMax theaters and Planetarium always have something out-of-this-world to watch (see what I did there?), science demonstrations are legitimately interesting and there is an Observatory to test out your telescope skills. It’s busy and there’s a LOT to see, but it’s so worth it.
National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center (VA)
The Udvar-Hazy Center is the second building that makes up the National Air and Space Museum and it’s located in Virginia, about 30 minutes outside of DC. This museum is basically two GIANT aircraft hangars that holds hundreds (thousands?!) of aviation aircraft. The museum has an iMax theater, simulators, an observation tower and more – make sure to check out the floor plan to guide your route in this humongous space. Top highlights are the Space Shuttle Discovery (yes, the actual, life-sized space shuttle!), B-29 Superfortress Enola Gay, a stealth bomber, Air France Concorde, and Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird among so many other cool things. I’ve been here countless times and it never gets old seeing these larger-than-life famous aircraft!
National Museum of African American History and Culture
This museum opened in 2016 as the newest of the 19 Smithsonians. It is incredibly popular (pre-COVID you had to reserve a ticket online) and it’s clear why – I have been to this museum three times and STILL have yet to see all there is to see! The design of the building is not only beautiful but also intentional and the floor plan is very clever…you begin by taking an elevator 3 floors below ground to start in the 1400s with an exhibit on Slavery and Freedom, then move up a level to learn about the Era of Segregation from 1876 – 1968, and then head up again to see A Changing America from 1968 a beyond. There are four levels above ground as you move forward in history, ending with the lightest Culture Galleries on the top floor. You don’t necessarily have to visit each level in order (in fact, maybe don’t to avoid traffic!) – every space in this museum is jam-packed with information and artifacts. There are too many amazing things to list, so I’ll stick with what the Smithsonian website highlights as some top picks: Harriet Tubman’s hymnal; Nat Turner’s bible; A plantation cabin from South Carolina; Guard tower from Angola Prison; and Michael Jackson’s fedora.
National Museum of African Art
Located right behind The Castle and across the The Enid A. Haupt Garden from the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery & Freer Gallery of Art, this smaller museum is not one of my favorites – art apprecation is not my strong suit – but for all of you more cultured folk out there, there’s obviously a ton of amazing things to see…it’s a Smithsonian! Their programming for kids and field trips is fantastic and makes me wish they would schedule something for us uncultured adults too – Let’s Read about Africa is a great story time option; Studio Africa has hands-on activities; and there’s a culinary program with cooking demonstrations and tasting events.
National Museum of American History
An absolute beast of a museum, containing 1.8 million objects, you could visit the Museum of American History again and again and again and always find something new. There’s no way to do it all in one visit – some highlights include the original Star-Spangled Banner, the Greensboro lunch counter, Dorothy’s ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz, the The First Ladies exhibit, and the transformation of American food featuring Julia Child’s actual kitchen. Wegmans Wonderplace is a cute area for kids ages 0-6 and Warner Bros. Theater has great options for 2D/3D showings. This is one the most popular Smithsonians and for good reason!
National Museum of Natural History
Another beast of a museum, the Museum of Natural History is larger than 18 football fields and is home to the largest natural history collection in the world. My online sources show that this is the 11th most visited museum in the world and the most visited museum in DC! When you enter, you’ll be greeted by Henry, an 11-ton, 13 foot African elephant, which sets the stage for the magnitude of interesting things you’ll uncover during your trip here. There are too may highlights to list, but to scratch the surface, make sure to catch the Hope Diamond, the T-Rex in the Hall of Fossils, shark teeth and coral aquariums in the Ocean Hall, Egyptian mummies; tarantula feedings in the Insect Zoo and the Butterfly Pavilion. Adults and kids will enjoy all the amazing natural wonders here!
National Museum of the American Indian
This is one of the newer Smithsonians and quickly making the ranks as one of my favorites. The Museum of the American Indian was constructed very intentionally to look as a curved wind-sculpted rock, with all aspects of the design, cardinal direction orientation, abundance of light, surrounding indigenous plants, details, colors, and textures to reflect a connection to the natural land and Native cultures. Inside, exhibits are interactive and tied to technology (one of the pros of being a newer museum!). Personal favorite stops are Americans, Our Universes, and the imagiNATIONS Activity Center – my vote for the best kid area on the mall with the bonus of a sweet view of the Capitol. Their Mitisam Cafe has some of the most unique and delicious options around and the museum’s events – particularly around Dia de los Muertos where you can watch performances, decorate sugar skulls, and catch rainbows through sky crystals – are top notch.
National Portrait Gallery
Sharing a building with the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Penn Quarter (about 5 blocks from the Mall), this miiiiight be my personal favorite of all the art options in DC (…it feels like the least overwhelming for a non-art appreciator). Their website has a great breakdown about what to see if you have a half hour, hour, or whole day (…I wish all museums had a list like this!). Don’t miss the classic, America’s Presidents, or LL Cool J and Michelle Obama at another fave stop of mine, 20th Century Americans. And make sure to check out the Kogod Courtyard, a giant glass-ceiling area that is worthy of a visit alone.
National Postal Museum
One of the handful of Smithsonian museums off the National Mall (located next to Union Station, another good place to visit!), I would have probably never visited this museum (“postal museum” didn’t sound too enthralling) except I noticed they were hosting a kids’ Valentine’s Day-themed event on a gray February morning. I am SO glad I decided to venture here, because this Smithsonian is an underappreciated secret that is so fun both for kids and adults. There are life-size model postal trucks and airplanes, an actual post office where you can mail your creations, exhibits are interactive and interesting even to someone who cares nothing about stamp collections, and their events for children are well-supplied and well organized. Go here!
National Zoo
Another off-the-mall option and I’m not sure it really needs a description, since I hope you know what to expect at a zoo. There are two entrances on opposite ends, so make sure to check out a map beforehand to plan your route so you can hit up all your favorite animals. Getting here: there is a Metro stop right at the entrance or opt to use the parking lots, but be forewarned, they can be expensive. There is also on-street parking within walking distance, but finding a legal spot is rare, even for the lucky!
DC zoo darlings are the giant pandas, with adorable baby cub Xiao Qi Ji (“SHIAU-chi-ji” which translates as “little miracle”), born just in 2020. The Zoo also hosts a number of fun events throughout the year, including Boo at the Zoo, Brew at the Zoo, ZooFiesta, Zoofari, Zoo Uncorked, Zoo Lights, and more! (Interesting post notes: The first zoo started out in the backyard of the Smithsonian Castle before moving to it’s current location and in the 1970s the National Zoo was the first place in the USA to receive giant pandas from China…today there are only three other zoos in the country that are home to these beautiful animals!)
Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum
Although the Renwick is located away from the National mall (downtown closer to the White House), this small but beautiful building (a National Historic Landmark!) is a branch of the Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM). Easily doable in one trip, rotating exhibits are dedicated to “contemporary craft” and “decorative arts” with a focus on interactive/instagrammable exhibits (check their website to see what’s currently there!). This is one of my favorite museums because it’s a quick trip and one of the less overwhelming Smithsonian options. Also, exhibits are visually fun to walk through, even when you know NOTHING about the subject matter.
S. Dillon Ripley Center
More of a stopping point than a museum; you’ll see a copper domed kiosk between the “Castle” and the Freer Gallery of Art. The Ripley Center houses the Smithsonian Associates, the Discovery Theater, and the Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition Service. Only reason I’d probably go here is for Discovery Theater’s cute performances for kids. Check their website for more info.
Smithsonian American Art Museum
“SAAM” technically includes two buildings: the Smithsonian American Art Museum (National Historical Landmark located in Penn Quarter, abut 5 blocks from the National Mall) as well as the Renwick Gallery (a separate, smaller art museum located off the Mall near the White House). To make it even more confusing, it also shares one building with the National Portrait Gallery and Archives of American Art Lawrence A. Fleischman Gallery, two different Smithsonian art museums. The Portrait Gallery and SAAM are connected via the Kogod Courtyard, a giant glass-ceiling area that is particularly beautiful – don’t miss it! Final confusing note about this museum, it is completely different from the National Gallery of Art, which is also a big, white, beautiful (and also free!) art museum on the Mall, but NOT a Smithsonian. Sheesh. Big highlight of the SAAM is Electronic Superhighway: Continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, but there’s a TON more for American art lovers out there.
Smithsonian Institution Building
Known as “The Castle”, this gorgeous building serves as the Smithsonian Visitor Center. (Fun fact: The Castle was the first of all the Smithsonians and it was built on “an isolated piece of land cut off from the rest of downtown DC” but became the anchor for today’s National Mall, as other museums and federal buildings followed suit). Stop here to get maps and learn what’s happening at each of the museums or jump on a free (short!) tour to learn about the “mini museum” housed within this building (with tons of interesting things within one incredible room!). The Enid A. Haupt Garden outside of the Castle is definitely one of the hidden gems on the Mall, especially in late March when it is transformed into a sea of pink with all the blooming saucer magnolia trees. Main point: this is a gorgeous building with a gorgeous garden and most people skip it. If you are spending time on the Mall, don’t miss this gem, even if it’s just to take a break from all the white marble!
Jelly Side Up 